October Visit

Hey everyone - whats up?

My uncle and I are planning our first trip to St. Maarten in October (looking at 23rd thru the 27th right now) and want to know where it would be best for us to stay. We both like walking distance to bars/restaurants/casinos/nightlife etc. And kinda want to be in a place that is beachfront etc. So far, from my research, Atrium Beach Resort, Simpson Bay Resort, The Villas at Simpson Bay and Flamingo Beach Resort all seem like good "fits" for what we are looking for.

Does anyone have any good/bad feedback for any of these places? Am I off course with these properties? Any other suggestions?

Thanks for your feedback -

Aaron

Yes all are located in a heavy traffic, lots of bars and casual restaurants area.

Some would disagree with us but we don't find it very caribbean-like, just another tourist area to drink and eat. But then we're not the bar hop type.
Beaches just OK. Were you planning to rent a car? We always do and visit other better beaches.

Your choices are all good, yes. I would add Royal Palm Resort to the mix also, as, for walking to different bars and restaurants, I find Royal Palm to have the largest selection of places that you can walk to.

My only other suggestion is PLEASE add additional time to your trip!! That just seems such a short time to be on island, by the time you blow the whole day getting there and the whole day coming home!!

Thanks so much for the initial feedback - we will definitely try to squeeze more time into the trip - it does seem short indeed. I will check out Royal Palm too!

A car rental could occur - we are just starting our plan - I would like to venture out and about.

Obviously if I were travelling on this trip with my GF we would probably be a bit more remote <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

There is so much to see on SXM, such a short trip seems a shame. I also suggest that you check into a car rental, at least for part of your trip.

We are staying at the Atrium October 17th to October 24th. We have been to St. Martin the last 5 years in October, but first time staying in Simpson Bay. I understand this is a lively area and close to Buccaneer Beach Bar and Greenhouse restaurant This will be a new experience for us staying in Simpson Bay, but looking forward to it. We are moving on the 24th for a second week at Divi. We have stayed there before so we know what to expect there.

First off 4 day are not enough to enjoy must have at least a week , but all of replays are good the Royal Plams would be a great location

4 days is better than none days. Just think of it as the appetizer for the main course to follow next year!

Agreed - 4 days is better than none...thanks for all of the advice...after some more research, I think that Royal Palms is gonna be the place AND a car rental is probably gonna happen, at least for one day.

Horn,

All the places you mentioned are all time share resorts. It may be cheaper for you to find accomodations for a week vs 4 days due to the timeshare thing. Remember, timeshares may not offer as much flexablility as a regular hotel room.

Thanks EdB!

I am aware that this is a timeshare resort - which is cool...no need for daily housekeeping etc....and there is a kitchen and the locale suits what we are looking for - but if you know of anywhere that is matching 1100 bucks for this place (and RT flight) for four nights for a week - LET ME KNOW <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" />

Second for Royal Palm. Many condos available on VRBO. We enjoy going to other beaches for the day and the nightlife we have within walking distance.

Hey Nebraska Fan,

Did a quick search on Kayak.com this a.m., searching for "Packages" on their website. You can get a week at various places in October, and include airfare, saw several options in the $950 range. I am quite certain you won't see any direct flights from Omaha or Lincoln to SXM, but that is something to look at also. Try to get a flight that gets to SXM mid-day rather than late at night, same thing for flight home, don't take the first flight out, we like to fly out in mid-afternoon for the way home. You can get some more beach / bar / casino time that way. I probably wouldn't book the car on that site, you can get good deals for car rental while on the island. Some hotels will book the car for you right at the hotel, whether that be for one week or two days. As to car rentals, we pretty much stick with the smaller Hyundai cars, they are easy to park and cheaper to rent.

I'd really agree with this. These are the right places to look for what the OP was asking but you will lack the really Caribbean Islandy experience in our opinions anyway.

Thanks phillygirl - I will check out kayak and see what I see - I am flying from NashVegas, TN - so maybe that changes things.