2017 St. Martin March 29-April 12

We left STL on time at 6:20. We arrived Miami. It was our pilots last day on the job so we were greeted by firetrucks giving him a water salute. It was really pretty neat! We then flew to St. Martin. Upon arrival, we looked for Triple A car rental representative. We searched for about 30 minutes before deciding to take a cab to Club Orient. …the cost was $35. We checked in…. which is always so organized and pleasant. Then went to our room 154. I prefer the other side of the circle but there really is no bad location.

I emailed triple A about the car and they emailed back saying they would deliver it later…. which they did.
I unpacked and Steve went to the beach to tag our chairs. We had preordered some groceries from the boutique which were waiting for us in our room. I called my cat grey…and sure enough he is still around and seemed to remember us from the past 5 years. He came in and made himself at home. We then went to dinner at papagayo. We both had the wedge salad and crab martini. It was delicious as usual. The wait staff was pretty much the same as last year…and they always do a great job. David was the entertainment and he always does a great job as well. It had been a long tiring day….so we crashed.

On Thursday…we went to the boutique to get almond croissants which we ordered for the remainder of our trip. It is not necessary…but it does make it a bit easier to just go there at 8 am and pick them up. So, we had coffee and croissants for breakfast on the patio every day while watching the sugar birds. We went to the beach…. which was in decent shape but had a fair amount of seaweed. We then went to the grocery store. We drove to Marigot to the supermarche because Simply is closed and leader price leaves a lot to be desired. For lunch, we went to papagayo to share a cheeseburger and onion rings. For dinner, we had the chicken cordon bleu at papagayo. It was good…not great.

On Friday…after breakfast…we went to the beach and it was a bit larger which is a good thing. I was getting a cold so we went to the boutiques to buy some cold medicine. I bought some Dayquil. We had sandwiches on the patio for lunch and went to papagayo for dinner. We both had a wedge salad and the mussels. It was delicious. Dj Roland provided the music.

On Saturday…after breakfast we went to the beach…the winds had shifted and the beach was beautiful! No seaweed and lots of sand. Unfortunately, my cold was progressing. We had sandwiches on the patio for lunch. For dinner, at papagayo…I had salad and shrimp cocktail and Steve had salad and escargot. Dj Speid provided the music.

On Sunday…my cold was in full swing and now Steve also had a cold. After breakfast, we went to the beach which was practically GONE. Every day the beach took on a different life. We had sandwiches on the patio for lunch and had dinner at papagayo…We had a salad and shared the linguini bolognaise. The entertainment did not show up.

On Monday after breakfast…we drove back to Marigot to the supermarche and also went to the pharmacy. I was looking for Claritin D non-drowsy. I spoke to the pharmacist who recommended rhumagrip. I took one and my heart started racing and I was so very tired. So needless to say, I won’t be taking that anymore. This is the one thing that is a bit aggravating to me…. on the French side, most everything is in French…and one never really knows what they are getting. I bet I won’t forget the Claritin D next time. The beach was a little better today than yesterday. We went to Orange fever for lunch and split a cheeseburger and onion rings. Our neighbors were grilling ribs and the woman next to them on the other side came tearing out of her house screaming at them that the smoke was going in her house. They had the grill well away from her house…closer to us. Anyway…she even went and got security…who told our neighbors they could put their grill where they wanted to. She was French…they are Canadian. Is this the way the world has become? I certainly hope not. In our many trips here…this was a first for us. It is quite sad really. We went to papagayo for dinner and had a salad and French onion soup. DJ shine was the entertainment.

On Tuesday after breakfast on the patio…we went to the beach. The beach was in a little better shape today. We walked down the beach and saw a vender who had a beach bag I have been looking for. So, I bought it. $20 including a scrunchy and pareo…lol can’t beat that! We had lunch on the patio. We attended the wine and cheese party…and for the first-time Steve was not there. Instead we met the general manager Jean Michel a Very nice Frenchman. He explained to us that Steve is the director. We had spaghetti dinner at home.

Wednesday, we had breakfast and lunch on the patio. We went to papagayo for dinner. We had frog legs and an avocado wedge salad and grouper. All was good….

Thursday, we had breakfast and lunch on the patio. We went to LeTestivan for dinner. I had foie gras and steve had escargot…. then we had sea scallops. It was very good. This is a beautiful restaurant.

