TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin French Side

Thinking of going over to the French Side next year. Have been contacting places through VRBO in Nettle and Orient Bay. What do more experienced St Martin visitors have to say about the French Side. Liking places in Nettle Bay but then read the water there is rocky and full of stinging nettles(whatever that is) We like to be on the water and able to swim in the water. Also like a pool. Any help will be appreciated.

We love Grand Case Beach Club. 2 beaches, a pool. Amazing restaurants just a short walk away.

Not sure I know what you mean about what more experienced visitors think of the french side. It has a slightly different feel than the Dutch side, but that's certainly not bad. Beautiful beaches, wonderful food, less nightlife.

Regarding Nettle Bay, Beerman did a great series of trip reports regarding his recent visit there. I don't have any personal experience with Nettle Bay,
other than going to the restaurant at Dreams.

Regarding Orient Bay, there are a ton of great condos for rent in the Orient Village area. If you post what places you might be interested in, someone here probably will know it or know of it.

Another vote for GCBC. 45 second walk from anywhere on the resort to the beach. Only 70ish units total. Different style and size units, all with kitchenettes for different needs. 5-10 minute walk to downtown GC. Sunset Cafe on site serves breakfast/lunch/dinner.

We also love Grand Case Beach Club. We will be there in June & November. Great food, staff, and a row of wonderful restaurants, a very short distance away!

Beachnut,

I would also strongly recommend the Grand Case Beach Club if you're looking for a low-keyed but semi-resort-like atmosphere. The accommodations are nice, the restaurant is good and the beaches are very swimmable. The sunsets are incredible, the staff is very pleasant and I don't think you could go wrong there. It's a resort, but a very small one with no pressure to join the social atmosphere unless you choose to. The pool is lovely though small and from what we saw when we stayed there, it's rarely used and many don't even realize there is one.

The Nettle Bay area, as mentioned in a previous post, is in a very conevenient location to both the French and Dutch sides of the island but I'm thinking it would appeal to a more adventurous vacationer who neither wants nor needs resort amenities, and I don't know if that's you or not.

We typically stay in a timeshare on the Dutch side but every so often we step out of our personal comfort zone and try a new place for a few days. We really did enjoy our time at GCBC and in particular the convenience of being right there to take advantage of the Grand Case restaurants as we were of a mind to. The island is a very easy drive to anywhere during the daytime but at night, as we get a little older, it's just not as enjoyable so this served us very well. I don't know if it's still operating or not, but there was a young man running a mini-transport around Grand Case with pick-up and drop-off with only a telephone call. It was $12.00 a couple r/t to any destination in Grand Case and a fun way to get around if you didn't feel like walking.

We stayed in Grand Case a couple of times. Last week we stayed in Orient Bay Village. It was great. Although the GCBC is nice and has onsite amenities we always found ourselves on Orient Beach everyday.
The days last week consisted of beach, lunch, HH, more lazing, walk to Bikini for late afternoon rose, home, shower, and walk less than a block to great restaurants, home. Sleep repeat.
If that sounds like your agenda then check out sochicvillas.com. Owners are great. Picked us up at airport and had a car available for us if we needed it. One morning we drove the island to look at all the areas and places to stay that are mentioned here. To each their own but we have found our place for years to come.

Although Nettle Bay is closer to the Dutch side for night time entertainment and shopping in Marigot, I still prefer the Orient area if staying on the French side. Our first trip to St. Martin, we stayed at the Nettle Bay Resort when it truly was a resort with all the amenities. The condos there now are all privately owned and a totally different vibe. The beach there is pretty to look at, but not good for swimming as there is glass and lots of rocks in the water. You need water shoes in the water there.

Orient has the best beach and good restaurants right in the village within walking distance of many accommodations.If you want to go to Grand Case to other restaurants at night, it is only a short drive way or an easy cab ride. We have often stayed on the French side and always enjoyed our stays in the Orient area.It is definitely quieter at night as there are no casinos and not much night life, but a nice change from the action of the Dutch side.

Good luck with your choices and enjoy your trip!

I'm a huge fan of the Lowlands - Long, Plum & Rouge beaches. However more of a villa than condo stay.

