This is one island where I would NOT take AI. Keep checking for vacancies in other places and unless there's nothing else then take Sonesta. Decide if you want to be in a place where you can walk to everything or try a place a little more secluded and rent a car.

We alternate Dutch side places and rent a car with following year French side Grand Case with lots of shops & restaurants and no car.

Our first visit to SXM we stayed at Great Bay Hotel, now Sonesta Great bay and took an all incl. and found it to be a big mistake. Once we discovered all the great food around we didn't use our plan except for breakfast and felt like we'd spent more on hotel than was necessary.