We were on the Island 7/11 – 7/25. We stay at the Towers and this is our 18th visit. Traveling with me is my husband of 18 years my 15 yr old son and 16 yr old daughter. This year our friends with teenagers were not able to make it, it thought our kids would be totally bored….i was wrong, they really enjoyed themselves! I also have to say that I have begun counting the wks until our next visit (less than 50). I love St Maarten and can not wait to get back!!!!!

Flight – for the first time we flew JFK-SJU-SXM (usually leave from BDL) Flight was at 6am on Saturday. We left on Friday hit traffic on the way to JFK (of course), and did the park and fly at the Ramada Plaza at JFK. George that works at the Ramada gave me his number so on the way back from the airport, instead of taking the air tran, he would have a taxi pick us up. Flight to SJU and SXM was fine, on time.
Flight on the way back, SXM-SJU-JFK, was fine also. George had a taxi there at 11:00 pm waiting for us. But when we got to the Ramada Plaza, they screwed up our reservations, charge me double, had only one room left with a king bed…for the four of us, and if you see how big my husband and son are…you will understand that it was not very comfortable.

Car – We have tried quite a few places on the Island. But many of you mentioned Lesley from Kenny’s Car Rental so I emailed him with all the infor, he responded immediately. We found Lesley within minutes of arrival. He took us to the Car, signed the forms, answered a few questions for us and we were on our way to the Towers in no time.
On the return, Lesley was at the airport, exchanged paperwork and done within seconds. Lesley YOU ARE WONDERFUL!!!! We will always use Kenny’s Car rental from this year forward!

Cell phone: We don’t make many phone calls maybe 3 times just to check things back home. Never had a problem using my Verizon cell phone until this year. It seems that anyone I spoke to with Verizon was not able to use their phones. So I used the Towers phone, no problem.

Weather – Almost always perfect. Until the 18 & 19th (sat & Sun). Off and on rain. Sunday night being the worse,still better than Connecticut’s weather…lol!

Hotel –Towers at Mullet Bay for 2 weeks. LOVE IT. It’s more on the quiet side, which is exactly what we need. The staff is absolutely wonderful. Thanks to James (pool boy), Clarence (manager), Rochelle and Maggie (front desk) and to all the other staff members. You all make it feel like a second home for us! And you treat us like family. Love you all!!!
They are working on the Cable and Wifi. Not many stations come in yet and the only place for WIFI is in the front at the bench. Once in a while you could connect from your room. The modem they let us use didn’t work.

Breakfast:
French Bakery (simpson bay next to Jake laundry)-Fantastic!
Zee Best- Very Good
The Bagel House-Great
Ricks- Good

Lunch:
Kon Tiki Snack Bar-Fantastic and the price is 1 to 1
Waikiki Restaurant-Fantastic BUT it cost us and arm and a leg
We also made or own sandwiches in our room many days.
We also went to the place in Philipsburg on the water under the place called Blue Bitch bar. That was very good!!!
Bubble Tea- This place had absolutely wonderful fresh smoothies and flavored green tea. I think we averaged going there every other day. Very refreshing!

Dinner:
Pineapple Pete’s – Fantastic food great service ask for Mark or Ziggy
LaGondola-Fantastic food and Excellent service!! They will be opening the new restaurant in Simpson Bay called IZI within the next month.
Peg Legs-Fantastic food and great service
Ranchos-Fantastic food and great service
La Moulin Fou- Great food and service
Pizza place behind Cheris- Great food and service
Jimbos-Horrible food!!!!!!!!!!
Rare- Good food and good service. The food was good but it was a little pricey. I had a better filet at Peg Legs and it cost less
Order Dominoes one night….wasn’t that good at all.

Beaches:
Mullet Bay – absolutely beautiful! Water was calm
Waikiki – comfortable, water has nice waves. Kon Tiki- comfortable, water has nice waves and our server was absolutely wonderful. So we spent most of our time here, had lunch and drank!!! After lunch and many drinks in me, my daughter talked me into parasailing…it was great! I am afraid of heights, I cant swim and I get motion sickness easily…..and I did fine!!!!

Jewelry shopping:
Zhaveri-we always deal with Naz, she is wonderful. Bought my teenagers some jewelry.
J & N- we always deal with Ravi, he is such a funny guy. Great deals…had to buy myself diamond earings.

Crime: Saw NONE, heard of None and never felt unsafe

Casino: Did very well at the Royale and Hollywood. The Atlantis was not as good as usual. My teenagers looked old enough to get in this year, so they had a great time watching.

We spent two days in Phillipsburg shopping, still not enough time to hit all the shops. One of the days there was a ship in. My daughter and I collected a book from a gentleman that had coupon for free gifts at the jewelry stores, so we spent most of the afternoon collecting our free gifts. That was fun!
We spent an afternoon in Marigot, pretty much walking around, stopped at the French bakery. Didn’t do to much shopping, just looking.

Note: Not many Ships in the two weeks we were there. This was one of those years we did absolutely nothing…and it was absolutely wonderful!!!! In addition to all the new Hotel and mall construction I noticed that there was a lot more House construction than usual. Looks like many new houses, and not small ones, going up!