GCBC gets another vote as a great option.

if it weren't for the French side, we would not go to SXM. Being from NY, we don't need any more congestion, high rises, traffic, noise while on vacation. We like the open space of Orient, Pinel, tintamarre, Anse Marcel, Grand Case(many Gourmet restaurants), Grand Cayes, Little Cayes.

We rent a clean and quiet Bungalow from a TTOL sponsor. It has a small pool, inexpensive and you can walk to beach in 5 minutes.

A not so experienced SXM visitor here <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> but we really enjoyed our first trip in March! We stayed at NBBC and it was perfect for this trip, but to be honest we planned a last minute trip and most places were booked solid including GCBC.

It is not a resort, they are privately owned condo's and there are no amenities. HOWEVER, the villa was very clean and had everything we needed, not to mention Dreams, Ma Ti and Le Sands were walking distance along the beach.

There's a French bakery and a small convenience store a short walk down the main street and a larger grocery store 1 mile towards Marigot.

NBBC was super quiet at all hours of the day/night. We walked at night and never felt unsafe around the complex including the beach at night.

As far as the beach there are small pieces of tumbled glass that gets washed up, my wife says one persons trash is anothers treasure, she brought home a bunch. We actually didn't swim at NBBC, but we saw some people with small kids swimming in the center area. Our villa was in the section to the far right side of the complex, the beach/sand gets softer as we walked towards the restaurants and the access to the water looked much easier. We had coral/rock with urchins in front of our villa but the center on down didn't appear to have the large rock bottom that we had, all sand from what I could tell. Each villa section had its own refreshing clean pool positioned in the center of the beach just steps from the surf.

Please read my trip reports, there are lots of photos. Give me a shout if you have any questions about NBBC. By the way, GCBC looks awesome, unfortunately we didn't get to explore Grand Case. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks everyone. Looked at Grand Case. Is beautiful but we like a place where we can also cook. NBBC(thanks Beerman) I read all your posts. We have checked on a couple units there but would love a place where we could swim We have stayed at Beachside Villas last two visits but have been spoiled by the sea being right outside our door. We are currently checking out Orient Beach but want to be sure we are away from the construction we have read about. We checked on a unit whose owner says is on the north end of the beach. It is called Villazur. Part of the fun is looking but gets a bit overwhelming

also any feedback on Mount Vernon

I see very few comments about Ma Ti Beach (restaurant), but I absolutely love that place.

We've stayed at Mt Enron twice. That was the last 2 trips. Befor that 5 trips stayed on Dutch side but wound up on orient beach. MtVernon is great. Close to the beach which is where we spend majority of time. Also only mile or two from Marigot and Grand Case. Last trip we didn't even rent a car just took a taxi a couple of times to Marigot.
Get Leslie to pick you up. He'll stop at the grocery store on the way to MtVernon or else contact shop and drop. Only caveat the property is quite hilly.

Charlie, you are so right! Coincidentally, just today I deleted a cell phone photo of my delicious seared tuna dinner from there!! My wife had French onion soup that was awesome too. This photo shows how incredible the location is and in the background is Dreams and Le Sands is just beyond Dreams. I highly recommend Ma Ti.

I always hate to disagree with Carol but the "feel" on the French and Dutch sides could not be more stark. If you like Miami go to the Dutch side..concrete jungles, horrible traffic and you can get better food in your home town. I agree with timmycs if it were not for the French side we would have never gone back after the first visit.

The French side is way more quiet (good or bad), nothing is over 4 stories and you can "feel" like you are in a European village. You can find food everywhere there that will blow your mind...assuming you are somewhat adventurous and, yes, it will cost you but no more than the "best" in your home town.

The low lands are great but as mentioned you will be renting true villas, often on the beach for fairly serious money. Great option for family's or two or more couples. There are large numbers of condos and apartments for rent in the Orient area. I have nothing against Grand Case as a place to stay but Orient has many more accommodation, beach and lunch options and it literally 10 minutes away. Marrigot is further but within reach (love to lunch there on bad beach days). To me Nettle is the worst of everything. Mount Vernon is hit and miss because the units are individually owned and it is way out of the way (far end of Orient).

Do the French side, it may change your life as it did mine. Stay in Orient, near the village, walk Orient beach, do lunch at one of the many fine French beach restaurants and then stroll into Le Piment and prepare for Christelle to take you on a ride...

Years past I would have agreed with you, however, more recently there are actually a lot of great restaurants on the Dutch side, brought about, in part, by the rise of the Euro against the dollar. We do still prefer the French side for fine dining, but there are some pretty good spots on the Dutch side as well.

I completely agree with your suggestion of a fine lunch at one of the fine beach restaurants on Orient.

Hey, I wasn't even sure what you meant to begin with, but everyone's impression is different. But seriously, if your only impression of the Dutch side is concrete jungles, you haven't seen the best of the Dutch side and there is a whole lot more great food to be had now on the Dutch side.

Regardless, everyone has their own tastes and if we all liked exactly the same thing, life would be so boring!

Can always count on your opinion GaKaye, what are some of your favorites? We have good friends that stay on the Dutch side and when they want to stay over it would be great to have some options...obviously, not my side of town.

It depends on what you're looking for, of course, but our recent favorites are the Palms, Byblos, and Avantika. The Palms has been voted Best Island Cuisine for at least two years in a row, Byblos has wonderful Mediterranean food, and Avantika is Thai.

For French food, we still go to the French side.

We have been going to SXM for 19 years. At first we rented at Green Cay Villas in Orient Beach Park. Since then, we have rented through Pierre Caraibes in Marigot and stayed in Orient Beach Park for 15 years in the same villa. Villa is now being rented as a year round property so we found another one. Try gobeach.com or villa journeys for villas in Orient Beach Park. So close to the beach and now there are several great restaurants in the village along with a few great places for breakfast and great baguettes and pain au chocolat. Wouldn't stay any place else.

Thanks so much for all your input. My current favorite is oceanfront apartment in Orient Bay Resort from vrbo#399290. The search continues

All of the units at GCBC have kitchens. Refridge, stove, microwave, sink, dishes, pots and pans.

I would suggest you contact Jim Ruos (sponsor: Caribbean Island Travel Service) regarding Orient area accommodations. Very knowledgeable about Orient hotels, villas, apartments. VRBO can be useful but it's nice to have a contact who has been there.

Gotaluvit got it right! The Orient Village area is a fantastic venue with super beaches, great restaurants and some of the nicest and most interesting places to stay. For more than a dozen years we have been renting villas on the hills above Orient and have enjoyed the peace and solitude that we love while on vacation. No noisy traffic or congested roads. One thing about Mt. Vernon, if you have trouble getting around or have any physical problems at all, you may want to pass on staying in this community. Hills are a real killer and the parking can be terrible. We stayed on the Dutch side twice and found the noise and traffic too much hassle for a quiet vacation.

We definitely concur! Jim Ruos is the best and we have NEVER had a problem...quite the opposite! When Jim handles it...everything works!

L'Esplanade us a great hotel right up the hill behind GCBC. It has a lovely pool, is a short walk to the beach, and has some suites/rooms with kitchens. They have fabulous owners and a great staff. Its a wonderful location with beautiful views and well maintained grounds. We are huge fans.......

We recently stayed in Orient Beach and had a wonderful time. We stayed at the Alamanda which was a 30 second walk to the restaurants in the village and across the path from the beach. We enjoyed the village atmosphere in the evening, having late dinners with lots of wine of course. We even went to a beach party at Kontiki one night which was a lot of fun.

Orient is a beautiful beach, however, when it's crowded...boy is it crowded!! We couldn't stand being there on cruise ship days. We also found the "vendors" to be annoying and every 30 seconds we had to say no thank you to someone selling something. Luckily Le Galion is a 10 minute walk away but an entirely different experience.

We also discovered on this trip that we actually prefer Grand Case as a place to stay. While the beach is not as wide, it's much more laid back. Of course, the restaurant choices in the evening are wonderful too. So on our next trip we will be staying in Grand Case and visiting Orient during the day if we get the urge.

If you like to cook the GCBC has a small kitchen in the ocean front units. We really, really preferred the beach at Grand Case over Orient. In fairness though we only visited Orient one day, it was incredibly crowded. From GCBC, you can walk to restaurants, or just sit on your veranda, and watch beautiful sunsets while sipping wine.
Cheers,