Hi
I just got back from the Pelican last week and thought I would share some info.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> General Impressions of the Pelican Resort – GOOD!
We stayed in B217 which is actually a ground level room facing the B pool. A lounge chair, regular chair and small table on the small patio were a nice surprise. The Pelican is a clean resort with adequately friendly staff- no one went over the top except for Vinnie at Aquamania. We had a 1br studio with full kitchen, well stocked, nice appliances. Coffee makers (bring filters or buy at the onsite grocery). Our room was more than well air conditioned (brr!) and the plumbing was very strong (some past reviews I read said the toilets and phones didn’t work. They both did in our room). Several pools are on the property so none were crowded. This building is on a hill so bring some sneakers.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" />CAUTION - WE BOTH GOT SICK AFTER EATING AT BAMBOO BERNIE'S <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" />
We ate at this restaurant on Thurs. April 28, 2005. We had non-fish sushi (avocado and mango). He had the Thai Beef and I had Snapper. My boyfriend was sick in the restaurant bathroom about 30 min. after finishing dinner. We quickly paid the check and he ran to the restroom. I told the hostess and she couldn’t have cared less and said that it was improbable that it was from their food. My stomach is much stronger- like a goat eating a tin can and even I felt ill afterwards. Well- since we hadn’t eaten pretty much all day so one can only assume that it was from them. Even if the food didn't make us sick, the hostess' rudeness sure did.
[color:"purple"] [/color] Pelican Resort Amenities -
Food – Not much imaginative cooking going on but had an excellent Chicken Stew at the Veranda. Try the Caribbean plate of the day. It will be a good surprise. We did not eat at Capitan’s Cove (onsite restaurant) as we were advised that it was overpriced.
Towel Service- You are allotted one clean beach towel per day.
Pools- Lots of them and even a kid’s area.
Parking – Never a problem
Activities -
There is an orientation meeting that we skipped but I assume that there is a lot of info. Aside from that, they assign you a personal concierge for the week. Albertha was able to help us book different activities, but we did not go to the sales meetings. They offer a free gift if you listen to the sale pitch. I you spare the hour, you can get about $50 in free something (car rental, dinner voucher, casino chips) They called us each day to see when we were going to come by. There is a schedule they give you with all sorts of activities (welcome cocktail hour, health lectures, bingo, shopping tours) By the B pool, there is a decent book swap library.
Water Sports, Island Ferries, and the like are all available via Aquamania. They took very good care of us.
Scuba Diving - <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />We dove with Aquamania. Overall the diving in St. Martin isn't terrific but it's nice and easy, and the water is warm. (I am spoiled as I have been to many other places). We dove with Aquamania, which is a shop at the Pelican Resort. Debby in the office took great care of us prior to our trip Aqua Mania Adventures St Maarten [aquamania@sintmaarten.net]. Their afternoon dives are much easier that the morning and the boat was not crowded. They had a cooler full of drinks on board and 2 dive masters in the water. Vinnie refunded our money when my boyfriend didn't continue diving. A very respectable thing to do and I recommend them. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
Getting Around
Car Rental is onsite. We took a taxi from the airport ($8.00?) and then rented a car for a few days. They will also call a cab for you. Fees are somewhat regulated to different zones so you know how much you will pay, give or take
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> Disappointments
Room - Our room was not ready when we checked in. The resort check in time is 4pm but we got there early so I can’t fault them entirely, but most major airlines have the flights arriving at the same time of the day. They only cleaned once during the week we were there. I feel they only did an adequate job of cleaning. Past guests’ belongings were left behind including some papers.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />Pelican Beach - The Pelican beach amenities leave something to be desired for a few reasons. The Bar is really not that special – limited menu. On any given day, 50% of the palm thatched palapas (the umbrella thatched areas) were denuded and all the umbrella areas were full. The Beach itself is nice and clean. It’s next door to the Flamingo Sunterra, which has a restaurant and beach attendants who will come over and deliver drink/food orders.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/typing.gif" alt="" />Other random things
St. Martin General Advise
Breakfast at the Sunset Bar - $5.00 for a great huge breakfast, complete with airplane entertainment!
Big Fat Juicy Burgers at Banana's! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />
Sunscreen Sunscreen Sunscreen!!! And a Hat! It was hot and dry!
Bring a cheap foldup cooler, freeze some water bottles and off you go!
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
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