TRIP REPORT 12/20/15 – 1/2/16 Christmas/New Years

Hi everyone. We just enjoyed another fabulous 2-week vacation 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!! The weather was very rainy and cloudy during our stay, other than our first 2 days. However, there are NO BAD DAYS in St Maarten!!!

FLIGHTS
American Airlines direct flight from JFK, New York. Half hour delay going down. Over NINE HOUR delay coming home. When we called, AA told us the delay was due to no flight crew. But at the airport, we were told it was mechanical issues. So which one was it??? The 2:06 pm flight did not leave until 11:30 pm, and all they gave us was a $12 pp airport dinner voucher (after we had already eaten dinner outside). I JUST finished writing a letter to American Airlines for better compensation. Was a very stressful, confusing day, but I got to enjoy an extra day in the sun and an extra fabulous dinner.


CAR RENTAL
Unity Car Rental (Michael) – We have always had consistent great service from Michael. Our cars never break down, and are never vandalized


ROYAL ISLANDER LA PLAGE / MAHO area
The resort was beautiful and well-maintained as always, We had a nice wide beach throughout both weeks of our stay. We actually sat on the beach almost every day the first week, instead of by the pool. And the ocean was calm enough every day in which to swim or go on a raft, but stillI a bit too rough to snorkel by the rocks.

The internet worked pretty consistently in our room, and quite often by the pool and even on the beach. But I think that still depends on your location within the resort, as other friends were still having issues getting online. They are still charging $50 per week or $60 per month to use their wireless network.

We still have access to the Sonesta Maho Hotel gym on the 3rd floor. However, other than a couple of new treadmills, it is basically the same old tired equipment. I thought with the refurbishment of the Maho Hotel (Sonesta Ocean Point), they would have put some money into the gym. The tennis courts were also full of cracks and holes, etc. I don’t understand how they can market Ocean Point as such an upscale hotel with such dilapidated amenities

Many stores in the Maho area are out of business with just shutters down in place. For years, it seemed that the stores in front of La Terrasse couldn’t make it, but now it is happening up the main street too. It is very sad, as the Maho area used to be such a hopping and busy part of the island. Perhaps the rents are just too high? One of the restaurants upstairs across from the Casino Royale is now an all-inclusive restaurant for the hotel (outsiders can’t eat there at all), and rumor has it that the front ones nearer to the hotel are heading in the same direction. Bamboo and Bajatsu will stay as is according to the rumor.

Overall, we love our little home away from home, and wouldn’t dream of staying anywhere other than the Royal Islander La Plage. The landscaping is breathtaking, and there are always workers raking, cleaning, pruning, and generally maintaining the property. The location can’t be beat, with the Casino Royale across the street, and many GREAT restaurants, bars, and clubs within walking distance.


RESTAURANTS and BARS
We mostly have breakfast and lunch in our room, but look forward to our dinners out. Here is a recap of all of the restaurants and bars we visited:


Mark's Place (outside Phillipsburg by Grand Marche) – Great all you can eat ribs for about $23.00; friends say the mussels are the best they’ve ever had as well (I haven’t tried them yet)

Pizza Pasta (Maho) – Great pizza, pasta bolognese, veal parm, and chicken parm; very tiny restaurant, so need a reservation; looks like a pizza place, but deceivingly good food

Bajatsu (Maho) – escargot was the best on the island this trip (I order it whenever it is on the menu!); had the short ribs twice—were delicious; sweet potato fries are great here; unfortunately, they eliminated the side of plantains

Bamboo (Maho) – EXCELLENT food and ambience; Technically a “Japanese” Restaurant, but we don’t really eat Sushi and we love it here; We shared a lot of different appetizers/small plates, like coconut shrimp, gyoza (pork dumplings), fried calamari, duck nachos, etc., and one was better than the next; appetizers come out fast, and then there is generally a long wait for the main course

Izi (Simpson Bay) -- Italian Food, can pick pasta and sauce separately; decent food, but coming from NY as we do, we feel Spiga in Grand Case, Pizza Pasta in Maho, and Cugini in Simpson Bay all have superior homemade Italian food

Cugini (Simpson Bay)– This restaurant opened last year in Simpson Bay. It was formerly located in Marigot on the Port La Royale Marina next to the store, Desmo, upstairs; Great Italian food, with friendly fast service; We had a pizza as an appetizer, which is one of the best I’ve had on the island; I had seafood with pasta which was excellent, and the other 3 all had a duo of lasagna, one beef and one spinach, and they couldn't stop raving. Funky décor with all different styles of tables and chairs; my daughter said it was her favorite meal of the trip.

Le Moulin Foo (Maho) –fantastic French food, attentive service, and a lovely atmosphere. I would recommend eating indoors, unless you go on a Tuesday when Cheres is closed. The restaurant overlooks Cheris, so even though their veranda looks lovely during the day, if you sit out there at night, you will be subject to listening to the tacky music at Cheri’s; went twice—first time was just the 3 of us and was fabulous; second time we were a group of 9 and service was not quite up to par; but we thoroughly enjoyed the escargot and the onion soup

Skipjacks (Simpson Bay) – First time here; friends have always raved about the lobster, so we decided to try it; excellent grilled lobster; service was one of our best on the island-- all waiters seem very well trained and pleasant

