Forums39
Topics39,489
Posts320,232
Members26,675
|
Most Online3,755 Sep 23rd, 2024
|
|
Posts: 22
Joined: April 2012
|
|
25 members (MrEZgoin, jazzgal, road3682, Latadjust, Time Will Tell, sugarae, BillDauterive, taraavo, Kevin_B, SeeDiver, Todd_Melinda_K, deliveryskipper, bstory, lhbsurf, GeorgeC1, luvtotravel, cabokid, Matt W, timnboston, Cincinnati_Kid, 5 invisible),
831
guests, and
77
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
#58271
06/15/2015 06:44 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,113 Likes: 1
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,113 Likes: 1 |
According to the article in the Daily Herald, the renovations to the Princess Juliana International Airport is nearing completion (June 17th); http://www.thedailyherald.com/index.php?...s&Itemid=54
Fair winds and following seas! SSN691-May She Ever Prowl The Seas in Defense of Human Freedom! SSN787-Preserving Peace, Prepared for War
|
|
|
.
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,926 Likes: 3
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,926 Likes: 3 |
I hope that means there are more places to eat now. I actually don't really care about shopping at the airport. I do care about getting something decent to eat before I get on the plane.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 43
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 43 |
Wait, I was at the airport in March this year and it looked like it was already done. Isn't this old news?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,419 Likes: 4
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,419 Likes: 4 |
Was in great shape on June 4 too.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,303
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,303 |
We were in the downstairs gate area for our flight in May - definitely not completed. It reminded me of the "old" airport with all the gates on top of each other and people lining up all over the place. There wasn't enough seating and no restroom.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 882
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 882 |
I agree with you- the A&B gates are ghastly. Hot, not enough seating, poor PA system, no bathrooms. And when your husband is in a wheelchair that's a problem. And there are a ton of flights that park on the tarmac & use those gates so it's not just every once in a while.
MB
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 234
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 234 |
when we left yesterday it was all done...really nice..but only about 4 or 5 places to eat.
lina and piggy
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 486
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 486 |
We left on Saturday. We had two burgers and water, for 43.00! They were really good! It looked very nice, but we still saw some construction.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,521
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,521 |
Oh my word, Margie! Where did you get the burgers?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 978
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 978 |
We had those same burgers... expensive but really good. I think we also spent about $40 for two burgers, fries and soft drinks. Johnny Burger was the name I believe. The buns were supposedly Johnny Cakes.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,303
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,303 |
Marybeth - did you have to take a bus to board the plane? Ours was standing room only and that bus driver was crazy taking corners!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 486
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 486 |
Yes, that is the place we had our burgers from. They were wonderful! After we ordered 2 of them, I said next time, we could split one. They were huge!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,521
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,521 |
Good to know, Margie. Thanks for the tip on splitting one!
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 732
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 732 |
When we departed on May 13, we did just that. One burger, with fries, was plenty for the 2 of us, & it was yummy!
Gotta Caribbean soul I can barely control and some Texas hidden here in my heart...(J.B.)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,241
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,241 |
And their fried plantains are pretty tasty too.
That's why I wander and follow La Vie Dansante, that's all I want, La Vie Dansante (JB)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 969
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 969 |
We were in there a few days ago for a few hours. Looks nice, but the money may have been better spent improving some other aspects of the island. The rather opulent airport (now more a silvery mall) amidst the miles of the poverty and decay surrounding it seemed to be a monument to misplaced priorities and something that is not at all very representative of St. Maarten.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 882
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 882 |
We were luckier than you - Don needs a wheelchair in an airport so our bus was just 1st class & the pre-board passengers. No crazy driver but our plane was way off the terminal - & Don still had to walk up the stairs. The gate area was a total zoo - 2 planes loading at once, people standing around the gate, hotter than hades. I had to nip a few ankles to get Don to the door. Don't know how many more times I can leave out of the downstairs gates without feeling like a second class citizen. Not much different from the old airport and we leave on a weekday!
