Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics39,307
Posts318,798
Members26,656
Most Online3,755
Sep 23rd, 2024
Top Posters(30 Days)
bdeeley 68
RonDon 36
Kennys 28
erb923 26
jazzgal 22
GaKaye 20
Member Spotlight
casailor53
casailor53
Rincón PR
Posts: 1,176
Joined: December 2004
Today's Birthdays
KDTenn, MCJgraduate
Who's Online Now
23 members (louismcc, SXMScubaman, pandpfromcanada, Todd, SoakInSaltwater, WWII, Carib_Ian, mark37, marybeth, PML, Todd_Melinda_K, GeorgeC1, xrayman67, CanuckTravlr, Whale Tail, RatmansWife, 7 invisible), 1,565 guests, and 62 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#306025 09/08/2023 03:32 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 232
taraavo Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 232
Planning for January and, because the planning is half the fun for me, I decided to complicate things and again throw Orient into the mix for lodging options along with GCBC (We'll probably NOT re-do L'Esplanade this trip simply because of the price comparison for our dates).
Looking for opinions from anyone who's recently visited Palm Court Residence or La Plantation Hotel in Orient. At first glance Plantation looked "snazzier", but on closer inspection (photos, reviews) I wonder if Palm Court might be more our speed - looks smaller and more boutique-y, and I like the proximity to restaurants. I seem to recall someone telling me last year when I was planning, that Plantation isn't actually as nice as it looks, but I can't find the original post on that.

Also curious how both compare to GCBC (aside from the obvious beach difference), and are open to other properties to consider in Orient. We've only ever stayed in Grand Case and are looking forward to mixing it up a bit if we choose NOT to stay at GCBC. TIA.

SXM Sponsors
taraavo #306028 09/08/2023 04:52 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 365
P
Traveler
Online Content
Traveler
P
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 365
We have stayed at both of those hotels but not recently. While both were fine I would not call them "boutiquie-Y" I would think La Playa or Orient Beach would be more comparable to L'Esplanade. We now stay in an Airbnb in the village and it suits us.

taraavo #306029 09/08/2023 04:55 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 665
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 665
Likes: 1
We have stayed at both GCBC and Palm Court and have no negative comments about either property.

We definitely prefer to stay in Orient as you can walk to 8 good restaurants along with a small grocery store and a couple of places if you do not wish to make your own breakfast.

Our drive to Gran Case was less than eight minutes, and Hope Estate even closer offers a Super U, Bacchus Express for pastries and Bacchus in the rear for a great wine selection and a splurge for lunch as I know you enjoy some pampering once in a while.

Wasn't sure we would enjoy staying at a private condo but conversations can be in the pool and the walk to the beach is about 3 minutes.
We just stayed a So Chic Villas and totally enjoyed our stay but we toured Neptune (Blue Ocean Villas / Sonja is great to work with) and liked this condo better

I believe pricing may actually be less than GCBC as well as Palm Court but you have so much more space.
Even would be even better if you could find a suitable traveling couple to share in the cost as 2 bedrooms is not much more than one

I know these properties do not compare to L'Esplanade but have other positives to make up for the luxury

We sure enjoy the fun in researching to find a perfect stay

taraavo #306030 09/08/2023 05:22 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 2
B
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 2
We have stayed at both palm court and la plantation and enjoyed our visit. I look at them as somewhat of budget properties. We have spent more time renting studios and villas and really like that approach. We don’t want to have all of our meals out. We have booked a villa with a private pool two minutes walk from orient village and the beach for this Nov. I think the value for this type of stay is excellent. Between Vrbo,Blue ocean villas,and Islandescapes Sxm, there are plenty of choices.


