Posted By: Wingman
Days 1-3 - 03/29/2019 01:04 PM
I am making my 1st attempt at writing a trip report. I enjoy reading so many others, that I would like to contribute as well. I have been coming to SXM since I was a kid. My parents owned at Mullet Bay. In thinking about it on this trip, I realized that I've now been coming down at least once a year for 50 years now. Boy has this island changed, but I love it and appreciate every trip.
Started out on Tuesday morning, leaving Windsor Locks CT(BDL) at 6:30AM enroute to Charlotte(CLT), an hour later, the final leg to SXM. Arrived a little early and looking out, there were quite a few jets already there. My 1st thought, the line getting in will be awful. While it wasn't as long as I expected, it moved pretty quickly. On to baggage claim, normal wait time there. It was great to be in the terminal again, but can't wait for them to finish. As we departed the terminal, Lesley from Kenny's car rental spotted us immediately and took us to our car. Lesley provides such a great service. We have been using him for quite a few years now and wouldn't think of anyone else to rent a car from.
We decided to break all the rules and went directly to the Carrefour on Bush Road. Did our shopping and then finally on our way to Beachside Villas. This is our 22nd year in a row, with the exception of spring 2000(Hurricane Lenny). BSV is heaven on earth to me. The beauty, the staff, everything about it just puts you right into island mode. I would never think about staying at any other place. Everyone here is like family and this is our 2nd home. We had friends from Canada that were on their last days here. We met them several years ago here and have stayed in touch. We unpacked and went right down to Villa 14 for our 1st cocktails on the island. Drew and Tracy Mascarin were there and it was great fun catching up with everyone. While I've seen Drew on many trips in between, it had been a couple of years since seeing Tracy and it was wonderful to see her again. After some cocktails on the deck, it was Susan's choice to go to Pineapple Pete's for dinner, it was her birthday. It was a fun night, but being up since 2:30AM, we were back at the villa at 9 and lights out.
Wednesday was spent solidifying island mode on the beach. Morning breakfast was fresh pastries from Jule's Bakery. We discovered Jule's on our last trip in October and it did not disappoint. The beach at BSV is full and wonderful. It was a very hot day, but a stronger than usual wind made it wonderful. Surf was pretty rough and I'm told it's been that way for a few days. Went in the water a couple of times though and it was great. A little snooze late afternoon and our group went to Sale & Pepe's for dinner. While I know there's been debates back and forth, we always found the food and the service to be great here. I had the Carbonara and it was just as delicious as always. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Upon returning to BSV, we got out of the car and the lights all went out. With the exception of the airport, the lights were out from Beacon Hill all the way down to Mary's Boon. We ended up just getting some lanterns in the villa and sat out on the deck with cocktails. The power came back about an hour later. Good ol GEBE.
Thursday started out pretty much the same. Morning stop at Jule's, breakfast on the deck and more beach time. Our friends from Canada left around noon and so glad we got to spend some time with them. Dinner was at JAX Steakhouse. It's the new steakhouse where Bajatzu used to be. It pretty much looks the same with the exception of a piano near the wall as you go into the restrooms. We arrived around 8PM and half way through dinner, the entertainment started. They had a really good piano player. We chose to sit outside on the balcony. They had the doors all open and there were speakers outside, so it was like being in the restaurant. The food was really great. For apps we had a beef tar tare and grilled caesar salad, main plates, a fillet mignon and NY strip. All was excellent. We were a little disappointed with the service though. The hostess was fantastic, smiling, pleasant, upbeat, and friendly. The server/bartender was nice enough, but just not "on top of it". No drink orders were taken when he brought the menus and when he came to take our order for food, I brought up the fact that we'd like a cocktail before dinner. There were many other things that just "lacked" from him during the dinner. Inside the restaurant, there were a couple of servers who were there when it was Bajatzu who I know are great servers, including Kevin the old bartender. So I don't want to bash the whole restaurant on their service, I do think it was the one that we ended up with. I'm sure we'll be going back this trip. Just as we were leaving, we ran into Vinnie from Aquamania. Vinnie was my 1st dive instructor 20 years ago. He's originally from Brooklyn. He has retired from Aquamania but remained on the island. It was so good to see him. After dinner, it was off to the casino for a bit. We'll say it was a draw, neither donating nor coming away with anything. It was good to see the craps table going though. It was a lot of fun.
I hope this isn't too long. I'm also sorry I don't have any pictures to post. I keep forgetting my camera when going out. This is my 3rd trip to SXM since Irma. I've been very impressed this trip to the progress the island has made. Maho looks almost ready to burst again. The casino and Sonesta came out beautiful. While Sonesta is not done completely, the front is and it's magnificent. I just love the new look. Little by little the shops there are opening. So great to be back. I'll try and get some pictures and continue to post.
Started out on Tuesday morning, leaving Windsor Locks CT(BDL) at 6:30AM enroute to Charlotte(CLT), an hour later, the final leg to SXM. Arrived a little early and looking out, there were quite a few jets already there. My 1st thought, the line getting in will be awful. While it wasn't as long as I expected, it moved pretty quickly. On to baggage claim, normal wait time there. It was great to be in the terminal again, but can't wait for them to finish. As we departed the terminal, Lesley from Kenny's car rental spotted us immediately and took us to our car. Lesley provides such a great service. We have been using him for quite a few years now and wouldn't think of anyone else to rent a car from.
We decided to break all the rules and went directly to the Carrefour on Bush Road. Did our shopping and then finally on our way to Beachside Villas. This is our 22nd year in a row, with the exception of spring 2000(Hurricane Lenny). BSV is heaven on earth to me. The beauty, the staff, everything about it just puts you right into island mode. I would never think about staying at any other place. Everyone here is like family and this is our 2nd home. We had friends from Canada that were on their last days here. We met them several years ago here and have stayed in touch. We unpacked and went right down to Villa 14 for our 1st cocktails on the island. Drew and Tracy Mascarin were there and it was great fun catching up with everyone. While I've seen Drew on many trips in between, it had been a couple of years since seeing Tracy and it was wonderful to see her again. After some cocktails on the deck, it was Susan's choice to go to Pineapple Pete's for dinner, it was her birthday. It was a fun night, but being up since 2:30AM, we were back at the villa at 9 and lights out.
Wednesday was spent solidifying island mode on the beach. Morning breakfast was fresh pastries from Jule's Bakery. We discovered Jule's on our last trip in October and it did not disappoint. The beach at BSV is full and wonderful. It was a very hot day, but a stronger than usual wind made it wonderful. Surf was pretty rough and I'm told it's been that way for a few days. Went in the water a couple of times though and it was great. A little snooze late afternoon and our group went to Sale & Pepe's for dinner. While I know there's been debates back and forth, we always found the food and the service to be great here. I had the Carbonara and it was just as delicious as always. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Upon returning to BSV, we got out of the car and the lights all went out. With the exception of the airport, the lights were out from Beacon Hill all the way down to Mary's Boon. We ended up just getting some lanterns in the villa and sat out on the deck with cocktails. The power came back about an hour later. Good ol GEBE.
Thursday started out pretty much the same. Morning stop at Jule's, breakfast on the deck and more beach time. Our friends from Canada left around noon and so glad we got to spend some time with them. Dinner was at JAX Steakhouse. It's the new steakhouse where Bajatzu used to be. It pretty much looks the same with the exception of a piano near the wall as you go into the restrooms. We arrived around 8PM and half way through dinner, the entertainment started. They had a really good piano player. We chose to sit outside on the balcony. They had the doors all open and there were speakers outside, so it was like being in the restaurant. The food was really great. For apps we had a beef tar tare and grilled caesar salad, main plates, a fillet mignon and NY strip. All was excellent. We were a little disappointed with the service though. The hostess was fantastic, smiling, pleasant, upbeat, and friendly. The server/bartender was nice enough, but just not "on top of it". No drink orders were taken when he brought the menus and when he came to take our order for food, I brought up the fact that we'd like a cocktail before dinner. There were many other things that just "lacked" from him during the dinner. Inside the restaurant, there were a couple of servers who were there when it was Bajatzu who I know are great servers, including Kevin the old bartender. So I don't want to bash the whole restaurant on their service, I do think it was the one that we ended up with. I'm sure we'll be going back this trip. Just as we were leaving, we ran into Vinnie from Aquamania. Vinnie was my 1st dive instructor 20 years ago. He's originally from Brooklyn. He has retired from Aquamania but remained on the island. It was so good to see him. After dinner, it was off to the casino for a bit. We'll say it was a draw, neither donating nor coming away with anything. It was good to see the craps table going though. It was a lot of fun.
I hope this isn't too long. I'm also sorry I don't have any pictures to post. I keep forgetting my camera when going out. This is my 3rd trip to SXM since Irma. I've been very impressed this trip to the progress the island has made. Maho looks almost ready to burst again. The casino and Sonesta came out beautiful. While Sonesta is not done completely, the front is and it's magnificent. I just love the new look. Little by little the shops there are opening. So great to be back. I'll try and get some pictures and continue to post.