Friday…. I made bacon and eggs and toast for breakfast. We had sandwiches for lunch. We went to papagayo for dinner. I had a salad and crab martini. Steve had a salad and the red snapper. All was good.

Saturday…Today is our 45th anniversary. We had toast for breakfast then we had sandwiches for lunch. We went to Sunset beach café at grand case beach club for dinner. The sunset was beautiful regardless of the clouds. I had foie gras and Steve had coconut shrimp. Then we both had lobster thermidor. Grand case beach club has installed gates throughout the property which require a key to access so what used to be our favorite place to take sunset pictures has turned into a pain in the butt. The food has always been mediocre but the view spectacular. There is no longer any reason for us to go there I am saddened…but I understand their patrons should come first.

Sunday…toast on patio then a ferry ride to Anguilla. The cost of the ferry was $20 a piece both ways for a total of $80. we also had to pay a departure tax of $10 to SXM and another $16 tax to come back. We rented a car from D&D car rental for $55. We had lunch at Medeariman restaurant on Shoal bay. Steve had the Mahi Mahi sandwich and I had a cheeseburger. I had two glasses of chardonnay and he had 2 Caribs. Cost was $82. When we got back to SXM it was pouring down rain so we picked a good day to. We are glad we finally got to Anguilla and probably will not go back. We had dinner on the patio.

Monday, we had breakfast and dinner on the patio and lunch at papagayo…. they always have such wonderful cheeseburgers. Is it really the food? Or the scenery?

Tuesday, we had breakfast on the patio and lunch at papagayo. We had the club sandwich...It was yummy. We had dinner at Ti buchon. Momo was his usual entertaining self. We both had a crab and melon appetizer. Steve had rack of lamb and I had duck. We shared a puff pastry for dessert. It was a wonderful last dinner.

Wednesday, we had breakfast on the patio. We went for our last walk on the beach. The beach was the widest it had been for the past two weeks. It is always sad to leave…but I am overdone, overcooked and overstuffed. Time to go home to reality. We will of course return. We returned the car to triple AAA. Checked in at the airport…. grabbed a mahi mahi burger and a glass of wine…and waited for our flight.
We got our global entry last year to try to speed up the immigration process. When we got to Charlotte, the immigration line was packed. We walked straight to the kiosk and through the doors in 5 minutes. I would highly recommend getting this.

This trip was a wonderful vacation. The only hiccup was the miscommunication in picking up the rental car. I have to say…of all the places we have traveled…. Club Orient is the most organized of all. Check in is always perfect and so is check out. The office staff, boutique staff, wait staff, maids, gardeners, beach workers…. everyone…is always so kind and so helpful and so pleasant. It makes the vacation that much more wonderful. There are some things about club orient that are looking a little tired. The entrance for example…used to be so beautiful….and now it is half dead and overrun with weeds and grass. Much of the board fencing needs to be repaired or replaced. Some of the picnic tables on the patios are warped and rotten. None of these things would keep me from coming back…but it would only take a little time and money to put things back in tiptop shape…
We say this often….if there was no Club Orient….we would not go to SXM….that’s how important it Is to us.

Too bad the car rental wasn't ready for you. Hope they reimbursed you the cab fair.

very nice report and i agree--the staff at Club O from check in -to check out --and all the interactions in between-- they are top notch--one of the main reasons we continue to return there.

Too bad about the colds. I would imagine SXM and yellow umbrellas make colds heal as quick as humanly possible, at least I hope.

Had the same thing with Sixt rental a year plus ago ---couldn't find them, took a cab and didn't rent a car that whole trip.

The lunches at Papagayo are that good (burgers and club and others) and so is the scenery. If you sit close to the shrubbery we learned there are many iguanas in there eating leaves. We like papas and the full kitchen for lunch food better than the perch although she does a nice job as possible with the grill. We like the drinks better from the perch.

Club o is probably the best place on earth in our humble opinion for total escape and relaxation.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Sounds like a lovely trip. I've always felt if you treat them with respect and act kindly to those around you, be they bus boys, chamber maids or resort managers, they will give that same kindness back to you usually three fold. It sounds as though you use that same approach.....thank you for sharing your trip. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Sounds like a wonderful and relaxing vacation. We've rented from Alain at Triple AAA for several years. Once when he wasn't there right when we exited the airport, one of the other car rental guys asked who we were looking for, called Alain, and he was there shortly.

