Mt Vernon

Well, we couldnt resist and drove by in the morning. As weve said we can endure alot and once in the unit we really like it. Parking and the hikes up/down were a chore and parking down the hill always gets your eyes and ears perked up for trouble weve never had.

As soon as you get there you see there are a zillion cars parked all over and the lower lot is packed. Either alot of people are crammed into the livavle units or this has become a junkyard for cars. Strange.

We got out and walked to see first hand.

The highest building got whacked and It will be a long time before those are fixed if ever. They were always filled with french families on our June visits.

As reported the rooves are all off most of the building and they have a flat roof. The railings and bridges are “fixed” and you can get to the units. But all the light fixtures are destroyed, shrubs, cactuses all took a beating.

Strange thing. We didnt see a soul anywhere. So, still dont have a good feeling on safety there and who is living there.

We may buzz by in late afternoon to see whats up. See if the pizza joint is open.

The road up to Mt Vernon is like 10 times worse.

I dont know if well ever be staying here again.

Thanks for the report. I believe someone said that they are supposed to start on fixing the pool soon. Did you see any evidence of that?

We walked there today. No work on the pool. So much damage to the units and didn’t see any work being done. We spent the day at Kakao and it was wonderful to see old friends. It looks great and bathrooms are great! We had lunch and both of us wanted the Mahi-mahi which they were out of. Otherwise we enjoyed our time there.

seascape--thanks for the report. Did you happen to take a picture of the menu from Kakao?

Ditto!

I have seen some photos and the portions and plating look a bit different than what I recall. Would be interested to see what the menu prices are, and new offerings.

If not I'm on it next week!

jeepers--ok, great! Thanks.

Thanks for the report on Mont Vernon, did you see any security people?

Sorry, I did not. Pretty much the usual. Lots of pizzas, several fish entrees, burgers, etc. Prices seemed to be about the same if just a few dollars more. Food was okay, not great but it is the beach so we didn’t expect gourmet.

Maybe I saw a man at the lobby area. I didnt ask but he looked and acted like the guy from before. Ill ask.

Took another walk around. Lots of temporary railings which if standard size could be made and pained up the hill. Some some concete damage which may be harder to restore at the attach points.

The pool maybe worse than I thought as that gigantic pool has a liner inside the concrete walls and it is ripped in many places.

Both the pizza shop folks and the laundry were present and working. Im sure it has been something for all of them but they dont need me bringing up the big hurricane again.

Last night the premises had many of the typical residents you would of seen and what looks like some flown in laborers working to fix things on island but all seemed good enough not to worry about.

It is very nice to walk high on the property and see tbe view to st barths and the good breeze that is always present and I certainly hope to stay there again.

Thanks for the information on Mont Vernon, we are booked to stay there in February Guadalupe Building, I was just wondering if there were any security people working there.

