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Where to stay #154205
02/01/2018 11:35 PM
02/01/2018 11:35 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 528
Charleston, SC
StMartinMike Offline OP
Traveler
StMartinMike  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 528
Charleston, SC
Hello. everyone. We did not go to SXM last year as we did a staycation and had lots of events and weekend trips with the grandchildren. Did a lot more fishing as well.

Then along came Irma and we thought 2018 was a wash as well. Reading all of the positive reports from you folks has us thinking differently now. However, where does one stay now? We prefer the Dutch side, preferably in on near Simpson Bay. I turn to the experts for your advice.

Thank you, Mike.


"All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean...And when we go back to the sea...we are going back from whence we came."
>((((º>
SXM Sponsors
Re: Where to stay [Re: StMartinMike] #154207
02/02/2018 06:54 AM
02/02/2018 06:54 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Atrium is up and running for one option. La Vista Beach has units available from what I understand.


J.D.
Re: Where to stay [Re: StMartinMike] #154219
02/02/2018 09:00 AM
02/02/2018 09:00 AM
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 95
Pennsylvania
B
Beachnut82 Offline
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Beachnut82  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 95
Pennsylvania
Try Beachside Villas. Don't know if they are filled yet. We had to extend another day because of change in flights and were able to do that

Re: Where to stay [Re: Beachnut82] #154220
02/02/2018 09:07 AM
02/02/2018 09:07 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Yes, another good option that slipped my mind.


J.D.
Re: Where to stay [Re: StMartinMike] #154221
02/02/2018 09:36 AM
02/02/2018 09:36 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
Mary's Boon is another option.

Re: Where to stay [Re: StMartinMike] #154222
02/02/2018 09:39 AM
02/02/2018 09:39 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
Depends on when you are visiting as more places start to open up. Simpson bay Resort could be added to the list starting in May

Re: Where to stay [Re: StMartinMike] #154223
02/02/2018 09:39 AM
02/02/2018 09:39 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 685
Rhode Island
Bluesfan Offline
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Bluesfan  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 685
Rhode Island
LaVista Beach does have rentals available.

Re: Where to stay [Re: StMartinMike] #154228
02/02/2018 10:27 AM
02/02/2018 10:27 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 297
Cupecoy, St. Maarten
L
lbksxm Offline
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lbksxm  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 297
Cupecoy, St. Maarten
Have been staying at Baker's Suites in Pelican for the past six weeks (our condo is damaged here) and we highly recommend it. Reasonably-priced, decent room, and excellent location.

Re: Where to stay [Re: lbksxm] #154242
02/02/2018 12:06 PM
02/02/2018 12:06 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 528
Charleston, SC
StMartinMike Offline OP
Traveler
StMartinMike  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 528
Charleston, SC
Thanks for all of the ideas and I did not realize there were this many. Atrium is interesting as we have always driven by it but never considered it. What should we look for as far as room location? We are looking at the last week of April extending into May, maybe ten days. Baker's Suites is another one. We have stayed at La Vista but I was thinking their folks would flock there after repairs. Been to Beachside as well and enjoyed it.


"All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean...And when we go back to the sea...we are going back from whence we came."
>((((º>
Re: Where to stay [Re: StMartinMike] #154245
02/02/2018 12:17 PM
02/02/2018 12:17 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
We're owners at La Vista Beach, and when we asked about staying there in early May (5-12) they said they could put us on a waiting list. Because we had already deposited our weeks with RCI, we went ahead and booked with Atrium, using an exchange. Since then, friends have gotten a cottage at La Vista for that same week (by being on that waiting list). So it's possible you could get something there. I'm not familiar with Atrium, so can't help you with room location. My understanding is that all of their rooms have either an ocean or lagoon view.

Re: Where to stay [Re: StMartinMike] #154246
02/02/2018 12:20 PM
02/02/2018 12:20 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
The Atrium two bed lockouts that I have seen are nice. The smaller lockout side is quite small with a microwave and small office type refrigerator.

Last edited by SXMScubaman; 02/02/2018 12:20 PM.
Re: Where to stay [Re: GaKaye] #154249
02/02/2018 01:17 PM
02/02/2018 01:17 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,474
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,474
Central Florida!
Actually, not, with regard to Atrium, unless you count leaning out from the side of your balcony and looking down Billy Folly Road toward the ocean, as being 'ocean view'. The rooms on the ocean side have nice views. The rooms on the other side have a view and the SOUND of the huge a/c units on the top of Market Garden. The noise is so loud, it makes it somewhat difficult to be on your balcony from some rooms. My room that I had at Atrium that I described above, was a nice room despite no view, but I only stayed there one night. If you're staying there for a week or so, do try your best to get an ocean view room. I moved to another, much better grin room after that. I would stay at Atrium again without any issue, if I had an ocean view room.

I personally would do Beachside first, or Mary's Boon, as the beach is better. Right now, I do wonder whether Kim Sha is just way too busy for me, personally, with the cruise ship people coming there.