We have used triple aaa since 2000 and we have paid the same rate for 17 years. I would never use anyone else.

We have also stayed at club orient that same amount of time. We have been through several managers, and lots of staff changes.

By the way... Nancy from papagayo, has opened a restaurant in France.... and is doing well.

Willy was the first person we met at club orient in 1999. Her kindness is what drew us to book there in the first place... and she is still there... and is newly married!

We love the iguanas... I have even fed them by hand. They let me know when it is lunch time because they always come out about noon... lol Hundreds of them!

Steve and I do our best to treat others with respect. So yes... I agree that when you are kind to others ... they reciprocate...

We are not demanding people.... we are also very loyal. If we find that people abuse that loyalty... we don't raise a ruckus... but we do walk away and not return. The world does not revolve around us... though we have seen many who think others are here to serve them.

Saying thank you... leaving a tip... giving a compliment are such easy things to do to encourage others and let them know they are appreciated. We find they people remember the [censored] but they also remember kindness.

No trip is perfect...no resort is perfect... but for us at this time in our life...Sxm and club orient are about as close to heaven on earth that we have found in traveling the last 20 years. We appreciate it more every year.

None of us know if each trip may be our last and we do our best to never take each other... or our health...or others for granted.

We come back to the real world rejuvenated and we stay that way because we dream about returning next year.

Thank you all for your comments and please know that I am honest and I tell things they way they are.... but it doesn't mean I am angry. The miscommunication with triple aaa was exactly that.... Alain says he was there... we could not find him. Next year... I am sure we will find each other.
Mistakes happen... his service for the past 17 years speaks for itself. I would highly recommend him.... and I certainly will not abandon him for this. There may be others who can get a car cheaper than we do ... although I can't imagine that... but something is to be said for the character of the man who always makes thing right if he has made a mistake. That's the kind of man he is. I apologize if I made it sound like I was angry with him... I am not.

Thanks for the report. I personally haven't eaten at Papagayo for a long time, but they must have upped their game quite a bit. As I recall, you used to go to Grand Case almost every night for dinner. Such an odd story, with the lady getting upset about the smoke. That really doesn't seem like most people at Club O, who are generally the most mellow people on earth. Sounds like a totally wonderful vacation. Thanks for taking us along!

Too bad we didn't know you'd be there (GCBC)or we'd have let you in for sunset. You've answered my question as to why it was not crowded there at sunset.

Otherwise, you seem to have had a great time. Thanks for the report.

Carol....this particular lady seemed to be unhappy about most things...if you get my meaning. I smiled at her and one time she did say hi...but for the most part....I steered very clear of her.

Yes we used to go to Grand case...every night...lol and yes papagayo has improved greatly and you cannot beat the convienance.

rondon...thats very nice of you.
We will just go to oceans 82 or le testivan for our anniversary next year.

hey pat....did you recognize us on the plane????? lol

That's when you know someone is a truly unhappy person, if they're unhappy on vacation! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> Glad to know you didn't let her get you down!

Thanks for posting your report. Always enjoy it, although I miss all the pics. Always kind of a bummer to be sick in SXM, but sounds like you survived and enjoyed yourselves as usual.

Thanks for the detailed Club O report! We will be staying at Club O for the first time in August & I think it will be a game changer for relaxation! Last year we stayed at Mont Vernon which had a beautiful view but the hill climbing became quite a workout each day! Your trip sounded lovely!!!

Except for the colds, sounds like the perfect time. We also got colds on our last trip - not pleasant. The food sounds terrific. We also ate at Le Tastevin - it was our 30th, and we had eaten there on our honeymoon. Very few places last that long. We can't wait until our next check-in at Club Orient, and some meals at Papagayo. Thanks so much for an enjoyable report. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

I'm not sure why, but we often get colds when we go to SXM. Perhaps we catch something on the plane.

Sometimes the planes are like a flying petrie dish.

??

wrong pat i guess....my apologies

No problem. We haven't left yet so you had me worried there for a minute or two. Did I sleep through it all and if yes, did I have a good time? I'm sure I did!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Still glad to hear your trip was a good one and thank you for sharing it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Carol,

It has been brought to my attention that a portion of my trip report was copied and pasted on a facebook st. martin group in an attempt to stir trouble. Someone here advised the group manager who did remove it but i thought you should know.

