Originally Posted by SXMScubaman
Wonder if it will now become another cruise destination with the "parking for buses" lot?


Gosh I hope not. Your post brings back memories. Our first visit to SXM was in the early 1990's. My wife was unsure about nude beaches so we elected to stay at Le Gallion rather than staying Club O for our first SXM experience. The hotel was, let say, "rustic" but it was great. Open your door and you were on the beach. There were only a few others in the hotel at the time. For the most part we had Gallion beach to ourselves.

One day we returned from our morning visit to the Club O beach and instead of the usual 3 or 4 unoccupied lounge chairs we were astounded to see maybe 20,000 (or at least 100 or so) lounge chairs full with people. The tour director blasting his wistle and yelling last call for lunch. Like a bunch of ants searching for some sweets, the herd of people rushed to the food palapa for hamburgers and rum punch. It was crazy. An hour or so later it was time to head back to the ship and like magic, the beach returned to it's normal peaceful self.

One day at the Club O beach we were invited by Mr. Brink to their wine and cheese party that night, met Steve and Linda who were running Papagayo at that time and since then, and until up to Irma, Club O has been the resort of choice.