TRIP REPORT 12/23/07 – 1/5/08 Christmas/New Years
Hi everyone. We just returned from 14 glorious days in our favorite 2nd home. We have been going to St. Maarten since 1984, with our first stay at Mullet Bay. How the island has changed since then! Feel free to post any questions for more specifics on any topic.

[color:"blue"]FLIGHTS[/color]American Airlines direct flight from JFK, New York. Major delays on trip home 1/5. It’s hard to believe that for $1200 PER TICKET you can’t even get a free snack on the plane. And everyone I spoke to had lost luggage. We waited one hour AFTER clearing immigration at JFK for luggage to start coming off the belt. Can’t wait to fly Jet Blue next year!


[color:"blue"]ROYAL ISLANDER LA PLAGE / MAHO area[/color]
The resort was great as always, and the flowers on the property were truly beautiful. The beach was actually in existence our entire stay, and wider than it’s been in years at the end by the Maho Hotel.

There has been a change in management, and it was evident in a few minor situations. Three days in a row, we could not get fresh towels by the pool. The first day our room was not cleaned, despite our payment for daily maid service. The gym ran out of water in the water cooler almost every day with no refills on hand. Peter is no longer affiliated with the spa at all at this point. However, unlike last year, we never had an issue using the gym this year. Last year, if you were not a guest of the Maho Hotel, you were technically not allowed to use the gym. Now all Royal Islander guests are welcome.

We used our laptop in the room with a small weekly charge to be hooked to the internet. However, there is no longer any wireless access. It seems that they have blocked the access we used to get from the Maho Hotel and/or Sunset Beach Bar. There is talk that next year the entire place may be wireless though.

The perfume store in Maho is no longer giving a 10% discount for Royal Islander guests, nor is Pizza Pasta.

Despite the minor inconveniences, the resort is still well-maintained, and we love it!


[color:"blue"]RESTAURANTS[/color]
This was the first trip ever in over 20 years that we did not go to Grand Case at all for dinner. Since our favorites L’Alabama and Sebastiano are out of business, since many restaurants there are still not 1:1, and we have great ones on the Dutch side now, we just did not feel like making the trek
Temptation -- Excellent onion soup and crab cake. Lamb and steaks were not very tender, and management was not responsive to this for our party of 10. A little disappointing at $180 per couple, and it’s always been a favorite of ours
Mario’s – Still excellent food and service overall, the best duck on the island; Martine has left to go to medical school, but Mario is still cooking and all is delicious; unfortunately, not 1:1 so a little pricey at $200, but still worth it.
Bajatsu – Wow—Our first time here, though it’s their 3rd year in business – went twice – Just great food overall; most of our group had steaks and loved them; I had grilled shrimp first time, veal chop 2nd time, and daughter had lobster tails—all fabulous; be sure to order sides of sweet potato fries and rum plantains for the table
Le Belle Epoque – went twice for the best escargot on the island, and great pizza
Turtle Pier – went for all you can eat ribs on a Sunday night; DON’T GO; change of ownership—food was inedible; I asked for my ribs with LIGHT sauce—everyone’s came out slathered with sauce. I gave mine back and said mine is supposed to be light sauce and the waitress said “they are ALL light sauce” -- she reluctantly took mine back, and it came out 10 seconds later RINSED OFF; and to top it all off, we saw a RAT twice. I’m sure they are all around the island, but
you don’t want to see them, particularly while you are eating. There were only 2 tables full on an all you can eat night and now I know why. They are not long for this world. WORST MEAL EVER ON THE ISLAND!! STAY AWAY!!
Pizza Pasta – Great pizza and veal parm as always
Le Saint Germaine – We always go twice per trip for crepes. There has been a change of owner, and crepes were disappointing, almost sour. However, when we complained to the waiter, they took them off the bill, and discussed specifically our concerns with the cooks; due to this great customer service, we will give it one more try
next trip.
Jimbo’s – Was highly recommended to us for their ribs; ribs were just OK, not what I would run there for; But those who had the fajitas said they were great; Open-air atmosphere is lovely with a pool right in the middle
La Rosa Too – Best osso bucco on the island as always; excellent red sauce too
La Gondola – loved it last year; food and service a little disappointing this year


[color:"blue"]NEW YEARS EVE-- Maho[/color]
We had a private party outside at Tortuga Restaurant right at the Royal Islander for our group
of 60 people. The fireworks off Maho Beach could not have been any closer to us; casino was the emptiest we have ever seen it on New Years Eve with $10 tables available (usually $15)

[color:"blue"]BEACHES[/color]
First time ever we did not make it to Orient Beach – guess we just got lazy, and fed up with the traffic; spent most of our time at our own Maho Beach, which was very pleasant, wide, and relatively calm this year; spent 2 days in Phillipsburg (Great Bay Beach), which is a great way to spend a day. Those who want to shop, shop, and the rest of us hang out on beach chairs in front of Taloula Mangos. We order lunch and beers from there and spend a very relaxing day on the beach. The new boardwalk has made it such a pleasant destination now.

[color:"blue"]BARS[/color]
Sunset Beach Bar -- still our favorite – an easy walk for us down beach; went twice for great swordfish sandwich
Buccaneer Beach Bar – had $1 Amstel light special; inquired about Neil’s whereabouts—Apparently he is somewhere in Miami
The Alley – went to hear a live band one night; something different to do
Pineapple Pete’s – Tuesday night is a jam night; live band was great; husband actually sat in on drums with them for 4 songs-- lots of fun
Sopranos – always a fun hangout after dinner to listen to the piano player and have a few drinks

[color:"blue"]FUN AND ADVENTURE[/color]
Loterie Farm Fly Zone – 2nd year in a row doing this – recommended for all adventurous types in good health; husband has bad back and definitely couldn’t have done it; loads of fun

AquaMarina Watersports – daughter and hubby rented waverunners from them at Pelican; seems to be a friendly and well-run place


Overall, we had another fantastic trip, though didn’t venture very far. Always had to plan car trips around cruise ships and bridge openings, due to terrible traffic. That’s about all I can remember. Post any questions here, or feel free to e-mail me privately.