First time visitors!

Hi everyone! First off I want to say how wonderful, thorough and more importantly -kind- everyone is on this forum. So I thank you in advance for the helpful information!

We are "frequent flyers" to the BVIs and have decided to expand our horizons to the stunning Saint Martin island. We have accommodations on the French side near Orient Bay in a couple weeks. We are travelling with our two kids ages 10 and 16. I have a few questions to help us get the lay of the land. (We have a vehicle rented as well.) Any tips would be so appreciated!

1) Quiet beaches where chairs and umbrellas are provided (we would like to be somewhere we could plant ourselves and get food and drinks right there). Our kids are big snorkelers so a beach that they're able to do that is a bonus.

2) Casual restaurant fare, more for dinner- the kids have decent pallets but I fear the more fine dining will be wasted on them lol (Through recommendations I've read on here we've made reservations at L'Atlier for one night but would like something casual as well.)

3) Favourite coffee shop- I've heard that St Martin has incredible coffee and pastry shops. My love language! Is there one that stands out particularly to you?

4) Would you recommend renting chairs and an umbrella for the week for ease? I don't believe our rental provides them.

5) Grocery stores - the one that has the most selection on the French side. In saying that I don't mind going to a few different shops for provisions. I have read that you recommend one gal that delivers food and I'm thinking that might be a nice option for after our check in time.

Any other tips you like sharing I would love to hear

Nice quiet beach with food and drinks with chair/umbrella rentals, though not inexpensive, would be Anse Marcel and Pinel. Good snorkeling at Pinel. I wouldn't bother with having your own chairs. To me it's not worth the hassle. On Orient Orange Fever sometimes provides free chairs with food or drink purchase.

Thank you for that! I'm the traveler that thinks "less is more" with carrying things around and would much prefer renting chairs and umbrellas on the beaches.

Friar's Bay is another good stop for a beach (on the leeward side - no Sargassum).

I can recommend Carrefour, just on the Dutch side. I went shopping at Super-U in Hope Estate today, that has gone upscale and has a good selection, but for meats I'd go to Carrefour.

Grocery delivery is from LINK Shop and Drop. It's really nice to have a cold beverage waiting for you when you check in. I second the recommendation of Anse Marcel beach. Another beach with snorkeling is Little Bay at Divi. For a casual dinner, while not on the French side, try Mark's Place by the Carrefour roundabout on Dutch side. Super U grocery in Hope Estate gets good reviews.

Thank you for the insight! I will be putting Super U and Carrefour on the list

Really appreciate the tip for the more casual restaurant as well as the snorkeling! Thank you!

1) It's not necessarily a 'quiet ' beach, but I think the kids would enjoy Buccaneer Beach Bar. Another recommendation would be either Karakter or Mary's Boon. Probably better snorkeling there.


2) To ME, I would not recommend Anse Marcel Beach Club in your situation, since you said the kids are not into fine cuisine. Seems a waste of money to me. And you were talking about dinner. There are some casual options available in Orient Village. Suggest you walk around and see what appeals.

3) Coffee versus pastry is a different question to me. My favorite pastry shop is Le Suciere, which is on the Dutch side.

4) As far as renting chairs and umbrellas for the week, Craig used to rent chairs and umbrellas, but not sure he still does. Do a searcj for Packlight SXM and see what comes up. It is different with four people versus two. For US, it's not worth it, but when the price is doubled, it's a different situation.

5) The grocery on the French side with the biggest selection is Super U--either at Hope Estate (closer to Orient) or in Marigot. There are also some smaller stores around Orient, like Petit Casino and Leader Price, which is across the road from Orient. Delivery is available from Jeannie at Shop N Drop.

Enjoy!

Depending on the size of the rental car you might not have room to haul around 4 chairs and umbrella along with snorkel gear and whatever else you'll need at the beach.

