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2015 report and observations #36643
01/27/2015 10:49 PM
01/27/2015 10:49 PM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 142
Ontario
C
Canuck54 Offline OP
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Canuck54  Offline OP
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 142
Ontario
Here's our report and some observations about our 2015 vacation. Won't do a blow by blow recount but share the info by topic.

Weather..
Best two weeks we have had in years, other than a bit windy the first few days the weather was spectacular. While there was evidence of rain it never found us.

Accommodation ..
First week at Sapphire, expectations were low so no surprises, no TV in the room but a new flat panel arrived later in the evening, next morning no hot water, so no shower (apologies to those down wind on the beach), back to the room hot water but no towels, they arrived an hour later warm fresh from the dryer so must be an inventory problem. The store in the basement was closed for renovations but I met a lovely young lady as she was locking up who identified herself as the daughter of the new owners, she indicated that the transition was not yet complete and it was taking longer than expected. I indicated that the Internet was not kind to Sapphire to which she responded "and rightly so, there is much work to do" which is encouraging. Perhaps they could start by getting rid of the "tepid tubs" and spend the savings on some basics, hot water and towels. Overall though our stay was fine.
Second week was La Vista beach, no surprises here either, everything was as advertised and they really do run a great operation.

Travel...
Causeway is great! There is often much discussion regarding routes to take, the only absolute is shortest. Scenic is subjective and fastest is a crap shoot, if there was a fast route everyone would use it rendering it the slowest. Overall Marigot seems to be most congested and requires the most patience.

Gym..
We used the country club at PDP. Monthly couples membership was less than two single weeks, great facility and it opens early (5:30am), used the cardio machines, showers and then off to breakfast and sun.

Entertainment..
Ronnie and Amin at BBB always good, as was church on Monday at red piano. Elvis at toppers was surprisingly fun and entertaining. Also keyboard player/singer at Cugini was very good. Looks like Ronnie and Amin are also playing Saturday nights at Piece of Cake which is renovating and may be changing its format?

Restaurants..
This was the year of the new for us, so many old reliables will have to wait for next year. For the very new we tried Maito which was only open 3 days, food was good still some bugs to iron out but we would return. Cugini is not really new as it moved from Marigot but is was very good. New to us were Crave, very good. Bavaria pork chop and apple strudel excellent. Toppers by the sea and Avantika were great, also great value we thought at the Harbour Queen, ribs and beans, (again apologies to those downwind at the beach) at PDP we tried Sushitto table chef was awesome as was the food. In Grand Case we tried Oceans82 which was awesome, Pizza Pascal was excellent as well. Of the returnees we used Pizza Galley and Palms both still are favorites. Only disappointment was Charter House, we had been there last year for their opening, this time however my 16oz strip was not a good cut, fought with it as best I could, they did apologize and charged only half price, wife's meal was very good and I would try them again. Most restaurants have adopted the imposed 15% surcharge which I am not really a fan of, I prefer to set my own tip which is always at least 15 but I guess this makes it easier, who wants to do math on vacation?

Beach..
Not much change from last year IMO, bit more seaweed and new sea wall at Papagau. Beaches come and go as they have done forever, waves bring the sand up, seaweed helps trap and bind it and the wind blows it further onto land, always changing always will.

Can't wait for next year.

SXM Sponsors
Re: 2015 report and observations [Re: Canuck54] #36644
01/28/2015 08:01 AM
01/28/2015 08:01 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 165
NE Florida
LadyH Offline
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LadyH  Offline
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NE Florida
Nice report thanks

Re: 2015 report and observations [Re: Canuck54] #36645
01/28/2015 09:11 AM
01/28/2015 09:11 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,713
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
Thanks for the report! Sounds like some good eating!!


Carol Hill
Re: 2015 report and observations [Re: Carol_Hill] #36646
01/28/2015 12:18 PM
01/28/2015 12:18 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 126
Texas
M
minys Offline
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minys  Offline
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Posts: 126
Texas
Where is Piece of Cake ?

Re: 2015 report and observations [Re: minys] #36647
01/28/2015 12:55 PM
01/28/2015 12:55 PM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 142
Ontario
C
Canuck54 Offline OP
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Canuck54  Offline OP
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Ontario
Between Top Carrot and Scotia Bank. Used to be a pastry place.

Re: 2015 report and observations [Re: Carol_Hill] #36648
01/28/2015 04:57 PM
01/28/2015 04:57 PM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 142
Ontario
C
Canuck54 Offline OP
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Canuck54  Offline OP
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Posts: 142
Ontario
Quote
Carol_Hill said:
Thanks for the report! Sounds like some good eating!!

Yes Carol food was generally great, after 15 years of using many of the same year after year we decided to follow the advice of TTOL members and try mostly restaurants we had not tried before. Problem now is we need to stay longer.

Re: 2015 report and observations [Re: Canuck54] #36649
01/29/2015 09:50 AM
01/29/2015 09:50 AM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,132
St Louis, MO
SXMNorm Offline
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SXMNorm  Offline
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St Louis, MO
Thanks for the report which was a quick read and informative. Also like the Harbour Queen ribs and beans.


Next SXM visit -November 2023. Also January 2024.
Re: 2015 report and observations [Re: Canuck54] #36650
01/29/2015 02:40 PM
01/29/2015 02:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,452
Yonkers, NY
fabila Offline
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fabila  Offline
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Yonkers, NY
Thanks for sharing.

Re: 2015 report and observations [Re: fabila] #36651
01/29/2015 03:14 PM
01/29/2015 03:14 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 459
Decatur Illinois
astropilot Offline
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astropilot  Offline
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Posts: 459
Decatur Illinois
Thanks for sharing your experience. Can't wait for our return trip later this year.


Dave & Diana
Re: 2015 report and observations [Re: SXMNorm] #36652
01/29/2015 06:06 PM
01/29/2015 06:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,613
originally Long Island, NY/now...
irish1223 Offline
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irish1223  Offline
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originally Long Island, NY/now...
Thanks for the report! We did not go to Piece of Cake on our trip earlier this month, but have enjoyed their pastries in the past. Do you know what they're changing their format to?


Robin & Ed

One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. - Henry Miller

Re: 2015 report and observations [Re: irish1223] #36653
01/29/2015 08:23 PM
01/29/2015 08:23 PM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 142
Ontario
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Canuck54 Offline OP
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Canuck54  Offline OP
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Ontario
They were still renovating when we were there but must have been near completion since they were advertising entertainment Saturday night (Ronnie and Amin). Hope someone there now can update us as to what they have done.


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