This is our first trip report. So bear with us. Our third trip to SXM started with the Limo picking us up at 5:00 AM for a 7:00 AM flight from Chicago’s O’Hare on AA. The trip to SXM was uneventful. The flights to SJU and SXM were packed. Got to the island around 5:30 PM. Maruis from St. Louis was waiting for us. Great guy. We headed to the Le Meridien where we usually stay. Whatever you do, please don’t eat at the restaurant close to gate 7 at SJU. The food is terrible and overpriced.<br><br>First night we ate at a restaurant close to the hotel. The Sushi was much worse than the one we had last year. However, we saw the same people that we met last year. It was great. We both looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity until we recognized each other. We both have kids the same age. Had a great time together for five days. They left on New Year’s Eve back to New York. As the days went by, we met so many people that have been coming to the islands for years. We always asked each other the same question. “Can you name another island that offers the same of what SXM does so we can visit it”. The answer was always no. We feel guilty going to the same island every new-year. NOT. Just want to be sure.<br><br>We spent most of our time on Orient at Kontiki. The kids love the waves. We went horseback riding at great bay. That was wonderful.<br><br>On our third day, we all went to Le Pinel. We picked the largest lobster for lunch. It was a lot of fun. The weather was gorgeous.<br><br>Restaurants<br><br>Tropicana<br>Great as usual Had the sole for a lunch.<br><br>Rainbow<br>We ate there for new years. The food was superb. The best meal we’ve had at Rainbow. The homemade Foie Gras was superb and the duck was great.<br><br>Phenix<br>Spectacular setting overlooking Anse Marcel with a pool inside the restaurant. Food was so so. <br><br>Sabastiano<br>Excellent. The setting and food were great. Very kids friendly.<br><br>Sol e Luna<br>The food was very good. We ordered eight appetizers. No main dish. The cheese stuffed salmon was awesome. I didn’t care for the open ravioli with lobster; Too expensive and tasteless.<br><br>Le Santal<br>Over rated. For $300, I expect to say ‘wow’ with every bite. I ordered the duck. It had so much pineapple; I thought I was in Hawaii for a moment. The Foie Gras with a Sautenes wine was very good. The wine list was pathetic. Prices start at around $50 and then jump to $100 and higher with nothing in between. The service and setting were good. Will not go there again. For the money, we tried to compare Le Santal with Tru and Charlie Trotters here in Chicago. Not even close.<br><br>Jean Dupont<br>We had a very nice meal here. The service was so so. It improved as the night went on and we spoke to them in French. We met the owner who happened to be the same owner of Le Santal.<br><br>Piccolo<br>Tapas style. Very good. Loved the duck name. Cook worked at Mario’s.<br><br>Sushi at Le Meridien<br>Excellent. Very fresh. Better than any sushi we’ve had in the states. <br><br>Phone<br>Took our GSM phones with us. Registered with Orange in Marigot. They gave us a SIM for $45. It included a $25 card. Whenever the card ran out, we would stop at a gas station or the Tobacco shop in the hotel for a recharge card. Worked perfectly. The phone also works in St. Barths. Calls to the US cost about 50 cents. We could have bought prepaid cards. They cost about 15 cents to the US. If you have a GSM phone, call 222 to switch it to English. Numbers remain valid for 6 months. Will recharge it for the next trip. Cards can be bought for 15, 25 and 50 Euros anywhere on the island.<br><br>St. Barthelemy<br>The hotel botched our flight reservation to St. Barth. We took the ferry. The ride to the island was terrible. Much better on the way back to SXM. My wife liked the shopping. Went to St. John bay. Nice beach. Watched the planes take off. Gustavia was nice and very clean. Will schedule a longer stay next time. We felt very safe on St. Barth unlike SXM where thieves stole the car stereo from inside the private parking of the Meridien. When we asked the hotel for a police report, they told us that the French police would never come to the hotel for such a crime. Oh well, I paid Marius $190 and will be filing a claim with our insurance company.<br><br><br>The trip was great. Can’t wait till next year.<br><br>Tarek and Lina<br>