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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77400
12/04/2015 09:07 AM
12/04/2015 09:07 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 515
Eastern Caribbean
Ritchard Offline
Traveler
Ritchard  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 515
Eastern Caribbean
Accomodations French Side (Orient Bay). Play time French side 80%. Dining French side 75%


_______________________

Working hard to be the best yacht bum I can be.
SXM Sponsors
Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77401
12/04/2015 09:13 AM
12/04/2015 09:13 AM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
The_Lurker Offline
Traveler
The_Lurker  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
We stay on the Dutch side , and do visit the French side for a few dinners and some beaching. It all depends on weather, beach conditions and how brave (me) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> (and tired) we are to drive at night.
We did stay on the French side on our first trip in the 80's.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77402
12/04/2015 09:21 AM
12/04/2015 09:21 AM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 531
Beacon, NY
SANFILIP Offline
Traveler
SANFILIP  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 531
Beacon, NY
Timeshare on Dutch side(Divi), but we dine out on both sides.


[Linked Image]
Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: The_Lurker] #77403
12/04/2015 09:24 AM
12/04/2015 09:24 AM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 32
West Michigan
Z
ZekeB Offline
Traveler
ZekeB  Offline
Traveler
Z
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 32
West Michigan
After years of 1 day stops while cruising, we hopped off for a week 5 years ago. Have stayed at Mt. Vernon (3x), Orient Village,The Summit, and next will be on the beach in Gr. Case. Mostly French side beaches daily, but we enjoyed Mullet last June. Coming from the Midwest we enjoy the "culture shock" of the French side over the congestion of the Dutch side.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77404
12/04/2015 09:34 AM
12/04/2015 09:34 AM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 726
New Jersey
NJHarry Offline
Traveler
NJHarry  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 726
New Jersey
We stay on the French side 100% and spend our time on the French side beaches 100%

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: NJHarry] #77405
12/04/2015 09:46 AM
12/04/2015 09:46 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 186
J
JulieandKarl Offline
Traveler
JulieandKarl  Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 186
100% French side - after the airport of course :-)

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77406
12/04/2015 09:47 AM
12/04/2015 09:47 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 833
Harriston
megamania Offline
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megamania  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 833
Harriston
We always stay on Dutch side and most of our activities and meals are on Dutch side. Just became more familiar with it and find it easier for us. We do make one trip over to French side to check out a beach or to show newbies around, but The Dutch side is when we land.


Randy and Meg Young
Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77407
12/04/2015 10:07 AM
12/04/2015 10:07 AM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 59
Mechanicsburg PA
Speebs Offline
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Speebs  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 59
Mechanicsburg PA
I have stayed in hotels both sides, and probably 50% of leisure time spend on either side, French side mostly Orient Beach. But since my last trip Nov. 25 to Dec 2, I am fed up with all the traffic on the Dutch side. Planning on spending more time on the French side on future trips.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: DPD1968] #77408
12/04/2015 10:41 AM
12/04/2015 10:41 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,160
Greensboro, NC
charlieh Offline
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charlieh  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,160
Greensboro, NC
Quote
DPD1968 said:
99% French side, stop for groceries on the Dutch side after leaving the airport then rarely leave the French side.


This is my answer also, and I used to live in Raleigh, if this helps. smile

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: charlieh] #77409
12/04/2015 10:43 AM
12/04/2015 10:43 AM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 486
Framingham,MA
Margie Offline
Traveler
Margie  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 486
Framingham,MA
100% French side, lodging at Grand Case Beach Club. Dinners
all on the French side!

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: Margie] #77410
12/04/2015 10:47 AM
12/04/2015 10:47 AM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 143
St. Louis, MO
bethandsteve Offline
Traveler
bethandsteve  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 143
St. Louis, MO
We have always stayed on the French side. Some shopping and meals on the Dutch side.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77411
12/04/2015 10:50 AM
12/04/2015 10:50 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 150
NH
D
DrDoug Offline
Traveler
DrDoug  Offline
Traveler
D
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 150
NH
Dutch side lodging, shopping, food.

One trip to Yvettes on the French side and sometimes a full drive around the island per trip.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77412
12/04/2015 11:03 AM
12/04/2015 11:03 AM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
fabila Offline
Traveler
fabila  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
We stay on both although last trip was all Dutch side.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: fabila] #77413
12/04/2015 11:11 AM
12/04/2015 11:11 AM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 732
Austin, Texas
B
BerneandGary Offline
Traveler
BerneandGary  Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 732
Austin, Texas
French side for us!


