Forums39
Topics38,843
Posts314,433
Members26,590
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
3 registered members (PrairieGirl, 706jim, 1 invisible),
1,045
guests, and 218
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Re: French Side
[Re: Beachnut82]
#56047
05/27/2015 09:16 AM
05/27/2015 09:16 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,114 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,114
Central Florida!
|
Not sure I know what you mean about what more experienced visitors think of the french side. It has a slightly different feel than the Dutch side, but that's certainly not bad. Beautiful beaches, wonderful food, less nightlife.
Regarding Nettle Bay, Beerman did a great series of trip reports regarding his recent visit there. I don't have any personal experience with Nettle Bay, other than going to the restaurant at Dreams.
Regarding Orient Bay, there are a ton of great condos for rent in the Orient Village area. If you post what places you might be interested in, someone here probably will know it or know of it.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: French Side
[Re: Beachnut82]
#56050
05/27/2015 10:31 AM
05/27/2015 10:31 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657
Brookfield, CT.
|
Beachnut82 said: Thinking of going over to the French Side next year. Have been contacting places through VRBO in Nettle and Orient Bay. What do more experienced St Martin visitors have to say about the French Side. Liking places in Nettle Bay but then read the water there is rocky and full of stinging nettles(whatever that is) We like to be on the water and able to swim in the water. Also like a pool. Any help will be appreciated. Beachnut, I would also strongly recommend the Grand Case Beach Club if you're looking for a low-keyed but semi-resort-like atmosphere. The accommodations are nice, the restaurant is good and the beaches are very swimmable. The sunsets are incredible, the staff is very pleasant and I don't think you could go wrong there. It's a resort, but a very small one with no pressure to join the social atmosphere unless you choose to. The pool is lovely though small and from what we saw when we stayed there, it's rarely used and many don't even realize there is one. The Nettle Bay area, as mentioned in a previous post, is in a very conevenient location to both the French and Dutch sides of the island but I'm thinking it would appeal to a more adventurous vacationer who neither wants nor needs resort amenities, and I don't know if that's you or not. We typically stay in a timeshare on the Dutch side but every so often we step out of our personal comfort zone and try a new place for a few days. We really did enjoy our time at GCBC and in particular the convenience of being right there to take advantage of the Grand Case restaurants as we were of a mind to. The island is a very easy drive to anywhere during the daytime but at night, as we get a little older, it's just not as enjoyable so this served us very well. I don't know if it's still operating or not, but there was a young man running a mini-transport around Grand Case with pick-up and drop-off with only a telephone call. It was $12.00 a couple r/t to any destination in Grand Case and a fun way to get around if you didn't feel like walking.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: French Side
[Re: pat]
#56051
05/27/2015 10:44 AM
05/27/2015 10:44 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,234 Middle Tennessee
TravelHat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,234
Middle Tennessee
|
We stayed in Grand Case a couple of times. Last week we stayed in Orient Bay Village. It was great. Although the GCBC is nice and has onsite amenities we always found ourselves on Orient Beach everyday. The days last week consisted of beach, lunch, HH, more lazing, walk to Bikini for late afternoon rose, home, shower, and walk less than a block to great restaurants, home. Sleep repeat. If that sounds like your agenda then check out sochicvillas.com. Owners are great. Picked us up at airport and had a car available for us if we needed it. One morning we drove the island to look at all the areas and places to stay that are mentioned here. To each their own but we have found our place for years to come.
Last edited by TravelHat; 05/27/2015 10:45 AM.
|
|
|
Re: French Side
[Re: Beachnut82]
#56052
05/27/2015 12:12 PM
05/27/2015 12:12 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,147 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,147
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
|
Although Nettle Bay is closer to the Dutch side for night time entertainment and shopping in Marigot, I still prefer the Orient area if staying on the French side. Our first trip to St. Martin, we stayed at the Nettle Bay Resort when it truly was a resort with all the amenities. The condos there now are all privately owned and a totally different vibe. The beach there is pretty to look at, but not good for swimming as there is glass and lots of rocks in the water. You need water shoes in the water there.
Orient has the best beach and good restaurants right in the village within walking distance of many accommodations.If you want to go to Grand Case to other restaurants at night, it is only a short drive way or an easy cab ride. We have often stayed on the French side and always enjoyed our stays in the Orient area.It is definitely quieter at night as there are no casinos and not much night life, but a nice change from the action of the Dutch side.
Good luck with your choices and enjoy your trip!
|
|
|
Re: French Side
[Re: Beachnut82]
#56054
05/27/2015 01:07 PM
05/27/2015 01:07 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 695 Long Island, NY
timmycs
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 695
Long Island, NY
|
if it weren't for the French side, we would not go to SXM. Being from NY, we don't need any more congestion, high rises, traffic, noise while on vacation. We like the open space of Orient, Pinel, tintamarre, Anse Marcel, Grand Case(many Gourmet restaurants), Grand Cayes, Little Cayes.
