After the disaster of 2020 which included our March trip three days before departure when the island shut off flights from the US and our rental owner stilling us for our full rental payment, May 2021 more than made up for it.

7am flight from JetBlue flight from Boston arrived early. Got through immigration, customs, baggage pickup, duty free and met Lesley from Kenny’s Car Rental right outside and we were off the grocery store and hotel, by 11:15. We were checked into our hotel and made our way down to Club O beach before Happy hour started. Never had a trip where everything fell into place on travel day like that before.

Orient Beach Hotel was as the pictures show. The old Blue Bay Beach Hotel has been totally rebuilt and remodeled. Florence and Junior were exceptional hosts for the week. Only draw back for us was that brand-new pool closed at 6pm. Our first time on the island that we could not enjoy an after-dinner swim or hot tub. Hope that changes once more travelers return to the island.

Our stay included free chairs at several locations on orient Beach, but we for the first time in a long, we spent the entire week on the same beach. Tried to head off to Cupecoy and Happy Bay on two different days, but the traffic was insane. I guess we needed an earlier start.

Early morning beach walks are our favorite way to start the day followed by grabbing some pastry for the beach or breakfast at Good Morning Cafe. Oh, by the way, we did not have any issues during our au naturel walks, but we were also usually back at our hotel by 7:30.

Anyway, Cedric and his crew continue to do a great job keeping the Club O beach clean and the food and drinks at Perch Lite were great. And best of all nobody grabbing at your feet for a message and no hawkers trying to sell you stuff.

We checked in at Orange Fever for a couple of lunches. Luc is well and his beach chairs and restaurant were packed as usual.

Multiple dinners at Le Piment, a great prime rib and red snapper dinner at Rancho Del Sol and as usual we finished off most days with dinner and drinks at Yellow Sub or somethings just drinks.

Can’t wait for our next trip back to SXM and hopefully we can get away longer next year.