Just home after first trip since Irma

Went with my wife and 13 year old and we stayed at La Plage. We had a unit that looked the same so I’m guessing it wasn’t damaged much. We’ve been going to SXM since 2001 and loved it. We had a trip booked for last March also but Irma struck so we’ve been excited to go back.

I think the three of us were worried it wouldn’t be the same and we’d have lost a place that we all would go to ‘tomorrow’ if we could. The best part of our trip was that no one once said ‘meh, it used to be better’. Except for the sunset beach bar. They’ve really messed up the feel of that place with the stage and the adult slushy machine blocking the view of the runway. Just dumb to me.

Sure there are things that are a work in progress and it’s sad to see pizza pasta gone in Maho, there are improvements too. Sonesta looks better and so does the casino. I won’t miss Cheri’s cafe and I was happy to hear Rudy’s Deep Sea Fishing is no more. The things we loved are still there. Rosie’s on Mullet Bay. Bamboo Bernie’s. The Royal Islander. Le Moulin Fou. We found a few new places we loved too. Fat Tony’s in Cupecoy and Captain’s Ribs in Simpson Bay. Rainbow in Grand Case??? Whoa!!!

We found the people the most friendly on this trip than others. We’ve often joked about how the ‘friendly island’ isn’t all that friendly but this trip had really great interactions with the people.

A negative that we all agreed on that won’t be popular: Cigarette smoke around people having dinner. I enjoy a cigarette myself with a beer but man I’m the first one to have it out of the way of others. I can’t stand the smell, and if you could smell it while having one I’d never have another. In any case, we moved tables several times at dinner as people just lit up without any regard for others. Now I realize you don’t have to, you’re outside on a patio, but quite honestly I’d just rather be around people that were courteous. I actually don’t know why restaurants don’t have a non smoking area for those that want to eat without the cloud. We moved tables at the yacht club, izi and le moulin fou. Two of those we were the only patio table at the time. Then someone takes the table right next to us and sparks up. Who does that?

Anyway, I’m not anti smoker. I just think the island could get into the 2000s with their smoking rules. Vegas did and survived.

Thanks for your very positive and constructive comments. Welcome back.

I'm with you on the smoking issue. Nothing worse than trying to enjoy a good meal only to have someone light up a cigarette right next to you. It is the one thing I dislike most about St. Maarten.

Captain D's is the best for a fast takeout. Glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks for your report. I agree the smoking problem can be a real problem when dining. They really do need to have smoking areas assigned. It seems places that did not allow smoking before Hurrricane Irma have allowed it now to try to up their business. I enjoy the Red Piano Bar, but did not go there on my last trip in November as the smoking has been a big problem. Hopefully things will change there soon. They may be getting a lot of smokers, but they are also losing a lot of non smokers with this new policy.

I am confused by this statement. Is Rudy's Deep Sea Fishing still around or "no more" as stated?

Thanks.

Thanks for your report. I love reading how others spend time on SXM, their likes and dislikes. Information for my next trip.

Still around , but his boat is currently at his home next to us.

Happy to hear a business is gone after Irma? Really?

A year ago my wife and I were having an evening meal at Le Piment in Orient Village and someone sitting close to me was smoking. Cystal, the owner, noticed I was struggling with the smoke. She inquired and I told her I was allergic to the smoke so she asked the person smoking to stop. He apologized to me and put out the cigarette. I don't think smokers realize their smoke affects more them themselves at times. Same not only on SXM but in all countries. It really does ruin a good meal if you have people smoking in next to you while you are eating.

Thanks for the update. Do people light up INSIDE or just on the patios?

I've only seen this on patios, but I could be wrong. The absolute worst is when some guy lights up a huge cigar right next to your table. That happened to us at breakfast on the patio deck at Holland House a few weeks ago. The dude had no clue how bad it was to deal with that smoke. The breeze helped a bit, but it was still very strong. I was thinking to myself "C'mon man, do you really have to smoke a cigar while having breakfast?" If this happened indoors somewhere my wife and I would move to another table if possible.

Or, someone lights up (cigarette or cigar) and then holds it behind them as they do not want the smoke at their table but they have no problem with it wafting by others nearby.

"and I was happy to hear Rudy’s Deep Sea Fishing is no more. "
Wow. What did they do to warrant that comment?

I previously asked about the comment as I was not sure it was intended as stated and I was actually thinking about doing a trip. Hopefully they will respond.

I've been out with taylors charter. Highly recommended them. One of the few that let you keep fish.

Another one I was considering.

Great guy and knows where to find fish.

I also recommend Taylors. I think the guy's name is Dougie who runs the boat (or something similar). He knows what he is doing.

Hey just to provide some colour to my remark about Rudy’s. It wasn’t meant that I hoped Irma took the guy out. Rather I was simply glad to see a business go that I had personally had a horrendous experience with. Rudy’s Deep Sea Fishing remains the biggest rip off of my entire life. The buddy I went with agrees. Anytime I go to the island he reminds me to drive by and salut him. Which I have done until this trip. So, no ill will to him as it relates to Irma, rather just years of hoping his business practices would catch up to him.

Thanks for the clarification.

Yes Thats his name.

Ok. I can understand your feelings. Its hard to get over a bad experience.

On the smoking issue, we just got back a week ago, and Jan and I definitely noticed this while we were there.

At Le Cottage, people definitely went outside to smoke. At Barranco, there is a designated very nice smoking area, separated from the dining area. However, at a number of other dinners there was smoking in the restaurant.

At lunch it was much heavier than we had seen in the past, and many were not considerate of other diners.

At KKO one day the tables on both sides of us were smoking. The table to the right was considerate and keeping their cigarettes below the table.

The fellow on our left chain smoked through our whole lunch with the wind blowing from his table to ours.

No idea why this increase, but we did notice it.

I have found more rude smokers at dinners on the French side than Dutch side.

I guess we've been lucky with the smoking thing. I'm a smoker, but yes, I don't like other peoples smoke. It's simple, get up, walk to the bar, light up. Return to the table.

The reason we see a lot of smokers in SXM (and also all the other Caribbean islands) is there are a lot of European tourists that visit their country and Europeans like to smoke. that's fine with me. The problem with Americans is every country they visit they expect USA laws and rules. Well it doesn't work that way. When you visit another country that upsets you because they do things differently and you don't like it, it's very simple, don't go there. I have been to many countries and I have been embarrassed when I see some Americans act the way they do. Why do you think the saying " the Ugly Americans" started? So when you see smokers in SXM chances are they are either Dutch or French. It is their country.

Understand what your saying but being considerate smokers is another thing. Being rude with smoking in a restaurant is just not acceptable in any country. If I remember right doesn't France have restrictive smoking rules for public places. I enjoy a nice cigar after dinner and at the beach or pool but I would never light up with people near by and if wind would take it their direction.

In France, smoking in an enclosed space, including a restaurant, is illegal. It is legal in an open air restaurant, and restaurants in both St Martin and St Barth have been known to stretch the definition of open air.

Smoking in restaurants and bars is illegal in Canada and has been for several years now. It really makes an evening out very pleasant. I guess that is why dining in island restaurants can sometimes pose a problem. It really does depend if smokers sitting close by are courteous or not. Many are, but sometimes you see others who really have no concern for other diners.

Same in WA state. We just raised smoking age to 21 too.

Does that also apply to marijuana??

That's dumb you can die for your country by you can't smoke

OK, guys, straying here into political stuff, which we don't want to do..