I post my trip report where i want it...and dont appreciate those who would do that kind of thing.

Also I want to further address this issue. I am an American....and i really have no knowledge of the things going on in canada or france. I assume we are all allies.
and my post was not meant to be political. It was meant to convey the attitudes of some folks and how it can affect many other people.

I only shared one incident between the French lady and the Canadians...there were more.

One evening they were having their dinner on their patio at 8:30.....i lived right next door...and i heard nothing.
The French lady came storming out of her house and told them they were being too noisy and to quiet down. They knocked at my door to ask if they were disturbing us....I said no of course not. However....there was a group of folks having a celebration party across the way....having a great time and we could hear them. I asked the Canadians if perhaps she was mistaken and thought the noise was coming from them instead of across the way. They said they did not thnk so becasue she went into her house and started slamming doors and drawers.

Now folks...I know Club Orient is a quiet place...but the music doesn't stop at papagayo until 10:30...so I figure you should probably be respectful and quiet down about that time....but 8:30? and all they were doing was eating dinner on their patio?

I beleive in respect and treating others equally. If I could not hear these folks eating on their patio...she certainy could not hear them eating on their patio...and even if she did....had she been kinder...they might have invited her to join them...they were that kind of people.

No... this is not about politics....this is about a person who seemed to enjoy making others around her as miserable as she seemed to be. I feel very sorry for her. She spent all that time and money on a vacation and it still did not appear to make her happy.

I agree with ypu carol....some people just like to complain and be miserable. Geez...I can do that at home...lol i certainly am not spending a ton of money to do it on vacation.

By the way...my daughter swears by thieves oil....and i may have to try it the next trip we take. The colds were bothersome....they did not ruin our beautiful vacation...and they taught me a valuable lesson....take medications with you that ypu think you might need.

i could not agree more--------almost every trip---some sort of chest cold /head cold----i am convinced its from air plane time-----other wise i am healthy as a horse.

Cathy--Apparently some people feel that anything that is posted on the internet is fair game. Incorrect!! Anything that is posted here is COPYRIGHTED, as well as MOST of what appears on the internet, despite what people may think. If anyone here becomes aware that something that is posted here has been copied without your permission, let me know, and I will inform the copyright infringer to remove the material.

Wow, I can't believe that someone would copy & repost a report on FB. That's pretty gutsy , if you ask me!
Re: catching a cold on the plane- I like to take Airborn before the flight to prevent it. Also , before I retired, if I came in contact with someone sick with a cold at work ,I'd take one right away at home. Seemed to work for me.

Best to gargle with a nice single malt scotch. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

For some reason we've kind of learned to avoid drinking on the flights of our vacations. Sounds weird but we're usually sleep compromised night before departure, lots of strange (new) people and their germs, the plane, connecting airport, altitude, etc etc. Even when sitting upfront with free drinks, we kind of stick to diet cokes and Bloody Mary mixes.

Many folks we know got the "same" bug we had....and none of us was on the same flight.

did we catch it after we arrived? or were we all exposed before we even came?

None of us is from tha same area or even the same country.

I do agree most of us while traveling...is sleep deprived and stressed...and we are breathing stale air full of germs on the plane.

I dont have the answer...but i will be sure to pack any kind of medication i think i might need the next time...and i will suck on vitamin c drops on the flight...lol

Thanks guys I always look foward to your reports. Yes i too remember all those fabulous meals in Grand Case you guys had over the years. Seems like you guys are like us in that every trip we seem to do less traveling around and just chill on Orient Beach. We have loved Steve's pictures over the years too. Thanks for a great report

If you click on my name there is a link to our pictures

Great trip report! Really enjoyed your report particularly, Club Orient and the meals at Paraguay. We make an effort to eat there several times while on St. Martin. We enjoy the beach and use the luncheons at Club O as a means to spend some money here as we use so many of the clubs facilities and do not spend a lot of money. The folks who provide security are the best. The folks who work at the restaurant are always cheerful while they serve meals and they do serve the best Provance wine.

Bob

We bought a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-pape cuvee des antiques 2014 at the supermarche in marigot and i have to say it was excellent!!!! It was 21 euros and worth every penny.

Thank you for your report! Not a bad walk from #154 (or any of the Mini Suites for that matter) to the Boutique each morning! We also wouldn't go to SXM if it weren't for Club Orient.