For starters - which side really doesn't matter too much. If I was planning a trip for myself, I'd work with a few rental sites and find a villa I like and go from there. There are some incredible villas across both sides of the island. Personally speaking, I really like the Terres Basses area for it's convenience and easy access to both sides of the island and still the fact that its not in the middle of a lot of congestion, but that's just me. We have timeshare so we stay on the Dutch side and enjoy all the beaches on both sides depending on our mood for the day. The island is a very easy drive but there are points of congestion and it does pay to know the bridge and causeway opening times just to make your life a little easier.

You may often have an issue with no-see-ums early in the morning and in the late afternoon, and right now the moskie concerns are plaguing the entire Caribbean so a good insect repellent is a must. That said, if it's dry and breezy you'll have less of a problem and if it's been rainy and humid, and there's a lot of foliage around your place of choice, you will probably have more problems with bugs. I've heard a lot of people speak of sand fleas on the island but in absolute honesty, we've been going every year for over forty now and sometimes twice a year and I have NEVER had a problem with them in St. Maarten/St. Martin.

Have a great time planning the trip - to me that's usually half the fun. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />