I just returned from the island on the April 28th and I must say this will be my last trip there. I have been vacationing in St Maarten since 1981 and while I know things change one of my former favorite places is a shadow of its former self. The overbuilding, lack of zoning codes, crime, drugs, corrupt government officials, escalating prices and general demise of the island is sad to say the least. Couple those facts with the lack of any protection for timeshare owners are a testamate to the sad state of affairs for a once pristine island escape. Orient beach has become no more than a carnival scene, Cupecoy Beach is a cement jungle and the once quiet Mullet Bay is littered by cruise ship day trippers on their pay as you go catamaran rides. I don't mean to be a downer but that is the way I see it and I will be taking my dollars somewhere else in the years to come. Anyone looking for a quiet, old world Caribbean experience would be better served to search out other options.