Forums39
Topics38,719
Posts313,136
Members26,578
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
39 registered members (ColoBoater, Kennys, NumberCruncher, duckfat, Matt W, nevar37, MKGrey, Zanshin, TC42, Instigator, polaris, PML, marisol, Fitzhughlaw, Buddyhog, deliveryskipper, Brad_Va, pbd007, John, SXMScubaman, KirkB, Kevin_B, pandpfromcanada, dolfer, mark37, jbutah, Sunflower, steve74, SURICK, bailau, 9 invisible),
1,278
guests, and 81
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: SXMSuzie]
#236764
10/12/2020 09:27 AM
10/12/2020 09:27 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,900 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,900
Central Florida!
|
My favorite place in the world is Beachside Villas, on Simpson Bay. BSV consists of 14 or so individual condo units, all directly on beautiful Simpson Bay Beach. Each unit features your own large living room, dining room, kitchen, bathrooms and bedroom, with sliders from the living room and master bedroom to the deck. The kitchen has just about anything you need in order to make your own meals onsite and you have your own gas grill. The interior is fully air conditioned, with a separate unit for the living room and the bedrooms.
I go to SXM for the ocean, and you have a beautiful unobstructed view of almost a private beach, all for the complex. There is a lovely pool which is usually uncrowded also. I personally have no need for a front desk or activities or a bar or restaurant onsite, as I prefer to just hang out and veg, looking at the ocean. BSV is NOT the sterile, all white, glass and marble style which is all the rage these days. I loathe that style. It is Caribbean comfortable, with blue being the most predominant color inside, with a fantastic view of the lovely ocean. There are no stainless appliances, no dishwasher (about the only thing I really miss there!!) and no washer and dryer. However, you can give clothes to the maid and they will send them out to be laundered for you.
BSV has everything I want. I wish I was there right now!!
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: SXMSuzie]
#236767
10/12/2020 09:38 AM
10/12/2020 09:38 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,900 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,900
Central Florida!
|
Suzie--Here is a report that I did last year, talking about why I love BSV so much, with pictures! Link
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: SXMSuzie]
#236770
10/12/2020 10:10 AM
10/12/2020 10:10 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,132 St Louis, MO
SXMNorm
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,132
St Louis, MO
|
We've stayed on our last several trips to SXM at el Zafiro. It's located on the top end of Simpson Bay Beach, right next to Carol's Beach Side Villas. They have a bar/restaurant and a wonderful beach and view. There are only 7 or 8 units in the main building. They have added or are adding a few more rooms in an adjacent building. So nice to walk out of your room and onto the beach(assuming your room is on the first floor). Will be back again the end of January.
Next SXM visit -November 2023. Also January 2024.
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: SXMSuzie]
#236773
10/12/2020 10:37 AM
10/12/2020 10:37 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,549 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,549
Ohio
|
We're looking for a hotel on any beach that will deliver a unique sweet spot - please tell me where you stayed and why you're recommending it. THX Like Beachside Villas, The Horny Toad Guesthouse is another unique place on the same beach. Much smaller, no pool but a great place with great hosts and pretty much new since Irma as they did a total rebuild. We have stayed there many times and it has never disappointed. HORNY TOAD GUESTHOUSE
J.D.
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#236783
10/12/2020 11:50 AM
10/12/2020 11:50 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,549 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,549
Ohio
|
I know at least one of the units did have TV last Nov. but not in all the units. Not a deal breaker for me.
J.D.
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#236784
10/12/2020 12:03 PM
10/12/2020 12:03 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,900 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,900
Central Florida!
|
Yes, I know you barely watch TV at home. I forgot that you told me that some of them had a TV now.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: SXMSuzie]
#236794
10/12/2020 01:18 PM
10/12/2020 01:18 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 649
foreversxm
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 649
|
“Almost hate”. Don’t know really, probably like my opinion I already know most of the other peoples opinions or likes and you see the question fairly often. But still interesting and beneficial for others to read. 😊 👍
Last edited by foreversxm; 10/12/2020 01:20 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: SXMSuzie]
#236797
10/12/2020 01:35 PM
10/12/2020 01:35 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
|
Carol,
I kinda sorta get what ‘forever’ is saying, I think.........
I can’t tell you how many times over the years I’ve recommended a restaurant or a hotel or even a car rental agency that I’ve been pleased with and had people comment as to how wrong I was and then go into their reasons for their own personal dissatisfactions with the same companies.
