TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Need Hotel Opinions May 2016

Planning SXM for Mid may 2016 for 9 days- Our options are as follows:

Atrium = $917 (King Studio, View Unknown)
SBR = $932 (Dlx studio with full kitchen, view unknown)
Turquoise Shell = $1035 (1BR suite, view unknown)
Horny Toad = $1062 (Studio or 1BR both with seaview same price)
SBR Villas = $1229 (jr suite, seaview w/balcony)
Beachside Villas = $1485 (1BR lockout)
Marys Boon $1775 (studio garden)
Club O = $1998 (studio)

Sorry for beaing nebulous. Update what I know about accommodation from aggregator search engine. We've stayed at Club O and Divi previously which was ok but don't like location turning off the road in/out of Divi. Like Club O but possibly looking to save money and visiting with rental car.

Comfortable bed for two on a beach a must. View a plus, kitchen a plus.


Interested in opinions and comparisons and views on the prices.

Thanks <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Beachside Villas <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

The prices at the Atrium and SBR seem good if that is your only criterium. However, if you are only getting a sleep two studio they maybe bad choices. I think you need to state what you are getting for people to give you a valid appraisal.

I agree, OP needs to state what type of accomodation you are getting at the various places. At Simpson Bay Resort Villas, the studios are ludicrously small, with only a dorm sized fridge and a tiny balcony. However, the 1 BR units are very nice. For Atrium and Simpson Bay Resort, are you getting ocean view?? And what type of unit? For Atrium, if it's not ocean view, you get a view of the back of the Market Garden, complete with their huge a/c units, which are very noisy. Club O is hard to figure in with the others because of the nude factor, as far as how important that is to you. For roughly the same money, I would take Horny Toad every day of the week, over Turquoise Shell, as TS is not on the beach. The only thing TS has is a pool, but I'd rather have the spectacular beach that HT has. At Mary's Boon, are you looking at an oceanfront room? Because if not, then I would eliminate that straight off, as being more expensive than the other options. Have you stayed at any of these places before? When all is said and done, I personally would do Beachside, as I personally think it's the best place on earth, for ME. Your mileage may vary.

I own at studio at SBR and I don't consider it small...although I believe they have a 2 and 4 person studio. Mine sleeps 4 and has a full kitchen and it is plenty big for me. So yes, I agree as you indicated, depends on the type of accommodation the prices are based on.

Yup, we have had two exchanges for 2 BR lockouts in the C buildings at SBR and the downstairs studios were great...full size everything...but...there are some REALLY small units also...BIG difference

I also was a little curious that you included Club Orient in with all of the Dutch side places. We love Orient Beach, and prefer the French side, and that's why we would choose Club O. You didn't say which type accommodation that price was for (there's a big difference between a Studio & a Chalet), and on the surface it seems more pricey, but you get a 10% discount by belonging to a naturist organization. Plus, you won't have to pay extra for chairs and umbrella, Wi-Fi, or laundry.

Mary's Boon is very nice.

Pete,

I've not stayed at most of the places you've mentioned but I've stayed at Mary's Boon and thoroughly enjoyed it and just this past April trip, based on all the high marks and consistent kudos it always receives, we stayed for the first time at Beachside Villas. I would go back there again in a heartbeat and in honesty, prior to staying there, I was always a little surprised at the constant raves the place gets. Having stayed there just once, now I get it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

I was talking about the studios at the VILLAS at SBR, which are very small. They do not have anything other than a microwave and TEENY fridge.

Of those you list, I have stayed at only Horny Toad and Turquoise Shell Inn. While Turquoise Shell Inn is great for one night, it's not on the beach and has no view. On the other hand, Horny Toad is RIGHT on the beach, and the view is spectacular. I would stay there for a week in a heartbeat.

I believe we payed $2600 for 2 at the Flamingo-air and room for 7 nights. We walked off our deck onto the sand. West-facing rooms, we could see the airport across the bay. Peaceful. We had access to many activities at the SBRM, the Peli-deli is close by, plus easy walking to Kim Sha and the surrounding restaurants and grocery store. Pots, pans, service for 4, coffee pot, blender, microwave plus more in room. It's easy for me there.

Of those on your list, we have only stayed at Club O and Beachside Villas. Both very nice, both obviously different from each other. We enjoy Club O for the restful, easy time -- no rushing (or traffic) to and from the beach, being able to go back to your studio for a nap 'whenever', not having to worry about what to wear on most days. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> One caveat is the lack of nightlife (if that matters to you) unless you drive.

BSV is also very nice, right on the beach, steps down to the sand. The only caveat we have there (and this doesn't bother some folks and might not bother you) is that there is only A/C in the bedrooms, not in the living area. During high season it's not so bad, but during warmer periods, it can be a little uncomfortable. Also be aware that there are only TV's in the living room, not in the bedrooms -- which is fine by me. Your mileage may vary.

Flamingo wasn't in the list of hotels that the original poster was considering, so I didn't comment on it.

Jazzgal--exactly what I said--between those two, off season to me is a no brainer...

