TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin El Zafiro question

I just requested rates from El Zafiro and was quoted $269 for King.

My question is they also said add 9% tax and 15% service fee. What's a serive fee? And those of you who stay next door at Beachside Villas do they also charge tax & service fee?

Beachside charges a FIVE percent tax and ZERO service charge. Beachside does have full daily maid service. As far as I know, five percent is the proper tax rate, although supposedly tax rates on hotels vary somehow. SOME places (like Mary's Boon) do charge a 15% service charge on hotel rentals. For what it is, El Zafiro's prices are ridiculous, in my opinion, especially when you add 24% fee on top.

Thanks Carol. Zafiro also said free airport pickup & return. But Beachside sounds better.

Airport pickup and return is not a big deal at all, from there, especially if you will be renting a car anyway. El Zafiro I guess includes breakfast, but Beachside has a full kitchen and is much more private and you have much more space.

I replied to their email asking why tax is 9% when nearby rentals charge 5 %. Just because I'm interested in their explanation. As of now we're leaning toward BSV.

I don't know, some people claim that tax is different, based on the type of rental unit. All I know is that Beachside charges 5%..

Personally speaking, I think they all charge whatever they can get away with. In January we rented at the Towers as hotel guests and they hit us with 20 a percent tax charge. Just sayin........ <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

They say it is 'tax', but if you inquire further, I bet they would say it was 5% tax and 15% service. Did you get daily maid service?

Yup! But they still call it a tax. In the end we enjoyed our room and our view and our maid service but I do wish they'd be more definitive with these charges. How can one car rental agency charge 5 percent and the next one ten and one hotel charge five percent (BSV) and the next one twenty? Again, just sayin'......... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Another vote for BSV. How do you spell relax! Also Mary Boom is another oceanfront GEM! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

At least they quoted it and it wasn't a surprise. These days "resort" fees are so common. My assumption in the US is that it allows for a different charge that does not go against the Per Diem for hotel if you expense that portion as say internet access. Just a thought, no research to back that opinion up.

If they are able to get that much for the place then it must have the demand to be worth it. Good for them.

Cheers,
T

We have stayed at both el Zafiro and BSV. Both were wonderful. It depends on what you are looking for. We never cook so we really don't need the kitchen and atrium at Beachside Villas. I think their prices are comparable. Actually last August, BSV was more than el Zafiro. However, I'm not sure when the original poster is traveling. el Zafiro is newly decorated. They are both PERFECT locations! Can't go wrong just being there looking at the gorgeous sea views.

As far as I know the hotel tax on the island has been just 5% for a long time and thats what they all should charge. Their is also what they call a turn over tax I think of 3% to 4% and that is not to be charged to the customer but many companies do pass that along on the bill. Then many Dutch side hotels charge a 15% service fee in lieu of tipping the staff, housekeepers,etc and maybe to help cover other expenses. We also had this servicer charge added at hotels in Mexico and other resort locations. That does seem like a big rate for El Zafiro. Maybe to call Mary's Boon also, they offer a wide variety of rooms and rates and I think a better value for the property and what they offer. Agree, just anyplace on Simpson Bay you will like.

Thanks for the feedback. We've seen inside El Zafiro but not inside BSV. I was just surprised over tax and added service charge. Our trip will be in March sometime.

BVS is in the running even though I don't need a kitchen. Should we not rent a car and get Jeannie to deliver some groceries I just might.

Beachside does have a pool, which El Zafiro does not. Did you get an answer back from El Zafiro on the tax deal?

Rosemary,

Just wanted to let you know that as much as we enjoy our timeshare and Grand Case Beach Club, we also thoroughly enjoyed our first stay at BSV a couple of years ago although it was short and sweet - only four nights. This trip we've booked an extra week there after our timeshare stay and can't wait to be there again.

This is just my personal opinion, but even having your groceries delivered, knowing how much you two love to explore, I just can't imagine you being happy there without a car. You can easily walk next door to EZ and it's a further but doable walk the other way to Karakter and then the Boon, but that's about it for most walkers. Personally speaking, I couldn't imagine being there without a car but that said, I can't wait to be there again.

Remember, though, it's not as new and updated at EZ but it's very pleasant and very comfortable. TV only in living room and airco only in bedrooms and it sure is nice to have room to spread out and the ability to take that first cup of coffee out on the beach and watch the day break. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />