All I can report is what happened to us the first time we visited SXM other than on a cruise ship - we found a villa in the Orient Bay neighborhood on VRBO - put down a 900 dollar deposit on the villa. About three months later, I received an email from someone who said the owner of the company renting the villa had died unexpectedly but that he was trying to "keep" our reservation for us - it felt very scammy so we cancelled immediately - I never did get any of my money back. We did find another villa though a local agent (for significantly more $$$) and had a lovely stay...

We now have local agents that we use - we are in a situation right now where the condo we had rented (and paid deposit on) is going to be long term rented so they are cancelling us - but we are being offered another unit and they are holding it while we decide - also offering full refund if we decide against... they are local and terrific (St. Martin Rentals - Sylvia and Christine)