We normally stay in a private villa... a bit more pricey but we travel with another couple so the price difference in negligible. We stay on Dawn Beach (Dawn Beach Estates) which is very close to both French and Dutch sides making access to both easy. There are a couple of restaurants on Dawn Beach but if you are wanting to experience all the options the island offers you would need to drive. Bob does not find the driving very difficult, even at night but to each their own. I'd rate Dawn Beach our 3rd or 4th favorite beach behind Baie Rouge, Mullet and Orient but that does not diminish the fact that it is fabulous in its own right. The island is so diverse in what it has to offer that we like the flexibility. If we are looking for a club (we like the Red Piano) we head over to the Dutch Side... Pure beach days and a lolo we head to the French Side.... Anyway I am jealous.. we are not headed back until May of 2018 (kids related events making us miss this year) so have fun!!!!!!!!!!!