what island would be comparible to SXM?

Hello fellow SXM lovers. I am still waiting for an exchange into SXM sometime in January,,,had to give up the first "hit" to Simpson bay resort and marina,,,sadly,,,but as posted before the view is important to us, as we spend a lot of time at condo,.But, if we aren't lucky enough to get another exchange offer to SXM,,,what other island have any of you travelled to that would be similar to SXM. i.e. nice beaches, good restaurants, ability to rent a car,,,etc. We do not do all inclusives at all....rather like to stay in a nice equipped condo and experience what an island has to offer for nightlife, restaurants, scenery, etc. SXM certainly offers all of that as you all well know, but not having travelled a lot, other than SXM,,am just considering options if I have to. I always appreciate the knowledge and help for some of you world travellers! lol

Meg,

There are a lot of beautiful islands to explore, but when you take into consideration all St. Maarten/St. Martin has to offer, and then factor in the ease of access and affordability factors, I don't think there is another quite like it.

We have thoroughly enjoyed Barbados but found it to be a bit more expensive and not as eayt to get to plus we didn't like the 'other side of the road drive' unlike SXM, which is just like home.

Aruba gets high reviews but was not a place we particularly enjoyed. It has lots of timeshares though and a terrific public transportation system that makes the need for a rental car to be nice but not totally necessary.

Puerto Rico, once away from San Juan, has some great areas with beautiful scenery and awesome beaches and is somewhat more affordable than many of the other islands.

So many options and so many variables so good luck in your quest and I hope you find something to suit your wants and wishes. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Hi Pat....funny you mention Aruba...we have thought of it often, can I be so bold as to ask what you didn't like? And yes,,driving on the opposite side of car is a bit scary for me, and I am usually the driver. Probably Bahamas is similar to Barbados? I fear going to SXM on my first island trip,,has spoiled me!! lol

You do NOT want to go to the Bahamas in January or February. It is NOT going to be warm.

I honestly think you should have taken the Simpson Bay Resort that you got. Aruba has lots of timeshares, but I wonder at this point, what you will do for airfare? It's getting awfully late to get airfare at a decent price for January..

Hi Carol,,,I never even considered it would not be warm in Bahamas,,,,see,,,posts like this helps....thank you. and ya,maybe I should have taken SBRM but I just could not stand a week of looking out at new highrise with little or no views of water....got another hit for Towers at Mullet,,but again, I guess I am fussy, especially with the exchange we are going to have to pay. Flights, believe it or not, from Toronto are fairly reasonable "after" the first week in January,,,another reason for letting it go...oh well,,,see what tomorrow brings. Thanks for your opinions....have thought about Turks and Caicos as well,,, or Jamaica... decisions, decisions,,,,just gathering info

Grand Cayman could be a good option, but driving on the left as soooo many Carib islands.

We have always loved St Martin since first going there in 1982 0n our honeymoon and have been back 8 times since then. Going again end of April 2016 with friends to their timeshare. It has changed a lot since 1982 some good some not so good.
Have been to Aruba twice in the past years and stayed in different villas in the Arashi beach area. We love Aruba for its beaches, numerous gambling spots, shopping and restaurants. We also feel safer in Aruba and that is one of the things that has changed in SXM unfortunately over the years. Aruba has excellent beaches, the 4 wheel drive tours and various water sport activities but not a lot else. That's OK for us because we just enjoy relaxing but that might not appeal to all.
Car rental and driving is very easy in Aruba. The roads are good and you drive on the right hand side of the road. Some of the signage to areas on southern end where Baby Beach is (very nice beach calm water) could be better. We haven't done condos but there is a number of Marriots and I believe they have time share units. Last time we were there they were just finishing building a huge food store in the Palm Beach area where most the high rise hotels are.
Been to Barbados, Antigua and St Croix YEARS ago and enjoyed them but then started going to SXM and never went back.

I agree....

