TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Beachside Villas and Trip Report Odds and Ends

The former El Zafiro property, now named CocoVaa, is at 34 White Sands Road and has 8 separate suites available for rent. A restaurant is coming soon.

bdeeley-OK, I saw a listing for the former El Z, but it was only for one unit, for some reason. I heard a rumor about someone having signed a contract for the restaurant there. Do you have a name about who will be running it?

SXMBND--OK, I'm not familiar with that property. Thanks for the link.

I have a question about a deposit to Beachside Villas. I am to send this deposit to Michigan, just checking to see if this is correct?

Yes, all payments are handled in Michigan.

Thanks for the great pics and report. Gives us a better idea of what to expect in September.

Thanks for the report and photos! Beachside looks amazing. We’ve stayed at Mary’s Boon many times, and I’ve walked past Beachside a lot during morning walks, but we’ve never stayed there. We are always drawn to the French side. After this recent trip we really want to come down next spring. Maybe do half our trip on the French side and half on the Dutch. I’ll have to look into Beachside because we love Simpson Bay and I like watching the planes. Do you ever wander down to Karakter? We really like it but this time it was so hot and not much of a breeze the day we were there. It wasn’t as enjoyable as times in the past. We’ll have to see where we are budget wise next Spring. Airfare is insane.

As far as Karakter, we have gone there lots of times, yes. Not sure what your question is?

Pat, having connected through both Miami and Charlotte, I can definitely say that Charlotte is a million times better than Miami. Miami has no dedicated precheck lines after immigration; Charlotte does, and that makes a huge difference. I avoid connecting through Miami like the plague.

This last June we were directed to a precheck line in MIA which was very fast after immigration.

That's a new development. Our last connection thru Miami was in December, and we were given a yellow card to show to the screener. We assumed that meant that the usual Pre Check rules applied with that card, but when we arrived at the line we were chastised because we didn't remove our shoes and take our liquids out. When I stated that we were Pre Check, I was told I should have read the card. Sure enough, it said we had to do those things.

Don't know what to tell you. Maybe they just started it as we were directed to a certain line for precheck and left our shoes on and liquids in the bag.

Great trip report Carol and I loved the pictures!
Teresa

Thanks Teresa!

My morning walks from BSV ( I've never timed it, I'd say a ten minute depending on how soft the sand is that day) consist of walking down past Karakter and checking the daily specials!! Food is still good and drinks are amazing!! I remember it was just the bus and a couple of tables!! Still a fun place to spend some time or the whole day! I can't remember what day they have BOOMING LOUD music! I can't believe that Mark Cleveland from Boone hasn't done something about that???

David--the loud music is on Sunday.

From the photo on the link provided by SXMBND, I wonder if it's one of the two light brown wooden houses beyond ElZafiro heading toward the rocks that have condos above.

Thank you, this is helpful, as I've contacted BSV several times, still no reply! we stayed at BSV 10 years ago and loved it, then stayed at many other places, but hope to go back to BSV!!!

Carol, this is wonderful updated info that is helpful! Hoping we can get to BSV, anxiously awaiting their reply to my emails and voice mails...??? I will say that also helpful was learning of CocoVaa which may be the alternative...???

singbeach--sometimes it is difficult to get a response, but perseverance pays off.

I'll just keep calling!

You Are Truly A Wise Traveler

We tried a few times for a six week rental in Janurary 2024 but they never replied back, business must be booming I guess.

We recently booked 2 weeks in September. We called the number below and got through, spoke to a man there twice. Tracy eventually got back to us by email to finish the reservation, then we mailed the deposit to an address in Michigan.

(810) 289-3142

Email: sxmbsv@gmail.com

With all the problems and lost money on the last disaster at the El Zirfo Hotel , I hope I am not understand that people are mailing check deposits to a new or unproven start up. At least pay with a credit card to have some recourse but never with a check. If they don't have or can not get a credit card merchant account then they aren't ligament enough to take my money. Exception would be if they have been in business and well known for years and years. To many other known or less risky places but obviously everyone has their own risk level. IMO

And it did...just got confirming email! So excited, and your trip report sounds much like our planned itinerary! BSV truly does offer all the comforts of home on a splendid BEACH! We will however arrive 3 days prior to availability, so staying down the beach at Mary's Boone...in the neighborhood 😀

Yes, seems that's the way BSV does it, check!

OK, glad you got your confirmation. Enjoy your stay.

Thx...not till March, but exciting look forward! Now to research, make lists for Music, Restaurants, Groceries! I do remember some, but some have closed, there are new, etc. since my last visit! There was an "all you can eat rib" place in Cupacoy? And that beautiful steak restaurant near casino with marvelous piano player that closed:(