My wife and I left from Boston on an early Charter flight to SXM (left 6.15am) arrived sxm at 11.15 on time. The airport at sxm has improved with larger departure halls, A/C, and now snack/food service. It still takes a while to get through immigration, security, and airport tax window. The immigration ladies still have not smiled. <br><br>We connected on WinAir for the short hop to St Barts. <br>Were picked up by hotel rep and whisked off to Hotel Le Toiny in time for lunch while our unit was being st up with flowers, champagne, and goodies. <br><br>Hotel Le Toiny is a group of 12 very private individual units with large living space, kitchennette, large bedroom with 4 poster bed. Large Bath with shower, tub, and bidet. All the living areas have glass sliders opening onto your private patio with loungers next to your private plunge pool. We always bring a double float for the pool for some decadent lounging in the pool. Breakfast is served each morning by the pool. You fill out a menu the night before. <br><br>We spent our days alternating between the 2 drop dead beaches Gouverneur and Saline (both C/O). Lunched at various restaurants nearby. Afternoons lazing by our pool and reading. Nighttime activity was dinner. <br><br>Restaurants on St Barts are all outstanding. Our favorites in descending order were Le Gaiac at Hotel Le Toiny, La Gloriette on Grand Cul de Sac, Francoise Plantation in Colombier, La Mandalla and Au Port in Gustavia, Mayas in Public, and Gomier near Saline. <br><br>The island is in great shape having recovered form the recent hurricanes. The road out of Gustavia is under construction. The beaches have been renewed (by man) with now sand at Shell beach and St Jean Bay. Gouverneur and Saline remain gorgeous as ever. <br><br>The week went all too quickly and we returned home with ontime air service. The immigration ladies in SXM still haven't smiled. We totally relaxed and read lots of books and were well tanned at the end of the week. <br><br>Comment: We charter to SXM and have had good luck. They always go, sometimes a little late but you get there. The alternative from Boston requires a connection and since to get to ST Barts you need to connect in sxm by 4pm (St Barts has a small strip with no runway lites), an additional US air connection makes it iffy. <br><br>Thanks, <br>John Cuttino, Lexington, Ma <br><br><br>