TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Place to stay next year for semi extended stay?

We have not been to St. Maarten since summer of 2017. A lot went on since our last visit and it has been way too long since then.

Covid put a pretty big damper on our travel, but now that is all kind of in the past, we are planning on going back next winter.

We have never been to the island in Jan, Feb, or March, but this is when we want to go to escape the cold. We would like to stay 6 weeks or longer if possible.

Where do most people stay for extended times like that? Airbnb? Vrbo? Are there any long term rentals? Can someone point me in the right direction to finding a place for that length of time? Thanks so much for any help.

OPTION 1

I was informed the paraloup cottage in orient bay is an option.. be forewarned, I stayed there for a month years ago and hated it.

Light switches placed in odd spots, main kitchen light switch on a timer, full of sand flees, but the killer?? two bedrooms, one bathroom which is thru the main bedroom . Never again!

OPTION 2

Arbritel which is a french airbnb like site, and offers a few more options.

Thanks.
I've been looking on Airbnb and have found some nice places. In all the years we have traveled to SXM, we never have really gone to the Nettle Bay, Sandy Ground area. There are some nice places, but most have the lagoon view. I'm pretty sure you don't swim in that, but for those that have seen it, what is it like? The views on the pictures look nice, but is there a smell at all. I have heard horror stories of boats dumping sewage etc. in the lagoon, but maybe they are just stories.
Any advice would be great.

Personally, I don't think I would stay in Nettle Bay or Sandy Ground unless the place you are looking at has night time security and gated parking.

Lagoon view usually includes lagoon smell. Have stayed in Sandy Ground on the lagoon side.

Okay, good to know. I'll rule that area out. If I'm going to pay out the money, I want it to be nice. Especially since I'll be there over 6 weeks.

What is your budget??

Look at Logan's Run. We've stayed there during the time Flamingo was under rebuilding. Well kept 2 bed villa with 3 bathrooms. No pool but next door to La Vista that owner has arrangements to use pool. Owner living on island year round. Easy to work with.
https://logansrunsxm.com/

I would like to keep it under $6000 a month. I have found some places that look appealing, but have not pulled the trigger on anything yet.

I'll look at the logans run site. Thanks.

I would be careful, especially with that amount of money, as far as the cancellation policy. And look at trip cancellation insurance.

I am certain that LaTerasse would have all the availability you need. Probably LaPlage as well. Maho Village is convenient and fun. Good hunting.

Amen

Rebecca at Logan’s Run is a great person. And she lives right there. Wouldn’t hesitate!

Hi we have our airbnb in the dawn beach area. Possibly a choice for you. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/813572451943809398?source_impression_id=p3_1677607532_Uzic7mFkcKP4VA2o

Looks nice, but way bigger than what we need. Just 2 of us is all. Thanks though. If I ever need a larger place, I may look into it.

How long do a lot of you stay during the winter months?
I have also tried contacting several of the places mentioned, but no one has responded? Logans Run, LaTerasse etc. Nothing yet.
If you didn't answer where you stayed, would you mind telling me where? Why do you keep going back if you do?
Thanks.

I stay at Horny Toad Guest House for five weeks at a time and love it. It's RIGHT on Simpson Bay. It's a very quiet property with only eight rooms: four up and four down. The bedroom is large; kitchen is well equipped; daily maid service. Lovely view from upstairs balcony; downstairs units open right onto the sand. Gated parking. Daily happy hours with innkeepers and other guests in the gazebo; attendance optional, of course, but it's delightful getting to know just a small handful of people. I checked and they have availability for about five weeks late March into April. You can check on line but it's probably best to call them and talk direct with innkeepers Debbie or Doug. I didn't find any availability in January or February; it's a desirable property and people book well in advance.

LINK to Horny Toad web site

Thanks for the info. I am wanting a place for the whole month of February, and either the last week of January, or the 1st week of March. We have decided on 5 weeks this time. My wife will be retiring, and is a little hesitant to be away for any longer. So, we are looking at 5 weeks in SXM. Our whole trip will be longer as part of the time before and after our trip will be spent in Florida.

Scotty--I think your problem will be winter rates versus summer rates. Horny Toad is a good example--rates for summer $130/night, winter $240/night. I think your best bet would be something like VRBO. And while you probably would get a break in rates for a long term rental, finding someplace you could stay for the whole time might be difficult. You may need to break up the stay into two weeks one place and three weeks another. Best wishes!

