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Is Simpson Bay right for us?
#251906
04/03/2021 04:49 PM
04/03/2021 04:49 PM
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Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 12
LizChelsea
OP
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OP
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Posts: 12
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Hi All, I used this forum extensively when I made my first trip to SXM in 2012 (Oyster Bay) and had an amazing trip. Now, I want to bring my daughter for her college graduation present. I am thinking Simpson Bay Area and looking at Royal Palm Beach resort, but would appreciate some opinions. Traveling with a 21-year old, she’s not going to want the complete quiet that I would choose (I would go to BSV). I don’t want to rent a car, so we need to be within walking distance of several restaurants, someplace that feels safe, and has easy access to a really nice beach. She will want to be near or in the water all day, when we’re not drinking rum punches. We will be happy to stay in after dinner, relaxing on a balcony. Does Royal Palm seem like a good choice? If the beach there is not the best, would The Horny Toad be better? Thanks!
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: LizChelsea]
#251908
04/03/2021 05:59 PM
04/03/2021 05:59 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
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This is purely my personal opinion and hopefully, no one will take offense if their opinions are different.
If you have access to timeshare, be it owned or traded, I’d try to get into The Royal Islander Club LePlage, even if you went to their rental site and had to rent there from an owner.The units all have lovely balconies and the units themselves with all their amenities are very nice but my main reason for this suggestion is the physical location right on the beach. The pool is gorgeous and sits just off the beach and worse case scenario, if the beach should go away as they sometimes do, you’re a short walk from Mullet Bay Beach as well.
RICLP is located in the heart of Maho which means, aside from the restaurant, bars and activities at the resort, you have all of Maho village at your fingertips. Or as the case might be, at your footsteps! Many restaurants, surely something for every taste and pocketbook but there are also some evening nightspots including the Hole in the Wall which features live music most evenings and the Casino Royale which can be fun......or not on a losing night. There are also shops and other points on interest right there, but if there isn’t enough to keep you entertained, it’s an easy spot to catch a bus or taxi and then the island’s yours.
Personally, I love BSV and that would be my choice but it’s very quiet and a car is necessary.
Mary’s Boon might be another option but I think you’d still want a car since the only place within easy walking distance is Karakter which is right next door, but that’s pretty much all there is in that area. Personally speaking, I don’t care that much for the Simpson Bay Area as I find it too busy and home to too much traffic. And in case you might be thinking that way, I have no personal connection to RICLP beyond having stayed there once and enjoyed the activity in the area.
One other great spot, IMO, is the Grand Case Beach Club but it’s considerably more expensive. The beaches and the pool there are lovely and you have all of GC at your easy disposal not to mention the i site restaurant and activity center.
Good luck and congrats to the parents and the Grad!
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: LizChelsea]
#251911
04/03/2021 06:14 PM
04/03/2021 06:14 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,540 Ohio
ruralcarrier
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Ohio
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pat gave some sound advice.
I have stayed at both Horny Toad and Royal Palm. While I prefer Horny Toad, you are not really in a great place to not have a car. The beach is great as are the accommodations. Royal Palm would offer lots of places within walking distance but the beach is not that great. Staying at Royal Palm would allow you to walk Simpson Bay Beach (over the bridge) and get to a nice area.
Cars are not that expensive. Personally, I would rent a car and stay at Horny Toad. Good luck.
J.D.
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: LizChelsea]
#251922
04/03/2021 08:09 PM
04/03/2021 08:09 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,313 Vancouver, WA
Todd
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Posts: 4,313
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Royal Palm has Roxxy next door as well as a lot of evening options, but I don't care for the beach in the Kim Sha/Atrium/Royal Palm areas but the pools are fine.
Royal Islander has fewer places in the evening but is walking distance to Mullet which is a pretty good beach to spend a day. Maho beach comes and goes and the pool area at RI is pretty nice and of course it is fun to watch the jets.
I would rent a car at either but that is me, if beach is important and you don't want to travel to a beach I wouldn't stay in the Simpson Bay area.
Have fun, I still have pretty fond memories of taking our college age daughter to SXM and having some fun evenings enjoying cocktails at different bars. Cheers, Todd
I prefer the Isle seat
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: LizChelsea]
#251925
04/03/2021 08:41 PM
04/03/2021 08:41 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
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When we rented at RICLP we found a unit that fit our needs on the website others have noted. We contacted the owner and rented through them directly. A week later the same unit but for the following week became available through the rental site manager so we ended up with back to back weeks in the same upper floor two bedroom unit. It was lovely. We could watch the planes at the airport from the hallway outside our door or see them coming in to land from the balcony off the living room. The only thing I would forewarn you of is the Royal Islander La Terrasse is across the road and while it’s close, it’s just not as convenient to the beach if that is a main priority for you. The pool there is lovely and particularly at night but of the two I would only stay at RICLaPlage.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: LizChelsea]
#251930
04/03/2021 09:28 PM
04/03/2021 09:28 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 82,832
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Liz--I really don't understand the reluctance to rent a car, as you will miss much of what is so great about SXM. But I think that Royal Palm would be a great option for you. You can walk to many places from there. The beach there is not great, but the views are beautiful there. You can get a taxi to other beaches or perhaps rent a car by the day. Enjoy!!