Carol Hill
Re: Where to stay [Re: StMartinMike] #154250
02/02/2018 01:41 PM
02/02/2018 01:41 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
"I do wonder whether Kim Sha is just way too busy for me, personally, with the cruise ship people coming there."
That is my concern also. Might not be to bad during low season with not as many cruise ships in port but high season, with sometimes as many as 5-6 ships in, it could be a big mess. Once Orients big 5 gets going it will hopefully take the pressure off of Kim Sha. Time will tell.

Re: Where to stay [Re: StMartinMike] #154251
02/02/2018 01:56 PM
02/02/2018 01:56 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,668
L
LBI2SXM Offline
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LBI2SXM  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,668
Redweek.com has rooms at the Villas on Simpson Bay starting 4/14 to 12/31 for $259.00 per night. Very nice hotel. Stayed there many times.

Re: Where to stay [Re: StMartinMike] #154388
02/04/2018 06:02 PM
02/04/2018 06:02 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 261
CANADA
L
LINNY Offline
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LINNY  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 261
CANADA
I sent you a private message(I think)

Re: Where to stay [Re: StMartinMike] #154408
02/05/2018 08:42 AM
02/05/2018 08:42 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Online content
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RonDon  Online Content
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Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
I checked Mary's Boone a week ago and all they had was one studio for 250. BSV said all they had was first week March so I took it. BSV has only 4 units up & running.

El Zafiro had plenty of vacancies. It's next door to BSV and twice as expensive for 1/2 the room. Fine if you can't find anything else. But same beach.

Re: Where to stay [Re: LBI2SXM] #154411
02/05/2018 09:12 AM
02/05/2018 09:12 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
I tested a direct booking with the Villas at SB for a Sat-Sat week end of May and it was under $200/night taxes included AND free bkfst (one BR suite... NOT a junior studio which was under $150/night all inc.) Same in June/July..

Re: Where to stay [Re: RonDon] #154412
02/05/2018 09:32 AM
02/05/2018 09:32 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,474
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,474
Central Florida!
BSV has finished two or three more rooms in the past week, so they are up to 6 or 7 at least by now. El Zafiro has always been overpriced for what it is.


Carol Hill
Re: Where to stay [Re: boucharda] #154446
02/05/2018 02:13 PM
02/05/2018 02:13 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,668
L
LBI2SXM Offline
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LBI2SXM  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,668
Boucharda, That's a great price for their 1 bdrm. suite! We paid much more when we were there. (and no breakfast included). It is a really nice place, we love it there.

Re: Where to stay [Re: Carol_Hill] #154537
02/06/2018 04:58 PM
02/06/2018 04:58 PM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 228
Towson, Maryland
pault21093 Offline
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pault21093  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 228
Towson, Maryland
Carol,

I actually just asked that they other day. Not sure if it was Drew or Tracy replying but they said, "Villas 4-14 are done except for villa 11 of course"

I'll be staying there from June 9-19th this year.

Re: Where to stay [Re: pault21093] #154539
02/06/2018 05:18 PM
02/06/2018 05:18 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,474
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,474
Central Florida!
Hi Paul. I am sending you a PM.


Carol Hill
Re: Where to stay [Re: Carol_Hill] #154545
02/06/2018 05:53 PM
02/06/2018 05:53 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline
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BeachKitten  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
BSV has finished two or three more rooms in the past week, so they are up to 6 or 7 at least by now. El Zafiro has always been overpriced for what it is.


I completely agree Carol. And BSV has a little pool. I suppose El Zafiro thinks their restaurant is the trade-off for that, but I like it quieter at BSV. wink


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Where to stay [Re: BeachKitten] #154546
02/06/2018 06:43 PM
02/06/2018 06:43 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,474
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,474
Central Florida!
I don't need a restaurant onsite. I need my own grill and my own full kitchen, which is what BSV has. And I don't use the pool a lot, but I do use it, and I sure enjoy sitting out there underneath the gazebo, one of my absolute favorite places on earth! And personally, I don't like the modern look that El Zafiro has. I much prefer the Caribbean feel of Beachside. To each their own.


Carol Hill
Re: Where to stay [Re: StMartinMike] #154552
02/06/2018 08:36 PM
02/06/2018 08:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 753
VA
baycruisers Offline
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baycruisers  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 753
VA
We haven't been there yet, but we did make reservations for a week at Bleu Emeraude in Grand Case for late May. I realize it's not in your preferred area, but for us it is ideally situated since Club O isn't operational. It has good reviews and the owners were very responsive to our questions and quick to book us.

Re: Where to stay [Re: Carol_Hill] #154578
02/07/2018 02:03 PM
02/07/2018 02:03 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 685
Rhode Island
Bluesfan Offline
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Bluesfan  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 685
Rhode Island
Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
Hi Paul. I am sending you a PM.


I did not get it.

Re: Where to stay [Re: StMartinMike] #154580
02/07/2018 02:13 PM
02/07/2018 02:13 PM
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 540
Maine USA
doctorj Offline
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doctorj  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 540
Maine USA
We booked an apartment through VRBO.com. Found a nice apartment 60 feet from Orient Beach.
carib cheers,
doctorj


It's Five O'Clock Somewhere........
Re: Where to stay [Re: Bluesfan] #154586
02/07/2018 03:25 PM
02/07/2018 03:25 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,474
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,474
Central Florida!
Bluesfan--sorry, the PM was to paul21093.


Carol Hill

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