This post to reassure all travelers who are wondering about the Mont Vernon Hotel and its condos.
We are owner, French, we live here.
Our residence is inhabited, operational for a large majority of apartments, owners, tenants and tourists live on site.
The pool is not rebuilt for the moment but you are directly on the Orient Beach still beautiful !
Some of our roofs are flat at the moment but they have been sealed, the new frames and roof sheets will be laid later.
Overall the residence is well lit.
We have a private security service 7/24.
The gardens are well maintained.
Complete renovations will not begin this winter 2019, at best in the spring or summer.
You will find here an excellent accommodation option, with an exceptional view of the beach and the ocean, bonus the calm.
Walking 10-15 minutes to the nudist beach of the Club Orient is also a very good walking activity for your health.
We reply to everybody, we do not erase any post, our photos are real.
Proud to welcome you soon
Thanks to Steven for this space of expression.
Sandy 🌴🐬🌞🥂
————-
Ce post pour rassurer tous les voyageurs qui s'interrogent à propos du mont vernon hotel et de ses appartements.
Nous sommes propriétaire, français, nous vivons ici.
Notre résidence est habitée, elle est opérationnelle pour une grande majorité d’appartements, propriétaires , locataires et touristes vivent sur place.
La piscine n’est pas reconstruite pour le moment mais vous êtes direct sur la plage d’Orient Bay toujours aussi belle !
Certains de nos toits sont plats pour le moment mais ils ont été étanchés, les charpentes neuves et les tôles de toit seront posées ultérieurement.
Globalement la résidence est bien éclairée.
Nous avons un service de sécurité privée 7/24.
Les jardins sont bien entretenus.
Les travaux de rénovation complète ne débuteront pas cet hiver 2019, dans le meilleur des cas au printemps ou cet été.
Vous trouverez donc chez nous une excellente option d’hébergement, avec une vue exceptionnelle sur la plage et l’océan, le calme en prime.
Pour vous rendre à pied en 10-15 minutes à la plage naturiste du Club Orient, c’est aussi une très bonne activité de marche pour votre santé.
Nous répondons à tous, nous n’effaçons aucun post, nos photos sont réelles.
Fier de vous accueillir prochainement
Merci à Steven pour cet espace d’expression
Sandy 🌴🐬🌞🥂

We have met many people who are staying there and heard much in the last couple of days to echo what you have said.

Security is in place and so if you know your unit you will get the same experience, as we have me tioned Mt Vernon Pizza is open and has much more than Pizza. They are chefs.

Will probably stay at Mt. ernon next visit.

Thank you on the update of Mont Vernon, we are looking forward to our next visit, we will be there February 20 until March 20th

My wife and I are staying at Mt Vernon next week. Is the beach at Mt Vernon good for swimming? Is there a place close by where we can buy fruits?

YUP ..One can swim at Mont Vernon ...the wind and surf have been up for the past 4 weeks and lots of people are in the water here... but one can easily walk to the other end of the beach ....about 20 minute walk and swim at the far end of the Club Orient beach where surf is much more gentle.

You can get fruit at Leader Price, Hope Market, and Petit Casino (all within a 20-25 walk or 5-8 minute drive).... none of them have all types of fruits every day ..but there is choice over several days. Also ... if you have a car, stop at one of the road-side stands.

Lots of interior renovation going on here, security is 24/7 ... oh ...and by the way ..one of the "rough spots" on the road at the corner in front of Residence Orient Bay is being dug out and rebuilt ..should be finished by the time you come.

A further note, we have been told by the Condominium Board that the budget has been passed ... and contracts are being signed for major work.

There's also a lovely little market in the French Cul de Sac- Cocci Market. Across the street from what used to be Jam Rock Restaurant. I think the restaurant is now Rouge Royal?

Cool. Hope it all gets spruced up as quick as possible.
A couple of post back made it sound pretty rosy. As for lighting, at least 90% of the big globe lights I saw were broken on 1 January. Clearly, those will cost some dough or just change to a simpler fixture. As for grounds, alot of plants took a hit and will take time to regenerate if still living, but the grass was pretty long and wavy as opposed to all look great.

As for the road getting fixed thats good.

I will be there tomorrow. I will keep everyone posted.

Hope you have a good visit. We were told in January substantial money was in hand and contracts to be let soon (like Feb they said). So will be interesting what you see and hear.

The condominium board has announced that the lighting system will be replaced with solaire lighting; after all, SXM does have lots of that energy generator.

Thanks for the report:)
We are back on the island and first time since Irma. We have previously stayed on occasion up at Mt Vernon however this time we decided not to as the pics on the Airbnb and VRBO postings did not jive with what we expected after a hurricane had hit the area. All the listings we looked at showed old pictures of the grounds and buildings
We took a drive up there yesterday and can confirm the information in your posting. Glad we did not book into the area. We have been coming to the island for years but feel many of the listings were not accurate to what has actually happened to the area. The island is an amazing place for a holiday and the people are incredible. We will continue to return as they rebuild however people need to exercise caution when booking accommodations.