For those people who have stayed at El Zafiro, would you mind sharing with me how you booked your stay? I see that you are able to book with VRBO. I'm wondering if that's the best way or are there other ways?

Thanks in advance for your help!

We were there in January and were really pleased with our stay. I went to their website and called them directly and talked to the owner Nicole. Enjoy your stay.

Thanks so much for your reply! If you don't mind me asking, did the noise from the planes disrupt your stay in any way?

We’ve stayed there and the planes didn’t bother us at all - in fact we liked watching them from that vantage point.

We’re booked to stay there in April - made the reservations by calling Nicole.

Thanks...Cathy

We were pleasantly surprised how quite it was. We had no problem sleeping and usually slept till 9ish. We would venture out in the morning so really cannot comment about noise during the day. We stayed on the ground floor and enjoyed being able to walk out the door to go to beach or their restaurant. The view was great even on the ground floor. I'm getting sad just thinking about it!!

I booked for May through Kayak.

I've booked for October. Used Bookings.com. Also have seen their pl;aces on Airbnb/St Maarten.

I'm curious as to whether any of you have looked at Beachside Villas instead? From the times I've looked at El Zafiro, the prices are often HIGHER than at BSV, and you get so much MORE at BSV, a full kitchen, private porch, MUCH more room, and a pool on the premises. Especially since El Zafiro also charges a 9% government tax (which as far as I know, the tax is only 5%, which is what BSV charges), AND they charge 15% service charge, on top of that. BSV charges ONLY a 5% government tax, and they have full maid service every day.

I have looked into Beachside Villas and agree that they offer more space and a pool. I haven't inquired directly with Beachside Villas, but the price I was quoted at El Zafiro for the time frame we wish to go is less expensive than what Beachside Villas has listed on their website.

We have stayed the last 9 years at a condo in Oyster Pond with the full kitchen and private balcony and it has been wonderful, albeit not directly on a beach. I'm looking for a different experience next year, at a different location on the island. I like the fact that El Zafiro has their own bar and restaurant. I also am looking forward to the breakfast that's included in the rate, made to order right on the grounds. It will be nice for someone to make me breakfast for a change. All these years I'm the one making breakfast while hubby sits and watches TV. I know, it's a personal issue.

I get where you're coming from on the breakfast. For me, Eric doesn't even normally eat breakfast, so I eat a boiled egg and perhaps a slice of ham alongside. However, we eat dinner in, about half the time now, so having our own grill, as you do at Beachside, is a big deal for me, a much bigger deal than breakfast. When you are on island, suggest you go next door and check out Beachside. You can still walk next door and get breakfast at El Zafiro. Personally, I've been there twice for meals. One was merely ok and the other pretty messed up.. .

I’ve heard that thier rates are pretty prices for very limited amenities. Any thoughts from those who have been there? I’ve only walked by but it seems like a pretty small property.

Looks like she missed the boat !!!!!

Actually the boat never arrived...I tried contacting Beachside Villas yesterday via their website inquiring about availability and price and have not heard anything back from them.

Sometimes it takes a day or two for them to get back to you. Right now, I think that Tracy is in SXM. Prices are what is on their website, unless you are looking at high season. They were discounting the rates a bit from the high season rates, but not sure that is happening now.

Yes, it would be for high season next year as we just returned from our annual visit towards the end of February. We made it as far down as Karakter for lunch one day, which was an excellent chicken caesar salad. I wanted my husband to drive down to both Beachside Villas and El Zafiro to check them out, but never made it. I didn't realize you have to drive past the airport to get there. We did however check out Mary's Boon. A very helpful lady at reception was kind enough to show us one of their rooms. It was nice, but my husband didn't care for the cramped feel of the hotel beach as a whole had for him. Just his opinion. We enjoyed a Heineken at their bar and carried on.

OK, I don't know as far as high season next year, as far as pricing.

I've tried to contact them at the phone numbers they have listed on their website, but each one states their out of service. Can you please provide me with the phone number you used to make the reservation with them directly?

Thanks for your help!

You must have dialed incorrectly, as I just called both numbers (810) 289-3142and (844) 806-4135 and both went to voicemail. Which doesn't surprise me, since as I said, I think Tracy is on island right now. Please call again and leave a message with your specific dates that you are interested in, or send an email to sxmbsv@gmail.com

My, opinion is. If they are that hard to contact now then they will probably be hard to contact in the future. If there is a problem with a flight change or other problem your are on your own

We stay at Mary's Boon often and thier very wide beach is one of the things we like the most. I would say its at least as wide as a football field with lots of private room. I think maybe some people might think the hotel beach is just in front of the bar and restaurant but its never as crowded or noisy as Karakter which is about a fourth as wide. They do also have a great new and just redone Beach Bar and Restaurant that just opened about a month ago call "THE BOON" that we found to be really fun and great food and drinks at good prices. About every other Sunday they have a beach party with sometimes live music. Yes their is a crowd there at the bar area but if you are staying at the Hotel the beach in front of the rooms is really one of the longest of any hotel on the Island/ Beachside Villas also has another nice uncrowded beach when their is enough sand.

Karakter, El Zafiro, Mary's Boon - It's all the same beach - one long public beach.

Exactly!

To me it’s a matter of finding a spot with amenities at a price that most suits your wants and needs. We’ve stayed at Mary’s Boon in the past, though I fear the unit we stayed in may have been destroyed during Irma’s rage, and we’ve also stayed ar BSV and to me, BSV is the perfect spot on the beach. Looking forward to spending some serious time there this Fall.

We’ve never stayed at ElZafiro but we do enjoy our beach days there, for sure.