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Day 1 - A spontaneous trip to SXM
#132392
06/12/2017 05:52 AM
06/12/2017 05:52 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
PelicanPirate
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
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Just last Tuesday we saw we could get away and saw $364 roundtripmairfare from Toronto on American. we contacted StudioSXM and the same unit we had last time at Mt Vernon was available at a great rate. We booked SIXT car rental off Kayak.
Left Saturday for our several hour drive to Toronto crossing the border at Detroit/Windsor. Painless. The drive from Detroit to Toronto is nice,if not a little boring, just green countryside. The road speeds up as you approach Toronto Pearson and GPS took us to Crowne Plaza which we Got with points. Got a nice suite and ordered room service. At 5am got up, drove 4 minutes to the Value Park Garage and took the litlle train to Terminal 3. Checkin at American was painless, went through security and U?S. preclearance for our flighto Charlotte. Flight was pleasant and landed early just before 9 and walked to Terminal D where a 930 flight was boarding to SXM. But we had a checked bag so we walked past to our 11ish flight. Had some nice bagel breakfast sandwiches and we were soon. Boarding. We had 3 seats to ourselves and we had a very pleasant flight to SXM landing early at 3pm. Immigaration was no line and painless, grabbed our bag and exited. Went to SIXT counter and they directed us to their van spot. Felt ike 5 rain drops as we waited for van which showed up right way before Hertz, Avis and others. He took the two of us the the rental shop where there was no line, and we were fast signing papers. We paid 14/. Day for a mini but got a brand new Golf. Nice car. Kind of wooried about the brand new part.
By 4pm we were in our unit at Mt Vernon. Nice/clean as expected.
Unpacked a little and hopped in car to find something to eat and buy some provisions. Le Piment wasnt opened yet nor was astrolabe and Kakoa was wrapping up, so we went to Petit Casino and Got Carib, Champagne, chocolate Croissants and laundry detergent for our stuidos washer.
We ate at yellow sub last June first meal and wanted different, so we went to Rancho Del Sol. Had never been and the reviews have been mixed at best. Got a nice table with a great view and ordered our First Caribs which were doubled by Happy Hour. Had a nice pizza and sampler appetizer followed by the best rum shots (really they left the bottle) weve had on-island. 30 bucks or so, back to the,room. Washed the days clothes and out like a light.
Sun just coming up on Orient and it is beautiful.
And to think we booked less than a week a go. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Day 1 - A spontaneous trip to SXM
[Re: PelicanPirate]
#132393
06/12/2017 06:31 AM
06/12/2017 06:31 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,894
Bahston
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,894
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Re: Day 1 - A spontaneous trip to SXM
[Re: PelicanPirate]
#132397
06/12/2017 03:19 PM
06/12/2017 03:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,147 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,147
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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In the past I always used to book flights no more than two weeks from the date of departure because I always got the best prices then. The planes are not full and they offer good prices to fill the flight. I might just start to do that again when I travel since there is less chance of having to cancel for various reasons. Enjoy your trip!
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Re: Day 1 - A spontaneous trip to SXM
[Re: PelicanPirate]
#132399
06/12/2017 05:03 PM
06/12/2017 05:03 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081 Clearwater, FL
Biturbo
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
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Sounds wonderful - including the airfare.
I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
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Re: Day 1 - A spontaneous trip to SXM
[Re: DavidinChelseaMA]
#132402
06/12/2017 07:00 PM
06/12/2017 07:00 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 399 Detroit
bluejacket
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 399
Detroit
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DavidinChelseaMA said:Mt. Vernon seems really nice in the website photos, but there are very "all over the place" reviews on another website that shall remain nameless. Wondering who to believe regarding the reviews.... We've stayed there four time so far. It's super hilly and since the units are individually owned, the state of repair varies widely. StudioSXM has always been excellent. Our first few trips we stayed at resorts. Mt. Vernon is completely different, you are really on your own. I suppose negative type reviews are from those who want a more resort like experience. Also, did I mention the hills? I cannot overstate how hilly it is. We like Mt.Vernon for a few reasons: we love the french side, we enjoy grocery shopping for unique things, preparing some of our own meals is fun, orient beach is the best, we have a circuit that runs between Mt.Vernon and Club O--our entire vacation takes place in that circuit so that we maximize beach time, the pizza at Mt.Vernon is really good, the pool is perfect for a late night dip. I could go on but just pm me if you want more info.
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Re: Day 1 - A spontaneous trip to SXM
[Re: DavidinChelseaMA]
#132404
06/12/2017 07:58 PM
06/12/2017 07:58 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,044 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,044
Central Florida!
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All units at Mt Vernon are individually owned, so the fit and finish is different in each unit. In addition, the property is a 'self catering' type of place, not for those that want a hotel situation. Parking often is a hike from the lot to your unit. Advantage is that the price is very reasonable.
Carol Hill
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Re: Day 1 - A spontaneous trip to SXM
[Re: bluejacket]
#132408
06/15/2017 09:52 AM
06/15/2017 09:52 AM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 99 Florida
WhitandTamra
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 99
Florida
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Sounds like you are off to a great start to a glorious sxm trip! Yellow umbrellas by 815 am?! Wow! We've never managed to get there that early! Feeling jealous, as our trip isn't until August 5th....we are counting down the days! This time we will be staying there so we should be able to plant ourselves by 815 as well! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
Last edited by WhitandTamra; 06/15/2017 09:54 AM.
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Re: Day 1 - A spontaneous trip to SXM
[Re: PelicanPirate]
#132409
06/15/2017 10:24 AM
06/15/2017 10:24 AM
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 658 Maine
SXMbeacher
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 658
Maine
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It sounds like your going to have a great time! Yellow umbrellas and the Perch doesn't get any better than that! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
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