Orient Beach - where to sit/eat/drink?

We will be in SXM on Saturday. This trip I would like to spend more time on Orient. We've only ever spent time at Palm Beach - which we loved but wanted to get down into the middle of the action a bit more.

We also did manage to go to Andy and Cheryl's once before they tore all of the old beach shacks down. That year we thought we would spend more time on Orient exploring, however it was the year of the hurricane - we were there in November (after the October storm) and the mounds of sea weed made being on Orient not very pleasant (to put it mildly).

What is your favorite spot? What do you love about it? Do any of the other spots include the chairs if you eat/drink at their establishment (Palm Beach did). That is not a deal breaker - just curious.

Any input is greatly appreciated! I will report back on our experiences!

Thank you!

Most places on Orient charge for chairs even if you eat and drink there. I think Palm Beach is the only exception to that, but I could be wrong. The cost is usually around $20 for two chairs and an umbrella. The smaller places used to be a bit less, but with their increased rents that may be a thing of the past.

Our favorite is Kakao, with the dark blue umbrellas. It's centrally located on the beach, which we like for walking purposes. The beach staff is friendly and efficient, there's a beach bar there as well if you prefer to have your drinks there instead of in your beach chair. The restaurant is excellent, and there's also a smaller snack bar type restaurant with a more casual menu. They also have a watersports operation if you're looking for activities.

We spend our days at Club Orient. The beach and water are free of seaweed, ocean is crystal clear and warm. Since it's a "clothing optional" beach (resort), there is no need to feel shy about keeping your clothes / bathing suits on lol. People are very friendly, food and Happy Hour at The Perch bar is great and lunch at Papaguyos is good. 2 lounges and umbrella for $20. Have fun.

I don't think there is a bad spot to eat or drink. bikini beach is great but at Club Orient you don't have the beach peddlars if that's a concern. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

We love Aloha. Great food, great staff, great service. Nathalie (owner) is an absolute doll.

we enjoy Le String...right next door to Aloha. Great people great food and great service. I think they make the best BBC on the island!!!! 20 bucks will get you 2 chaises, umbrella, and choice of any drink!!!!

I'm with Naked as a Jaybird. Seaweed is not an issue at Club Orient, the beach is cleaned/raked daily. Happy Hour at the Perch Bar 2:30-3:30, at Papagayo 4:30 - 6:30. Yes, it's clothing optional, but wear or don't wear what you want to. Lunch at Perch, lunch and/or dinner at Papagayo - excellent.

Seaweed was not an issue at all on Orient in the last two weeks.

All Of the new places are 20.00+ bucks and packed like sardines. LaPlays is 15 for two chairs with thick pads, table and two drinks. Well spaced apart. No problem bringing a cooler with food and drinks. Chairs are well spaced apart. A no brainer for us.

Wasn't sure if you were interested in the clothing optional part of the beach, but wanted to add that we also love the Club O section. The Perch serves simple lunches and great drinks, Papagayo has good food and service, and you can also bring your own cooler. Friendliest people on the beach IMHO.

Here is another vote for Club Orient. Just find a pair of chairs that don't have colored "wrist bracelets" fastened to the framework and set up shop. The beach boy will be around eventually to collect the $20 and fasten a pair of wrist bracelets to one of the chairs. Those chairs are now yours for the rest of the day. You can also go to the watersports hut at the far end of the beach and buy a book of coupons which you can use for a week, giving the beach boy one coupon per day when he comes around.

You will find that nudists are a friendly and accepting group and also will keep an eye on each other's property if asked... Club O also has good security, some of it obvious and some of it "under cover" ... Pardon the pun!

Happy hour at the Perch is very popular. When you order your drinks you will pay the normal price but you will each be given two drinks in stead of the normal one.

Enjoy!

