Trip Summary July visit

Our 1st visit since Irma but have visited many times over the years. Stayed at the Divi from 14 -26 July. Utilized beach there every day, property is in excellent condition. Car rental from Kenny's, great service. Pick up car at airport. Flights from Austin to Charlotte and same on return, on time and uneventful even if it was American. The weather was on the warm side according to the local folks we chatted with, only one early morning shower but beautiful weather all other times. Visited Royal Jewelers on Front St. Vince has been our go to jeweler for over 25 years, great service. The wife always seems to find something she needs. Upgraded graded her diamond tennis bracelet for her 50th anniversary and magically a new sapphire/diamond bracelet ended up on her other wrist.

Motorcycle drivers have seems to have gotten worse, overall traffic conditions seemed okay.

Now for what most people want to read about, FOOD, breakfast in room this trip other meals below:

14 July - Sunday, Mark's Place, arrival meal was close to Divi always good food for the money, chicken and blackened fish.

15 July - Monday, lunch downtown on Boardwalk after jewelry shopping. Walked to Belair from Divi for dinner, every Monday night they have all you can eat buffet ribs, chicken and assorted salads, and desert for $20 + 15%. Buy Charlie, the cook, a beer he won't forget you when going thru the serving line.

16 July - Tuesday, lunch El Zafiro, island fare, decent food, plenty to eat. Chesterfield's for dinner, Mahi-Mahi, and stuffed shrimp w/crab always excellent food at reasonable prices.

17 July - Wednesday, friends late afternoon arrived for a week. Again to Mark's Place for dinner, food was very good for all, lunch was at Divi.

18 July - Thursday, lunch at Champagne Bristo in Orange Grove shopping area. Had chicken which is flown in from France, WOW.
Sylvan, who also own the Wine shop next door, always serves excellent food, the chocolate mouse, is the best. We always get a few bottles of Champagne and Rose from him. Headed to Frenchy Ludos' for dinner, the pork tenderloin and duck were delicious as was the fish entries.

19 July - Friday, lunch downtown. Headed over to the French side to Spiga's for dinner. Laura greeted us and we dined inside. The lamb, steak, fish and homemade pasta dishes were excellent. This place is always an excellent choice.

20 July - Saturday, Bucanner Beach Bar for lunch, ribs not as good as before. For dinner we stayed at the Divi and went to the PureRoc. You cook your meals on a lava rock at the table, experience was very good. Food was good, especially the smashed potatoes. We had steak, fish and scallops. We used to cook this way at the Stone, in Simpson Bay, but has closed since Irma and never reopened.

21 July - Sunday, Tried Emilios restaurant for lunch, pizza was very good, hamburgers average. Back to Chesterfield's for dinner, everyone 's food was very good. Excellent service and eating on the waterfront.

22 July - Monday, Took our friends back to the Belair for the dinner buffet of ribs/chicken . Lunch at the Divi was just average.

23 July - Tuesday, returned to Champagne Bristo for lunch, it was that good. Drove over to Cuecopy to Mario's Bristo for dinner, had reservations, but was not busy. Appetizers were excellent, the meals were outstanding but we felt they were not hot as you would think they should be. There were fewer than 20 guests but only 2 severs working.

24 July - Wednesday, friends left for home. We went to Topper's for lunch, the ribs were very good. Opted to try Isola's next to Hollywood Casino for dinner. Has only been open for about 2 years, had pistachio crusted tuna, I couldn't even finish my meal as there was so much food, wife had breaded veal chop. The food was outstanding. This meal was the best of our trip. Seating inside with A/C, great service.

25 July - Thursday, We decided to try Guayabera Beach Club, behind the police station for lunch. I've had many burgers on the island but these with gouda cheese were the best by far. Wished we had tried this place sooner. We enjoyed Isolas so much went back for our last night. We split a pizza, which was crispy and more than enough food for two. This restaurant is very good.

26 July - Friday, got up early, packed and left for airport and turn in car by noon. Lines to check in moved quickly, grabbed lunch after clearing security, a few places to buy food. Much work remains before airport is fully operational but they are making it work.

Overall , had an excellent vacation, relaxing, reading, eating and enjoying life.
Until we return, goodbye St Maarten.

Thanks for the report! I may need to try that Guayaberra Bearch Club next time.

Great Report, Thx. Never been to several places you mentioned. Have some work to do next time.

Nice report. We loved Isola also and was the best meal ever! spaghetti seafood Isola was awesome. Still have not made it to marks.

Isola is my go to place. Marco has done a lot to turn this place around. No longer go to izi as Isola beats them hands down. As far as guaybera beach club we went there and was unimpressed with the beach and setting. Turned around and walked away.

Thanks for the report. Scubaman notwithstanding, have heard several good things about this place so it's on my list for my next trip.

Champagne Bistro is one of our favorite places! You can also do a wine tasting at Sylvain's Select Wine Cellar next door. So much fun and very educational! He has wines for every price point.

Pls guide me to Champagne Bistro and this shopping center. Think I tried twice to find it and obviously didn’t. So say I am passing The Yacht Club...where to from there? Thx.

You'll love it.

Think also if I go over the bridge and turn right its somewhere off there?

If you cross the causeway, turn right onto Union Road and go almost to the opposite end of Union. There's a strip mall in Orange Grove, across from the corner where Harley Davidson used to be. Le Champagne and Sylvain's Wine Cellar are in the corner of the strip mall.

If you are going toward Pburg from the Yacht Club, turn at the roundabout by the new market that used to be, was it Dollar Tree? Anyway, the "old" grocery store has been updated and reopened. Turn left at the roundabout and go straight through to Union Road. I *think* you will need to turn right to get to the strip mall.

Sounds lovely Wineman.
Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed reading.

Thanks for the report.

Guayabera Beach Club location. You wrote "behind the police station"; The only Police station I'm familiar with is downtown Phillipsburg near Salt Pond. Is that where it is? Or is there a satillight police station somewhere?

sounds like a boiler plate visit to st maarten
Positive thru and thru
gutta wait till march 2020, unless i can talk the other half into an early visit....fingers crossed

There is a Police Station in Simpson Bay by the bridge. Guayabera Beach Club is on Simpson Bay Beach on the road that goes behind PS and McDonalds.

https://www.facebook.com/Guayabera-Beach-Club-411163582753546/

We have enjoyed our visits there.

Thanks for the report.Notes taken.

Thx Jazz. Appreciate it.

Thanks Elaine.