Trip Report

Well to get back to our trip - we just left and I have to say the trip was great. My wife has a problem walking cause she'll be getting a knee replacement on May 9th but what a trooper!
So, we ate at Toppers and had the lobster special - wasn't as good as before. Tried Pizza Italy for the 1st time and what a wonderful experience. The pizza was awesome and they make a different pasta dish every night. Since I'm Italian we went there twice. Also went to Pineapple Pete's and had their lobster pasta - I got to tell you that it was great as well.
As far as a car rental we use Triple A and Alain is one great guy. We have used them a few times and he always comes through.
We stayed at Royal Islander La Plage and the place is nice and we are owners but I really don't like the fact that they use dehumidifiers instead of upgrading their air conditioning system. I use the bedroom and I always end up sick by the end of the trip. I think I'm going to get rid of that timeshare this time.
As far as Maho is concerned I do think it is safe to walk around at night but did notice that there were fewer people walking around during the day and night.
I talked to one of the guys at Sunrise where I buy my cigars and he basically said that the Sonesta's room rate are so low and that it is all-inclusive that the people there do not want to spend money at the stores - just have a cheap vacation. I like the fact that the US finally lifted the ban on Cuban cigars and Sunrise gives the best prices on the island.
Will I come back to St. Martin? Probably. But it will have to be at some other location. I like RI but I don't like their dehumidifiers and that I have to dump the water out all the time!
For you phone users I purchased a International Day Plan from AT&T and once Chippie fixed their data system all worked fine for the rest of the trip. The plan was $10 per a 24 hr period for Unlimited - talk, text, and data! Loved it.
Well that's about it - oh I did win in the casino - not much but every bit helps.

And as usual the security people and help were great. Only one person behind the desk was exceptional - the others - well its lucky they have a job!

Hi. I made this it's own thread. Thanks for the report.

Glad you had a nice vacation. Thank you for the report. I always liked Maho but it is becoming a ghost town. Every year there are fewer and fewer stores.

Thanks for the report. Sounds like a good trip.

Thanks for the report. Is Pizza Italy on Airport Rd, almost next to Mc Donalds?

Its across from IZI. Welfare road - same side of street as Pineapple Pete's. Big sign on building "PIZZA ITALY" - can't miss it. next door to the yacht club.

Gosh, we just returned from three weeks at the Royal Islander and we had a lovely time. All the desk people have been there forever and go out of their way to be helpful. I am not a fan of the dehumidifier either, but they certainly do help. We have been going to the RI for 25 years and have loved it since day one. I think they do a terrific job and we are proud owners.

I'm kind of confused on this dehumidifier deal. Is there no a/c???

There are a/c units in the bedroom and dining room. (We have a 1 bedroom unit). The problem is that the units can not handle pulling the moisture out of the air. If the dehumidifiers were not there (only 1 unit in the dining room) then the moisture builds up on the walls, clothes, and paper articles. So, you have to empty the unit out about every 6 or so hours. BTW - we don't have the balcony doors open! Now in the bedroom were there isn't any dehumidifiers it gets very uncomfortable so you have to lower the temp and it gets cold. If you don't do that then the moisture in the air gets very thick. I can't sleep in humid weather. That's how I end up catching a cold.
As far as RI is concerned I like the place but I don't like the fact that they won't upgrade their equipment. The Maintenance fees are pretty high for a 1 bedroom - that's another reason why I'm planning to get rid of this TS. Oh and why can't I have more than 1 pool towel? And most of the personnel behind the desk don't say hi or even smile. Kimany is the best though. Friendly, helpful and a very hard worker.

OK, thanks.

We stayed at the RI for the first time last Fall at the beginning of our trip and didn't have any problems with the a/c. It was very cool in our 2 bedroom 1st floor unit. If there was a dehumidifier we were unaware of it. Maybe because we rent from a private owner we didn't have a problem.

We are staying there again for several nights before moving over to BSV so will ask the owner about the dehumidifier situations.

Thanks for your report.

If there was a dehumidifier in the room you would have heard it. It makes more noise than the A/C. Also you would have had to remove the holding tank in order to empty it. If you didn't then it would have shut off because it was filled with water. The A/C is very cold but in my unit on the 5th floor on the Sonesta side the A/C does not pull the humidty out of the unit. Also I'm an owner as well and I don't think that has anything to do with the dehumidifier.

Spiker, sent you a private message.

LSmayda, Replied.