Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,428
Posts310,024
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 114
pat 43
jazzgal 41
Todd 40
Member Spotlight
Whale Tail
Whale Tail
Ontario Canada
Posts: 795
Joined: March 2020
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
ecco, OceanDrop, vincent
Who's Online Now
3 registered members (MNsnowbird, cacapasa, 1 invisible), 809 guests, and 70 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Day 1 Report #130312
05/17/2017 09:52 AM
05/17/2017 09:52 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 78
KenW Offline OP
Traveler
KenW  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 78
I have not posted here for seven years-- the last time we visited SXM. Abby and I are celebrating our fifteenth anniversary. We had two 2.5 hours flights from San Antonio to Miami and the from Miami to SXM on American. All went well. We actually got here early. So early -- with no baggage checked -- that we beat Leslie to the airport. But he appeared quickly. "Quickly" is the operative word for Leslie. He gave us our car in about five minutes. That has to be the fastest rental I have ever experienced. What a nice fellow! Of course, given my name, how could I rent from anyone other than Kenny's. We used to use St. Louis, but they are gone, as I learned from this site. Sharon had already given Leslie our rental phone. It was in the glove box. So off we went in no time flat. What a service combo of Leslie and Sharon!

I passed up the bridge in order to drive through town. It took longer, but it was fun to see all the old sights and get our bearings back. Off we went to Orient and to check in at La Playa -- where we have stayed 4 or 5 times now, albeit under the old name of L'Hoste. Nice to be back. Of course, it is undergoing major renovation under the new owners. We booked a newly renovated suite, which is located in the farthest building from the beach. That is a bit of an inconvenience, but the suite is beautiful. Kudos go to the design team. Very chic, sleek, and new. Kitchen and bathroom are very modern. Wifi is super. When we went to the beach we saw that they are completely gutting the front-most building -- the one we had stayed in every previous trip. A little bittersweet. However, when they are done with all the buildings, La Playa may have to add a star to its rating. Very nice.

Our first dinner was at Astrolabe. For some reason we had never eaten there before. We have driven all over the island to try restaurants, and here is what has to be one of the best right under our noses in Orient. What a meal! The ambience with the tables around the pool is unique. Like Pavo Real in Playa del Carmen. Low-keyed live music from a 2-female combo added to the atmosphere. Abby started with crayfish bisque, and I had a trio of fois. Then she had scallops while I had mahi-mahi. Both outstanding. We chose the 3-course fixed-price menu for 49 Euros. Desserts were creme brûlée and profiteroles. Just wonderful. Astrolabe deserves its high rating.

Our first day began with a really nice breakfast on the beach at La Playa. We just love the French continental breakfast. The bay looked beautiful. The beach is wide and clean this day. Hardly any seaweed. Abby walked all the way down to Club O, and found the beach to be in very good shape. We let sand gravity do its thing for the rest of the day as we unwinded to the sound of the surf and the view of the aquamarine water. The Playa lunch was light and perfect.

For our second night, we will walk over to the village and let Le Pimente and Antoine compete for our company.

SXM Sponsors
Re: Day 1 Report [Re: KenW] #130313
05/17/2017 10:03 AM
05/17/2017 10:03 AM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
The_Lurker Offline
Traveler
The_Lurker  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
Sounds wonderful.
We have never experienced any of the restaurants near Orient <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />------maybe on our next visit.
Looking forward to more reports.

Re: Day 1 Report [Re: KenW] #130314
05/17/2017 10:15 AM
05/17/2017 10:15 AM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
fabila Offline
Traveler
fabila  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
Great way to start your vacation. Can't wait to read more.

Re: Day 1 Report [Re: KenW] #130315
05/17/2017 10:19 AM
05/17/2017 10:19 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Thanks for the day one report! Looking forward to reading the rest of the story!


Carol Hill
Re: Day 1 Report [Re: KenW] #130316
05/17/2017 10:34 AM
05/17/2017 10:34 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Thanks for the report and glad you were able to make a return trip.


J.D.
Re: Day 1 Report [Re: ruralcarrier] #130317
05/17/2017 11:02 AM
05/17/2017 11:02 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 389
blackmercedes Offline
Traveler
blackmercedes  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 389
[color:"blue"][/color]Felt like we were there looking right through your eyes! Please tell Kelly (beauty that works at desk) Hello! She is the sweetest person!!! From Dave and Susie

Re: Day 1 Report [Re: KenW] #130318
05/17/2017 11:11 AM
05/17/2017 11:11 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,258
Kennys Offline
Traveler
Kennys  Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,258
Thanks for the kind words and do enjoy your stay.

Re: Day 1 Report [Re: KenW] #130319
05/17/2017 11:15 AM
05/17/2017 11:15 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
Traveler
pat  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
Congratulations on your anniversary. Eagerly looking forward to the rest of your trip and have to agree - the combination of Lesley and Sharon really is the best!


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Day 1 Report [Re: KenW] #130320
05/17/2017 01:05 PM
05/17/2017 01:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
Traveler
islandgem  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
A lovely beginning to your vacation! Enjoyed reading your first report. Looking forward to more. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />




Re: Day 1 Report [Re: KenW] #130321
05/17/2017 03:23 PM
05/17/2017 03:23 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline
Traveler
jazzgal  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
Thanks for the very nice first-day report. You're in a wonderful place.


[Linked Image]
Re: Day 1 Report [Re: jazzgal] #130322
05/17/2017 04:49 PM
05/17/2017 04:49 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,056
PA
biglar Offline
Traveler
biglar  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,056
PA
We ate at both Le Piment as well as Antoines on our visit a few weeks ago. Don't forget breakfast and or lunch at Paradise View which you can reach by leaving Orient Village, turning left on the main road and heading up the hill. The restaurant is directly behind the row of novelty shops at the top of the hill on the right. You will love the crepes they prepare.

Re: Day 1 Report [Re: biglar] #130323
05/17/2017 05:17 PM
05/17/2017 05:17 PM
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 21
Virginia
NaClH2ODog Offline
Traveler
NaClH2ODog  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 21
Virginia
I'm curious if Hamid ( sounds like Ha' meed) is still at Astrolabe - if you met him or go back. He is from Morocco - and makes some wonderful home brew rum.

Thanks for the report - Astrolabe is one of our favorites.

Re: Day 1 Report [Re: KenW] #130324
05/17/2017 06:04 PM
05/17/2017 06:04 PM
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 662
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
J
JohnandBev Offline
Traveler
JohnandBev  Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 662
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Thanks for the report

We had thought maybe a one week at La Playa in Nov, but the response back we got was a contruction alert and only std rooms available - obviously not what you got.

Did you book direct and any more room details? what sort of kitchen, how is the bed and ?

Thanks
J&B

Re: Day 1 Report [Re: JohnandBev] #130325
05/17/2017 11:53 PM
05/17/2017 11:53 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 78
KenW Offline OP
Traveler
KenW  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 78
The room is done with lots of blonde wood on floors, wainscoting, and headboards. Bathroom I roomy with one sink slightly raised above the wide countertop. Shower is wide open with a glorious rain shower head. WC is separate. Bathroom is has louvered shutters over sink opening into the bedroom.

Kitchen is neatly tucked behind wooden cabinet doors as is the fridge. Quite ergonomic and sleek. All new.

Booked online. Not many renovated room available. Limited supply for now. They are currently offering a construction discount online -- not for us, however.

Hope this helps.

Bed is good. Typical European two twins put together.


Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1