...and...as I mentioned to you the unit you mentioned at SBR was the 2nd unit from the Casino and had only the parking garage below it (top floor of the garage is at street level and the unit is elevated on a hill) so the view is of Simpson Bay all the way to Simpson Bay Beach and the airport.

I would have taken that unit in a heartbeat....

Doing some easy research I found these two rental ads and unit descriptions:

This one is the unit right next to your unit:



This one is the unit above yours:



Good luck finding a better unit for exchange in prime season...

One of the beautiful things about the Caribbean is that each Island is unique.

Honestly, if you add up everything that you can have here, I'm not sure that another Island has the same. That does not mean that they are not great, they just have other things to offer.

Some Islands are more authentic, less touristy, but also have less infrastructure and can be more difficult to explore and even quite boring.

Try to prioritize your needs (e.g. Casinos, good food, nice beaches, etc).

The reasons for my lack of enthusiasm are many, but mostly I believe my major problem with it was we were booked to go again to St Maarten and the Towers in November of 1995 and there was this little storm that did some damage there........... Our flights were cancelled and instead of spending an extra week at the Towers at MB we were forced to settle for Aruba, and I think my heart was just in SXM.

But beyond that, I'm an ocean or mountain person and Aruba was just too desert-like for my tastes. I didn't think it was pretty like so many other of the islands.

But the truth is, I've come to notice many people either absolutely love Aruba or they go the full swing in the other direction and I guess I went the 'other' route. We did find the people to be nice, the water was warm and the food was good if not up to SXM standards, IMHO.

I agree heartily with Carol re the Bahamas and while we only went once, it was in the fall and the water was already taking on a decided chill. I might also add the BVIs and the USVIs to that list. We stayed on St. John once for a post-Christmas/New Years trip and both DH and I thought the water was cold but that may have been purely mind over matter.

So I guess I would fall into the group that thinks perhaps you should have taken the Simpson Bay Resort option.

You said there was a Towers hit so I'm wondering if they gave you a unit number. We own there and I think we have one of the most incredible views of SXM from our main #709 balcony that you could ask for, but honestly, all the rooms from #-04 through #-09 have very good views. Not beachfront but there's definitely something to be said for coming home to that peaceful location after a day spent anywhere around the island and the pool is lovely with a happy hour that runs from 3:00 to 6:00 every day. Some days we never get around to leaving....<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Again, Turks and Caicos, in January and February, NOT warm!!!

Hi Meg,
I think Aruba would meet alot of the requirements that are imporant to you. We have visited SXM and AUA pretty regularly for the last 10 years....love both islands. As has been said previously, Aruba is a desert island and not as scenic as SXM. It does have one of the most beautiful beaches we've ever visited in Eagle Beach....just gorgeous. Plentyu of fine restaurants for the foodies. Ton of nightlife for those that like to gamble, dance, listen to music, etc. Aruba has a much safer feel to me than does SXM...by far. Very easy to get around the island whether you rent a car or use the bus/taxi system. Aruba is a very easy vacation. Love them both. Hope you give Aruba a try....I think you will like it.

I agree Carol, in December, January and February, Islands north of us are chilly.

Here it's dropped to 26 C, which is a little cool.

As soon as you move up the hills it get's very cool ...

I would never go to the Bahamas or T&C for those months.

Sainte Marie, except for the murder rate.

we've been to a bunch of Caribbean islands, before and after being hooked on SXM, and after trying Barbados we really liked it also...for us, close 2nd to SXM...Curaçao maybe 3rd

like many here, we got hooked on SXM, but unlike many here, we're not afraid to mention SXM has changed over the past 5 years, and not in a good way...I'll admit we've never personally had a serious crime issue in SXM, but are much more vigilant now than we used to be...the crime reports need to be publicized, and paid attention to

now let the "crime is everywhere" apologist posts begin.... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

There is none.

