TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Yesterday, Part II

I'm going to try this ONE MORE TIME.......

Between my partial knowledge of IPad usage, coupled with sporadic island and Towers Internet issues, this will be my third attempt at sharing our day at Anse Marcel. They say the third is the charm so we shall see......

We left here and drove out to Anse Marcel, and on the way we realized it's probably been twenty plus years since we were last there. The beach is dominated by RIU AI Resort, previously known as the Radisson, and before that, it was LeMeridian and that's when we were last there.

Once you climb up the long hill and back down again, and after you've had your fill of the incredible views from up there, you drive toward the Guardhouse at RIU and make a left hand turn right at the guardhouse, and then follow the signs for Grand Anse Beach Restaurant and the little blue signs with the big P (p as in parking....) and you will eventually end up in the parking area just before the restaurant and beach facilities.

The beach service is wonderful and so is the food. Two chaises with thick cushy mattresses, one drink table and one 'parasol' aka umbrella will run you twenty Euros, and that's just the beginning. This is definitely NOT an inexpensive day, but is a truly delightful one worth every penny spent. And after a few glasses of wine it doesn't seem nearly as expensive, but note, please, it's a tad beyond a Rosies ribs lunch at Mullet.

There wasn't a blade of seaweed to be seen anywhere, the water is gentle and the only sounds beyond that of the waves gently kissing the shore, are the laughing children to be heard playing up and down the beach and the occasional background of all the different tongues this island attracts. It's very peaceful and totally enjoyable.

It was a lovely day and one I'd love to repeat again this trip but if not, we'll do an instant replay in December for sure.

And for those who asked elsewhere, this is definitely NOT a beach I'd be comfortable bringing a cooler to.

You're just making me salivate to be back on Anse Marcel, Pat. I'm so thrilled you enjoyed it as I totally loved my day at Friar's Beach last year at your recommendation. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Well that's good - and now we're even! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

That is what we paid at Orient, without the atmosphere you are describing---The food at Orient isn't inexpensive either--so it really sounds like a great option. Sorry we missed it---next time for sure.

Thank you for Part II. We have been waiting to get to Anse Marcel and will be there in 6 weeks. Your report has just my excitement grow. Thanks for the info.

I really think you'll all enjoy it there. It's a quiet easy beach and great food with no seaweed and no waves, along with a breathtaking drive in!! I think in the end we spent about 105 Eu for the entire day and it was monies well spent. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Pat--what did you have to eat?

More like, what did I have to drink?! Idk, but it sure was good.

I had a freshly grilled shrimp Cesar Salad and John had pan seared scallops and an obscene dessert- way too rich for my blood but he enjoyed it - all of it, along with drinks all day - some alcohol and some not. I'm not much of a foodie and don't get too excited by the more involved dishes but what we both had was delicious and the service was excellent along with the attitudes of each person we encountered there. And in that setting, I think I could have eaten sand and enjoyed it......well, maybe not sand but I know you get my drift. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Ooh, sounds lovely!! Thanks!

Thanks for a report about a beach which doesn't get a whole lot of postings.(Other than Jazz Gal )

Yeah, I feel like a broken record about Anse Marcel and Fusion. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> Fortunately, Passaat is now getting her due.

Pat and Linda, I just put Friars and Anse Marcel on the "to do" list for November. I have been to Friars but not in a few years and have had bad luck with my timing for weather there. Have been to Anse Marcel for dinner out near the beach which was very good, have yet to spend a day there but look forward to trying it.

Who knows, may have some of the November crowd joining us!
204 days and counting!

Cheers,
T

You have ended all of our wondering if we should go there. Counting the days till we arrive and thank you for your positive posts. We will be there in June at the LaPlage.

Bob

I added them both to our list as well. We may just see you and MJ there <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

As I have mentioned months ago we feel that is the finest. We enjoy the finer things and that is why we went 12 times out of 16. Went to Palm twice, Coco once, and Dreams once. Do try it and I am sure you will love it.

Aren't you four joined at the hip when you're in SXM? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

It does seem that way, doesn't it? In all honesty, we do go our separate ways quite frequently. But that was the reason for my big grin, lol.

Todd,

You went to Anse Marcel for dinner? You are truly my hero.....those roads in and out of this property are wild done in the daylight and I can't imagine the trip at night.

Please do yourself a huge favor and spend the day there, but expecting soft waves and good wine and never the big waves to the best of my knowledge.

And you just never know who you might bump into, for sure!

Thank you, Bob. And in fairness, there has been absolutely nothing that we can control throughout our trip to be anything but positive about.

It's really been an incredible almost two weeks, and if I can believe all the good people who have shared their personal expertise with me, the best for us is yet to come, though how you can top 1st class plane seats on a n/s flight and a penthouse suite upgrade is beyond me. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

I would definitely try both Friars Beach and the Friars Bay Beach Club Restaurant and the Anse Marcel Restaurant and Beach.

I have read these posts with great interest. Maybe in the fall Michael and I will go there again. I have a question though. How deep IS the water? When we tried Pinel, we were disappointed to find that it was barely at waist level unless you went into the boat lanes.
My husband and I like to "bob" in the water and we are both pretty tall at over 6 feet.