TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin SXM here we come

The car comes to take us to SFO in about 10 minutes, flying SFO-PHX-CLT-SXM. Arrive about 1ish tomorrow PM for 21 nights at Grand Case Beach Club. I do plan to report in on occasion. Two years without a vacation is waaay too long.

you do realize there is an 8 o'clock curfew in effect and all French restaurants and bars have to close by then. Some GC restaurants closed until curfew is lifted. Curfew in effect till 9th but could be extended and the way covid cases are it probably will be extended. That decision will come once counts come in on the 9th.

Enjoy your trip!

I must say from everyone we’ve spoke to, the folks are leaving the French side and coming over to the Dutch side to finish out their vacation. They all say it nuts over there. In fact there are two groups here that have done exactly that, left the French side to come to BSV.

So what are the biggest complaints they have with the French side? May help others when they plan a trip.

Perhaps the curfew.

Absolutely ruiaircarrier, it is the curfew! Hello, kinda of ruins your night. They say after about 7:15 to 7:30 that you are basically done.

Water availability could also put a damper on some things

Ill agree, but from talking to some folks today, its all about the curfew.

People are scrambling to get to the Dutch side, in fact I have the impression that BSV is about to fill up, along with several other resorts!

Wow, way to put a negative spin on cruzer's excitement! I'm pretty sure they'll have a great time! If I had to spend the entire three weeks at GCBC, I wouldn't complain. Enjoy your trip, cruzer!

GayKaye, I’m with you. I know it sounds bad but just trying to tell everyone what’s actually going on. I’m sorry that it sounds so bad, but do kill the messager. Yall your here when all of this wasn’t going on, we are.

Spending many daylight hours in SXM TOTALLY beats spending any full day in Massachusetts ....just sayin'

Hi folks, I appreciate both your concerns and support. We know exactly what we're in for, but having been cooped up for some 16 months and no vacation in the last 2 years, we need to get out of Dodge quick, or we'll go crazy. Besides, bailing out to the Dutch side remains an option.

I enjoy evening dining, and watching the sun set prior to eating, hoping for that elusive green flash, but we'll make do with a 6 PM dinner start time. I heard rumblings elsewhere that the curfew may be advanced to 5 PM, and we're fully prepared for that eventuality. We'll just have our main meal at lunch time, and do more shopping at Super U.

Plus, we're scheduling relocation around the aug/sep time frame, so future vacations may have to be put on hold.

Don't worry about us, we'll have a great time, and if things get too bad, just move to Mary's Boon

Hope it goes well for you. I foresee the Dutch side getting a little more crowded quickly.

Wow, curfew at 5 PM??? Wow. I hope that isn't correct.

Enjoy your trip.

Have a wonderful time!

Enjoy and relax.

Would appreciate any tips or recommendations about GCBC as we will be staying there for our first week in August before moving to RI.
Main reason is the proximity to restaurants and the calmness of the beach. Usually at Rainbow or Captain Frenchys.
Not sure on walking to restaurants since we dine out late and road is very deserted once you get past maybe Le Pressoir.
Although not that important, we are planning on a one bedroom waterfront. Obviously view is important.
Would like opinion of Sunset Cafe (not for dinner).

Great attitude, just enjoy!!

We haven't stayed there since before Irma so haven't gotten to experience the renewed restaurant but I have to say, all the way back to a gazillion years ago when it was called WAVES, it was very good and when we stayed there we enjoyed it, too. And we did do dinner there one night - excellent!

I think you are at their mercy as to room location but my experience is they're all pretty good and if you paid for waterfron viewt that's what you will get.

I absolutely love the Grand Case Beach Club and if it weren't for having discovered Beachside Villas we'd stay there every trip.. Last time there we were at the end of our Towers timeshare time and it was so heavenly. We parked our car on arrival and didn't go near it again until we loaded up our luggage to head to the airport.

Have a wonderful stay.....

My question is: If you are staying at GCBC and you are dinning and having drinks at there restaurant, do you still have to leave??? I know I would be pissed!!!

I believe it doesn't apply to onsite resort restaurants.

Sunset Cafe is excellent for lunch. Koko and Marina, formerly of Kokomarina and later Palm Beach (both on Orient), are operating the restaurant. With Koko in the kitchen and Marina running the front of the house, you know it's good.

Mahokid, either the quote function isn't working, or the Ma Dou Dou is working overtime.

The only thing scary about the walk back from town is the condition of the road once you pass Villa Royal coming home.. I'd bring a flashlight. I tend to be less concerned, but my wife isn't afraid of the walk, she'd just prefer the "taxi" service were still available for tired feet.

I can't offer a current opinion on Sunset for non-dinner dining since we have only eaten one dinner there, but of of my most memorable past memories of GCBC was having 2 orders of mussels at lunch with a bottle of Sav Blanc at lunch, with Petite Plage, Creole Rock and Anguilla in front of us on a sunny day.

And, the 1BR is the way to go. We prefer ground level.

(aside) quote now works.

No, you can stay. We ate there last night, they close at 7:30, a foursome came in at 7:25, got served, and were still enjoying themselves when we left around 8:30

And there lays the problem. Businesses and patrons not adhering to the curfew will just make it last longer. A few inconsiderate people will punish others.

Do you know if Spiga is still open?

Yes they are, They have seatings at 5.30 6.00 and 6.30 during the curfew

Scubaman, resorts and hotels are exempt from the 8 pm curfew.so there aren't any inconsiderate people violating any rules here.