Gotta Caribbean soul I can barely control and some Texas hidden here in my heart...(J.B.)
Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: BerneandGary] #77414
12/04/2015 11:38 AM
12/04/2015 11:38 AM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 231
TOTOWA NJ
lina Offline
Traveler
lina  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 231
TOTOWA NJ
sleep and eat on Dutch..swim on French, expect for days at Cupecoy


lina and piggy
Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: BerneandGary] #77415
12/04/2015 11:44 AM
12/04/2015 11:44 AM
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 48
rastamojo7 Offline
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rastamojo7  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 48
We stay on the French side and recreate there 99% of our time also. That said we know that on the Dutch side the nightlife is better. We both try to cram some basic French language through Duolingo app on our iPhones a few months before our journey but it seems to only help with reading menus.

I think part of what we enjoy is not understanding most of the conversations we overhear...odd as that may sound. There are a lot of high maintenance travelers who don't seem to get the whole island time thing and recognize it as part of what makes the caribbean such a relaxing destination. I've found that when we are on the Dutch side (and also the one breakfast that I had at GCBC) we are around more folks who are very expressive about their expectations for service, etc...sometimes it dampers the vibe for us.

We need to give the Dutch side more of a chance as most of my impressions are based on a very small set of references.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: lobstaroll123] #77416
12/04/2015 11:44 AM
12/04/2015 11:44 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 190
Charlotte, NC
bethy2120 Offline
Traveler
bethy2120  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 190
Charlotte, NC
French side!

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77417
12/04/2015 11:45 AM
12/04/2015 11:45 AM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,193
Virginia
Snorkeller Offline
Traveler
Snorkeller  Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,193
Virginia
Always stay on french side. Maybe 60 (french) /40 (dutch) in terms of time on each side during the day.

Usually spend at least one day at Divi Little Bay. One day in Philipsburg, shopping, visiting front street museum, walking around. Often at least part of a day at Dawn - and usually do an excursion with Capt Alan. Sometimes, but not as much in recent years, take boat excursions from dutch side Simpson Bay/Lagoon - Celine, Random Wind, others - usually eat dutch side if took boat excursion from there.

If cruising with port of call in Philipsburg, almost always head immediately to Orient - may spend a little time in Philipsburg before getting back to ship.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77418
12/04/2015 11:52 AM
12/04/2015 11:52 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,370
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Tom Offline
Traveler
Tom  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,370
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Dutch lodging
Most of our time on Dutch as well.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: Tom] #77419
12/04/2015 12:04 PM
12/04/2015 12:04 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,225
Middle Tennessee
T
TravelHat Offline
Traveler
TravelHat  Offline
Traveler
T
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,225
Middle Tennessee
All French eat, sleep, play

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: TravelHat] #77420
12/04/2015 12:25 PM
12/04/2015 12:25 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 24
H
harmonytravelers Offline
Traveler
harmonytravelers  Offline
Traveler
H
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 24
We are returning in January for our third visit, staying again at Mont Vernon. We much prefer the French side. We love the beaches, the restaurants, and the quiet. We spent one afternoon stuck in traffic in Philipsburg on our first visit, and decided that was enough. If we wanted high rise developments, casinos, Burger King, KFC, and Pizza Hut, we could stay home.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77421
12/04/2015 01:43 PM
12/04/2015 01:43 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,547
Spain and SXM
Sungoddess Offline
Traveler
Sungoddess  Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,547
Spain and SXM
I live on the Dutch side (6 months) and beach on the French...eat on the Dutch, almost NEVER go to French at night

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77422
12/04/2015 03:18 PM
12/04/2015 03:18 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 419
Beverly MA (Boston's North Sho...
timnboston Offline
Traveler
timnboston  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 419
Beverly MA (Boston's North Sho...
99.9% on the Dutch side. The little "buses" (vans) are so convenient on the Dutch side that I don't even bother renting a car anymore. I'm a single traveler, and I just find the Dutch side more active and inviting for a single traveler.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: lobstaroll123] #77423
12/04/2015 03:45 PM
12/04/2015 03:45 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 671
Albany, New York
W
WWII Offline
Traveler
WWII  Offline
Traveler
W
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 671
Albany, New York
Dutch

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: WWII] #77424
12/04/2015 04:01 PM
12/04/2015 04:01 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Online content
Traveler
RonDon  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
Grand Case Beach Club

