We are staying 9 nights in St Martin and prefer the French side but not mandatory. Looking for a safe area to stay. We don't care about casinos or the night life but more interested in driving (Yes we will rent a car) to a nice beach including Orient Bay, Bay Rouge, and Pinel Island. The most import thing is safety. So any suggestions? We have been to St Martin many times in years past but its been several years since we have gone and I know how things change.

Grand Case Beach Club is very nice. It's located in Grand Case, close to Orient Beach. It's pretty centrally located and quiet, close to great restaurants. Orient Village offers many options for dinners too. As far as safety, be alert, don't wander on the beach at night, don't leave anything in your car, leave expensive jewelry at home, don't carry a purse, only take enough money for that day's activities. Have fun.

I agree Grand Case Beach Club is very nice and safe as well.

My vote is for Orient Village. Lots of great units available. Walk to beach, restaurants and grocery.

Let me add to the list advocating for Grand Case Beach Club. We only stayed there once and that stay was an add-on after two weeks at our timeshare on the Dutch side of the island. But that stay was delightful and perhaps the nicest of all our 'extra' days and stays on the island. We drove through the gates, checked in and never went near our rental car again until it was time to leave for the airport.

GCBC is all the best of an AI with none of the negatives. The beach is lazy and lovely; the units are very nice; the on-site restaurant is very, very good and if you want to do the GC dining venues they're but a short walk (five minutes perhaps??) or a pleasant golf cart ride away.

If you're of a mind, it's a very easy drive from there to Orient Beach. I have to say, though, we were so content we had no desire to leave and took full advantage of the beach service for drinks along with a few meals at the restaurant on site along with all the lovely little quiet alcoves for catching a nap in the shade. It is a lovely destination and I'd go back in a heartbeat. There is also an air of comfort knowing there is on site security personnel who walk the grounds in the evening hours. It's one of the few areas where I've never been aware of troubling issues although I'm sure they're not any more immune than other areas of the island and 'stuff' can happen anywhere. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Ditto to Pat's report. We'll be there again for a week in March and we can't wait.

Thanks for all the info. I will certainly take a strong look at Grand Case Beach Club as well as Orient Village.

We have stayed at 2 different units at the Las Arenas complex on the Dutch side. Very beautiful units, and a convenient location to Maho and Simpson Bay.