Carol Hill
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: LizChelsea]
#251933
04/03/2021 09:58 PM
04/03/2021 09:58 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Carol,
The op suggested their chief priority is enjoying a laidback trip without any hassle and spending most of their time in the water. With all due respect, and I know the views of the boats would be wonderful at the Royal Palm but that’s one of the worse beaches for actually enjoying being in the water, and we’ve been cautioned to this fact long before Royal Palm came into being.
Granted, the units have all been redone at RP and are probably lovely, but I absolutely get the idea of doing without a car and being close to lots of different venues. That’s why I suggested RICLP. It’s as safe there as any location on the island and there’s lots to do even if it means just walking across the street for an ice cream or going a little further down the street to the The Hole in the Wall for something a little stronger.
The last time we stayed at Grand Case Beach Club we parked our car and didn’t use it once for the whole stay and we loved it.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: LizChelsea]
#251938
04/03/2021 10:55 PM
04/03/2021 10:55 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,313 Vancouver, WA
Todd
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Posts: 4,313
Vancouver, WA
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Adding onto what Pat has stated, GCBC would be my choice for no car and relax on a beach. But, it might be boring for a college aged kid. But if there for beach, cocktails and food GCBC is pretty damn good and can be done well with out a car. LTC is a long long walk but I wonder if there is a shuttle that runs from GCBC to the main strip during the day. LTC does have some evening activities but the Grand Case area is nothing like Maho or Simpson Bay for night life.
I prefer the Isle seat
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: LizChelsea]
#251943
04/04/2021 12:50 AM
04/04/2021 12:50 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,270 Boynton Beach, FL
EdB
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Just returned from SXM tonight, Did not stay at Royal Palm, but drove by it plenty. It is a BRAND NEW resort both inside and out. Totally renovated a couple of months ago, so it does have great looking furniture, a fine view, a decent beach, steps to a bunch of fine restaurants, across the street from Nowhere Special, which i am sure your daughter would LOVE! Music every night, plenty of 20 somethings, great drinks and appetizers, and a real fun time. Any type of food and restaurants within a five minute walk, etc. I think it would be a GREAT spot to enjoy SXM, and if you decided not to rent a car, I don't think the location can be beat. I did notice from the time I spent on Simpson Bay this trip, that there definitely is an ''age difference" between Simpson Bay and Maho. I really don't think there is a more happening place on the island now, than the Simpson Bay area.
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: Leagle49]
#251949
04/04/2021 07:18 AM
04/04/2021 07:18 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,540 Ohio
ruralcarrier
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Posts: 17,540
Ohio
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And yet another good option.
J.D.
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: pat]
#251963
04/04/2021 09:24 AM
04/04/2021 09:24 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 82,832
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Pat--often there is no beach at ALL at Royal Islander, so one would have to walk to Mullet. If beach is the number one priority, I would go for Simpson Bay Resort or Flamingo.
Carol Hill
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: boucharda]
#251995
04/04/2021 12:45 PM
04/04/2021 12:45 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 190 Hamilton Ont
George1234
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Posts: 190
Hamilton Ont
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The trouble with SBR and Flamingo with no car is walking back up the hill every time you go to Welfare road for the restaurants etc, especially if you are in the B block of SBR. George
Last edited by George1234; 04/04/2021 12:47 PM.
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: George1234]
#252006
04/04/2021 01:54 PM
04/04/2021 01:54 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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You don't technically have to walk all the way up the hill if you want to walk a little further and go along the water, through where BBB was, to the Greenhouse area.
Carol Hill
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: LizChelsea]
#252011
04/04/2021 03:35 PM
04/04/2021 03:35 PM
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 658 Maine
SXMbeacher
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Yes, Flamingo or SBR really does sound like it fits your needs. We walked the hill from Atrium and did not find it difficult. As Carol said the walk around the hill, through SBR is a nice easy walk along the waters edge.
We walked as far as Pineapple Pete's in one direction and The Palms restaurant in the other direction on Welfare Rd. and there are many places to eat in between.
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: wofan]
#252366
04/08/2021 12:23 PM
04/08/2021 12:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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That is one thing that Royal Palm has going for it--ALL the units are full ocean view and the balconies kind of vary in size, but I've never seen one that you didn't have room for a couple of (sit down) chairs and some room to move about them. There are very few resorts in SXM that have full ocean view in every room.
Carol Hill
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Re: Is Simpson Bay right for us?
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#252376
04/08/2021 01:30 PM
04/08/2021 01:30 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 82,832
Central Florida!
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Scubaman--so roughly HALF of the units in building 7 at Flamingo, as opposed to Royal Palm, where every single room has an ocean view. That was my point.
Carol Hill
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