Lived most of my life in Massachusetts
taraavo #306035 09/08/2023 07:08 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 232
taraavo Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 232
Good call on the rental possibility. There are few that fit the bill in Grand Case for us, but I didn’t even think about checking those in Orient. know they are more abundant in Orient. We will be traveling with a third person so splitting the rent on 2 bed / 2 bath might open up some good villa options.

taraavo #306041 09/09/2023 02:08 AM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 336
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 336
Give this one a serious look. Beautiful property, perfect location, amazing owners. We stayed at Cote Chic a couple of times and loved it.

https://www.sochicvillas.com/cote-chic/

taraavo #306042 09/09/2023 05:55 AM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,095
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,095
I've got a sweet deal for you!! Contact Bruno Lemoine, he and his wife own these lovely villa's behind CoCo beach!! We've stayed at Palm Court, very nice no doubt. But Bruno's place is so cute and perfect for that get away without the big ticket price!! One of my favorite things to do after the beach is a cocktail by the pool!! Great view!!! He and his wife Geraldine are the perfect host!!! We've stayed there MANY times! We love it!! https://www.oparadis-sxm.net/nos-bungalows


Sand Gravity, got to love it!
taraavo #306051 09/09/2023 06:40 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 232
taraavo Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 232
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I’ll look into them all.

taraavo #306096 09/10/2023 06:53 PM
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 17
M
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
M
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 17
We always stay in a villa in Orient Village. Try Islandescapesxm.

taraavo #306174 09/13/2023 05:25 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 232
taraavo Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 232
Ok so is anyone familiar with the Caribbean Princess property? It’s small - 12 units. Looks to be behind Wai and Kakao. There are a couple of units that look nice in here. I’m wondering if the adjacent parking lot is a nuisance. Curious about the walk to / from the village restaurants at night as well.

I looked at Bruno’s properties and the Villa Margot looks great but really hard to glean any information from the site. I will email my questions to him on that one. (How many beds? What size? A/c throughout ?)

taraavo #306175 09/13/2023 05:42 PM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 659
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 659
I don't know about the properties your looking at, but we stay in the southern most end of the village and have no issues walking to and from the restaurants at night, and have never seen any concerns with the parking lots, if that helps.



taraavo #306177 09/13/2023 07:21 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,788
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,788
Likes: 1
We stayed at Caribbean Princess years ago. The last time I checked, there were only two of them that were being rented out under that name. All are individually owned (I think). The others are being used by owners or rented out individually, but not under the name Caribbean Princess. We stayed in a unit on the second floor. It had a dynamite view of the ocean. At that time, and presumably still now, the units on the first floor had zero view of the ocean, because of a sand dune.

The walk to the Village is too far for me. The units are almost next door to Esmeralda, which is basically the other end of the beach from the Village. The parking lot was not a nuisance for us, not sure what your issue is with regard to that.

We toured Villa Margot, but it was years ago. I believe there were two bedrooms down, one up. No idea on the beds. Hopefully Bruno will respond to your questions. I thought it (along with the bungalows) were available on VRBO also, but I could be incorrect. That location has a nice view, but again, to me, not really walkable to the Village. It's a fair distance, and uphill.

Best wishes.


Carol Hill
taraavo #306178 09/13/2023 07:23 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 665
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 665
Likes: 1
Just stayed near the Village and absolutely no riff-raff to be concerned about walking at night.
It was a concern of ours as well

Restaurant owners who also live in Orient did mention about some dogs but said to yell them away and they do understand English
We were never bothered by any dogs on our walks to eat.

We did have a "Orient" dog Milka who would wait for us to come home and get some treats, he would sit immediately and shake hands.
Apparently many people in Orient know of him

mahokid #306181 09/13/2023 07:37 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,788
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,788
Likes: 1
mahokid--My comment didn't have anything to do with riff-raff, just too far a walk at night, to me, personally. Of course I am lazy, but Caribbean Princess is a decent distance from the Village.


Carol Hill
taraavo #306182 09/13/2023 07:50 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 232
taraavo Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 232
Ok thanks for the feedback. My only concern with regard to the adjacent parking lot is that it is visible out the corner of the “backyard” of the unit we are considering - the lower level unit near the pool. My thinking is that the beachside bars and restaurants probably close down by early evening and the traffic to/fro will lessen. We are early diners and like to enjoy the outside space of our accommodations with cocktails after dinner, so just thinking about whether or not there would be a lot of car noise in the late evening.

I am an equal mix of “lazy” and “cautious” 😂. With regard to walk. After the last two visits navigating the main Blvd in Grand Case after dark, I’d like something a little less treacherous.

