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Trip Summary July visit #202210
08/11/2019 04:44 PM
08/11/2019 04:44 PM
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19
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wineman65 Offline OP
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wineman65  Offline OP
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19
Our 1st visit since Irma but have visited many times over the years. Stayed at the Divi from 14 -26 July. Utilized beach there every day, property is in excellent condition. Car rental from Kenny's, great service. Pick up car at airport. Flights from Austin to Charlotte and same on return, on time and uneventful even if it was American. The weather was on the warm side according to the local folks we chatted with, only one early morning shower but beautiful weather all other times. Visited Royal Jewelers on Front St. Vince has been our go to jeweler for over 25 years, great service. The wife always seems to find something she needs. Upgraded graded her diamond tennis bracelet for her 50th anniversary and magically a new sapphire/diamond bracelet ended up on her other wrist.

Motorcycle drivers have seems to have gotten worse, overall traffic conditions seemed okay.

Now for what most people want to read about, FOOD, breakfast in room this trip other meals below:

14 July - Sunday, Mark's Place, arrival meal was close to Divi always good food for the money, chicken and blackened fish.

15 July - Monday, lunch downtown on Boardwalk after jewelry shopping. Walked to Belair from Divi for dinner, every Monday night they have all you can eat buffet ribs, chicken and assorted salads, and desert for $20 + 15%. Buy Charlie, the cook, a beer he won't forget you when going thru the serving line.

16 July - Tuesday, lunch El Zafiro, island fare, decent food, plenty to eat. Chesterfield's for dinner, Mahi-Mahi, and stuffed shrimp w/crab always excellent food at reasonable prices.

17 July - Wednesday, friends late afternoon arrived for a week. Again to Mark's Place for dinner, food was very good for all, lunch was at Divi.

18 July - Thursday, lunch at Champagne Bristo in Orange Grove shopping area. Had chicken which is flown in from France, WOW.
Sylvan, who also own the Wine shop next door, always serves excellent food, the chocolate mouse, is the best. We always get a few bottles of Champagne and Rose from him. Headed to Frenchy Ludos' for dinner, the pork tenderloin and duck were delicious as was the fish entries.

19 July - Friday, lunch downtown. Headed over to the French side to Spiga's for dinner. Laura greeted us and we dined inside. The lamb, steak, fish and homemade pasta dishes were excellent. This place is always an excellent choice.

20 July - Saturday, Bucanner Beach Bar for lunch, ribs not as good as before. For dinner we stayed at the Divi and went to the PureRoc. You cook your meals on a lava rock at the table, experience was very good. Food was good, especially the smashed potatoes. We had steak, fish and scallops. We used to cook this way at the Stone, in Simpson Bay, but has closed since Irma and never reopened.

21 July - Sunday, Tried Emilios restaurant for lunch, pizza was very good, hamburgers average. Back to Chesterfield's for dinner, everyone 's food was very good. Excellent service and eating on the waterfront.

22 July - Monday, Took our friends back to the Belair for the dinner buffet of ribs/chicken . Lunch at the Divi was just average.

23 July - Tuesday, returned to Champagne Bristo for lunch, it was that good. Drove over to Cuecopy to Mario's Bristo for dinner, had reservations, but was not busy. Appetizers were excellent, the meals were outstanding but we felt they were not hot as you would think they should be. There were fewer than 20 guests but only 2 severs working.

24 July - Wednesday, friends left for home. We went to Topper's for lunch, the ribs were very good. Opted to try Isola's next to Hollywood Casino for dinner. Has only been open for about 2 years, had pistachio crusted tuna, I couldn't even finish my meal as there was so much food, wife had breaded veal chop. The food was outstanding. This meal was the best of our trip. Seating inside with A/C, great service.

25 July - Thursday, We decided to try Guayabera Beach Club, behind the police station for lunch. I've had many burgers on the island but these with gouda cheese were the best by far. Wished we had tried this place sooner. We enjoyed Isolas so much went back for our last night. We split a pizza, which was crispy and more than enough food for two. This restaurant is very good.

26 July - Friday, got up early, packed and left for airport and turn in car by noon. Lines to check in moved quickly, grabbed lunch after clearing security, a few places to buy food. Much work remains before airport is fully operational but they are making it work.

Overall , had an excellent vacation, relaxing, reading, eating and enjoying life.
Until we return, goodbye St Maarten.

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Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202213
08/11/2019 05:13 PM
08/11/2019 05:13 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,470
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,470
Central Florida!
Thanks for the report! I may need to try that Guayaberra Bearch Club next time.


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202214
08/11/2019 06:17 PM
08/11/2019 06:17 PM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 721
B
bran Offline
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bran  Offline
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Great Report, Thx. Never been to several places you mentioned. Have some work to do next time.

Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202215
08/11/2019 06:18 PM
08/11/2019 06:18 PM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 656
Maine
SXMbeacher Offline
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SXMbeacher  Offline
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Posts: 656
Maine
Nice report. We loved Isola also and was the best meal ever! spaghetti seafood Isola was awesome. Still have not made it to marks.



Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202218
08/11/2019 06:37 PM
08/11/2019 06:37 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
Isola is my go to place. Marco has done a lot to turn this place around. No longer go to izi as Isola beats them hands down. As far as guaybera beach club we went there and was unimpressed with the beach and setting. Turned around and walked away.

Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202223
08/11/2019 07:59 PM
08/11/2019 07:59 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
Thanks for the report. Scubaman notwithstanding, have heard several good things about this place so it's on my list for my next trip.


[Linked Image]
Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202226
08/11/2019 09:05 PM
08/11/2019 09:05 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,297
CT
pony600 Offline
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pony600  Offline
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Posts: 1,297
CT
Champagne Bistro is one of our favorite places! You can also do a wine tasting at Sylvain's Select Wine Cellar next door. So much fun and very educational! He has wines for every price point.


[Linked Image]



If life hands you a lemon, just squeeze it on a lobster!
Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202227
08/11/2019 09:20 PM
08/11/2019 09:20 PM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 721
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bran Offline
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bran  Offline
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Pls guide me to Champagne Bistro and this shopping center. Think I tried twice to find it and obviously didn’t. So say I am passing The Yacht Club...where to from there? Thx.

Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: jazzgal] #202228
08/11/2019 09:27 PM
08/11/2019 09:27 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
You'll love it.

Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202229
08/11/2019 11:11 PM
08/11/2019 11:11 PM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 721
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bran Offline
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bran  Offline
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Posts: 721
Think also if I go over the bridge and turn right its somewhere off there?

Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: bran] #202230
08/12/2019 12:04 AM
08/12/2019 12:04 AM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline
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jazzgal  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
Originally Posted by bran
Pls guide me to Champagne Bistro and this shopping center. Think I tried twice to find it and obviously didn’t. So say I am passing The Yacht Club...where to from there? Thx.


Originally Posted by bran
Think also if I go over the bridge and turn right its somewhere off there?


If you cross the causeway, turn right onto Union Road and go almost to the opposite end of Union. There's a strip mall in Orange Grove, across from the corner where Harley Davidson used to be. Le Champagne and Sylvain's Wine Cellar are in the corner of the strip mall.

If you are going toward Pburg from the Yacht Club, turn at the roundabout by the new market that used to be, was it Dollar Tree? Anyway, the "old" grocery store has been updated and reopened. Turn left at the roundabout and go straight through to Union Road. I *think* you will need to turn right to get to the strip mall.


[Linked Image]
Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202233
08/12/2019 06:06 AM
08/12/2019 06:06 AM
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 144
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Tammy Offline
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Tammy  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 144
Sounds lovely Wineman.
Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed reading.


Be the person your dog thinks you are 💫
Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202234
08/12/2019 06:52 AM
08/12/2019 06:52 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Thanks for the report.


J.D.
Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202235
08/12/2019 07:07 AM
08/12/2019 07:07 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Offline
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RonDon  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
Guayabera Beach Club location. You wrote "behind the police station"; The only Police station I'm familiar with is downtown Phillipsburg near Salt Pond. Is that where it is? Or is there a satillight police station somewhere?

Last edited by RonDon; 08/12/2019 07:08 AM.
Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202236
08/12/2019 07:09 AM
08/12/2019 07:09 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 467
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bizzottom Offline
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bizzottom  Offline
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Posts: 467
sounds like a boiler plate visit to st maarten
Positive thru and thru
gutta wait till march 2020, unless i can talk the other half into an early visit....fingers crossed

Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202237
08/12/2019 07:42 AM
08/12/2019 07:42 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
There is a Police Station in Simpson Bay by the bridge. Guayabera Beach Club is on Simpson Bay Beach on the road that goes behind PS and McDonalds.

https://www.facebook.com/Guayabera-Beach-Club-411163582753546/

We have enjoyed our visits there.

Last edited by BillandElaine; 08/12/2019 07:43 AM.

Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202243
08/12/2019 09:16 AM
08/12/2019 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 the report.Notes taken.


Next SXM visit -November 2023. Also January 2024.
Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: jazzgal] #202249
08/12/2019 11:49 AM
08/12/2019 11:49 AM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 721
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bran Offline
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bran  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 721
Originally Posted by jazzgal
Originally Posted by bran
Pls guide me to Champagne Bistro and this shopping center. Think I tried twice to find it and obviously didn’t. So say I am passing The Yacht Club...where to from there? Thx.


Originally Posted by bran
Think also if I go over the bridge and turn right its somewhere off there?


If you cross the causeway, turn right onto Union Road and go almost to the opposite end of Union. There's a strip mall in Orange Grove, across from the corner where Harley Davidson used to be. Le Champagne and Sylvain's Wine Cellar are in the corner of the strip mall.

If you are going toward Pburg from the Yacht Club, turn at the roundabout by the new market that used to be, was it Dollar Tree? Anyway, the "old" grocery store has been updated and reopened. Turn left at the roundabout and go straight through to Union Road. I *think* you will need to turn right to get to the strip mall.



Thx Jazz. Appreciate it.

Re: Trip Summary July visit [Re: wineman65] #202252
08/12/2019 12:24 PM
08/12/2019 12:24 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Offline
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RonDon  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
Thanks Elaine.


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