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Re: Help us choose
[Re: Tvnews]
#167570
08/12/2018 08:31 AM
08/12/2018 08:31 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832
Central Florida!
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Have you been to SXM before? Can't tell from your note.
Regarding close to bars and restaurants, SBR has it all over Divi. Divi and Belair are side by side, but otherwise, not much that is really close to Divi. On the other hand, SBR is right in the middle of Simpson Bay, which has tons of bars and restaurants all over. As far as beach, most people who go to SXM go to different beaches and don't just stay at the resort's beach. As far as a/I, to me that's not an advantage, as there are too many great places to eat and drink. By NYE, I have to assume that Divi will be done with their reconstruction, so I don't think that is a factor, although SBR is fully open now. I personally think the location in Simpson Bay is just a lot more convenient than being at Divi, so I would go with SBR.
Carol Hill
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Re: Help us choose
[Re: Tvnews]
#167578
08/12/2018 09:46 AM
08/12/2018 09:46 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,562 Long Island, NY
RICKnGRACE_LI_NY
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,562
Long Island, NY
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I would have to agree here, that the SBR option would be the better choice for what you say you are looking for. Have fun, no matter what you decide
Rick and Grace
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Re: Help us choose
[Re: Tvnews]
#167580
08/12/2018 09:48 AM
08/12/2018 09:48 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
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Hi, Tim,
Hope you’re going to be there for at least two weeks as that’s a very aggressive travel plan but each of those islands is different and so worth seeing. My favorite of the three is Saba but only because it is so very different from the others and reminds me a lot of St. Maarten (without the beaches) when we first visited in the early 70s.
Without a doubt, and as others have suggested, Simpson Bay gives you more walking ops to bars and restaurants and more activity in general. That said, my personal taste would be for Divi but only because I like having a quiet place to come home to at the end of my busy island days and it is a very pretty area.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Help us choose
[Re: Tvnews]
#167584
08/12/2018 10:34 AM
08/12/2018 10:34 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,143 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,143
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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The Simpson Bay location would definitely be my choice. You have a busy schedule and being close to departure sites would be an asset. Also you could walk to many restaurants and bars which you could not do from Divi.
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Re: Help us choose
[Re: Tvnews]
#167587
08/12/2018 11:22 AM
08/12/2018 11:22 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106 Southport, North Carolina, US
candj
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106
Southport, North Carolina, US
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For a first timer, I would go to Simpson Bay. There are more restaurants within walking distance and there is more night life within walking distance.
Fair winds and following seas! SSN691-May She Ever Prowl The Seas in Defense of Human Freedom! SSN787-Preserving Peace, Prepared for War
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Re: Help us choose
[Re: Tvnews]
#167637
08/13/2018 09:04 AM
08/13/2018 09:04 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832
Central Florida!
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Tim--as far as 'right choice', most of us here will tell you that booking a/I in SXM is a mistake, as it limits you to the resort too much. As far as proximity to bars and restaurants, Ocean Point isn't bad, PROVIDED most of Maho is back open by then, but right NOW, there is very little open at Maho. And as far as a BEACH at Ocean Point, there's not much. And that's ASSUMING that Ocean Point really is open by when you go. I have no idea what the progress is there now.
Carol Hill
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Re: Help us choose
[Re: Tvnews]
#167655
08/13/2018 02:37 PM
08/13/2018 02:37 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,892 Portland, OR
jazzgal
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,892
Portland, OR
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Let me say up front that I own three weeks at Divi so I am biased. That said, I think you will want some "down days" after the excursions you have planned. Despite all the opinions above favoring Simpson Bay, and while I haven't actually stayed in the area, it strikes me personally as a very busy area: lots of traffic and people. For my down days, I really love the quiet of Divi, and Little Bay beach is one of the nicest on the island. It is true you will be closer to your excursion departure points staying in Simpson Bay, but Divi is only 15 minutes away from Simpson Bay. And I agree with the others that A/I on SXM is limiting due to all the wonderful restaurants around the island. I would FOR SURE not do A/I at Divi because the food there just isn't that good.
My two cents' worth.
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Re: Help us choose
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#167657
08/13/2018 02:54 PM
08/13/2018 02:54 PM
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1 Ireland
Erin H
Member
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Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1
Ireland
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Tim--as far as 'right choice', most of us here will tell you that booking a/I in SXM is a mistake, as it limits you to the resort too much. As far as proximity to bars and restaurants, Ocean Point isn't bad, PROVIDED most of Maho is back open by then, but right NOW, there is very little open at Maho. And as far as a BEACH at Ocean Point, there's not much. And that's ASSUMING that Ocean Point really is open by when you go. I have no idea what the progress is there now. Hey Carol and everyone here! We're heading to SXM in November for first time and can't wait!! Like Tim, we got great deal for ocean point at the end of November but now I'm abit worried if it will be open in time.....Do you or anyone here know what kind of stage its at? They've said they will deffinetly re open mid November...and also is Maho beach not there at Ocean Point? Many thanks
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Re: Help us choose
[Re: Erin H]
#167658
08/13/2018 03:00 PM
08/13/2018 03:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832
Central Florida!
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I have no idea whether Ocean Point will actually be open or not. I ASSUME they are telling the truth, as far as they know it. Maho Beach is there, yes, but it's not that great a beach, as often there can be big waves OR there could be almost no sand at all.
Carol Hill
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Re: Help us choose
[Re: Tvnews]
#167660
08/13/2018 03:08 PM
08/13/2018 03:08 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
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Well said, Linda.
My personal preference of the two areas would be Divi because we really enjoy the downtime at the end of every day and don’t like the very busy atmosphere of too many of the Simpson Bay Resort areas. But it would certainly be the most convenient for the boat departures to other islands on the itinerary if the OP.
And as both Linda and Carol and perhaps others have suggested, SXM is one Island I most definitely would NOT do All Inclusive on. A big part of the main attributes of this island, aside from all its gorgeous beaches and it’s other island visiting ops is the quality and variety of dining opportunities all across this lovely island. From the lowliest beach shacks serving some incredible ribs, chicken, burgers and dogs, to the very high end restaurants scattered all across the island, FOOD is one of the main attractions of SXM. And I’m not even one of the real foodies on this board but I still think that to be true.
Now if you can manage to DRINK your AI worth at your home resort and still manage to dine elsewhere it might be a good deal, but if you’re like most of us, once you buy into the AI option, you will probably become too disinclined to try the other areas for dining and if this is you, you really will miss a lot of what SXM is all about.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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