Although my wife and I are not nudists we find the club orient section of the beach the best. All the other sections are very congested, loud music and peddlers selling things. The water is much calmer at club orient and there is good snorkeling swim platforms and two very good reasonably priced bars for drinks and food . We usually set up towards the rear of the beach where we are out of visibility since we are just getting used to shedding our clothes, but our first trip we kept the suits on and it was not a problem as there is a mix of textiles and nudes. We also like that you can walk from the beach through the resort to the boutique and order an ice cream or a bakery item and coffee. You could also have a short walk to the spa and we occasionally treat ourselves to a skin treatment or massage. You can also rent a kayak and go to their offshore island which is a lot of fun. There are so many things to do at the club Orient section of the beach

I guess that shouldn't be a surprise, based on the rent at the new places. I guess Orange Fever is serving food by now? What's happening with the other places? Have they signed leases yet?

We enjoy Waikiki. While the dollar to euro exchange isn't always in our favor we prefer the comfortable chairs spread apart, good service and bathroom facilities. The variety of cuisine offered from simple to full blown meals is welcomed.

Over the years we've come to know the staff although they seem to change every few years but then we make new acquaintance and friends.

With Cheryl no longer in business aside for a walk along the beach we probably will continue to stay at Waikiki when on Orient. However, we have eaten several times at La Playa and enjoy there food. Their chairs have not always had cushions so they were uncomfortable but if they've added cushions there's another option for us.

Palm also has good facilities and services but we were unimpressed with the food the last couple of times we ate there.

Yes. They are trying to make some money back which is understandable but not for me. We like to have room to spread out. Didn't see anybody eating and it was a normal lunch time. Still a few vacant places with work going on.

I had also been disappointed with the food at Palm Beach but went there in December with friends who came off a cruise ship, and the food was excellent. You may want to give it another try.

Not sure which spot you're referring to?????

gary

The new rebuilt spots.

Georgia, we will probably give it another try. It's a nice beach area and their amenities are top notch.

We stay at Club Orient and like to eat at Papgayo , Kon Tiki and Kakao

It's very apparent that many people on this forum enjoy Club Orient's stretch of beach due to the calmness of the water, less sargassum, no beach vendors, the friendliness of beach goers and the CO option...after all, their slogan is "nothing is better".

We will be visiting Club O's beach area in the near future and would appreciate an abbreviated version as to what to expect from the time you park your vehicle in their lot. For example...Will security meet you in the parking lot to pay for parking? Do you remove swimwear in parking lot or in a change area or right at the beach? Do you need to check in at reception? Where is the quietest part of their beach? Are there certain protocols to be aware of?

We just want to respect the beach and patrons as much as you longtime visitors and not look like the newbies that we are.

The Guard Shack is near the "Public Walkway" to the beach. No charge for parking in the Club Orient lot from May 1-Oct 31. No security in the Parking lot, but always Security guards around. It's your choice to be dressed or undressed from Parking lot to beach....you can be nude in parking lot, Orientique (store), The Perch Bar (Happy Hour 2:30-3:30 2 for 1 drinks), Papaguyos (Restaurant) good food, service and HH around 4:30, I think. You can eat at either Bar or Restaurant or bring your own cooler with food and drinks. You can also walk up the beach to any other restaurant (cover up if walking past the rocks. Women can be topless along the entire Orient beach). Choose any orange /white lounge chair that does not have a tag on it (plastic wristband type) and await beach boy to collect fee of $20 for 2 chairs & umbrella or purchase a weekly pass at Watersports. Always sit on a towel wherever you place your naked behind. Never take pictures!! No radios or music allowed on the beach to disturb others. Have fun whether you are dressed or undressed.

I don't think they charge to park in off season so park the car, we change in parking lot(personal choice) just walk down to beach select chairs without tags on them & set up. the beach guy will come along & collect $20 for 2 chairs & 1 umbrella or you can go to the sports building & get 7 days worth for $120 to be used in a 9 day period. There are outdoor showers up near the guards building to wash sand off before you get back into the car. You will see where it is quieter when you get to the beach. Have fun! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

I've read nothing but positives about Club O. The amount of returning guests says it all. Thank you Jaybird and jeepers for the tips.

YOu wrote
".... we thought we would spend more time on Orient exploring, ..."