We rent a clean and quiet Bungalow from a TTOL sponsor. It has a small pool, inexpensive and you can walk to beach in 5 minutes.
|
|
|
Re: French Side
[Re: timmycs]
#56055
05/27/2015 05:53 PM
05/27/2015 05:53 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493 VIRGINIA
BEERMAN
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
|
A not so experienced SXM visitor here <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> but we really enjoyed our first trip in March! We stayed at NBBC and it was perfect for this trip, but to be honest we planned a last minute trip and most places were booked solid including GCBC.
It is not a resort, they are privately owned condo's and there are no amenities. HOWEVER, the villa was very clean and had everything we needed, not to mention Dreams, Ma Ti and Le Sands were walking distance along the beach.
There's a French bakery and a small convenience store a short walk down the main street and a larger grocery store 1 mile towards Marigot.
NBBC was super quiet at all hours of the day/night. We walked at night and never felt unsafe around the complex including the beach at night.
As far as the beach there are small pieces of tumbled glass that gets washed up, my wife says one persons trash is anothers treasure, she brought home a bunch. We actually didn't swim at NBBC, but we saw some people with small kids swimming in the center area. Our villa was in the section to the far right side of the complex, the beach/sand gets softer as we walked towards the restaurants and the access to the water looked much easier. We had coral/rock with urchins in front of our villa but the center on down didn't appear to have the large rock bottom that we had, all sand from what I could tell. Each villa section had its own refreshing clean pool positioned in the center of the beach just steps from the surf.
Please read my trip reports, there are lots of photos. Give me a shout if you have any questions about NBBC. By the way, GCBC looks awesome, unfortunately we didn't get to explore Grand Case. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
Re: French Side
[Re: charlieh]
#56061
05/27/2015 07:20 PM
05/27/2015 07:20 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 352 Pittsburgh, PA
gotaluvit
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 352
Pittsburgh, PA
|
I always hate to disagree with Carol but the "feel" on the French and Dutch sides could not be more stark. If you like Miami go to the Dutch side..concrete jungles, horrible traffic and you can get better food in your home town. I agree with timmycs if it were not for the French side we would have never gone back after the first visit.
The French side is way more quiet (good or bad), nothing is over 4 stories and you can "feel" like you are in a European village. You can find food everywhere there that will blow your mind...assuming you are somewhat adventurous and, yes, it will cost you but no more than the "best" in your home town.
The low lands are great but as mentioned you will be renting true villas, often on the beach for fairly serious money. Great option for family's or two or more couples. There are large numbers of condos and apartments for rent in the Orient area. I have nothing against Grand Case as a place to stay but Orient has many more accommodation, beach and lunch options and it literally 10 minutes away. Marrigot is further but within reach (love to lunch there on bad beach days). To me Nettle is the worst of everything. Mount Vernon is hit and miss because the units are individually owned and it is way out of the way (far end of Orient).
Do the French side, it may change your life as it did mine. Stay in Orient, near the village, walk Orient beach, do lunch at one of the many fine French beach restaurants and then stroll into Le Piment and prepare for Christelle to take you on a ride...
|
|
|
Re: French Side
[Re: gotaluvit]
#56063
05/27/2015 07:51 PM
05/27/2015 07:51 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,114 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,114
Central Florida!
|
Hey, I wasn't even sure what you meant to begin with, but everyone's impression is different. But seriously, if your only impression of the Dutch side is concrete jungles, you haven't seen the best of the Dutch side and there is a whole lot more great food to be had now on the Dutch side.
Regardless, everyone has their own tastes and if we all liked exactly the same thing, life would be so boring!
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: French Side
[Re: gotaluvit]
#56065
05/27/2015 08:05 PM
05/27/2015 08:05 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,440 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,440
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
|
It depends on what you're looking for, of course, but our recent favorites are the Palms, Byblos, and Avantika. The Palms has been voted Best Island Cuisine for at least two years in a row, Byblos has wonderful Mediterranean food, and Avantika is Thai.
For French food, we still go to the French side.
Last edited by GaKaye; 05/27/2015 08:15 PM.
|
|
|
Re: French Side
[Re: Beachnut82]
#56068
05/28/2015 09:14 AM
05/28/2015 09:14 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 155 Central Connecticut
4Driver4
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 155
Central Connecticut
|
Beachnut82 said: Thanks everyone. Looked at Grand Case. Is beautiful but we like a place where we can also cook. All of the units at GCBC have kitchens. Refridge, stove, microwave, sink, dishes, pots and pans.
|
|
|
Re: French Side
[Re: seeitall]
#56071
05/30/2015 04:13 PM
05/30/2015 04:13 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,628 Southern Maryland suburbs of D...
Bill_S
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,628
Southern Maryland suburbs of D...
|
seeitall said: I would suggest you contact Jim Ruos (sponsor: Caribbean Island Travel Service) regarding Orient area accommodations. Very knowledgeable about Orient hotels, villas, apartments. VRBO can be useful but it's nice to have a contact who has been there. We definitely concur! Jim Ruos is the best and we have NEVER had a problem...quite the opposite! When Jim handles it...everything works!
Bill
|
|
|
|