Hello Everyone! Just got back late last night, below is my trip report. I'll be around the next couple days to answer any questions.

Trip Report – Group of six ranging from mid 20’s to early 40’s. Flights on USAir no issue. Rental Car AAA Car Rental. Vehicle was fine, but had 2 issues that will probably stop me from renting from them in the future. Accomodations – 2 side by side units in the former Mont Vernon hotel in Cul de Sac (Saba Building.) The positives: price. location right on Orient Beach. Nice large pool. Plenty of parking in the dirt lot by the tennis courts. Pizza joint right on site. The negatives: The rooms were not really that clean. The place in general seems to be in need of a face lift. The pool deck is especially bad in places. In summary, I much prefer Bruno’s O paradis bungalows, especially now seeing he has a pool and wifi. On the subject of wifi, I could not find a good unprotected signal at the Mont Vernon resort. They do have a computer area for internet, however. I ended up using the wifi at Bikini Beach or Aloha. Below is a day by day breakdown. Being an early bird, I got up around 5am everyday and did some running, hiking, or driving while the others worked on their beauty sleep. Hikes/Walks included Anse Marcel, Friars to Happy Bay, Dawn Beach, Galeon, Cul de Sac.
Day 1 – Arrived a little early great start. Grabbed the car and drove to Mont Vernon. Met our contact and then off to the US Market for necessaties: Rum, Amstel Bright etc. We hit the pool and then Paris, Texas for dinner. Very good. Walked around Orient Village and then good night.
Day 2 – Orient Beach – good to be back. 1st drink at Palm Beach Bar. Nice place. Then cocktails at Kontiki, Le String, Orange Fever, the Perch. Lunch at Orange Fever – good. Dinner was pizza from Mont Vernon and then the pool for an early turn in due to St. Barts the next day.
Day 3 – St. Barts. We took the fast ferry from Bobby’s marina in Philipsburg. 45 minute easy ride. I have had rougher ferry rides from St. Thomas to St. John and did not think it was bad at all. St. Barts in one word – pristine. Rented a car from Budget. They picked us up at the ferry dock. Breakfast at Le Repair, ok. We drove around the island with our first stop being Anse de Saline. Beautiful. 2nd stop St. Jean beach very nice and watching the planes is really interesting. We laid our towels by the Tom Beach hotel and had drinks there for a bit. $21 for a Captain Morgan and diet coke, no further comment. Next stop was Le Select for lunch and more drinks. Then Shell Beach and Do Brasil for drinks. Ended the day by staring into Gustavia harbor. Wow some small boats there! Expensive day, but really worth it. The island was really pretty and we had a great day. Dinner was at the Dingy Dock. Good drinks, food was not good, very dry. Could have been due to the place being packed.
Day 4 – Orient Beach. We parked at the Sun Beach Club, which I believe used to be Brice Paradise, but I could be wrong. The décor is very south beach. Lunch was good. We drank at Bikini beach, le String, Andy& Cheryl’s, Pedro’s, and the Perch. Dinner at Peg Leg Pub and little Blackjack at the Princess Casino.
Day 5 – Pinel Ilet. Very cool. We setup at orange beach (Up on the Key is the name) Great lunch and drinks. Hiked over the hill to the deserted beach, very private wink wink. Dinner was at Bikini beach. Good and free wifi! We actually walked from Mont Vernon to Bikini beach and back, no issues. But we were alert.
Day 6 – Beach hop day. Baie Rogue, Maho, Simpson, Kim Sha. Drinks at Gus’s, Driftwood, Sunset, Bliss, Bucanneer, La Bamba. Lunch at Bucanneer Beach bar good. Tuesday night, harmony night at Grand Case. Dinner at Calmos Café good.
Day 7 – Philipsburg day to see the Oasis of the Seas in port. Ladies shopped. Men drank at various establishments including the Honky tonk bar. Lunch at the Barefoot very good. Dinner at Pineapple Petes very good. Drinks at ESPN. Late night drinking at Bliss.
Day 8 – Orient Beach. Drinking at various bars. Lunch at Aloha – extremely good. Dinner pizza at Mont Vernon.
Day 9 – Check out and then headed to Karakter on Simpson Bay. Great place to enjoy final hours with a shower onsite.
Great trip!

take care,
Mike