I think that is the right attitude, explore
How about 1 - 2 days of a mini beach bar crawl!! to get to know the various places - check out menu's, signature drinks and the vibe for each spot. Chat with the staff, you'll soon figure out your fav's. What we like may not be what you like - this yr we had fun at Good Time Charlies when Johnny Carib played for a bit late in the afternoon, tried out the Mojito Guy - that's the fun of a beach exploration.
Let us know what you find and like

J&B

We have done Club O beach three different ways. If your lodging is in Orient village, you can walk the entire beach nude in the morning before 9:30am to the Club O beach. If we don't feel like walking we just wrap a towel around us and drive to the lot. If we are out sightseeing and want to use the Club O beach and happy hour in the afternoon, we park the car in their lot and shed our clothes in the lot. There are 3 outdoor showers just before the lot so you don't get sand in your car. We have never seen a guard or parking fee. The whole Club O beach seems quiet, can't say any particular section . Lots of book readers . They even have a library where you can borrow from a very large selection

I'd be a little careful about walking the "entire" Orient Beach nude. It is against the law and I have seen Gendarme out there before 9am. Since it is low season now, maybe walking before 8:30am, but wouldn't chance it any later than that. Also, the Club O parking lot costs $5 a day from Nov 1--April 30th in case you ever come at a different time of year. There is at least 1 Guard in the Guard shack all the time and a parking lot Attendent during the 6 mos of paid parking.

Thanks Jaybird, we didn't realize the Gendarmie were now enforcing this.

And I'm glad they are. Nudity has it's place and it is Club O and I'm OK with that but I don't want to get that visual on the other part of Orient where I go to. Topless is fine, full nudity is not outside of Club O.

I would say the quietest part of Club O beach is the part closest to the Sports Bldg. Unless your wanting to read a book in total quiet you should really try getting right in the middle of everything. We have been there the last five years and meet several people we now call friends.Everyone is so friendly.

Textiles have plenty of Carribean islands and beaches to choose from.

I really don't get why someone who hates the naked body would choose to be on Orient Beach at 8:30 in the morning when a possible naked person might be walking by

oh my how terrible

With all due respect, Timmy, it's comments such as yours that tend to create more and unnecessary criticism and hostility towards the whole nudity thing. St. Martin has been tolerant for all the forty plus years we've been visiting. It's a big island. There's room for everyone. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

With All do respect the hostility came from scuba man

There was no need for his comment

And yes, my point is that there are plenty of beaches and plenty of room for everyone

While I wasn't thrilled with his post either, technically he is at least partially correct. The accepted norm these days for nudism is at Club O and not the entire length of Orient. Thus the 8:30 gendarme walks. Times change and so does the island, whether we like it or not! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

-- and the reason I thanked Jaybird. I still maintain Scubamans opinion

"but I don't want to get that visual on the other part of Orient where I go to"

was not required nor did it add any info to this topic.

My question is valid as to why anyone would visit a beach that at specific times of the morning you might see a nude walker when you are intolerant of the body, and there are plenty of other beaches on the island.

I guess the point could be many know that nudity these days is supposedly limited to the Club O section of the beach. And some don't have a clue or care either way.

The point is, St. Martin is not a nude island but it is an island with a stretch of nude beach, most specifically the area in front of Club O. There are other areas where nudity is practiced such as Cupecoy on the Dutch side as well as Happy Bay and Rouge on the French side along with a few of the more remote and unpeopled beaches but it's not a given for these places.

We started visiting Orient Beach when it was a nice lonely stretch of mostly unpeopled real estate that happened to have some of the nicest beachfront on the island. As it was developed the whole character of the beach changed. Personally speaking, it's no longer on my preferred list, but my bottom line is I try to comply with whatever the rules or accepted practices are, and I could personally care less what, if anything or nothing, people wear there. But today, it is not as accepted to be nude anywhere or at anytime you want along Orient.

My fear is and has been for a long time, those who continue to push the envelope could push to the point they do away with it completely. And that said, I'm done. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

I can appreciate everyone's perspective and I thank everyone for their input. I do have one more question about Club O that may lighten the mood but I might blush...hehe Perhaps I could private message someone for this in case it's too forward for the forum? It just pertains to what "hair styles" are the norm for men and women....because "when in Rome..." <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" />

All accepted, some men are bald, some have a crew cut and some have a full Afro (no offense to anyone). Women....all accepted, some women are bald, some have a pixie cut and some are au natural. All and anything goes. Hope I was being sensitive to the subject LOL

Braids are the norm there these days! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Jaybird...you were very sensitive. But Diet Pepsi came out my nose when I got to pixie cut...and braids...lol <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />

The great thing about orient beach at Club Orient is that no one really cares what you look like. Pubic hair styles vary....