I would personally choose The Atrium or Beachside Villas from your choices. Both are on beaches as you prefer and have all the amenities requested.The Atrium is definitely the best price if that is a consideration.

OK, based on the updated info, would definitely eliminate Turquoise Shell, SBR Villas (as Jr Suite means a studio, with previously mentioned dorm sized fridge and microwave) and also Mary's Boon (no ocean view and the most expensive, other than Club O). Probably would eliminate SBR, as they have very few ocean view units. I probably would also eliminate Atrium unless they can guarantee you ocean view. Which would leave Horny Toad, Beachside Villas, and the odd one out, Club O. If you want c/o beach out front, go for Club O. As between Horny Toad and BSV, HT has no TVs, if that matters, also no pool, also if you want to grill out, there are community grills at HT, individual grills at BSV, along with your own very private deck..

Thanks Carol & all for helping sort the results of a booking website. I know I've "heard" everyone in their reports over the years but putting it all together quickly is much easier with everyone's help.......

I've never seen the Horny Toad before in our visits but from your responses it is a definite maybe as might be BSV as we have stopped to tour there and we like airplanes. Maybe we will split our time between CO and one of these two to save a few bucks and see/experience something different.

Again, thanks for taking the time to answer a frequent question --- except this time it was my question.

TTOL is the best.

Haven't seen Horney Toad inside but the location is great for beach & view.

One caveat regarding Horny Toad--it is a non-smoking property, if that matters. ruralcarrier here on TTOL is the expert on Horny Toad, so if you have any questions about that, let him know. Any questions about Beachside, there are a ton of people here that stay there, so ask away.

I have a friend that stayed at Horny Toad. She speaks highly of it and she is one that if there is something amiss she would have no hesitation to tell me. That is my comment, I have no personal experience there.

It seems worth mentioning that both Beachside Villas and Mary Boon are essentially on the PJIA runway so if you are sensitive to that kind of noise you might not find those locations relaxing.

It's funny, I find Beachside to be the most relaxing place in the world! And the noise bothers me not at all. It isn't like you're at JFK. The noise happens for 30 seconds and then is gone for half an hour or more. I love watching the planes!

And for those who are wondering if the noise factor at either of these places might be problematic, much as we did before we stayed at Mary's Boon the first time, we found it loud for about the first afternoon and after that we became so totally immune to it, we barely noticed them coming and going. The bulk of the heavy air traffic is between 11ish to late afternoon and I know there's at least one big boy in the early morning and another in the late evening. But honest, they didn't bother us after the first day and by day two we didn't even hear them. The fun part, though, is being able to stand at the fence or in the observation stand at BSV or the Boon and wave to the Air France and KLM pilots as they taxi by.....those huge planes are amazing!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

We won't even talk about what my friend Sherri (alcohol involved, I think) flashed at the Air France pilot one day!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

We weren't quite as welcoming as you're friend and all we got were a few waves but I think we're getting the picture...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Over the years we have stayed at many hotels and guest houses but since staying Mary's Boon we have only stayed there. It really has the best of everything we like. Small property but with a lot to offer that those others just don't have. Full Restaurant and Bar, Great beach, nice pool, wonderful caring staff and a spa on property also. All of the properties around the airport have some noise issues but it really is not a problem and it is fun to watch them. The rooms are nice and all of them are within a few feet of the beach. I think by far most people would be very happy with this Hotel.

I stayed at Mary's Boon once, but it was a long time ago, before Karakter was there. Do you have problems with Karakter, with people going there taking all the parking, and with noise at night? I ask because I don't know, as it seems like those people would take up all the parking there. When we were there at Karakter on a Friday night in June, it was a disaster parking and leaving...

Mary's Boon has signs up indicating that the parking is only for their guests. Last year, we picked Annie up there several times, and never had a problem finding a place to park. I think they must do a pretty good job of policing the use of their parking areas.

OK, thanks. Just wondered, as people usually seem to just ignore signs..

Agreed.

I agree with Carol. I am a light sleeper and having stayed at Mary's Boon on 6 different occasions and BSV on 4 can't remember a plane waking us up.

You must have been lucky as each time we went there to get Annie, there was never a parking spot and cars were all over the road. David always stayed in the car so he could move it to let cars pass by. Even the workers there were saying that parking is a big problem and there is no room for expansion.

Huhm, ok, although it doesn't surprise me at all, based on our trip in June, which should be off season, one would think!! Definitely was off season everywhere else we looked, but that road to Karakter was a ZOO...

I guess we were. My David also stayed with the car, but was always able to pull into a space very near the entrance. I can see how it could be a problem, even with just the guests at Mary's Boon.

Have wondered about staying there, have been there for a few meals. I always thought the pool was more of a landscape decoration - is it really useable? Seems tiny.

It is a very tiny pool but people really do use and enjoy it. Not a major pool person myself but I've seen people enjoying it out there both when we've stayed there and when we've gone as 'Boonies' for the day.

It's a nice little area to chill with a book if you're needing a day out of the direct sun but still want to be able to cool off now and then.