Returned to SXM in May after a 5 year break. We set our expectations low as we knew the island was still in recovery mode. The thing that struck us most was indifferent attitudes of many of the island workers. Maybe we caught them at a bad time. We stayed our first 4 nights at SBBR and last 5 nights in a condo n Orient Village. Flights were all on time with very short layover times on AA....we were pleasantly pleased. Picked up rental car from Lesley at airport and we were off to SBBR to check in. We have rented from Lesley for several years and he continues to delver great service. Our rental car was a bit tired and in need of some maintenance. Lesley offered to exchange but we declined and just made do. Check in at SBBR went ok except that it was all business and no pleasantries....not even a welcome smile. When we left to find our room we got turned around and approached a gate from the wrong way, the guard warned us that he would open it this one time...but not again. Gimme a break... Room was ok, but bathroom was pretty gross and cleaning detail was woefully lacking. Got settled in and went to the resort beach for a couple of hours and had a few beers. Beach server was right there to take our first order, but after that we had to go up to the bar for our drinks. Not a big deal, but still a missed opportunity for the server to make a few bucks. Went to BBB for pizza and drinks, then to Peli Deli for provsons. Back to the room and retired for the night.

Next morning we had breakfast at the Yacht Club.....love this place. Food s always excellent and the staff is friendly and efficient. Servers were awesome every time we ate here. Cant recommend this place enough...great folks that understand customer service. On the way to Orient Beach we stopped at Carrefour for a few things and then on to the beach.this was pretty much our MO for the entire 9 days with the exception of a couple days. One day we ventured around the island just surveying all the damage. Drove to Friars Bay....that road is in bad shape. When we arrived the police were there investigating something. There was also a very strong odor of pot as we drove into the area....very strong. We turned around and headed to Margot for a little shopping, and then back to the beach n the afternoon.

Another morning we headed over to Parrotville and walked around for about an hour....we both enjoyed this very much. Very nice man gave us a short informational tour and then let us mozy around the place and take pictures. Cleanest restrooms lve ever seen on the island. l told him that and we both had a good laugh. Highly recommended!!!

We also spent an afternoon shopping n Phillpsburg. There was two cruse ships, so it was fairly busy. We stopped at a little bar down by the cruise ship pickup dock for a bucket of beers. l went over to cool off my feet n the foot fountain and as l returned l saw my wife with her hand to her mouth with a distressed look on her face. She was watching a man and his children take these little puppies by the nap of their necks and heaving them in the ocean as far as they could. The l ittle puppies would frantically swim back to shore and try to get away, but the kids would gather them up and do it all over again...it was horrific to watch. We observed a tourist lady approach the man and children but they continued. We walked over to the guard at the cruse dock, but he wanted nothing to do with it. This ruined our day. and we couldn't stop thinking about t. We searched for a police officer, but none could be found. We finally notified a shop owner and he got on his phone and made a call to authorities. lt was heartbreaking.


Our condo unit was right on the beach and we loved it. We stayed at Cote Chic and could not have been happier with our choice to stay here. The property manager, Moune, was a delightful host...loved her. There was still some construction gong on, so there was still some landscaping work to do at our property. Location was wonderful.

We are not foodies, so nothing to really report other than we had a terrible breakfast at Yellow Sub.....never again. Scrambled eggs were like soup and service was poor.

Writing this from memory so l apologize for the disjointed report. ln summary, the weather was wonderful, the beach was in great shape with little to no seaweed, and Cedric and his team d id an awesome job taking care of everyone. l will say that they could use a second bartender during the busy lunch hour....and maybe a 2nd server. l really miss Willy.

Struck up a conversation with the massage therapist, Fabienne, and ended up having the best massage of my life with her. l wrote about it in another post, so l wont repeat, but if you have a chance to get a massage, give her a try...you wont be sorry.