Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,430
Posts310,040
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 115
pat 43
jazzgal 41
Todd 40
Member Spotlight
pony600
pony600
CT
Posts: 1,297
Joined: June 2008
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
ecco, OceanDrop, vincent
Who's Online Now
44 registered members (camview, JeanneB, Brian&Andi, SXMScubaman, Manpot, WLE, taraavo, KirkB, ColoBoater, RonDon, Whale Tail, jazzgal, ohstate, NoelHall, lbksxm, foreversxm, MrEZgoin, steve74, UncleLuff, road3682, pbd007, snman31, lcote, Fitzhughlaw, richard4th, Donaegada, Matt W, LauraJim, JandIrene, MKGrey, Swifty, Fran, RickBlaine, mark37, Wahnfried, nevar37, ChuckG, 7 invisible), 903 guests, and 66 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Reservations needed during Christmas week? #207752
10/31/2019 02:01 PM
10/31/2019 02:01 PM
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 12
M
Mouse Offline OP
Traveler
Mouse  Offline OP
Traveler
M
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 12
I am really enjoying reading everyone’s trip reports here!

Question regarding reservations. We are a party of 4 who will be in Maho from Dec 21 to Dec 28. So definitely a busy week. We are planning:
to go to a few restaurants for dinner, probably early
spend time on the beaches (start between 9am and 10am, beach chairs, lunch at a restaurant around 11:30),
rent kayaks and paddle to Pinel (again, beach chairs and lunch at a restaurant)
and get Hobie Cat lessons at Orient Bay.

Any suggestions on what definitely should be booked ahead of time?

Thanks!

SXM Sponsors
Re: Reservations needed during Christmas week? [Re: Mouse] #207766
10/31/2019 03:38 PM
10/31/2019 03:38 PM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
S
SammyM Offline
Traveler
SammyM  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
Do you have a place to stay yet? That would be the first thing I would do if staying the Maho area. Dinner reservations at most places aren't really necessary, but could be helpful at some of the nicer restaurants such as Sale & Pepe. You might to check Trip Advisor and see the restaurant rankings for both the Maho and Simpson Bay areas. Some places will have links to Open Table which will allow you to make dinner reservations in advance at a preferable time. Given that this is Christmas week I would probably move in that direction.

As for the beaches with chairs, lunchtime dining, etc. there's no need to reserve anything in advance IMO. You'll be getting to Maho beach plenty early for that, but I would suggest taking the short walk by the golf course and spend time at Mullet Bay Beach which is typically less windy and has some nice lunch options (such as Rosie's). Simpson Bay Beach and Kim Sha are also nice beaches within walking distance in the other direction.

As for PInel, I've never paddled over there but there is a small ferry boat that will take you there and back, and it's really cheap. But, once again no need to arrange that ahead of time. If you want to rent a kayak, however and do this yourself maybe someone else on this board can chime in with some suggestions. Hope this helps.

Re: Reservations needed during Christmas week? [Re: Mouse] #207768
10/31/2019 03:47 PM
10/31/2019 03:47 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 399
Detroit
bluejacket Offline
Traveler
bluejacket  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 399
Detroit
Yes, this is a wonderful site full of resources and great trip reports. We usually do a very short one, although I'm buying a new camera and plan to include photos next time.

Anyway, to answer your question--for peace-of-mind, make reservations--especially if there is a specific restaurant or activity you simply must do.
We always go at Christmas/New Years and have never had to make reservations anywhere. HOWEVER, we spend our entire vacation glued to a lounge chair at Club O beach and happy to eat pretty much anywhere. This prolly isn't a very helpful post--suffice it to say that there is no harm in making reservations, if you're concerned.

See you on the beach! Dec 14-24.

Re: Reservations needed during Christmas week? [Re: Mouse] #207769
10/31/2019 03:55 PM
10/31/2019 03:55 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
I have heard from a restaurant owner that the week between Christmas and New Years is the single busiest week for restaurants on SXM, so other than for very casual places, you probably should make restaurant reservations for dinner, yes. We have only been fortunate to be there Christmas week once and calling once we were on island, we were only able to eat at one place at 6 PM one night, even though we gave the owner a whole week to pick from. This was one of the premier restaurants on the island, but that week was packed at all the best restaurants. For lunch, you MIGHT need a reservation at someplace like Bikini or one of the other big ones on Orient, or at Anse Marcel Beach Club, for sure, but not otherwise. Otherwise, wouldn't think you'd need reservations for anything.. Enjoy!

Last edited by Carol_Hill; 10/31/2019 04:03 PM.

Carol Hill
Re: Reservations needed during Christmas week? [Re: Mouse] #207787
10/31/2019 06:56 PM
10/31/2019 06:56 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Online content
Traveler
jazzgal  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
If you want to go to Anse Marcel beach (which I HIGHLY recommend doing), you need to make reservations in advance to get the front row of chairs.


[Linked Image]
Re: Reservations needed during Christmas week? [Re: jazzgal] #207790
10/31/2019 07:25 PM
10/31/2019 07:25 PM
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 12
M
Mouse Offline OP
Traveler
Mouse  Offline OP
Traveler
M
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 12
Thanks all!

Yes, we already have accommodation and car reserved.

We will reserve the must do restaurants for after Christmas, but I would prefer not have the whole vacation mapped out entirely, so I’m glad reservations are not essential.

How do we reserve front row chairs at Anse Marcel? Call the restaurant? Before we go on vacation, or a day before?

Re: Reservations needed during Christmas week? [Re: Mouse] #207792
10/31/2019 07:35 PM
10/31/2019 07:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
Day or 2 before. Call or email. Helps to made lunch reserves same time to ensure front row.

Re: Reservations needed during Christmas week? [Re: SXMScubaman] #207793
10/31/2019 07:45 PM
10/31/2019 07:45 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
For THAT week, I would do it before I left home for Anse Marcel Beach Club. You can do it online.


Carol Hill
Re: Reservations needed during Christmas week? [Re: Mouse] #207799
10/31/2019 08:14 PM
10/31/2019 08:14 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Online content
Traveler
jazzgal  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
Originally Posted by Mouse
How do we reserve front row chairs at Anse Marcel? Call the restaurant? Before we go on vacation, or a day before?


Below is a link to their website. Fill out the form at the bottom of the page. Front row is not assured, depending upon how many reservations they have. I have made reservations day before I wanted to go and received second row because there were many others in front of me. It's a memorable experience.


LINK


[Linked Image]
Re: Reservations needed during Christmas week? [Re: jazzgal] #207802
10/31/2019 08:15 PM
10/31/2019 08:15 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
Thanks for that link.


Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1