I wish the actual week would have worked for the couple we are travelling with,,,that was the other factor.....oh well...feeling kinda sick about it,,,but nothing I can do but keep looking.

Considerng Sainte Marie is not a real place, your suggestion is not realistic.

Why not just find out when the place you want to stay is available and change the time you come?

I've enjoyed St. Lucia, Virgin Gorda, Barbados, Bonaire and Aruba. St. Lucia is more tropical.

Its not that easy,,,hard to explain. I deposit my week into an exchange company,,,and give a time frame....like 2nd week in January to end of February...I can exchange into a 2 bedroom for instance...and whenever an avail unit comes up I get notified by RCI...I have 24 hrs to accept or release it.It could be any one of those weeks....so then I have to find affordable airfair,,quick tell the other couple travelling what week, etc. etc. The first week in January is when I got a "hit" or offer of Simpson Bay Resort and Marina,,,it just did not work out. I had to decide very quickly and in meantime tell our fellow travellers, find flights, etc. Not exactly the best situation for picking a holiday, but it is what it is....keeping my fingers crossed for any in those two months. If nothing comes up,,I may be looking at a different holiday to somewhere else, thus my post to ask how other people felt about different places, that have at least some of what SXM has. Hope I make some sense

Like your sense of humor.
Chuckled when I read your post.
Wife hooked on this series right now.

Ahhh....I misunderstood. Up to yesterday you made it appear that the view was the key point not the time period.

Sounds like this search should have occurred months ago and THEN you could have been more picky. Finding an exchange and having it be a 2 BR on this short notice AND have it have a perfect view will be an interesting adventure....AND good luck with airfares.

Probably better just to try and find an appropriate rental with everything you need. Even that could be difficult but at least it's possible.

Good luck...

Are you referring to Death in Paradise?

Another vote here for Aruba! Eagle Beach is absolutely beautiful, long and wide, with low-rise hotels and condos. When we stayed in the Palm Beach area, we didn't like it as much - more crowded and high-rise hotels. Renting a car and exploring the "other side" or "outback" is quite the adventure, and seeing the natural landscape is awesome! As others have mentioned, always felt very safe. Dining out was the best we've ever had anywhere!

Puerto Rico was another excellent trip - many places to explore, rain forest, friendly people and great food!

What I'd personally like to find is an island that hasn't been over-developed, has friendly people and great food, feels safe, and has beautiful beaches! (no casinos, no cruise ships!) And is easy to get to! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Aruba is fine and a total beach only trip. You do not have to leave the beach you are on and can walk forever in the sand. Lot's of great resorts along Eagle Beach.

That said....getting a beachfront exchange is not easy during prime season...most exchanges are for resorts a block or two inland and usually require a walk across the main road to the beach so "perfect view" ain't gonna happen...

It is a different vacation and it always feels like EVERYONE comes from the East Coast....probably a bit of an exaggeration but we refer to the Island as Boston south. Not a negative but just an observation.

We always rent a car and explore the outlying, less populated beaches which is probably the SXM in us coming to the surface.

We found Aruba to have great beaches, especially Eagle beach. Also a very safe feel and very friendly people. It is also a very clean island. But it is not a very pretty island, too flat and desert like. We also found the food on Aruba to be very sub-par. Not at all close to SXM food. We feel St. Martin just has it all. We certainly have been spoiled. We gave up our November trip to SXM to be with friends in Aruba. Can't wait to get back to our favorite island home in January.

Looked it up. Average high of 80 and average low of 73. I could live with that and actually think I would like it.

Here are the average temps for each month:

web page

That average is higher than I expected, but cooler than I personally would want. The only time we were in T & C was for a day on a cruise in January and it was DARN cold to me, probably 72 degrees at most and too cold to go in the water. ...but I live in Florida...

