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Trip Report - July 11-16 #200302
07/18/2019 02:12 PM
07/18/2019 02:12 PM
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 27
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Bip Offline OP
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Bip  Offline OP
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 27
First, I would like to thank everyone here who provided insight on our first trip to St. Martin. We had an unforgettable experience and looks as though we'll become regular visitors to the island. We didn't extend ourselves on this trip, as we focused our time on the French side, mainly in Grand Case. We spent five nights at Le Petit and the hotel/location could not have been better. We decided not to rent a car; however, it was not an issue for us during this trip as we walked to nearby beaches or took advantage of the complimentary shuttle provided by Le Petit. In future trips, we'll rent a car to explore. Below are the highlights of our trip:

Le Petit and Grand Case Beach

We made this home for five nights/six days. The hotel was quiet and the hosts (Remy and Yamina) provided wonderful suggestions on activities and food. Breakfast was included with our stay and the views from our balcony were beautiful. Most of our time here was lounging on the beach with Rose, walking to the Lolos for lunch, and dinner out in Grand Case. We ate at L'Auberge Gourmande, La Villa, Bistrot Caraibes, Piazza Pascal, and Spiga. We didn't have a bad meal; however, L'Auberge Gourmande (stayed away from filet based on other review), La Villa, and Spiga were our favorites. The people in and around Grand Case were wonderful and were even invited to a local barbecue, which was fun with great food. People were really friendly.

Happy Bay

When not on the beach in Grand Case, we spent two quiet days at Happy Bay. Happy Bay was an easy 15 minute walk for us and both days, we were the only ones on the beach, which allowed us extreme privacy smile. The first day at Happy Bay, we took the trail to Friar's Bay and had lunch, but were not too impressed with the beach so the second day we brought our own refreshments and just relaxed. The walk to Friar's Bay was beautiful and not difficult and definitely worth the views. There is also a gentlemen at Happy Bay providing beach chairs and beers. We did purchase a few beers from him and they were reasonably priced.

Anse Marcel

We did splurge on a cab to Anse Marcel based on reviews from this forum. The afternoon did not disappoint. We had a wonderful meal and beach service with a few cocktails. The drive was not as bad as imagined after reading the reviews here and the views from top of the hill were wonderful. Anse Marcel beach is beautiful and was not crowded. However, not sure we would repeat the visit here during our next trip and really do not have a reason other than we would rather spend the day on Grand Case or Happy Bay.

Next Trip

We have already made a reservation to go back to Le Petit next summer. We will rent a car and explore more of the island, including Orient and other hiking spots. This was the first vacation that we felt that time moved slow. Again, thank you all for helping out and answering my questions.

Attached Files lepetit_front.jpglepetit_breakfast.jpglepetit_balcony.jpglepetit_sunset.jpggrandcase.jpghappy_bay1.jpghappy_bay2.jpganse.jpganse2.jpganse3.jpg
Last edited by Bip; 07/18/2019 02:52 PM.
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Re: Trip Report - July 11-16 [Re: Bip] #200304
07/18/2019 02:39 PM
07/18/2019 02:39 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Thanks for the report and the pics! You can't go wrong with Le Petit! Lovely place. Glad you enjoyed your trip and have another trip planned!! SXM has another fan for life! smile


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report - July 11-16 [Re: Bip] #200316
07/18/2019 04:05 PM
07/18/2019 04:05 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,562
Long Island, NY
RICKnGRACE_LI_NY Offline
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RICKnGRACE_LI_NY  Offline
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Posts: 1,562
Long Island, NY
Thanks for a great report


Rick and Grace
Re: Trip Report - July 11-16 [Re: Bip] #200326
07/18/2019 05:54 PM
07/18/2019 05:54 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
Biturbo Offline
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Biturbo  Offline
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Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
I agree, very nice report. I especially enjoy 1st-timers reports and impressions.


I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
Re: Trip Report - July 11-16 [Re: Bip] #200331
07/18/2019 07:12 PM
07/18/2019 07:12 PM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 721
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bran Offline
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bran  Offline
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Good report...must have stayed at Le Petit about 30 years ago!!! It was like a foodies paradise, damn the hurricanes. Was very nice then as well. Now, I have to get round to do my own trip report once I get around to downloading some pics that I have taken, that I seem to have lost!!! argghhh.

Re: Trip Report - July 11-16 [Re: Bip] #200336
07/18/2019 08:16 PM
07/18/2019 08:16 PM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 248
Shelby2 Offline
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Shelby2  Offline
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Posts: 248
Sounds like a lovely first visit! ...my first trip stayed at Grand Case Beach Club and never did any other beaches we were just so happy and content there. Not to mention the fab food in Grand Case! Haven't even visited the French side in so many years, but thinking may have to give it another go! Thx for sharing your trip and photos!

Re: Trip Report - July 11-16 [Re: Bip] #200343
07/19/2019 12:37 AM
07/19/2019 12:37 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
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islandgem  Offline
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Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Lovely report and pictures. Thanks for sharing your time with us. Le Petit is a little paradise




Re: Trip Report - July 11-16 [Re: Bip] #200355
07/19/2019 07:38 AM
07/19/2019 07:38 AM
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 27
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Bip Offline OP
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Bip  Offline OP
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Definitely not the lens we envisioned to see St. Martin through. I would have loved to see the island pre-Irma as there is a ways to go in recovery on the French side. We had planned to go twice in the past five years, but life intervened. However, the natural beauty and the friendliness of the people were a welcome sight this trip. That is what has us hooked to go back. Instead of having the view of "what was," we now get to see "what it will become" in future trips.

Re: Trip Report - July 11-16 [Re: Bip] #200374
07/19/2019 09:49 AM
07/19/2019 09:49 AM
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 18
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319expat Offline
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319expat  Offline
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Posts: 18
Thanks for the lovely report! Although there is indeed a ways to go in recovery on the French side, the places you went to were among the most devastated. Grand Case was still pretty rough when I went in September 2018, and I couldn't bring myself to see Anse Marcel on that trip. But the signs of life I saw in both places that had sprung up since when I returned in February was impressive. I can't wait to go back to see how much more has improved!

Re: Trip Report - July 11-16 [Re: Bip] #200464
07/20/2019 09:16 AM
07/20/2019 09:16 AM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,132
St Louis, MO
SXMNorm Offline
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SXMNorm  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,132
St Louis, MO
Thanks for returning the favor and posting your own report. Glad you had a great time.


Next SXM visit -November 2023. Also January 2024.
Re: Trip Report - July 11-16 [Re: Bip] #200471
07/20/2019 10:06 AM
07/20/2019 10:06 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
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Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
Very, very nice report and so beautifully done. Thank you.......


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Trip Report - July 11-16 [Re: Bip] #200495
07/20/2019 03:27 PM
07/20/2019 03:27 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline
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jazzgal  Offline
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Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
Loved the picture of the martini glass at Anse Marcel! Thanks for the nice report and pictures.


[Linked Image]
Re: Trip Report - July 11-16 [Re: Bip] #200577
07/21/2019 01:12 PM
07/21/2019 01:12 PM
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 27
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Bip Offline OP
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That picture happened organically. We looked down and the glass was smiling back at us so we had to capture it. The smile consisted of three coffee beans (eyes and nose) and the vanilla stick as the mouth.

Re: Trip Report - July 11-16 [Re: Bip] #200583
07/21/2019 02:37 PM
07/21/2019 02:37 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 334
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StMartinFan Offline
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StMartinFan  Offline
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Posts: 334
Great description of your trip to the island! Despite the destruction in Grand Case, you reminded us of the many wonderful gems and beautiful locations still there to enjoy.


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