Been a few years since we've been to SXM and just found nice airfares for end of Dec first of Jan. We are on a limited budget and will pay for the airfare with miles. Needing some ideas for affordable lodging in high season. We are open to location, but do usually hit OB every day.

TIA

That's New Year's Eve time, some of the highest prices for lodging that particular time of year. You were lucky to get airfare miles for that time. Good luck!

On a budget I would suggest Mont Vernon. Use VRBO or airb&b to check prices and availability.

Agree with both of the other responses--that is THE most expensive time of the year. And since you're interested in Orient, probably Mt. Vernon would be your best bet for cheaper

There are plenty of places to stay which are budget friendly. Try this site:

St Martin Vacations

They have a separate list of places to stay for those on a budget.

I just posted this information in another thread.

There are two very inexpensive places in Coralita and Oyster Pond:

Coralita Apartments

Blue Beach Studios

Rates range from $58-$63/night depending upon season. Either of these would be just a few minutes' drive from Orient.

Jazzgal, I have looked at Coralita online and it looks nice enough. Have you stayed there?

I have not. But DonLinda has/have written reports after staying there, and they liked it.

Another site you may want to check is: http://islandescapesxm.com/

Excellent info...thanks to all. How crazy is SXM this time of year? Traffic? Waiting times at restaurants? Available chairs at Club O beach? We have always been ther in July on past visits.

It doesn't get any busier! Our first trip we arrived on Dec 31st 2002, packed but we had a ball and have not stopped coming back.
Cheers,
Todd

You talked me into it, Todd....lol. Just booked our air and will be on SXM 12-31 to 1-7. Just need to figure out the lodging. Will try to hold out and surprise my wife just before Xmas. Looking forward to returning.

We came across this website this year when a place on HomeAway was already booked for February 2018. The owner referred us here https://antilleslocation.com where she had another property listed. It's a French website and it took a little work to get it to translate on our old laptop, but there are a few budget places - and not so budget friendly places located here. It's a little less user friendly than HomeAway and VRBO, but we did get it figured out! We always travel on a budget as to where we stay (always in the village area) but with in walking distance to the beach and the restaurants. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Have a blast! We did that trip on a budget, had some free lodging and airfare which helped.

On that trip back in 2002/03, not knowing much other than my previous trips to the USVI we were just searching to see what RCI came up with. We had free Delta tickets to use so we booked for San Juan and then decided that where ever our week came up in the Caribbean we would connect to from there. When we got the Divi on SXM we had some extra days so thought why don't we spend the first few nights on St Barts prior to SXM. LOL, we found one place that was only $550 per night if we rented a week but found a few places that did not require a week and they started at about $10k per night. We passed and instead had more nights on SXM. I still laugh thinking about it, still have not been to St Barts.

Again, have a great trip and I am sure you will find a place to stay that will fit the budget.

Cheers!

Would like to hear opinions of this area in Oyster Pond. We have stayed at OBBR a few times and never felt unsafe, but down the road around Captain Olivers it felt a bit different to us...and not in a good way.
Also curious if anyone has stayed at Naturist Getaway in the sane area.
Appreciate your help.

Gerard and Maryse are wonderful people. We stayed at their home which is Chez Maryse and Coralita in 2012 and at their Blue Beach Studio in January 2009.

The area around Captain Oliver's was about as safe as any other on the island. We saw nothing to fear during the day; nor at night when walking down to the docks for dinner. Linda ran the hill streets every morning without any incidents.

The prices are around $60/night and they have remained that for years...no extra charges for electricity or silly Dutch taxes.

The drive to Orient is pretty easy and quick. Anse Marcel is also reasonable close. Coralita beach really isn't an option. There are a couple of good restaurants in the area.

Here are a few links. We recommend renting from Maryse totally.

http://www.st-martin-vacation.com/Condos-Apartments/Apt-Coralita.html#Maryse

http://www.st-martin-vacation.com/Condos-Apartments/Apt-BlueBeach.html

Our two trip reports.

http://donlinda.net/SXMJan2009/index.htm

http://donlinda.net/SXM2012/index.htm

And our links page. http://donlinda.net/StMartin/index.htm

Thank you DL.....very much appreciated!