TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin El Zafiro

This is the new beach bar where Tahoma was. On their Facebook page a while ago, they advertised a party with a DJ on Sundays, but I haven't seen any more about that recently. Does anyone here know if that's still going on every Sunday? I prefer a quieter beach experience, so would go another day if that's the case.

Well, I guess you understand then why those of us who stay at Beachside really don't want them to have any music there.. If they do have a DJ there, it will literally ruin the peace and quiet of BSV, in addition to all the commotion and traffic.

Here is a picture I just took of El Zafiro . They have almost no customers.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/24895507@N06/22731368958/in/dateposted-public/

When did you take the photo of Beachside Villa's?

From Annie's comments on Facebook, people probably can't get there because of all the people and traffic at Sunset!!

We were there on a Sunday and there was no DJ. Some soft music playing in the background and no disturbing noise when we were there.

It is always quiet through the week as food is still only served on the week-end.They should be soon starting food service 7 days a week.

Thank you, Elizabeth!

Very quiet beach experience when we were there last week as well.

we feel the same way about noise/ music coming from labamba . never understood why they have to be so loud at 1 am on a Wednesday

Two of my friends went there yesterday and they were serving a limited, 5 item, menu. They were told a full menu will be available Dec 1.

Yes, Bert told me that since the stove has been installed now, a 7 day menu will be starting soon. Still not many people know about El Zafiro yet. They need to advertise more.

It's still the low season, let's remember that. With that said I just got back from SXM and spent 4 of my 7 days on the beach at El Zafiro with 4 of my friends and we loved EVERY minute of it.

The beach is clean and quiet. The water is very easy for me to get in and out of ( I fell on my knee coming out of Eqinox after watching the Patriots game; the stairs are white marble and it's hard to see where one star ends and other begins.. Ugh!!)

The beach chairs and umbrellas are brand new, they also built tables as well. They play some ambient music in the background that is not loud, in fact is quite relaxing. The "facilities" are brand new, each toilet are has a new shower that can be used. You are so close to the airport this is a perfect last day hangout you can shower at and go to the airport!

We got food all four days; Angus beef cheese burger and fries, we had a great Grilled Camembert with toast points and apples, Grilled Chicken Salad, Seafood Pasta, Grilled Tuna Salad, someone got a panini, a delicious chocolate cake we all took several fork fulls of, I think there may also have been a fruit tart too, don't quote me on that, this is all I can remember off the top of my head! Barbie the bartender and Bart took great care of our libations each day!!!

I also got to take a peek at one of the rooms that has been done over, it was really nice. This room was done in whites and greys, everything brand spanking new and quite modern. Roomy bathroom and shower, bed room, designer modern bed, living room area with pull out couch, fridge, and of course a fantastic beachfront view. There is even outdoor furniture on the deck.

Can't wait to go back and see this place come into its own-IMHO there is not anything not to like about it, and all my friends agreed!

Great to see a nice review. We are hoping Bert can make a success out of this location. I plan to drop by next week.

We had a very nice day there today. Waves were a bit bigger today, but everything else was very nice. Chairs are well spread apart so you have plenty of room. Nice bar area, good food while still a limited menu. They had a nice crowd there today.

I see this place getting better and better, looking forward to future trips there.

Cheers,
T

Ditto what Todd said. The beach is beautiful there, music is subtle and in the background. The chairs and umbrellas are nicely spaced and comfortable, and we were quite pleased with the service. All in all a nice day, and we'll definitely return.

Can't wait to try it!

I think Bert's place, Dreams and Anse Marcel will be my go to beach spots this trip.

El Zafiro is operated by Nicole Dupree and her husband Ed (I think I have his name right). Bert is working with them, but the business is not owned by him.

So exciting to have another option on Simpson Beach, cannot wait to try it in January!

Did the owner tell you that Georgia? We were told Bert did have an investment there. It really doesn't matter who owns it. The real concern is the success of the business and hopefully they will do well as others have not succeeded there in the past.

Yes, Nicole did tell me that. I agree that we all want them to succeed; I just hate to see it called "Bert's Place", when Nicole and Ed have put so much work into the place, long before Bert had any involvement.

This is not directed at anyone in particular. Since there have been several mentions of food and many on here like to refer to facebook, I read a recent review there that was less than glowing about the food. Seems multiple people were not at all satisfied.

Their kitchen is not yet fully up and running, and their menu is definitely limited. I have no doubt that it will be great once they get everything ironed out. The beach is gorgeous, there's plenty of space between the chairs, and beach service was excellent.

