My wife and I have been owners at Oyster Bay Beach Resort for 16 years, an “every other year” unit. We had been to SXM 4 previous times, always enjoying ourselves… sometimes using our unit to trade for some other island, but always saying – “that was cool – but we enjoy SXM better”. We had not been to SXM for the last 4 years due to taking care of aging parents and a 35th anniversary trip to Europe. We enjoy going during the Regatta week, so to insure we got the week we wanted we booked OBBR 360 days in advance, and then started looking for airfare. We were looking forward to our trip back – had invited my cousin and her husband to join us for their first SXM experience.

About 6 months before our date, I started revisiting TTOL to get an update on what was happening on island. My excitement got a little diminished after reading some of the reports regarding the “Chikungunya Epidemic”, crime in general – specifically Grand Case, decline in Marigot and some other negative reports. Sure, there was a lot of positive news – but I was worried that my “paradise” had gone away.

Well regardless of the reports, we stayed positive…positive that we wanted to get the heck out of the Midwest after the crappy winter we had been having… so off we went. The trip was set for 2 nights in Marigot and a week at OBBR. Instead of a daily report, I would like to provide my highlights based on observations after a 4 year absence.

Travel down & back: I am platinum on AA so pretty much always fly them. Did purchase tickets this time because I had cashed in most of my FF miles on the trip to Europe. We travel out of O’Hare, connecting through Miami. Travel down was smooth sailing, however coming home was bad in Miami, the line for customs was a mile long. I had expected this based on what I read on TTOL, so I made sure there was plenty of time for our connecting flight – but it is really silly how long it takes. For the next trip I am either going to get global entry (no line at all), connect through Charlotte or pay the extra money and take the non-stop on United. I will do everything I can to avoid Miami International!


Marigot: Although it is a bit sleepier then I remember we enjoyed our 2 days there.

OBBR: In my opinion the resort has never looked as nice. All the rooms have been refreshed. They continue to upgrade the facility including new paint, landscaping and currently completing a marina. The staff was awesome. I was shocked how good the food was in the Infinity Restaurant, they have a new chef and the food was very good. Also enjoyed the fact you can now walk to 5 other restaurants. Dawn Beach was excellent, spent a lot of time resting and snorkeling there. Always no problem getting a complementary beach chair. They have changed the way they do beach towel exchange. You start with 2 clean beach towels per person, when you need them changed you just leave them on the floor in the unit and housekeeping replaces them. We had a great room on the 3rd floor overlooking Dawn Beach on 1 side and the pond on the other… couldn’t get any better as far as we were concerned. We enjoyed it so much we have since acquired another week so we can start going every year! Our cousins also purchased a week. Is it 5 stars? No , but it is clean, comfortable, friendly and relaxing. I couldn’t ask for more!!

Grand Case: Only went 1 time this year, really enjoyed ourselves… had a great dinner at Pisa Picals overlooking the parade. (Thanks for the rec Norm!). Even thou we had a car, we decide to take a taxi – wanted to “enjoy” ourselves and not worry about who was going to be the DD. No issues with crime, police and guards were very present… had no concerns here…or any time on the island.

Rental Car: Have always used Unity, always had great service. This time we had credits for a free rental through Avis – so we used them. No issues other than it took a while for the bus to pick us up when we first arrived, but hey.. We had just left 10 degrees, it felt great just standing in the sun.

Phone: Never needed a phone before, but my cousins mother was ill so they wanted to stay in touch. Rented from Sharon, couldn’t have been easier.

“Chikungunya Epidemic”: I am not saying there isn’t a potential concern, but the island is doing what they can to control – both with spraying and with messaging (saw “info” ads on busses,in paper and on radio). In the 9 days there we never saw a mosquito, let alone got a bite. Might have helped we were on 3rd floor and avoid being out at dusk?

SXM in general: I had read people’s comments that it no longer is “the friendly island” – we found just the opposite. We were greeted by friendly people everywhere we went. Read about the island being too built up and it had lost its charm. While it is true it has become much more built up, we still loved the vibe…sure would love to have the quaintness of 16 years ago, but it isn’t reasonable to expect. The new causeway is great, really helps at times. We thought that the island in general was the cleanest it had been vs any other prior visit. We were told by one person that the reason for this was they started a public awareness campaign several years ago, got the schools kids and different associations to take pride in their neibourhoods – they get recognition for cleaning up. Not sure if it is true, but we saw a difference. Weather was great, food was great, beaches were great…life is good, can’t wait to go back!

TTOL: Thanks for all the info, posters and recommendations – best travel board ever!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />