Hi Michael. I'm from KC and have been going to St. Martin / Maarten with my husband every year for about 10 years. We're "newbies" compared to many posters on this very valuable forum. Each trip I gain more info from posters here with new places to try. We used to only stay in Orient Village because we love Orient Beach and Grand Case. The last couple of years we've stayed in Oyster Pond to be more centrally located to Orient and some nightlife and other restaurants in Simpson Bay that have been recommended. Still a bit of a drive, but keeps us close to Orient and not too far from Grand Case. If you stay on the French side, be sure you are at a place with a cistern. We spent a couple of weeks in March with unreliable water. Oyster Pond area is both French and Dutch, depending on which side of border.

We typically fly American from KC (MCI) as we find the best prices. We prefer to fly out through Miami and back to Charlotte if flights available.

Bottom line, check this forum often and take notes. You will get great advice here. And we love Kenny's for car rental!