Resort Recommendation?

My wife and I have visited St. Martin twice via cruise ships making a stop. We've only had time to hit up Orient Beach area each time for just a handful of hours. I'm looking for some advice. My wife and I plan on renting a car and exploring the island as much as we can. This being said, I'm not sure paying the money for an all inclusive resort is the best plan of action when we plan on visiting numerous beaches around the island, and probably eating out. I know the hurricanes came through and did plenty of damage to the island, does anyone have any advice on a resort that is back to normal and they've had a great experience at?

Most here will suggest AI is NOT the way to go on SXM since dining and traveling around the island freely are two of the biggest draws here over all the other islands and all the other beaches in the Caribbean. Plenty of resorts to enjoy. Right now the Holland House in P’berg is getting very good reviews. We personally enjoy the Grand Case Beach Club if we are looking for a true resort feel. So many places, so little time, but once here, please do get out and enjoy ALLthat is Sint Maarten/St. Martin. There is so much more than just Orient Beach and it’s all wonderful and all different from the beach before it. Have a great trip whenever, wherever!

I reccomend Simpson Bay resort in Simpson Bay. Nice beach and pools. Lots of nightlife and restaurants in area. Lots within walking distance. Plenty of parking for rental car. They also give a voucher for breakfast as a package rate.

A/I on SXM is a waste of money. As far as a RESORT on SXM, what are you looking for, in particular? Are you looking for a resort on Orient? As if so, there really isn't a resort on Orient open, as of now, other than Esmeralda. LaPlantation is open also, but not directly ON Orient. They don't have direct beach access. Other than on Orient, there are LOTS of great resorts open and available around the island. Personally, my FAVORITE place on earth is Beachside Villas, which provides your own private condo ON the best beach on SXM, as far as I'm concerned, with all the comforts of home. I don't need a restaurant at the resort, as we cook a lot on island, so my requirement is a GRILL of my own, not a restaurant. And I don't want or need entertainment at my hotel, other than watching boats go by during the day, and an occasional TV show at night. Your wants and needs may be different.

I own at Divi, which is 100% in operation. They have just completed a fabulous pool with swim-up bar, and there are two others as well. Little Bay Beach is one of the nicest on the island: very calm most of the time. There are several restaurants on site, but you will definitely need a car to explore the island.

I guess I owe the OP a personal ‘MYBAD’ with regard to his question regarding his request for Resort Recommendations.

When I think of a resort, I think of a full service property which in St. Maarten/St. Martin, and most places for that matter, means it would offer beach and/or a pool, restaurants and possibly a bar on site, activities on site, possibly a rental car company, perhaps a gym and a spa, and finally, an activities desk which provides the opportunity to book activities across the island. These would be my minimum requirements for an actual resort-type property.

I am another who absolutely loves my stays at Beachside Villas but I don’t personally consider it to be a ‘RESORT’ property using my own definition of what constitutes a resort. I guess in my mind I think of it as more of a ‘beachfront home’ with all the amenities of home? The Horny Toad Guesthouse and Le Petite Hotel also get very good reviews from repeat guests who stay there but I never thought of them as ‘resorts’ so please know I meant no slight as far as not recommending them along with so many other island prperties that are quite nice as well. I tend to think of many of the larger properties such as Divi, Sonesta, Simpson Bay Resort, and Grand Case Beach Club to mention but a few, as actual resorts.

Do you have some specific details on the location of the Beachside Villas, which provides your own private condo ON the best beach on SXM. What beach are you referencing and does the beachside villas have a website?

Absolutely, Beachside has a website! Scroll UP to TTOL sponsors, and then click on SXM sponsors, for BSV, which is what we call it.

The beach is Simpson Bay Beach. I love my privacy and the beach at BSV is not crowded in the least. The direct link to their website is

Beachside Villas

We just returned home from St. Maarten, at Divi Little Bay Resort. It has everything a resort should have. 3 pools. Several restaurants, car rental, all sizes of accommodations, beautiful beaches, etc. And it is rather secluded on a peninsula, and gated. But like others have said, don't do all inclusive on St. Marten. Too much to see, and too many wonderful restaurants to visit! Rent a car and explore the island.

We have stayed many places on the island and by far for price, location, accommodating staff BSVillas is the best. We also like Divi and Grand Case Beach Club. GCBC expensive, Divi at time noisy and room cleaning not up to our standards BS V. Is perfect,

We are here now and waking up to the sound of the surf, sitting on lanai just a foot of pristine, quiet, beach sand between us and the water cannot compare to elsewhere,

I suppose everywhere has off days, but in the 12+ years I've been going to Divi, I have never had an issue with room cleaning.

Agreed!!! We have Been going to the Divi since 1988 and love it.