MB
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 880
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 880 |
Whoa!! The airport is more"opulent" than what was there before, but..."(now more a silvery mall) amidst the miles of the poverty and decay surrounding it " ????? I'm not sure the people in Beacon Hill or Simpson Bay would agree.
marge
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,709 Likes: 1
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,709 Likes: 1 |
Thank you, Marge. I read the same passage and had similar thoughts about it but I do agree with another poster, there's way too munch emphasis on looking good and still not enough on both arriving and departing passengers needs as the previous poster cited.
If you talk to some of the check-in people there's not enough room for luggage once checked and pre-loading and for sure, that lower level gate area is a disaster when there's more than one plane there - it's hot, has very poor acoustics, inadequate seating and no organization at all in the actual gate/boarding areas, and that's just for starters off the top of my head. I'm sure up I could think of more if I put my mind to it... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 978
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 978 |
pat said: Thank you, Marge. I read the same passage and had similar thoughts about it but I do agree with another poster, there's way too munch emphasis on looking good and still not enough on both arriving and departing passengers needs as the previous poster cited.
If you talk to some of the check-in people there's not enough room for luggage once checked and pre-loading and for sure, that lower level gate area is a disaster when there's more than one plane there - it's hot, has very poor acoustics, inadequate seating and no organization at all in the actual gate/boarding areas, and that's just for starters off the top of my head. I'm sure up I could think of more if I put my mind to it... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> Agreed... the lower departure area is a total wreck.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 650
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 650 |
We left May 31st, the departure level looks like one big duty free shop.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 772
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 772 |
Went through there yesterday. Just a thought would it be better to let incoming buy there? Just thinking at the end of vacation you had enough...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 84
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 84 |
Last week, I don't think I saw a single person shopping in any of the "gate area" stores. I was wondering how they will be able to make it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 84
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 84 |
The "B Gate" area (downstairs) is definitely bad. Walking out to the plane and climbing the stairs to get on board. At least we didn't have to get on a bus first.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,120 Likes: 1
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,120 Likes: 1 |
Scott, You know me and Fabila, we're not cheap people!! I will starve first before I spend $40.00 on a hamburger!!!! This is not "Morton's" this is the airport!!! What? one last deposit before going home???LOL!!!! I'd rather give it Bruno first at Dreams for a lunch and go!! Loved your post, but that my good friend got to go!!!
Sand Gravity, got to love it!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 978
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 978 |
I wouldn't spend $40 on a burger either, unless it came with foi gras and truffles by Bruno. At slightly less than $20, it was still a bit of a ripoff, but that's the case at a lot of airports where they know they have a captive audience. Meals at EWR are similar. But at least it was a reasonable combo meal for that money given that location.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,926 Likes: 3
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,926 Likes: 3 |
Well, we went through there yesterday. Had brought a sandwich with us for lunch. There are only about 5 places to eat, as someone else said. One place had some cold sandwiches and salads and wine and beer. There is the burger place, Domino's and a caribbean type place, as well as Bacchus, which had some nice looking sandwiches, which were $12. We bought a 375 ml bottle of chilled wine there for $12. Not a bad deal, considering the other place that we looked at wine, it was $7.50 for a small (plastic) glass of wine. And there is only ONE full service bar, which was absolutely JAMMED. The high end stores were pretty, but EMPTY. Oh, and another totally annoying thing--there are NO water fountains anywhere inside security. I know there USED to be a water fountain for sure by the bathroom which is closest to the smoking lounge. So, in their 'renovations', they took OUT the water fountains. Nice..
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 301
Sponsor
|
Sponsor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 301 |
That was just the official 'opening' ceremony.
