Hello, I am visiting with my spouse and 2 adult children in their 20’s the first week of June. We were going to stay near Orient Beach, but now with seaweed issues on the east coast, we are looking at Simpson Bay-Beacon Hill or a villa near Happy Bay Beach/Friar’s Bay beach. Kids want to be able to walk to the beach and are not that interested in nightlife. I like to walk to things, but am worried that it may be too built-up near Beacon Hill. I know Simpson Bay is a bit congested, but I can’t tell how far away Beacon hill down the end of the peninsula would be from the built up area. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Judith
Last edited by JRD2025; 05/16/202505:09 PM. Reason: clarified some things
Maho is extremely walkable. Mullet Bay is one of the best beaches on the island and just up the street. The Royal Islander is right on the beach with a fanastic pool and a two bedroom rental there is pretty reasonalble
Second that for Maho area but also look into Simpson Bay Resort and the Flamingo. Nice swim beach, activities, easy walking to restaurants and usually seaweed free.
I’d stick with Orient if you were planning to stay in the Orient Village. Greenery, walkable, beautiful beach with multiple restaurants with padded chairs. Maho is a busy span of concrete, not very tropical. Simpson area is great if you like a busy road, high rises and casinos.
First, you've come to the right place. There are people here who visit the island regularly, and even some who are there right now.
To address your concerns regarding the sargassum at Orient, I was there yesterday. There are areas where the sargassum is removed daily, so it's not a non-stop strip of seaweed on the sandy shoreline. Several restaurant-and-bar-and-beach chair companies rake it away each morning. It was a non-issue for me.
Also, all beaches on the island are open to anybody. No hotel, bar, restaurant, person, or company, owns any section of beach. You can go to any beach, pick a spot, post-up and chill. I rent chairs and an umbrella for my stays on SXM, and that's exactly what I do.
Advantages of Simpson Bay: It's walkable. Grocery, restaurants, bars, beaches.... all right there, walkable. However, though most other resorts in the area have direct access to a beach, Simpson Bay Resort does not (there's a metal walkway over large rocks, down to the sand-bottom bay). Hilton Royal Palm is very nice, though not cheap, with a great bar and restaurant. All large resorts in Simpson Bay have very nice pool areas.
As others have said, Orient is also walkable, and it's a very large beach, both long and wide. Lots of stuff for younger (and older) people to do. Also walkable.
My style is more Orient. A lot of Simpson Bay seems like Clearwater Beach or Daytona Beach or Fort Lauderdale. Lots of hotels, traffic, people, casinos, commerce. Whereas Orient has a more chill vibe. No large resorts. And it's very French... I mean, it seems more like a different country, whereas the Dutch side (in a lot of ways), sometimes has a "kinda USA" vibe.
My two cents. As I said, I'm on the island now, AMA.
", though most other resorts in the area have direct access to a beach, Simpson Bay Resort does not" Incorrect. Some of their units are directly on the beach steps from the sand.
I'd stick with Orient. because of the walkability and access to multiple restaurants. A villa near Friar's and Happy Bay is nice, but not walkable to as many restaurants (only the two on the beach at Friar's, and depending on where your villa is, maybe not even walkable to those), and no walkability to shopping. Definitely take a day to visit Friars Bay Beach Club, and the restaurant there.
When you say Beacon Hill, I'm not sure exactly where you mean. Beacon Hill is basically a residential area. It is not what I would call 'built up'. You have Burgeaux beach area, where there are a bunch of stand alone villas. Burgeaux Beach is a bit rocky, but has a lovely view. You also have a bunch of condos on the hill above Simpson Bay beach. They can access Simpson Bay Beach via a set of steep stairs. You have Beachside Villas, which is directly ON Simpson Bay beach. If you post where you are considering in Beacon Hill, I could be of more use.
But, if you are talking about 1st week of June, this year, you should get moving, as it's pretty late to be booking.
Hello, Thank you everyone for the helpful suggestions. The condo in Beacon Hill is at the end of the peninsula. It is a 2 story building. I don’t think the immediate area will be built up, but I can’t tell how far that area is from the busy area of Simpson Bay that will remind me of Florida as Bill Dauterive mentioned in his reply. Also I think the airplane noise may be an issue at the beach. I think Orient Beach makes sense, but didn’t want to stay there if the beach wasn’t really usable.
Orient is nice but plan on a daily dose of seaweed on the beach and waters. Here now and eventhough the vendors clean it up in the morning it collects on the sand the rest of the day and in the water.
I don't think you are going to get airplane noise up on that hill. Plenty of lovely views of airplanes, but not noise. But, as I said, the beach is accessible by a pretty steep stairway.
You can't beat Beachside villas in Beacon hill!!! It's on its"own" beach!! They provide everything you need for your whole family. Chairs towels, two bedroom two bath, fully "AC" with full size kitchen, WIFI and satellite TV!! Fully gated with a lovely pool with chairs.An observation deck to watch the planes land-take off!! It's a slice of heaven!! Contact Tracy Mascarin for books and rates!! https://www.beachsidevillas.com/
I agree with everything that is said about Orient Bay seaweed changes daily depending on the wind direction. We traveled with 20 something children over 20 years ago. They quickly found out most of the workers at the beach bars and restaurants are the same age. They fell in love with the place and made friends that they still have today. Our grandchildren now in their teens and twenties love Orient Bay, have made friends, and love to talk about what they want to do the next trip.
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