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Beachside Villas??? #293910
01/13/2023 03:40 PM
01/13/2023 03:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 40
Canada
BillS Offline OP
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BillS  Offline OP
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Canada
Just walked by and was surprised to see the the entire complex appears almost empty. Very unusual for high season..looked like someone in unit #1 and a towel on a chair in another unit. No people visible. No one at the pool.

SXM Sponsors
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #293913
01/13/2023 04:20 PM
01/13/2023 04:20 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Central Florida!
I doubt it is empty, probably just no one out and about. The pool often seems empty.


Carol Hill
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #293917
01/13/2023 05:50 PM
01/13/2023 05:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
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SXMBND Offline
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SXMBND  Offline
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South Coast of MA
Any TTOL'ers who may be there care to chime in???

Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #293919
01/13/2023 06:54 PM
01/13/2023 06:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 638
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foreversxm Offline
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We have friends that wanted resort style hotel and staying Maho SONESTA
this week and said it was pretty empty too. Lots of places still struggling and I wonder why more and more restaurants opening.

Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #293926
01/13/2023 09:52 PM
01/13/2023 09:52 PM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 287
Edam, Saskatchewan - Canada
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PrairieGirl Offline
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Edam, Saskatchewan - Canada
I walked by BSV on Tuesday and thought the same thing - unusually quiet. One fellow sitting by the entrance to the pool. No evidence on any of the patios (towels, etc), none of the beach loungers out of the stack, etc.


LeAnn

url=https://www.tickerfactory.com][Linked Image][/url]
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #293930
01/14/2023 07:16 AM
01/14/2023 07:16 AM
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 131
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
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CaribbeanCanadians Online content
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We have been in st. Maarten now for almost five weeks now. I’ve walked by the BSV too and nobody around. We have tried booking there for 6-8 weeks for next January and they never got back to us. We met a couple staying next door to there and they had their car stolen, they were very upset.

Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #293933
01/14/2023 09:21 AM
01/14/2023 09:21 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 40
Canada
BillS Offline OP
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BillS  Offline OP
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Tool another walk by at 8:30 this morning. No one around. Still only a person in unit 1. Not sure but I think that was the managers unit but I could be wrong.

Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: CaribbeanCanadians] #293936
01/14/2023 10:05 AM
01/14/2023 10:05 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Canadians--not sure where you are talking about, someone staying "next door" to BSV. There is nothing next door to BSV, unless you are talking about El Zafiro, which of course is closed. On the other side, there is open land. As far as cars being stolen at BSV, that would be pretty difficult, since there is a gate.

As far as the place being empty, guess maybe there was just a hole in between bookings. Number 1 is NOT the managers unit. The managers unit is connected to the office in the front.


Carol Hill
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #293939
01/14/2023 10:31 AM
01/14/2023 10:31 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
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SXMBND Offline
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There is a beachfront villa in between Beachside and El Zifaro. It is owned by a Dr. and for sale.
One of the Beachside units is privately owned, not sure which unit. Three of the Beachside units are currently on the market.

Last edited by SXMBND; 01/14/2023 10:35 AM.
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #293942
01/14/2023 11:44 AM
01/14/2023 11:44 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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BillS,

We stay at BSV usually twice a year, two weeks + each visit and we often have to book a year ahead and still shift our dates to make it work for us. Right now, this is the low side of high season and many choose not to travel until February when school breaks and holiday weeks set in. If it’s any comparison, we often frequent other beaches during the day and ‘come home’ to BSV in the later part of the afternoon. That’s when you’re most apt to see the pool well occupied. Ten weeks out for us and I’m eagerly looking forward to our stay.


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: Carol_Hill] #293951
01/14/2023 02:05 PM
01/14/2023 02:05 PM
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 131
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
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I don’t know the name of the place they were staying but it’s on the other side a few buildings down up a small road.

Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: SXMBND] #293953
01/14/2023 03:44 PM
01/14/2023 03:44 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Central Florida!
SXMBND--I wasn't aware the doctor rented out that villa, but perhaps he does. I think #11 or #12 is the privately owned one. You can tell from the ocean side which one it is. And I am aware that some of them are for sale.


Carol Hill
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #293954
01/14/2023 04:06 PM
01/14/2023 04:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
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SXMBND Offline
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I don't know if the Dr. rents his villa or not but it was for sale recently. I was just pointing out that there is a place next to BSV that is not El Zifaros.

Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #293955
01/14/2023 04:08 PM
01/14/2023 04:08 PM
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Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
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SXMBND Offline
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.

Last edited by SXMBND; 01/14/2023 04:09 PM.
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: SXMBND] #293982
01/15/2023 07:18 AM
01/15/2023 07:18 AM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,989
Westchester /NYC
Colour1 Offline
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"Three of the Beachside units are currently on the market." That deal is no longer on the table.
As far as BSV being quiet, It's that odd time of year. As Pat said many of us enjoy the pool at the end of the day for a recap of the day and a "cap" of the day!!!


Sand Gravity, got to love it!
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #293994
01/15/2023 12:37 PM
01/15/2023 12:37 PM
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 246
Toronto, Canada
CanuckTravlr Offline
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It's often a bit quieter for the first couple of weeks of January. I'm staying at the La Siesta condos at the east end of Simpson Bay Beach and can see BSV from my third floor balcony with my binoculars. It was definitely quiet this morning while I was having breakfast.

Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #294132
01/17/2023 02:05 AM
01/17/2023 02:05 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
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I know of folks who tried to get a unit there for January and there was no vacancy. You cannot tell if they are vacant by walking by. Often people leave for other places during the day. A better indication would be if lights were on in the units at night.




Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #294145
01/17/2023 09:28 AM
01/17/2023 09:28 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 40
Canada
BillS Offline OP
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BillS  Offline OP
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Things look a little more normal now. At least 3 or 4 units have guests this morning. Must have just been a lull in occupancy for a few days.

Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #294245
01/18/2023 06:12 PM
01/18/2023 06:12 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
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Again, the morning is not a good indication of occupancy. When I am there I usually leave early in the morning and am gone for the day as are other people too. You will only see a few who are staying there for the day or leaving later.




Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: islandgem] #294260
01/19/2023 08:41 AM
01/19/2023 08:41 AM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,989
Westchester /NYC
Colour1 Offline
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Liz, I'm one of those people that parks it out in front of my unit #1 for the day!! There are days when I'm one of a couple of people on the beach at BSV! Many walkers throughout the day! Most trying to get a long inside, as I did many YEARS ago!! LOL!!!

Attached Files BSV chairs 10-2018.jpg

Sand Gravity, got to love it!
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #294264
01/19/2023 10:31 AM
01/19/2023 10:31 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 226
Cincinnati
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Cincinnati
We own a unit on the island and rent it out. I have spoken to many others who do the same and the demand is way down. I/we attribute it to the economy combined with stupid high air fares.Air BNB and Vrbo shows lots of looks but few reservations.

Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: murphycpcu] #294269
01/19/2023 11:52 AM
01/19/2023 11:52 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
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SXMBND Offline
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South Coast of MA
Originally Posted by murphycpcu
We own a unit on the island and rent it out. I have spoken to many others who do the same and the demand is way down. I/we attribute it to the economy combined with stupid high air fares.Air BNB and Vrbo shows lots of looks but few reservations.



Jet fuel is up 42% over 2021.

Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: SXMBND] #294277
01/19/2023 03:46 PM
01/19/2023 03:46 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
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boucharda  Online Content
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Massachusetts
I will add a comment about car rentals on SXM.....NO ISSUE with pricing..Recently booked a car in LV and Zurich and both were really stupid priced

Last edited by boucharda; 01/19/2023 03:48 PM.
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: SXMBND] #294278
01/19/2023 04:22 PM
01/19/2023 04:22 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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Ohio
Originally Posted by SXMBND
Originally Posted by murphycpcu
We own a unit on the island and rent it out. I have spoken to many others who do the same and the demand is way down. I/we attribute it to the economy combined with stupid high air fares.Air BNB and Vrbo shows lots of looks but few reservations.



Jet fuel is up 42% over 2021.

Throw in the FACT that the stock market was in the crapper for 2022 and it had a major impact on most everyone's IRA and/or 401K, you will have many reconsidering their travel plans. Losing saved/invested money and inflation is NEVER a good situation.

To "boucharda", I paid more than I have ever paid for a car rental on SXM in 2022 and it is even higher in 2023. I checked multiple agencies, some sponsors and some not, and it is off the charts compared to previous years.


J.D.
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #294281
01/19/2023 04:59 PM
01/19/2023 04:59 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,666
MIA
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irina Offline
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MIA
I think between the hurricane destruction and Covid, it took alot out of SXM.
i

Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: ruralcarrier] #294283
01/19/2023 05:24 PM
01/19/2023 05:24 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
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Massachusetts
"To "boucharda", I paid more than I have ever paid for a car rental on SXM in 2022 and it is even higher in 2023. I checked multiple agencies, some sponsors and some not, and it is off the charts compared to previous years."

I booked Hertz for right around the same price as 2021 for my present two January weeks....$260/week for a midsize . I have found that SXM (and Aruba) have decent prices..your experience may vary

Edit: actually $286/week for a Toyota Corolla

Last edited by boucharda; 01/19/2023 05:30 PM.
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: boucharda] #294288
01/19/2023 06:45 PM
01/19/2023 06:45 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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Ohio
You got a very good deal.

I was quoted just under $600 for a Corolla for 12 days in March 2023 from Hertz.

Last year for 9 days I paid $332 for a Versa in March, not from Hertz as they were off the charts last year as well.


J.D.
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: ruralcarrier] #294291
01/19/2023 07:21 PM
01/19/2023 07:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
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boucharda  Online Content
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Massachusetts
I understand that the prices are higher BUT as I mentioned it does NOT compare with $1100 for 10 days in Zurich (economy car) or $600 for a week in Las Vegas and $1100 for 10 days in Costa Rica... SXM right now has decent prices compared with many other places

Edit: a tad off topic but for European rentals definitely use AutoEurope EU site rather than the US one....$300 + cheaper AND includes the mandatory theft and CDW that the much higher US site does not. Doesn't pertain to SXM but just an FYI

Last edited by boucharda; 01/19/2023 07:25 PM.
Re: Beachside Villas??? [Re: BillS] #294293
01/19/2023 07:58 PM
01/19/2023 07:58 PM
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 157
Arlen, TX
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Arlen, TX
FWIW, I'm using Empress for a small car (HYUNDAI I-10) for nine days on SXM in February. $331.

Kenny's had no cars available. Hertz? Same. Empress was the best deal available.


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