TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip Report Day 5-7

Checking the Cruiseship schedule, we noticed one day was a 5 cruiseship day, with a few big ones so we decided to grab our beach chairs and hit a more quiet beach. After reading online about a group being robbed at Le Gallion this week, we were reminded to be careful. We grabbed picnic supplies and decided to look at Baie Rouge and if it was too deserted, to try somewhere else. Turns out, others on island had the same idea. There were probably 50-60 people there by the time we left. The water was so clear and beautiful – I believe it was the prettiest beach we visited this trip. I would have loved to have seen it pre-Irma. We decided to try Happy Hour at The Oasis this evening. It wasn’t too crowded and we very much enjoyed the bartenders and watching Freddo try to “win over” a waitress that was giving him the evil eye. He eventually prevailed and got a grin out of her. We got Cosmos, Calamari, and Korean wings. All were excellent and it is definitely on the return to list for us, especially during Happy Hour. Someone posted here about the parking garage in Maho- we had not realized it was there and I directed him on how to find it - Wow - how much easier it makes things... for $1 an hour! My husband lists it as one of the best finds of the trip this time haha!

Wednesday evening we had reservations at Bamboo House for Sunset. We ran into our first real traffic jam trying to cross the causeway bridge around 5:00pm. We made it to the shuttle in time for our 6:00 reservation (barely). It was beautiful and I’m glad we did it, but probably not on our list to do again. Drinks were fine, but nothing remarkable (we thought the drinks at The Oasis and JAX in Maho were much better). The food was pretty good – the portions rather small, which was fine. It was just such a hassle to do, we prefer our vacation dining to be a little more laid back and relaxing – it just doesn’t fit well with our usual vacation schedule. I definitely would do it once… if we went back, we’d probably try to just go to the bar for Happy Hour. Those specials were not available from a table. Oh… and shockingly we did see a lady fall in the water here, fully clothed. No one was really sure exactly how that could happen, but thankfully she was ok. There was a $5 per person music charge, but if you go early for sunset, they only allow you to book the table for 2 hours. The music doesn't start until 7:30, so you don't get to hear much. You have to move to the bar... or perhaps book a later table if you enjoy the music. And they add the 15% service charge, but it is noted. If you want valet parking, it's $10. Things just add up here.

One day we joined a group from a Facebook post on a group sail to Anguilla on Spellbound Too. After looking at the schedule, we realized meeting the dinghy was going to be difficult from our spot in Terres Basses because we had to cross the drawbridge around the time the regatta boats would be going through. So, we decided to go early, find a parking spot, and eat breakfast before meeting. That turned out to be a good plan. Reveil Matin was great as always. I had the Snooze (French Toast topped with apples sauteed in butter, blueberries, and homemade caramel sauce) & a chai latte. My husband had eggs, bacon, potatoes, and toast. We enjoyed it all, but he particularly thought the potatoes were excellent this time and I had to agree.

We have never been to SXM during the regatta before, as we typically come earlier. We met the captain and dinghy behind No Where Special. He took us out to the catamaran and we sailed out before the regatta began and we got to see all the boats waiting on the start. It was beautiful. An easy day for sailing, or motor sailing actually. The charter included a full bar and bbq lunch. As we’ve never been to Anguilla before, we enjoyed the sailing, the gorgeous scenery, and meeting new people.


We’re starting to realize our time in St. Martin is coming to a close…. Time goes by so quickly here!

We haven't been to Bamboo House, but planning on that for next trip. I'm kind of confused about the statement about you only can have a table for two hours if you go for sunset. And the statement that it was kind of a lot of trouble. I'm too lazy to look it up, but what time is sunset now?

Great report!
Where is Oasis?
We have to start trying new places.

Oasis is where Cheri's was. Roma and Mr. Chow are part of the ''oasis''.

On the menu, and I think on the Open Table reservation, it states that you may only have a table for 2 hours if you have an early booking (before 6:30 I think... working off memory here - Sunset was about 6:15-6:20ish) we had at 6:00, they make you vacate the table at 8:00. It stated if you wished to stay and listen to the music (which you pay $5 per person on Wednesday or Thursday night), you'd need to move to the bar area. We were staying in a villa in Les Terres Basses so Maho was so easy. Grand Case worth the effort. It took us longer to navigate across the causeway and through just the edge of Cole Bay than to drive all the way to Grand Case (via Sandy Ground from our place). We took the shuttle (the first one, so there was no sign or indication where to wait for shuttle - luckily we saw a group of ladies, one of which had been there before and knew where to wait). The shuttle driver brought a sign down with him. Not knowing whether we would make the reservation (which they say they will hold for 15 minutes), navigating all the traffic, and really having no idea where to wait once we got to the
Carre Four was just very stressful.

Maybe the bad traffic was due mostly to the regatta, but it seems that area always has quite a bit of traffic. I would still do it once - it's just a one and done spot for us.

I think it's essentially the bar/lounge area in between Mr. Chow and Roma. It was really good and you could order off either menu or pizza if you wanted to eat a full meal there. The cocktails were really good too.

"I would have loved to have seen it pre-Irma"
Not any different pre Irma as long before Irma the bars were forced to close and no facilities remined.

lhbsurf--thanks

I guess I haven't been paying attention. We have been to Roma and hope to be back in April. Maybe our dinner buddies from last time will join us again!! (P & J)
Thank-you, and Ed, for the info.

Oh ok... I thought the bars were damaged in Irma and did not reopen.

Laura , you are 100 correct. You had Gus and Chez Raymond there at the time Irma hit. Gus made an attempt to come back later in 2018 and early 2019 before the gendarme shut him down.