It depends on what your definition of "success" is. NO ONE who lives or stays in that area wants them to be a "success" like Karakter is. The neighborhood cannot deal with the noise and traffic and congestion that they have at Karakter.

They have no intention of having loud music, as they're operating a boutique hotel there.

The last I knew, the hotel wasn't open, and even YOU posted that you were concerned about them having DJ's there, which you said was on their web page.

They have four rooms rented at this time, the upstairs units are not yet finished.

I think that the people staying close to here would like having a nice place to go spend a day at or some evening cocktails.

I am optimistic about the place, seeing the positive.
Cheers, Todd

Any idea if they made significant improvements to the rooms? Last time I was there it was pretty much a dump and not very secure. I did not stay there but a friend did and I was on and in the property multiple times.

Not to act like a killjoy but the rents from the so called boutique hotel will in no way cover the rent for the property. The season is very short 4 months and the water is very Rough most days in that area of beach and during the weekdays very few people are at Zifaro so far. I do not think they can overcome the cost of doing business in that site.
4 others with experience failed to make a go of it and unfortunately I don't think these people will either. People think it is easy to make money here as they come here on vacation and fall in love with the Island. They have dreams of living here in La La Land.
Again, I wish them success

Benni,

Like you, I wish all the entrepreneurs involved considerable success in their ventures, but as you suggest, the season is short and you have to make it then to carry yourself through the low months. And you also need to be able to commit yourself 150% if you're running a restaurant. It's a very demanding business and leaves little time and energy for the good life of island living. And adding the boutique hotel aspect further complicates things, because then you really are committed. At least with a restaurant you can close for a day off but hotel guests want service 24-7 and rarely can you find employees to handle things quite the way an owner does.

I like the area and assuming the owners do plan to keep it classy and calm, it can only be a good addition to the area so I hope it works, too. <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 did look up the rooms on google, and there it showed they have 3 rooms available, all on a specific color scheme. The pictures looked beautiful. Not tied to a timeshare schedule, people can book it any time of the year, which is a real plus to many. Breakfast of some type was part of the rental fee, and it had a decent price point, probably until the place gets better known. Also mentioned a security guard all night, just like they have at Beach Side Villas. As to others not making it there, this is the first one that gets the big picture of nice rooms, good food and drink, on the beach. Love the idea of a boutique hotel there and I think they will make it just fine at this location. Just have to work through a few logistics on the food and hire a good cook.

Carol, I simply asked the question, as I would go there on another day. The first floor of the hotel is booked, the second floor is still being renovated.

Again, you said you didn't want to be there if there was a DJ, and you can't understand why those staying next door wouldn't want the noise either? Did you confirm with someone there that there will be no DJ there? You were the one that said you saw it on their website.

I never said I didn't understand that others would care. They had an ad on their facebook page weeks ago, but when I spoke to nicole on Saturday, she said they weren't planning on loud music.

I am very glad to hear that.

I am editing this, did not wish to direct this directly at Pat, my mistake on how when you post it seems at times it is directed at one person which I did not intend. I do not intend to offend anybody but to make people think about the comments and assumptions that are made.

I am confident it will not be easy for these owners, but, it is their decision like many of the places on this island that have had both success and failure. Is this not what is great in the world, an opportunity to be a positive contributing member of society? A chance to put your mark on a business? I think it is, very happy for these people giving it a try. We can speculate on the energy they have to do this, the knowledge and help that will be needed but why? I am sure that many questioned me on my first and second businesses that I have operated, and anybody that has ever lept off the ledge to try to do something like this also probably knows the risk that is part of the deal and some of us have enjoyed the rewards.

Good for them to try, isn't this what we should be saying? If you do not like the place then don't go, if you do then regardless of if you think they will make it or not would you not go to support them?

Long live the people that have the guts to go for it. They may fail, they may succeed, but they did not sit on the sidelines wondering and that wins a lot of respect from me.

I do find it interesting that some think the place will get way too busy for the area and some think it has no chance at attracting a crowd. My guess is they will do well, that they will earn their success.

Cheers,
T

Well spoken, Todd.

I totally agree with you on all points. We've gone there twice since arriving on Friday. We didn't know what to drink so we asked the bartender to make us something yummy with a coffee flavor and he didn't disappoint - he called it Coffee Magic. We plan to go there tomorrow if weather looks good and will stay for lunch. Thanks...Cathy