We are interested in a one bedroom suite with easy access to the beach and as much privacy as possible. Recognizing one shares the pool with up to 3 other units at Esmeralda. Knowing this is somewhat subjective we would like to hear from people who have stayed at Esmeralda and/or Plantation. Are there any strong preferences one over the other, any favorite units. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

Surprised no one has responded to this yet, so I'll give it a go. As far as easy access to the beach, most units at Plantation are a decent walk from the beach, uphill. Esmeralda, the units are closer and that area is pretty flat, so not as much of a walk. As far as privacy, the decks at Plantation are a lot more private, some very private, or they USED to be, with a fair amount of vegetation shielding you from other units. That could have changed since Irma. I've not actually stayed at Esmeralda, just visited there, but I don't think the decks are very private there at all. Of course the big draw at Esmeralda is the private pool for each building. Traditionally, as I assume you know, nude use of the pool is allowed if the other building residents don't object. I believe that Esmeralda just recently reopened after Irma, so I have no idea of the status of the nude beach at Esmeralda. Perhaps I am mistaking your intent with regard to wanting privacy though, so maybe that wasn't what you even were asking about. Personally, I prefer the larger units at Plantation, higher up, with a nice view of the beach. We would drive to the beach from there. Most of the units at Esmeralda have no view of the beach. Hope that helps somewhat, although most of my info is old.

We just stayed at Planation a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. There was still a lot of work going on. We had a 1BR suite and ours was very private, was nude most of the time, but many of them are not so. The views were outstanding. We beached at CO, and yes a car really is necessary, both for the beach and dining in the village. The staff was very nice and helpful too. We also visited Esmeralda. They had just opened and work was still going on but it looked quite nice. The pools we saw were right out in the open in full view but there may be more private ones we didn't see. We preferred Plantation but I think Es is a better location, with a much easier walk to the beach and village (but still a good trek down to CO). Kakao is going up right there and should be open soon. A quick glance at the rates show Es to be more expensive, but also more upscale.

We have stayed at Esmeralda five times since 2007. Our only other experience (and preference) has been CO. Esmeralda is quiet and simple. The pools are a nice way to rinse or cool off after a day on the beach. As Beevly mentions, some of the pools are "out in the open" in that they are visible from the driveway. There are a few units behind Astrolabe that offer a bit more privacy. You do share the pool with the three other rooms in your unit, but our neighbors have either been super friendly or kept quietly to themselves. From a beach standpoint, it's about 200 steps from your unit to where Coco used to be, and then it's probably a 10-20 minute walk to Bikini or CO, depending on your preference. We are still working on our return in the spring, and it will probably be Esmeralda. I'm afraid I can't offer anything on Plantation. I hope that helps!

I read on FB a few weeks ago that the pools at Esmeralda were no longer clothing optional.

Well, since Esmeralda JUST reopened, not sure how there would be a definitive word on that, from a few weeks ago? Has the management announced that somewhere? Not saying it's incorrect, but just because you read is on Facebook, doesn't mean it's true.

It was posted in the Orient Bay Village Life group on Facebook. Claudie Nannini responded to a question about the C/O status stating it was no longer C/O.

Not sure if she is the owner or not.

Claudie Nannini is the manager.

Then I would think the gsdoat's statement would be correct.

Was the statement regarding the beach or the pool use?

the pool. Someone asked if the pools were still C/O and she replied "no".

OK. That was one of their big draws. Seems a stupid decision, but over the years they have gone back and forth on c/o on the beach.

Carol_Hill, we're planning on making our 2nd trip back next summer. Does it seem that the French side is going away from clothing optional? that's a huge draw for us.

I don't think so. Beaches have always been topless and really only one true CO area which is on Orient. Nothing has really changed other than tourists perception on what area is or isn't CO OK.

We were last there summer of 17 and our first full day on the beach was on Happy Bay and we spent the entire day nude. It was our understanding that the area to the right (east end of the beach) was nude and the west end of the beach was not.

I've read recently that the beach was never officially C/O. Are the police patrolling and writing citations or is it still acceptable to go nude there?

Not sure if they are patroling or writing tickets but when ever you stay off the Laws your always taking that chance.

I'm confused at this point whether you are talking about Happy Bay or Orient about police patrolling and writing citations? The Club Orient section of Orient Bay has been traditionally nude for a long time and hopefully there are no issues regarding continuing nudity on that section of the beach. The rest of Orient is technically no longer nude friendly, although it used to be. Every few months, the gendarmes run patrols and stop people from walking the rest of Orient Beach nude. I personally have not heard of any gendarme patrols on Orient since Irma. Due to Bikini being only beach bar open at the moment other than Perch Lite, I doubt they have bothered patrolling since Irma. Once some of the other big beach bars reopen, they may resume patrols. But so long as you stay on the section where Club O is (was??), you should be fine. Regarding Happy Bay, it continues to get a lot of nude use, although it is not technically legally sanctioned there. Currently, unless you go on the weekend, you should be fine with nudity on Happy Bay. I have never heard of any patrols on Happy Bay. Occasionally the gendarmes have parties or beach training exercises there, but reports from others who have been there at the time is that the gendarmes could care less about nudity on Happy Bay, and in fact have occasionally joined in the fun! And again, while not technically legally sanctioned, there is a lot of nude use of Cupecoy Beach, which is on the Dutch side.

Carol_Hill, that is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Thank you very much!

You're welcome.

Was going to book our first trip to SXM in 8 years but if this is true about Esmeralda then we will go elsewhere.

I've been meaning to try Club Fantastico or Jardin d'O. They look nice and are definitely C/O but are further from the beach.

Just spent all day Tuesday this week on Happy Bay. About 20 people total were at the beach. 90% of them were nude. Was a wonderful quite pleasant day. No citations written.

As a matter of fact, we also were on Happy Bay on Saturday this week. The gendamaires were having a party and could have cared less about the nudity. Less nudity on Saturday than Tuesday, but no worries about nudity.

There are still lots of other places on SXM that are c/o, including private villas. To not book SXM because of Esmeralda not being c/o (if so) seems short sighted. There are LOTS of other places that are c/o friendly.. Really.

I am staying at Esmeralda the month of January, I will report back with the facts.

rpotter--thanks! Looking forward to hearing about your trip.

I stayed at Esmeralda from 11/4 through 12/3. It was great! There were a few villa units still being repaired but that wasn't bothersome in the slightest. Many people staying elsewhere in the village, though, complained about the construction noise, and there are a lot of units where repairs haven't even started.

Overall, both Es and Plantation were essentially normal and far better than most of the village.

Regarding nude use of the pools, nothing has changed. Officially, the pools are not clothing optional. It's always been the practice, though, that one could skinnydip respectfully, with the consent of the villa neighbors and making sure that the usual appropriate discretion is practiced.

OK, thanks for the report! Any pictures you could share?