My wife & I are planning to visit Sint Maarten next month, all though this time on a cruise. we haven't been back there for 3 years. for eight years straight, we stayed at The Esmeralda on Orient beach with our close friends.

I have scoured you tube & other online sites but have yet to really find any definitive photos or commentary anywhere. Yes I did view videos that were posted immediately after the hurricanes unleashed their destruction, saddened & shocked wouldn't even describe our feelings which anyone that has been there also felt.

Could anyone please update us on the rebuilding of Orient Beach, in particular, the area at the Esmeralda heading to Orient Village. If there are any recent videos available to view online we would be very appreciative of your help.

We consider this a scouting trip so to speak that will help us plan our next trip back to an Island that has given us so many fantastic memories. In advance, thank you.

E looked mostly open to us in january. L’astrolabe was open as well. Beach bar no longer exists.

Most of the shops, eateries walking all the way to Yellow Sub are open including our favorite Good Morning Cafe. Petit Casino and the other market store open as well.

Its largelu back and ready for people.

It was nice to have a lot less traffic eating breakfast though. Peaceful.

I would say Orient Beach came back fast and furious after Hurricane Irma. There is much to do but the village is very much complete and the beach bars are also impressive. The video I found shows Club Orient damage but so many chalets are repairable and it is a legal court mess that is keeping Club Orient to rebuild and come back like other properties on Orient beach.

I wouldn't say "fast and furious" by any means. Other than the resent openings of the big three and chair rentals at old Club O area there isn't much else rebuilt.

Pelican--according to posts from this week, they are starting to rebuild Coco, which is the restaurant in front of Esmeralda.

Wow, complete destruction. So sad!

sxmmartini,
Thanks so much!
carib cheers,
doctorj

rebuilding of CoCo Beach restaurant @ the Esmeralda is fantastic news, many many afternoons & nights spent there enjoying the food and drink, especially the special Vanilla Rum concocted by the staff. Can't wait to be back on the beach. Thank you for the responses.