JAR,
Like so many others, I would also suggest Beachside Villas if you're the type who is independent and doesn't NEED all the resort amenities. The units are well equipped and furnished much as you'd expect a beachside property to be and its so nice to fall off to sleep with the sound of the waves lulling you into la la land over the hum of the air conditioning. It's on the Dutch side of the island and while there's not that much within walking distance in the line of restaurants and such beyond Karakter and Sunset Bar and Grill, it's an easy drive to Maho and Cupecoy for some incredibly good restaurants and tucked in between the two is Mullet Bay Beach, one of the best on the island and my personal favorite.
My next suggestion would be Grand Case Beach Resort just outside restaurant row in Grand Case. It's a full resort but not obtrusively so. It boasts its own very good restaurant, swimming pool, and two different beaches and incredibly wonderful little nooks and crannies with lounges if you want an hour or two off the beach but in the shade. And on top of that, it has full service drink service on the beach and all kinds of water toys available, too. We've only stayed there once in studio with loft and it was delightful.
And then there's Mary's Boon, again, on the beach with a restaurant and bar, and a small pool which is for guests only. You would definitely want a car for dining around and sight-seeing and such, but it sure is nice to walk out your door and be right on the beach. The restaurant is great for breakfast and lunch, or at least, it always was when we went there, but IMHO, just so-so for dinner, although once upon a time it was wonderful.
There are several places on or very near to Orient Beach but I'm not that well informed and personally knowledgable about them. We don't rate Orient Beach as high as most people in our list of favorites so while a day at the beach with lunch is nice, it wouldn't be one of my preferred places to stay but those who do give it high marks.
Sonesta Maho Bay or Sonesta Great Bay are both nice and Maho in particular is very convenient to night time entertainment and dining.
And these are just the tip of the SXM iceberg.....there are some very expensive properties on and off the beach, oodles of timeshare resorts and hotels and incredible numbers of private villas available but too little time to research them if you're hoping for this coming January, I'm thinking. I think cruder nailed it with regard to MB ~ vs ~ GCBC......THE SUNSETS THERE ARE INCREDIBLE.
Good luck in your search and I hope you enjoy St. Maarten/St. Martin as much as most here do. This is one island that draws people back year after year and trip after trip, and no matter how many other spots we explore, it's the only island that literally has called us home for over forty years. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