My apology in advance for going a little off topic. I have never done time shares but the couple we are going with in April went thru the same issues with having to make a decision in 24 hours. In talking with them and others who also own time shares for years, it is no longer as easy as it was now that the exchange companies are running things. I had heard if they couldn't get a date and number of rooms you just hung up called back again got another agent and "suddenly" the option they talked to the previous agent was available. It was the luck of the draw on who you spoke with.

No reason to call, it's all done online. You can easily find what's out there, but I would still have a "search" going, and would be checking online 24/7.

Yup...i have been looking for someplace to go during the 1st three weeks in May and I check every day...when something decent shows up you have to grab it 'cuz it will be gone in a heartbeat.....AND the availability changes every day.

I prefer looking myself to putting a request in...

Carol
I know Sainte Marie is a fiction, but wouldn't you like to have the police force as your friends. It would be a blast hanging out at their favorite watering hole. I know about the murders, but look on the bright side. They solve them all.

Not the nightlife of STX, but a pretty cool ilon, no crowds, great food,cheap beach condos, way overlooked.
http://www.visitusvi.com/stcroix/homepage

I have been to SXM twice, Aruba, and Grand Caymans the last few years. IMO Grand Caymans is much more expensive than SXM, especially the Dutch side in terms of restaurant prices. I stayed on Eagle Beach in Aruba, which is very nice, but got pretty crowded, and the food was more expensive than SXM, though not by much. I have heard good things about St. Lucia, and we are heading to Turks and Caicos next spring. To me, what SXM has that is unique is a very wide variety of beaches, if you go from Orient Beach, to Baie Rouge, Anse Marcel, to Dawn Beach, it feels like 4 entirely different places, even though the distance is pretty short.

Just for all of your info, I deposited my week in February of this year....so it has been in the exchange pool for a while. There were hits on the French side,,only a couple, but I wasn't interested. And then,,,for months,,,dry,,,nothing. It is because usually people dont pay their maintenance fees till December....so, I do have an on-going search with RCI happening, and it has been for a while. Usually I get something. It's really too bad that the Simpson Bay Resort and Marina time and other factors didn't work out,,,but no sense crying over spilled milk. January or February is still a possibility. I got a trade at La Vista for this past January and it was very late as well. The couple that went with us decided New Years Eve at a party here....so....it's not over yet,,,,I hope. But rest assured I have covered all my avenues,,,now I have to rely on luck. Thanks again everyone for your help.

That's a tough time to snag a prime unit, But continue to check daily, hourly etc!! It could happen. On a whim I checked in early October and I snagged a nice 1 bedroom for two weeks later that month (didn't realize I had time to use). And your right, people not paying their maintenance fees is a problem with booking. Good luck

Sainte Marie would be a good alternative. The fictional island is actually Basse Terre in Guadeloupe and Sainte Marie is actually Des Hais..just north of Pointe Noire on the west coast of Basse Terre. The island is beautiful with mountains, beaches, tropical waterfalls and great roads. The people are friendly and helpful and acommodations range from B & Bs to high end.Speaking French
is really an asset but you could get by without it.Restaurants are plentiful from snack bars to haute cuisine and the island(s) local bus system is modern and extensive. Car rentals are available but if you rent at the airport make sure you reserve well in advance. The French atmosphere of Gaudeloupe is very different from the French atmosphere of SXM and while in Guadeloupe you feel you are in France.Guadeloupe also has a very low crime rate. SXM is small to explore compared to Guadeloupe and "GWADA" has many out islands with ferry service from the main islands and each out island has its own "flavour".
As for flights, Megamania, you would have to fly out of Montreal or fly/or drive to Miami where the flight is much cheaper. The Air France flight from Miami took us back to the old days when airlines treated their customers as VIPs and the only bummer for us was having to do a stop in Haiti.
Jimnjudy

I know its not an island, but we stayed at Royal Resorts twice in Cancun, those were beautiful apartments on a great beach. I got them through RedWeek and only had to pay the maintenance fee. We really felt we got a bargain.