Last edited by taraavo; 09/13/2023 07:52 PM.
taraavo #306183 09/13/2023 08:28 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,788
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,788
Likes: 1
As you said, basically the beach bars close down at sunset or so, so I wouldn't worry about evening noise.

As I said, to ME, I wouldn't walk from Caribbean Princess to the Village at night.


Carol Hill
taraavo #306184 09/13/2023 09:46 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,241
T
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
T
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,241
So chic villa is the way to go.

taraavo #306190 09/14/2023 06:54 AM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 45
L
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
L
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 45
stayed at caribbean princess once ---top floor ---spacious---well appointed----would definitely stay there again.

taraavo #306192 09/14/2023 07:41 AM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 105
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 105
We stayed in Princess Manon, (https://abnb.me/R9lNSbco5Cb) second floor unit, and had a wonderful stay! Great views and close enough to still hear the waves. The parking lot wasn’t a nuisance at this end of the beach and clears out early before sunset cocktails. We were there in November of 2020 and I don’t think Coco was open and Kakao was only open infrequently due to Covid. I’ve included a couple of sunrise views where you can see your position as it relates to the parking lot and beach.

Walking to restaurants in the village wasn’t really practical. The building we were in is second from the end near the pool. Walking along the beach during the day is easy, walking on an unlit beach at night …..not so much. We drove to dinner each night which took all of 2 minutes.

Gilles and Daphne are lovely hosts and were the ones that first recommended Orange Fever to us 3 years ago.

We put a priority now on staying in the units around the village so that we can walk to dinner. There are a lot of options to fit most budgets. We’re skipping Orient in January and staying in Grand Case so we can go to more of their restaurants this time. It’s been awhile since we stayed downtown near La Villa and thought it was worth the splurge.

You’ll love wherever you end up!

Attached Images
IMG_0637.jpeg IMG_0634.jpeg
Last edited by BenP; 09/14/2023 07:44 AM.
taraavo #306951 10/07/2023 10:48 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 2
B
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 2
I don’t know if you have solved your lodging yet, but
Islandescapesxm has a map of properties in their photos. Helped me choose a villa.


Lived most of my life in Massachusetts
taraavo #306991 10/08/2023 07:30 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 618
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 618
I see no map on their site? How did you access it?


Chuck and Joni
taraavo #307099 10/11/2023 06:33 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 2
B
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 2
Chuck I searched by Island escape Sxm maps. That showed a listing of maps that includes one of the villas that they rep on orient by location. I know this isn’t crystal clear, but it’s how I stumbled on it. Helped me to pick my villa. Hope this helps.


Lived most of my life in Massachusetts
taraavo #307103 10/12/2023 08:12 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 232
taraavo Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 232
I did in fact chose a villa for January via Island Escapes, but as with Chuck I see no map on their site. I would recommend to anyone looking on Island Escapes - check the villa name on AirBnB as well. They list their villas on there, too, and this is a good way to see reviews and additional photos. Then just book via Island Escapes because AirBnB has more fees. This is what we did.

taraavo #307106 10/12/2023 09:30 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 2
B
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 2
I apologize for not being clear. I guess I actually stumbled on the maps. I just recreated my search:
I did a google search for island escape sxm maps
That brings up the island escapes website followed by other listings.
Below you should see “ images for island escape sxm map.”
There is a map there with all of there orient properties.
Hope this works for you


Lived most of my life in Massachusetts
bostonbob #307109 10/12/2023 11:27 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 544
I
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
I
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 544


[Linked Image]
taraavo #307113 10/12/2023 01:22 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 232
taraavo Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 232
Nice! That map is super helpful. Like I said, we're already booked, but its nice to see exactly where the villa is.

taraavo #307123 10/13/2023 07:37 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 618
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 618
Great, thanks for the link! So odd that the Island Escape SXM Link website doesn't have it!
Did a search and now I see why the map is missing from the website- less than half of the places that came up from the search are on the map. Must be too much work to update it.

Last edited by ChuckG; 10/13/2023 07:51 AM.

Chuck and Joni
IslandBoi #307125 10/13/2023 09:15 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 2
B
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 2
Island boi thanks for the link,obviously not my strong suit😊


Lived most of my life in Massachusetts

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5