Went with my wife and 13 year old and we stayed at La Plage. We had a unit that looked the same so I’m guessing it wasn’t damaged much. We’ve been going to SXM since 2001 and loved it. We had a trip booked for last March also but Irma struck so we’ve been excited to go back.

I think the three of us were worried it wouldn’t be the same and we’d have lost a place that we all would go to ‘tomorrow’ if we could. The best part of our trip was that no one once said ‘meh, it used to be better’. Except for the sunset beach bar. They’ve really messed up the feel of that place with the stage and the adult slushy machine blocking the view of the runway. Just dumb to me.

Sure there are things that are a work in progress and it’s sad to see pizza pasta gone in Maho, there are improvements too. Sonesta looks better and so does the casino. I won’t miss Cheri’s cafe and I was happy to hear Rudy’s Deep Sea Fishing is no more. The things we loved are still there. Rosie’s on Mullet Bay. Bamboo Bernie’s. The Royal Islander. Le Moulin Fou. We found a few new places we loved too. Fat Tony’s in Cupecoy and Captain’s Ribs in Simpson Bay. Rainbow in Grand Case??? Whoa!!!

We found the people the most friendly on this trip than others. We’ve often joked about how the ‘friendly island’ isn’t all that friendly but this trip had really great interactions with the people.

A negative that we all agreed on that won’t be popular: Cigarette smoke around people having dinner. I enjoy a cigarette myself with a beer but man I’m the first one to have it out of the way of others. I can’t stand the smell, and if you could smell it while having one I’d never have another. In any case, we moved tables several times at dinner as people just lit up without any regard for others. Now I realize you don’t have to, you’re outside on a patio, but quite honestly I’d just rather be around people that were courteous. I actually don’t know why restaurants don’t have a non smoking area for those that want to eat without the cloud. We moved tables at the yacht club, izi and le moulin fou. Two of those we were the only patio table at the time. Then someone takes the table right next to us and sparks up. Who does that?

Anyway, I’m not anti smoker. I just think the island could get into the 2000s with their smoking rules. Vegas did and survived.