Are chair and umbrella rentals available at Anse Marcel? If so what is the cost? Can one sit on a towel on the beach without renting a chair and umbrella? Please respond only if you have been there recently. TIA.

We charged it to the tab we had for the day, but two chairs and umbrella were around 30 E. As far as sitting on a towel, I think you can go way down to the end, since all beaches are public. But frankly, why would you?? It's kind of a trek to get there to AM. You can go MANY places around the island and put down a towel and be by yourself if you want. To ME, the reason to go to Anse Marcel is to partake of the excellent food there. And if you do that, spending 30 E for a chair for the day shouldn't be an issue. OR just go for lunch, and you don't need a chair on the beach at all. The beach to ME isn't that great, although there are not any waves normally, so it's easier for someone who is not very mobile to go in the water. The sand is pretty dark and coarse and the view, to me, isn't nearly what it is at many other places.

Your mileage may vary.

It's my favorite beach and beach restaurant on the island. I concur with Carol regarding why go there if you don't partake of the restaurant's offering?. I personally love the beach due to its calmness and find the food EXCEPTIONALLY good. I was there several times Nov-Dec and recall the chair/umbrella cost to be 26-28 Euro for 2 chairs and one umbrella. However, when we had a group and asked for additional umbrellas, we were not charged more than their standard charge. If I weren't going to the restaurant, I agree with Carol that going just for the beach is a waste of time even though I think it's lovely. There are other beaches that are easier to get to and where chair/umbrella rentals are less. There is a sign upon entry that coolers are not allowed in the vicinity of the restaurant. I wonder if sitting on the beach in front of the restaurant on a towel would also be frowned upon? Personally, I wouldn't do it.

We took a cooler with us and since we had reservations in a cabana for lunch they said not a problem. Your call.

Speaking of AMBC, Linda, I was wondering what you thought of it NOT being listed on the Caribbean Journal's top 50 restaurants in the Caribbean? Especially since their chef won that very prestigious French award as the best chef in St. Martin??

Unfortunate. I think lots of people still haven't been there; maybe the raters couldn't make it over the hill.

OK. My feeling regarding Caribbean Journal is that their ratings are somewhat suspect..

Just so I have this straight. If you have lunch there, do they still charge you for beach chairs and umbrellas?

Yes

Yes and parking is free on a paved lot. Very nice restrooms and fresh water beach shower.

I love it there! It has to be the nicest on the island in my opinion. Definitely not the cheapest but certainly not the most expensive. Worth every penny! Can't wait to go back in April!! I made reservations by the way.