TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Beachside Villas questions

Is the internet service decent at Beachside Villas?
Do they provide beach towels?

Thank you for your help,
Scott

Yes and yes. We've always had good internet there--better than at home here, frankly. And the beach towels are huge, fluffy, specific beach towels, not bath towels.

Perfect. We've decided on a last minute trip and are trying Beachside based on all the great reviews.

Enjoy!! I wish I was going soon!

When are you going?
There are quite a few of us end of October/November.

We are going 9/30 - 10/11.

As Carol said yes and yes. We usually trade in our beach towels for clean ones every couple of days. We are part of the late October crew who goes yearly.

Thanks for the info. The price is right and the airfare is only $450/RT, so we decided to go for it. We have traveled to SXM in February every year since 2005. First time for us in the off season. The benefit to booking 2 weeks before the trip is we don't have to wait long at all.

"We usually trade in our beach towels for clean ones every couple of days". Can you get them every day? I would not a fan of using them over again next day.

We used to go a LOT during September/October timeframe and I thoroughly enjoyed the uncrowded aspect of the island at that time. We have been lucky enough to never have had any problems with storms while we were in the Caribbean, EXCEPT for 1999 for 'wrongway Lenny', when we had to be evacuated by AA from St. John, USVI, ahead of the storm. And Lenny was in NOVEMBER. Go figure. Now that we live in Florida, the bigger problem in the back of my mind is if we were to have a hurricane HERE, while we were gone.

Yes, just give them to the maid or stop by the housekeeping station and they will give you a new towel every day, if you want. I don't have them replace the bath towels every day either. To me, it's a waste of water.

Scott---and anyone else new to BSV--they no longer automatically have the maids come every day. When you arrive, let them know if you want daily maid service, or just when you request it, every other day, whatever.

Never had a problem with the internet there. We only exchange our towels (both beach and bathroom) every few days, but they’re happy to exchange them whenever you want.

We’ll be at BSV from November 1-10.

Let's be sure to get together before you leave. I arrive the 7th. (Hopefully Betsy remembers me.)

We are here now. This is our first time at BSV. Everything is excellent. The beach is back and clean this morning. Safe travels!

Jim & Laraine

And even a view of Saba this morning! God, I miss that place!!

Do they provide hair dryers?

Yes, there's normally one in the drawer in the bathroom. If there's not one there, just ask the maid for it.

Yes, last week it was very clear. Saba was clearly visibly with hazy views of St Kitts, Nevis and St Eustatius (I think).

Yes as often as you like.

Yes and and an iron and table top ironing board

We will absolutely get together. And I have no doubt Betsy will remember you.

Thank you. Since I have little hair, it isn't of much use to me. But my better half asked.

I'm glad you are loving "our" BSV!! It's been our home away from home I think now 12 years or more!!(Sometimes twice a year) Some people try to to compare it to a four star hotel. It's not, it's a lovely slice of caribbean heaven with all is old school charm. That's why we love it!!

Well stated David!! 👏👏

Finally returning to BSV in March! So grateful 🙏🏼 I did read you must ask for a bbq grill...will do! Does anyone pack frozen meat to bring? We did last time and seemed fine, just had to cook soon since it mostly defrosted!

We pack all kinds of frozen meats, fish etc. We come from the west coast and have never had anything get close to thawing out. All in checked bags.

Yay, good to know, thanks!

All depends on how you pack it.

We have brought a cooler from Victoria BC (West Coast) to Exuma, Bahamas, same distance as SXM.
It took almost 24 hrs door to door and the meat was still frozen, saved a lot of money and we knew what we were eating.

We have been here for at BSV for three weeks and will definitly be back. We have stay all over the island since 1988, but as many have said, you get a special connection to the beach and the sea here. They even threw in a tropical storm yesterday to make things more interesting. It was ice to meet TTOL friends Scott and Betsy yesterday as well.
Jim & Laraine

Jim and Laraine--so glad to see that you 'get' BSV. It really is a special place.

Yes indeed, thanks Carol. We head home tomorrow. Great trip.

So very happy you enjoyed your stay as I had hoped you would. Safe travels on your journey home, and know, please, we’re eagerly waiting and hoping a trip report will follow. 😊😊

As I say to so many newbies ( not meaning you), "You will want for nothing" Yes, BSV is a lil slice of heaven!!! Sorry we missed you! We check in a couple of weeks! Safe travels!

Thanks All, Scott and Betsy are here for a while longer to enjoy the fun.
Jim & Laraine

Jim and Laraine--safe travels home.

Caribbean Canadians: Wow, a regular cooler, not in checked bags? Guess you must tape it to keep from accidentally opening!

We packed the frozen meat in a padded zippered cooler and then placed it inside our luggage bag. It was about 25 lbs of meat.

That's what we do too. We also load it and then put it in freezer days before we leave. Fits in out waterproof checked duffle. Always stays frozen after close to 24 hours of travel.