TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Norovirus

Does anyone have updated information on the norovirus at the Sonesta Maho hotel? I am heading there (hopefully) in a few weeks with a large group...seriously considering switching hotels but seeing we need a bunch of rooms, it is easier just to stay put if the threat is gone.

Quite a long discussion on this here.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147346-i222-k9324401-Norovirus-St_Maarten_St_Martin.html

If possible, if you can do it without paying more money, I'd try to switch to Great Bay, or go somewhere else all together. It seems that the Sonesta has had problems for the past few months and I personally wouldn't want to take a chance.

Appears to be still a problem from what I have read.

The OP said they have a few more weeks, so it may be gone by then, but it appears it is still a problem as of now.

Great Bay is adults only...not an option for us. Like I said, we are opened to switching resorts but didn't want to go through the hassle if the situation was cleared up. Traveling with a large group and making everyone happy is quite difficult!

OK, sounds like a thankless job for you! As of now it still appears to be an issue. Best wishes with whatever you decide to do..

I just asked the same question.
From reading Trip Advisor, lots of people are getting sick at the Maho resort.
I'm sure it can't be confined to one building. People staying there do go out to restaurants, beaches, etc.

If you've ever had this virus you're in no condition to go anywhere. Heck you can't even leave the bathroom. And if you're lucky the sink is close to the toilet because it's projectile from both ends.

Yes, both my husband and myself had the virus in SXM maybe a year to 2 years ago. I was speaking of the time right before and after the V and D !!!
I also had food poisoning right before the virus, plus having stomach issues of my own now, I am a little nervous. I guess I am just hoping someone will say that it is getting better .

havent heard anyone else sick now for almost two weeks. at least at LaPlage. But.....asked at the front desk, and they feel it is gone.

Sorry Ed, the front desk is probably NOT going to give you true information. It is in their best interest to downplay any situation like that. The bigger problems continue to be at Sonesta though, at least in part because of the a/i concept.

As a comment, we have been traveling to SXM since 1984 spending initially one week at our timeshare, building up to our current two week stay. Have eaten all over the island including lolos and have drunk the water. No problems. However did contact the Noro virus twice while living in Illinois. Appears that it was "going around in the schools" and even though we have no children, contact with parents of sick kids was enough for me personally to endure the "three days of hell". My Wife thankfully never contracted this bug, although she also worked full time in the business world also. That being said one notices the frequency of outbreaks of this virus on the mega-cruise ships. Given the turn-around time in port, it is no wonder that on these 5000+ passenger and crew behemoths - a sanitary cleansing of all public and private areas is difficult, if not impossible, in the brief time between sailings. Large hotel complexes also seem to have the same problem. Solutions ?????

That sounds good! Thanks. Hope it's true .
I'm going to stop reading Trip Advisor.

Actually, as far as cruise ships, they actually CAN do a pretty thorough cleaning when the ship is there for the weekly (or so) turnaround, as they have special crews that come in and clean. Often it means the ship is a couple of hours late sailing, but they can do a pretty thorough cleaning. At Sonesta, the problem is that they never have been closed and everything cleaned, like they do when cruise ships turn around.

Friend of a friend just came back from Maho on March 24. Six people in party, six Noro victims.
Convinced me to change my date from April 14 to May 12. Hopefully it will be cleared up by then.

George

Maho, as in staying at Sonesta, or somewhere else?

Sonesta
George

Glad we are not going in April this year!!!!!

Are you a chicken Bill? Lol We will miss you! I have heard of people still sick in Maho as of this past weekend. I am guessing that the hotels won't divulge and the people who are effected are too sick or not on any of the message boards! Good luck Terry! Hope you guys stay well on this trip!

Can the powers that be please change the the subject title to "Norovirus"?

Thanks

I never even noticed that! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thank you so much. I just wanted it corrected for anyone that was not familiar with it and wanted to look for more information. As always, a rapid response and things are made better.

No problem, as I said, sorry I didn't pay attention to it before.. A person who does a search also wouldn't find it, without it being spelled correctly. Thanks for the note.

Thanks Laurel. With my problem stomach, I have been very nervous about going before we heard about the Norovirus--but now even more---trying to keep positive thoughts and keeping away from the Maho area completely!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

The owners of BSV will be there, so I guess they feel comfortable at their resort.
It's been in Maho for several months. The Health Dept has to close it down and have them clean it up or it will never go away.

So I wonder if its safe to go to restaurants and bars in the Maho area? I was wanting to go to Driftwood for the first time but I sure don't want to spend my vaca in the bathroom!!!