I'm looking constantly. I'm trying to find the best bang for the buck, if you know what I mean. LOL. My wife will be retiring in Dec. and I want to make it a great retirement trip for her this winter. I have been looking at airbnb and have found some nice places. My biggest problem is finding a great location with some cool amenities that don't cost the family farm. For some prices these places are wanting, I seriously could look at investing in a home myself.
Anyway, one of the places I am looking at is found on the peninsula of Mullet Bay Pond. Is that going to have the same issue as being located in the lagoon, since it is actually part of the lagoon. The place is beautiful, with large living area and even a private pool. There are tons of reviews and it has a 4.96 of 5 rating. The reviews tell of how great it is, and no one tells of any smell or anything like that. Since I have never even been to that area, I was wondering if it is a good place for any of the experts out there?
Thanks to all who are trying to help me out. I do so much appreciate all your time and advice. Have a great day.

I am not familiar with the area you are talking about. I do understand why you wouldn't want to post a link to it here though! Best wishes!

https://myriam-and-frank-residence-maho-reef.ibooked.ca/

Great location in Maho.
Not expensive.
Design is quirky but very relaxing.
Owner is very kind.

Not available for the dates I wanted.
Thanks for the suggestion though.

Have you considered Puerto Cupecoy of Rainbow Beach Club?
There are also condos in The Blue Mall.

I was going to suggest the same, it is a great area to stay and has you out of the Simpson Bay traffic with easy access to both sides of the island. Lot also with in walking distance.

I would add that if you are going to rent longer term like you are stating many of the places would negotiate a better rate, never hurts to ask, they want their places rented not vacant.

Any idea how one would contact Puerto Cupecoy or Rainbow Beach Club? Are you talking on airbnb, or those places directly?
Thanks to all who are trying to help. It is greatly appreciated.

As far as I know, the places at Rainbow and at Puerto Cupecoy are all individually owned, so you need to deal with the individual owners.

Okay. Well, that means just keep looking on airbnb or vrbo. I'm getting close I think.

Best wishes!

Has anyone stayed in the area of Guana Bay, Black Bay, or Point Blanche Bay? We have been to St. Maarten 6 times, and have stayed there over 160 days, but have never really been to those areas or ever really explored them. Kind of sad on our part, but would like some info if anyone would know anything about them. Thanks again.

We stayed at Guana Bay one time. I personally wouldn't recommend it. It's pretty isolated from anywhere, nothing in the immediate area other than residential. You have to drive about 10 minutes over the hill to get to P'burg, which is the closest restaurants, etc. I believe there are some nice villas up the hill there, but not really familiar with any of them. We stayed at Geo Villas, which was on the water, which was kind of a dump, at that time. I believe that area also has a tendency to suffer from sargassum. The beach is composed of small rocks, as I recall, not a really good beach. A lot of people use it for surfing, as there is often a big surf there. No chairs for rent or any other faciliities there, as of when we stayed there anyway.

No idea where Black Bay even is. Point Blanche Bay is of course the area close to the cruise ship pier. We stayed at a condo way above the cruise ship pier one time. Really nice views from up there, but it was a fair hike up the hill to get there. Can't remember the name of the complex, but the complex itself was nice.

There are units at Rainbow Beach Club, Blue Mall and Puerto Cupecoy listed on VRBO.

I'll PM you the contact info for a guy who may be able to help you.

We didn't stay there, but got a tour once of Craig Roberts (Pack Light) house in Point Blanche Very nice with several bedrooms. He lives upstairs. You might want to contact him and check on the availability. I believe it's gated after a certain time in the evening. At least it was then.

pony---Craig's place is in Beacon Hill, I think, not Point Blanche.

I think I've found a place on airbnb. My question for anyone that knows anything about these rentals is, What kind of amenities should I expect? Chairs and umbrella? Beach towels? Bathroom items? Would anyone care to fill me in on what to expect? If it all goes well tomorrow, after I chat with the guy, I'll be all booked up to go back to SXM after a 7 year drought. Let's hope he can come through. He is giving me one heck of a deal is all I can say.

Expect what they offer or listed as included.

If you're going to talk to the person, ask them about anything that is important. Bathroom items? What do you mean? Toilet paper, or soap, etc? If it's French side, don't expect anything. Dutch side, they should provide toilet paper, but soap is a crap shoot. Regarding chairs and umbrella, ask them, but if they don't, you can always rent from Craig at Packlight.

Regarding 'one heck of a deal', just make sure it's not 'too good to be true'. Check the refund policy. Also, hopefully there will be some reviews of the owner, wherever you're booking. Best wishes!

It is Beacon hill for sure

It is through airbnb. Full refund up to Jan 2. Reviews are a 4.97 with over 100 reviews.