Vanilla? Chocolate? Thing is, we all have different expectations and we don’t always agree or disagree. Doesn’t make me or them either right or wrong but it does make me hesitate on occasion when asked for a recommendation. I guess I’m thin skinned for starters and once I even had someone launch a personal attack at me suggesting I was shilling for the restaurant in question, which is laughable and sad. If I don’t really feel good about a place I would absolutely NEVER sing it’s praises.
That all said, I love BSV and have since the first time we stayed there but we also enjoyed Mary’s Boon and we found the staff at El Zafiro to be wonderful so we’d stay there, too, if we couldn’t get into BSV, but BSV would definitely be our first choice these days.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: RI Bob C]
#236802
10/12/2020 02:05 PM
10/12/2020 02:05 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,900 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,900
Central Florida!
|
RI Bob--yes, if you want a restaurant or bar onsite, Mary's Boon is better for that for sure But if you're saying that the BEACH is better at Mary's Boon than at Beachside, I would disagree with that, as I much prefer a very uncrowded beach, which Beachside has, versus MB.. Different strokes!!
How is your trip going Bob? Or are you back home already??
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: boucharda]
#236834
10/12/2020 06:01 PM
10/12/2020 06:01 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,900 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,900
Central Florida!
|
boucharda--If I were going to pick a spot on the French side, it would probably be a private villa..
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#236837
10/12/2020 06:18 PM
10/12/2020 06:18 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,000 North Kingstown, Rhode Island
RI Bob C
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,000
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
|
Crowded beaches are a factor of parking. Neither MB or BSV can park enough to get crowded, but MB provides a lot more beach furniture (umbrella, chaise lounge). MB can get crowded at one end on weekends because the bar presents music and serves food and liquor on the beach, but one can just stay on the other end.
I've been home for a while, I only stayed 2 weeks, I would rather be there with all the quarantine rules here in RI.
Last edited by RI Bob C; 10/12/2020 06:22 PM. Reason: Forgot to answer question
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: SXMSuzie]
#236838
10/12/2020 06:48 PM
10/12/2020 06:48 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,088 Massachusetts
boucharda
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,088
Massachusetts
|
Bob...you lucked out with your tests...the Convention center sent ours to the wrong lab and we got my wife's back 4+ days after testing ..and spending two days trying to find where they went....an hour before I was going to just cancel the whole trip (to St. Thomas)...Waaaaay to close for me to rely on them.
Doing my STT/SXM comparisons now and so far SXM is significantly in the lead
edit: I should add that there are very strict rules here in STT regarding distancing and masks and it has resulted in zero cases for the last three days that we have been here
Last edited by boucharda; 10/12/2020 06:50 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: RI Bob C]
#236840
10/12/2020 07:28 PM
10/12/2020 07:28 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,900 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,900
Central Florida!
|
Bob--If you feel like it, would be interested to hear your impressions of your trip.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: RI Bob C]
#236874
10/13/2020 09:57 AM
10/13/2020 09:57 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,313 Vancouver, WA
Todd
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,313
Vancouver, WA
|
Bob, just last night we were sent a picture of us at Caravanserai that also had John and Pat in it along with Dot. It was a great memory, Dot was a fantastic person and I feel lucky to have been able to spend a bit of time with her. Keep going Bob, Dot would approve! Todd
I prefer the Isle seat
|
|
|
Re: Need a Hotel / Resort Recommendation
[Re: boucharda]
#237034
10/15/2020 09:22 AM
10/15/2020 09:22 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,410 Rhode Island
RonDon
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,410
Rhode Island
|
I am surprised that there are no French side recommendations ,,,,I stay at Simpson Bay resort and love it but that doesn't fit the "unique sweet spot"..I will defer to BSV...nice place...great location When we've stayed on French side our choice has been Grand Case Beach Club. Great photos on their website. We usually choose oceanfront studio which has full kitchen. Friends tried the garden side and it was lovely, secluded. Looked at the one and two bedrooms and they are beautiful apartments--considering for future. Place is gated. everything you need inside. watersports included with rooms. Small on-site restaurant for breakfast and lunch, takeout or room service. And place is within walking distance to fine restaurants, and LOLOs small locally owned restaurants waterside, clothing , jewelry, perfumery where you can take a class, make your own , or just tour and buy off shelf. Small grocery store nearby. Just received email about a sale through December 2020 offering 20% off rates.
|
|
|
|