L’ Efffet Mer (Grand Case) – when I was in the ladies room at Skipjack, a woman started to talk to me and asked me what restaurants I like on the island. I told her, and then she handed me a business card. She writes for Fodors, and said the best meal of her trip had been at L'Effet Mer. So we tried it; lovely setting on the water next to lolos and ice cream place; interesting eclectic menu; they had a 3 course prix fix for 32 Euros that was very good-- I had snails in puff pastry, lamb chops, and creme brûlée (maybe best creme brûlée I ever had!); note here though-- the lamb chops came in a curry sauce and I don't like curry; the menu is a little gourmet with a lot of duos listed-- be sure to ask questions for anything that is not clear; but food and ambience were excellent, and I would go back

Le Croissanterie (Marigot) – went for breakfast four times; excellent crepes and the freshest croissants I’ve ever had; friendly efficient service; great location right on the Port La Royale Marina; a beautiful spot, and one of my overall favorite settings on the island

Carousel (Simpson Bay) – went here four times this trip for gelato ice cream; there is an actual carousel ride in the back built over the water on Simpson Bay. In the front is another round building which sells many flavors of gelato—you can taste all you like; there is also a small store that sells carousel themed items; great gelato ice cream—try the homemade ice cream sandwiches

Red Piano (Simpson Bay) -- Went to see Ronny Santana’s band,—they play there every Monday night—good crowd; be aware that this bar, though hopping and fun, is very smoky, and the band is very loud

Buccaneer Beach Bar (Simpson Bay) – best hamburger on the island in my opinion; also, fabulous rib pizza—WOW – still thinking about that pizza!! Fast, friendly service; went on a Saturday night when Ronny Santana was playing guitar

Sunset Bar and Grill (Maho) – Good food, and a fun atmosphere watching the planes; Went for a late lunch on day we arrived-- I had the mahi sandwich, which was delicious; go after 3:00 when the cruise ship crowd has departed

Taloula Mango’s (Phillipsburg on the boardwalk) – lunch on the beach; had grilled chicken on a baguette, which was very good, but ribs here are great as well; if you sit on the beach chairs in front of the restaurant, your “beach boy” will bring you a menu and deliver your food; NOTE: this is also called The Blue Bitch Bar; there is good wireless internet service there if you sit in the restaurant or on their decks

Friar’s Bay Beach Café (Friars Bay) –nice restaurant, with good food and a comfortable atmosphere right on the beach; if you eat there, you will get a discount on the umbrellas and chairs

Bikini Beach Bar – Excellent service at the chairs from Bryce and Eric; I had a good grilled chicken sandwich, and my daughter enjoyed the shrimp (not sure if it was fried or coconut shrimp)



BEACHES
Orient Beach – Bikini Beach – was a slightly windy/rainy day, but we still enjoyed; Beach is narrow from Pedros to Kon Tiki, but we were still able to walk to Pedros with no problem; beyond there, you cannot access the nude section due to huge rocks in the water/sand.

Great Bay Beach (Phillipsburg)-- 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. Beware of the dropoff when walking into the water here.

Friar’s Bay -- Beautiful cove w/ calm water; no problem parking; great lunch at the Friar’s Beach Café; good snorkeling near rocks on right side of cove unless it’s a windy day when visibility is more limited; a few rocks here when entering water-- you might want to wear water shoes if you have sensitive feet

Mullet Bay – Spent a great day here with some friends; ate good ribs and drank pina coladas from Rosie’s Shack; water was calm and clear

Maho Beach – this is our home beach; widest beach we have had in front of our resort in a long time, sea not as rough as it usually is here during both of our weeks; was able to swim or take out raft every day; the entire Maho Beach was very crowded, particularly down by Sunset Bar, due to cruise ship excursions

Dreams (Nettle Bay) -- went for first time; was very impressed with overall setup of restaurant, cabanas, chairs, etc.; but was too windy to stay—was told that it is often windy there; will def try again next year



NEW YEARS EVE
Dinner at Pizza Pasta in Maho with group of 17; then watched fireworks from neighbors’ penthouse balcony at the Royal Islander (as we do every year)—nice display! There also seemed to be a display coming from the Mullet Bay area, so it was interesting being in the center of both firework displays.


ENTERTAINMENT/ACTIVITIES
Loterie Farm Fly Zone -- daughter does this every year; obstacle course and zip lines in the sky; I have done it many times in the past, and find it to be the best of all the island ziplines we have tried

Flyboard (Orient) -- daughter tried this for 2nd time; hydraulic boots attached to a wave runner; you actually get lifted into the air by water shooting up under your boots -- very hard; $70 for 15 minutes or $120 for 1/2 hour I believe

Movies -- Saw 2 movies in Simpson Bay – Heart of the Sea and Concussion—both were very good




MISC.
Mosquitos were not bad at all
Maho area is not as vibrant as in the past, with many empty stores
Simpson Bay was hopping every night with more traffic jams than in past – more restaurants every year
New bridge continues to be a blessing (about 8 mins from Maho to Marigot – used to take 30 mins)
Our favorite restaurant, La Belle Epoque, at the Marigot Marina, has sadly closed
Marios has moved to Porto Cupecoy – heard it was good but we didn’t get there this year.



Overall, we had another fantastic trip. The beauty of a timeshare is that you are hanging with the same people that week year after year. It’s like a camp reunion every year. People at home say to us, “you like going to the same place every year?” We wouldn’t dream of spending Christmas and New Years anywhere else! So many wonderful friends that we look forward to seeing each year. That’s about all I can remember. Post any questions here, or feel free to e-mail me privately. Already counting down to next year!!!!