[color:"brown"]Pre-Beach Time…[/color] Our nonstop flight on UA from DC was a plus to our usual changes at SJU or MIA – 30 minutes for immigration, bags, and Hertz car – drove via west side of Simpson Bay to Marigot and checked in at Club Orient avoiding carnival traffic – off to an enjoyable Baywatch party in a downpour – with thanks to Andy and Sheryl, and to Contessa for collecting funds for the abused women’s shelter.

[color:"brown"]Orient Bay Hotels & Villas…[/color] As a hotel rep - inspections and meetings with managers to keep our clients up-to-date. We share this with our TTOL viewers…

[color:"#666666"]2008 News[/color] – Most properties with high occupancy and several sold outs during this week including the [color:"green"]Esmeralda[/color] and [color:"green"]La Plantation[/color] – but concern for the remainder of the year due to the economy and euro situation. Along with traditional free nights and long-term discounts, new discounts are being offered to us including [color:"green"]L’Hoste[/color], [color:"green"]Cap-Caraibes[/color], [color:"green"]Caribbean Princess[/color] with others under consideration.

Renovations were underway at [color:"green"]L’Hoste[/color] with new furnishing for the Capri section, owner enhancement at [color:"green"]Green Cay Village[/color] and [color:"green"]Club Orient[/color], new pool privacy fence at [color:"green"]Palm Court[/color], and villa upgrading at [color:"green"]La Plantation[/color]. The Cap-Caraibes Real Estate is now under a new French company for villa sales and rentals, and no longer affiliated with Cap-Caraibes Resorts. It is likely that [color:"green"]St Tropez[/color] will also have a new owner in very near future along with speculation about changes that may result.

Other than drive-bys, we were unable to inspect several new villas due to current occupancy. The villa and townhouse rental market in the area frequently changes due to sales and new offerings.

[color:"#666666"]2009 Outlook[/color] – US dollar/euro exchange adjustments have already been established for several hotels and villas with dollar increases of about 10 to 15 percent. For now, dollar rates can be locked in at [color:"green"]Club Orient[/color] through December 24, 2009. Other properties may also offer this on an inquiry basis. In this uncertain currency exchange environment, those who can make advance plans may benefit by early booking.

Significant up grading at [color:"green"]L’Hoste[/color] will result in closure of the hotel from June through possibly September. Several additional villas at [color:"green"]La Plantation[/color] are scheduled for major renovation during the summer and fall.

[color:"brown"]TV[/color] – For those who cannot adjust to a vacation without, an update may spell relief! A new cable company is currently installing a minimum of 10 channels with US programming TV throughout the Orient Bay area. Installation has already been completed at the [color:"green"]Esmeralda[/color], [color:"green"]Alamanada[/color], [color:"green"]Caribbean Princess[/color].

[color:"brown"]Internet[/color] – Nearly all hotels provide computer stations with high-speed connections in the area of the lobby at a cost of about $15 per hour. In the room land-connections for lap-tops are available at [color:"green"]Club Orient[/color] without charge. Complementary WiFi reception is available at specific locations including [color:"green"]Club Orient[/color], [color:"green"]La Plantation[/color], and in all apartments at the [color:"green"]Caribbean Princess[/color]. Other properties as at [color:"green"]Esmeralda[/color] and [color:"green"]Green Cay Village[/color] provide in the room WiFi connections at about $75 per week.

[color:"brown"]Restaurants[/color] – Local folks turn a big smile about efforts of restaurants to market their prices to North Americans. Whatever is promoted as a favorable exchange rate, the bottom-line in dollars or euros has already been adjusted to be competitive for similar menus and services. On this trip, we did not take in the finest that St. Martin offers.

A new find, highly recommended… [color:"green"]La Cave de Marigot[/color] located off road to Hope Estates near the turnoff to French Cul-de-Sac from the highway between Grand-Case to Orient beach. Currently open for lunch, but will arrange group dinners. Check out the extraordinary wine cellar.

Thumbnail comments for those we did experience: [color:"green"]Bay Watch[/b][/color]... Good value-excellent menu; [color:"green"]Calmos Café[/b][/color]… a fun place-offering tapas and entertainment; [color:"green"]Sol e Luna[/b][/color]… Nice ambiance-good food but not exceptional for the price; [color:"green"]Au Grain de Sel[/b][/color]… Inexpensive-will disappoint those expecting a quality dining experience; [color:"green"]Papagayo[/b][/color]… Tops for being casual although evening dining and entertainment limited to resort guests.

[color:"brown"]Orient Bay Impressions[/b]…[/color]
[color:"#666666"][color:"#666666"]Beach[/color][/color]… Wider than we’ve seen in years with little seaweed near shore. [color:"#666666"]Nudity[/color]… Authorized on Club Orient section and allowed along the full length of beach before 8 a.m. Requests to allow nude use of pools at Esmeralda and Coco Beach have not been acted on by the government; thus, nudity is prohibited. Heard that the government’s position was based on a survey. I can only guess that the survey only targeted local residents. [color:"#666666"]Mosquitoes[/color]… During our week only encountered three (3) at Club Orient and none while inspecting other properties and restaurants.

[color:"brown"]Post-Beach Time[/color]... Usually we travel midweek without undue airport check-in problems. This time a Saturday afternoon departure required over an hour just for check-in and security. The situation was partly due failure of the checked baggage belt that delayed flight departure. If a weekend departure, allow a full 2 hours at the airport.

… Jim