Greetings…
Another Trip Report !!!
This was our 16th trip to St Martin, and we loved it like the first. In fact, we’ve already booked next year… Here are some highlights…
TTOL <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
It’s amazing how the camaraderie of this message board works… First, you get valuable information all year from people who are visiting the island… Then while there, you get to meet many of the wonderful folks with whom you have communicated all year… And, what great parties… Many thanks to Lee and Tom and to Contessa and Sword for the great beach party and dinner… (Who has the pictures???)
Shopping - DK Gems <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />
And, speaking of TTOL, the referral to DK Gems was great… We stopped in while shopping in Phillipsburg… As soon as we entered, a ring was calling out to me… They quickly offered a great price, but when we mentioned that we were TTOLers, they offered an even better price… And, we now have our picture on the TTOL Wall Of Fame… SXMNorm and his wife were there as we shopped, too…
Airlines <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
We were on free, frequent flyer tickets from AA again this year… All flights left on time, all arrived early… The service was fine….
Hotel <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
This was our 6th year staying at the Orient Bay Hotel… We continue to believe that this is a great value… Large spaces, very friendly and accommodating staff, 2 pools, morning breakfast, and great views down to Orient Beach… We’ll be staying here again next year…
Car Rental <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
We arrange our car through Orient Bay Hotel each year… The company was SLLocation… They met us at the airport with the car, handed us the keys and said they would meet us at our hotel the next day to do the paperwork… I asked if they could be there at 9 AM (to avoid losing precious beach time), and they were… On our last day, they met us right at the airport again to turn it in… It was a nice Renault, AC, Auto, etc. … It was great….
Restaurants <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
One of our main reasons for visiting St. Martin annually is to enjoy all the great restaurants… There are always new ones to try, as well s the ones that we’ve been to before… Here’s our line up for this year…
Spiga was our best ‘new find’… We loved the atmosphere, the service, the menu , the staff– everything about it… Bistro Caribe was another great new find for us – we had seen it for years, but never went in until Contessa suggested that we do so… It was great… After dropping Contessa’s name, the entire staff made their way to our table to meet us…
It’s impossible for me to have ‘favorite restaurants’ in St. Martin, as there are so many great ones…So, I will not ‘rate’ our other choices, but just say that Tropicana ,L’Auberge Gourmande, California, and Le Pressoir were all fantastic…
For light suppers or pizza, we really liked Belle Epoch, but also enjoyed meals at BDLG and Le Main A La Pate…
The only ho-hum dining experience was at Le St Germain as the service was off, and meal was bland… We won’t go back…
For lunch in Phillipsburg, we had a very nice meal on the waterfront at Talula Mango’s… great food, great service and great view… A good value for the money, too…
French Side / Dutch Side <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" />
We spend most of our time on the French side of the island… But, we did visit Phillipsburg this year, and enjoyed the new board walk, where we had a great lunch… And as noted before, shopping at DK Gems was great… Overall, Phillipsburg presents a very nice shopping experience…
Next Year <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
Same time, same place, same great time!!! We’ll see ya there…
Joe and Tony
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