Have just returned from our first trip to SXM (4th to Caribbean) and felt I should give something back to those that helped me on this forum, by way of a report....will try not to ramble!!
We stayed at the Grand Case Beach Club, which we couldn't fault in any way, the facilities were great and the staff were extremely helpful, especially the guys at the sports desk who looked after your every whim on the beach.
We hired a jeep from Micheal at Unity, I'd set this up by internet before we went and the service was great, car arrived at the hotel just as requested and was picked up at the end with no problems.
We went horse riding at Bayside stables, a very good setup and very enjoyable, although very expensive for an hours ride. Husband and daughter did the rhino ride on the boats round to creole rock, they thoroughly enjoyed this and would have done it again in a flash. We all did the Zip lines at Loterie farm which was one of the highlights of the trip, we all loved it.....would recommend to anyone.
We ate at:
La California - very good
Spicy - excellent, great food and service
Blue Martini - excellent, really well looked after, great food
Loterie Farm - great food
Sunset Cafe - always good, great staff
La petit cafe, Philipsburg - fabulous waiter, great food for excellent prices, went back 3 times!
We found St Martin very different from the other islands we have visited and it was certainly not the most attractive island, but we were won over by the GCBC and its location. The very busy beaches are not to our taste, but we did enjoy Plum bay, Friars Bay and particulary Happy Bay which we had to ourselves for a time and of course the beach at GCBC which although small is great for total relaxation.
Traffic is clearly a big problem on the island and much of it is being spoilt by development, but overall we enjoyed the ambience and the big mix of cultures.....would we go back???......tomorrow!!
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