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RonDon] #77425
12/04/2015 04:05 PM
12/04/2015 04:05 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Online content
Traveler
RonDon  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
oops forget to respond to both. We travel around the island daily visiting all beaches and stores French & Dutch sides. Eat mostly (if not all) on French Side.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77426
12/04/2015 04:35 PM
12/04/2015 04:35 PM
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 662
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
J
JohnandBev Offline
Traveler
JohnandBev  Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 662
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Interesting to me to see how many are on the French side. If I'd had to guess would had said TTOL [ex Club O] was largely Dutch side
Anyway did a quick straw count, had to interpret some responses, but my columns are based on stay and play, ie if you stay on the Dutch side but play both sides, I counted you as Dutch / Dutch - anyway my count totals are
Dutch/Dutch - 10
Dutch/French - 14
French / French - 23 [suspect several Club O responses in that count]
French / Dutch - 10

Intereseting snap shot, but I suspect most of the rooms for rent [hotel /ts/other] are on the Dutch side. Anyone know any info on # of rooms per side?
J&B

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: JohnandBev] #77427
12/04/2015 04:54 PM
12/04/2015 04:54 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 14
G
geokman Offline
Traveler
geokman  Offline
Traveler
G
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 14
Always stay on French side primarily at LePetit in Grand Case.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77428
12/04/2015 05:36 PM
12/04/2015 05:36 PM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 720
Ottawa Canada
candu Offline
Traveler
candu  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 720
Ottawa Canada
Yes is there another side <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />?

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: candu] #77429
12/04/2015 05:43 PM
12/04/2015 05:43 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,294
J
january Offline
Traveler
january  Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,294
We stay on the Dutch side and spend about equal time on each side.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: january] #77430
12/04/2015 06:15 PM
12/04/2015 06:15 PM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 45
Montreal
mlachance Offline
Traveler
mlachance  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 45
Montreal
We stay on the French side and spend most of our time on the French side.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: mlachance] #77431
12/04/2015 06:20 PM
12/04/2015 06:20 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 789
Toronto Canada
moxie Offline
Traveler
moxie  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 789
Toronto Canada
we stay on the Dutch side and spend most of our time there

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: lobstaroll123] #77432
12/04/2015 06:57 PM
12/04/2015 06:57 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 14
Northern Michigan
J
JimandJane Offline
Traveler
JimandJane  Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 14
Northern Michigan
French side - 95%. C'est bon!!

Jim and Jane

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: lobstaroll123] #77433
12/04/2015 07:05 PM
12/04/2015 07:05 PM
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6
C
CampJimmy Offline
Traveler
CampJimmy  Offline
Traveler
C
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6
We stay on the French side and eat on the French side.

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: lobstaroll123] #77434
12/04/2015 07:07 PM
12/04/2015 07:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
Traveler
islandgem  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
We used to divide our stay with accommodations on the Dutch and French side. Now that we stay much longer,we prefer the Dutch side for accommodations and night life, and spend most beach days on the French side.We enjoy the entire island and appreciate the differences of both sides. To only enjoy one side seems a real shame to me when two different countries can be enjoyed in one vacation!




Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: islandgem] #77435
12/04/2015 07:21 PM
12/04/2015 07:21 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,297
CT
pony600 Offline
Traveler
pony600  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,297
CT
French side for everything.


[Linked Image]



If life hands you a lemon, just squeeze it on a lobster!
Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: pony600] #77436
12/04/2015 07:32 PM
12/04/2015 07:32 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27
NC
K
KandG Offline
Traveler
KandG  Offline
Traveler
K
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27
NC
Lodging: Dutch 60% French 40%
Daytime recreation: Dutch 5% French 95%
Nighttime activities: Dutch: 60% French 40%

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: KandG] #77437
12/04/2015 09:14 PM
12/04/2015 09:14 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 397
Boston, Ma
L
lobstaroll123 Offline
Traveler
lobstaroll123  Offline
Traveler
L
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 397
Boston, Ma
This was a very interesting post. Thank you. Learned a great deal. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: RaleighToSXM] #77438
12/04/2015 09:28 PM
12/04/2015 09:28 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 228
South Jersey USA
eilandmens Online content
Traveler
eilandmens  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 228
South Jersey USA
Stay on French side 2 weeks separated by one week on Dutch side. patronize both sides for recreation and dining

Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side? [Re: eilandmens] #77439
12/04/2015 09:53 PM
12/04/2015 09:53 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,056
PA
biglar Offline
Traveler
biglar  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,056
PA
We have been coming to St. Martin since 2000, sometimes twice a year. We have stayed on the Dutch side twice. We do enjoy visiting on the Dutch side a few times each visit to grocery shot, eat and souvenir shop, but most of our time is spent in Orient Village and the surrounding home area. Seems to be less hectic and much easier for driving.

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