I don't think we have ever been to another nude beach or nude resort that is so accepting. No pressure at all...about ANYTHING. Just be yourself and enjoy this beautiful paradise.

So why should a small percentage of the people make a larger percentage uncomfortable? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> Nudity has it's place but not on the whole stretch of Orient Beach. Read the signs.

Thank you for trying to lighten the mood!
As others have mentioned hair styles range from natural to none-whatever makes you happy!

Scubaman's opinion surely wouldn't fly with respect to public bathroom usage in the US!

SIGNS? You ever run a stop sign? You ever broken the speed limit? If you have what would you be,accepting some signs and not others?

This is an old thread so I wondering if there is a newer one I missed on this topic. We are planning on going to Orient tomorrow and if there is a place that a person can eat at and get their chairs free if they eat? If not, where do people recommend sitting and eating this year? Thanks.

Orange Fever has great food. We spent half our vacation eating lunch there. Although, we rented chairs at Club O. Orange Fever does have a chair rental special though, but I can't recall what it was. You definitely have to have lunch there.

Also, I highly recommend the rotisserie chicken at Yellow Sub. You have to order a day ahead. It's totally worth it. Just pick it up at the end of day for a great meal back at your place. Make sure to order the potatoes too. They get basted by the chicken drippings for a decadent savory treat.

We just returned from a stay at La Playa. Chairs are $10. Not sure if eating there lowers that. But I can say the chairs, service, drinks, and food are great.

Thanks. We may have to experiment and see what fits our fancy.
Chairs for $10 for one or two or ?
I'm not sure if we're Club O ready but who knows. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duel.gif" alt="" />

The Beach at Club O is clothing optional by law. However, most people are naked. If you are wearing anything, I think you will stick out like a sore thumb.

Very surprised that no one has mentioned the beach at Pedro's. our favorite. $15.00 for 2 chairs and 2 rum punches. Also free use of the washroom. Many people go natural there as well. Yes, the beach vendors do come around. But, just a no thank you works. They are not aggressive at all.

We LOVE Le String. No place really gives FREE chairs...they are usually built into the price of the food. Le String chargers 20 dollars for 2 chairs and umbrellas...and 2 drinks, including frozen specialty drinks, are included in the price....PLUS...the food there is DELICIOUS!! We found a good meal there, plus the price of lunch is cheaper than the places for lunch and free chairs!!!!!! my two cents.

We ending up going to Pedro's. There were no beach vendors as there was a sign posted saying no vendors allowed so we never got bothered there but I don't know if that is the reason they were not on this side.
I kind of stuck out like a sore thumb but some people did have their suits on. No law says you have to be naked it just says you can be naked.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/breakingnews.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/breakingnews.gif" alt="" /> Scotty arrested for wearing swimsuit on beach. Sentenced to 30 days of watching old people run around naked.

That's funny on the arrest Scotty!!!<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> My wife wasn't beach ready either when we first started visiting SXM, but now we stay at the Club, and she even does the early morning beach walk, sans top <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

No, that's not correct at all. Many people use the Club O beach and wear some clothing, full bathing suit, bathing suit bottom, pareo. It doesn't matter. No one cares, and regardless of what you wear, you will not stick out like a sore thumb by what you are wearing. If you do weird stuff or gawk openly, that's a different thing. Wear what you like on Club O beach. All are welcome.

Carol, I'm joking with my comments.

Carol, we didn't see too many people wearing clothes yesterday. No problem here. People can do what they want to.
I had sunglasses on so they couldn't tell if I was gawking or not. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
As for weird stuff, I always do weird stuff. I guess it's just what you consider weird. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/noevil.gif" alt="" />

Scotty--I knew you were joking. I was referring to chief's comments.

Oh. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/sorry.gif" alt="" />
I didn't pay attention who you were replying to.

La Playa has excellent food and if you dine there the chairs are free!