Looks like one giant store you can walk through to the gates. :-)
I understand that not much people are shopping though. Stores already have stuff on sale with 30-40% off. So who knows, maybe there is a good deal to be gotten. :-)
The food places and cafe's seems to be doing well. People wanna get something to eat before boarding, right? :-)
Order your flowers, bouquets and giftbaskets online at www.stmaartenflowers.com. We will deliver your flowers and gifts to hotels, villas, yachts, hospitals, residences, businesses and universities.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 352
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 352 |
Is the lounge still there?--I think we paid $20 to enter previously. We typically fly on Saturdays and the airport is usually a zoo with very little seating. We travel with my folks who are in their eighties and found the lounge area perfect for everyone to wait, quiet, comfy seats, air-conditioning, TV and appetizers to pick on. Drinks were extra but overall, it beat standing with the masses.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,926 Likes: 3
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,926 Likes: 3 |
Yes, it's still there. We were going to use it this time, but by the time we got upstairs, decided it wasn't worth the money to do. As far as I know, WINE is still included free, which was part of the reason why we were going to go there. Is wine no longer included? They also have a couple of computers and internet, free.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,926 Likes: 3
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,926 Likes: 3 |
Yes, people want to eat and drink, not shop, so of course the VERY FEW places there are to eat and drink are busy. They need more places to eat.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278 |
Does that lounge (Sualiga?) have shower facilities?
Our typical departure routine was completely thrown into disarray last November when the curfew and flooding happened. We had gone out for breakfast and then couldn't go back to shower and change as planned. Ick! That was the most uncomfortable day of travel, and all I wanted to do was take a shower! Thank goodness the paparazzi weren't waiting when we landed.... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest"
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,709 Likes: 1
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,709 Likes: 1 |
No shower or dressing room facilities. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,926 Likes: 3
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,926 Likes: 3 |
We used the executive lounge at Montego Bay Jamaica the last time we were there, and they had shower facilities. We didn't use them, but I can definitely see where that would be very nice to have! The lounge there cost quite a bit more than Souliga, but they had quite a bit more services also. Having a spa place, where one can get a shower and maybe even a quick massage, now THAT would be a great thing to have at the departure lounge, instead of all that shopping, which hardly anyone one uses, other than a quick souvenier or some liquor..
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 248
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 248 |
Souliga lounge is part of Priority Pass which comes as a no charge benefit to The Amex Platinum card. Granted the card is 450 a year.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,623
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,623 |
Walt said: We left May 31st, the departure level looks like one big duty free shop. We thought the same thing when we departed the island on June 20. Too many fancy jewelry and liquor stores and not enough seating for those wanting to eat (or wait). No one was shopping in them either. The downstairs 'B' gate is disastrous -- we felt like cattle with everyone jammed up against the doors waiting to load onto buses to go to the planes. IMHO, money could have been better spent improving the logistics of the airport rather than what they did.
Robin & Ed
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. - Henry Miller
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,926 Likes: 3
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,926 Likes: 3 |
irish1223 said: IMHO, money could have been better spent improving the logistics of the airport rather than what they did. Agree 1000%.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,521
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,521 |
Carol_Hill said:irish1223 said: IMHO, money could have been better spent improving the logistics of the airport rather than what they did. Agree 1000%. I agree as well. However, that wouldn't have brought in any additional income, as the rents from the retailers do....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,926 Likes: 3
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,926 Likes: 3 |
No, not really, when no one is SHOPPING in them. They need more places to eat. They need more than ONE full service bar. Those places would make money. But allegedly, part of the renovation, I thought was to increase the enjoyment of the people using the airport, which this did not. And perhaps making money is the reason why they took OUT the water fountains that were there. If so, shame on them.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 334
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 334 |
Carol_Hill said: We used the executive lounge at Montego Bay Jamaica the last time we were there, and they had shower facilities. We didn't use them, but I can definitely see where that would be very nice to have! The lounge there cost quite a bit more than Souliga, but they had quite a bit more services also. Having a spa place, where one can get a shower and maybe even a quick massage, now THAT would be a great thing to have at the departure lounge, instead of all that shopping, which hardly anyone one uses, other than a quick souvenier or some liquor.. I always have to fight the urge to impulse-buy stuff at the airport. I was so close last year, but the bottle of liquor I picked up was a little sticky and I came to my senses. AND I'll say it again... I used to LOVE the PJAcafe. one last dose of conch before leaving the island in such a great place was impossible to beat.
Last edited by jerber160; 06/27/2015 08:55 AM.
|
|
|
|
|