In Orient Village, Le Piment has a vast menu including pizza which is excellent. SAO for Asian food including sushi and noodle dishes. Yellow Sub has great burgers and a casual atmosphere.

For coffee and pastries, the Good Morning cafe (on the left before you get to the village square) has nice pastries and great coffee along with full breakfast if you prefer.

Don't forget to drive in to Grand case some nights, to eat at the Lolos - local style barbeques, very inexpensive.

L'express in hope estate in my not so humble opinion is the best bakery on island. It is also by grocery shopping if you don't go with Shop n Drop. Orient has the beach there, I prefer Grand Case with the more relaxed vibe. Dawn beach has some decent snorkeling, Little Bay is good and I think the best is off Baie Rouge but only if not too big of waves. Not really a great snorkel island. There will be lots of options to eat in the Orient area.

Have a great trip!

Good call this is a great time to go. The weather is nice with a few exceptions at this time of year.

The Express by Bacchus is in Hope Estate at the roundabout to Cul de Sac. Outstanding pastries as well as sandwiches for the day at the beach. For casual dining don't forget the Lo Lo's in Grand Case. The kids would probably enjoy that. What about Grand Case Beach Club? I think they rent chairs and there is food available on site.

Question #2) Since you'll be staying in Orient area, I'd recommend Rancho del Sol. Casual, but excellent. And a terrific view.
Question #3) In nearby Oyster Pond we love Bread n' Butter (next to l'Oasis restaurant). Terrific coffee & pastries, friendly service. Also, as mentioned Good Morning in Orient Village is Tres bien.

There is also a new little grocery store at Mont Vernon. From the pictures I saw, is seems similar to Petit Casino. I second the suggestion of Good Morning in Orient Village for coffee and pastries. You can also get sandwiches made on a baguette to pack for the beach or your hiking trips. Take a walk through Grand Case, I'm sure you will find a nice casual place to eat. One that comes to mind, we jokingly call Casino Royal, so now I can't remember the actual name. It is in the beginning of Grand Case Blvd. on the left, just past the bridge, and has Royal in it's name.

Some good options for marigot (we only do lunch time in that area)

bakery/coffee
https://www.wearesxm.com/restaurants/chez-fernand/

2 nice lunch places

La Petite Auberge
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaur...t_Saint_Martin_St_Martin_St_Maarten.html
Be Kool
https://www.st-martin.org/us/restaurant/be-kool/

Thank you everyone! I've noted everyone's suggestions and really appreciate it. I find it a little overwhelming before I get to know a place and this has definitely helped alleviate that x

Hi! If you will be staying near Orient, I recommend Le Taitu in Cul de Sac, an authentic French Creole and moderately priced, they are closed on Sunday.

I also recommend Divi as a snorkeling spot! There are many rock formations close to shore where you can see lots of sea life swimming about. For the more adventurous snorkel trip, you can follow the shoreline to the tip and head around it. I've been told that there was a helicopter and an ambulance sunk out there many years ago. I've never seen them but I'm not that adventurous. As you go along the shoreline, you will see lots of urchins, fish, maybe even a few rays. While you are at Divi, you can walk up to see the remains of the fort and catch a great view of the neighboring islands and Philipsburg. We've also done the Rhino Riders which includes a stop to snorkel and also an Island boat excursion (although I can't remember the name) which included lunch at a lolo and a few snorkel stops.

We love casual dining spots -- Dinghy Dock and the Sand Bar just to name two on the Dutch side of the Island.

Enjoy your trip. There is so much to see and do, you will be back! I'm sure many others would agree -- we've all been going for years and still find new places to eat, new things to see.

Grand Case Beach Club will rent you chairs and they have a restaurant overlooking the beach and the island of Anguilla.

The Beach Club also has a water Sports rental shack that the kids might enjoy' snorkel gear, paddle boats, etc. Go to Grand Case Beach Club website to see what they offer and to see some great pictures of the beach and restaurant. And it's a short walk to those LoLos and clothing shops. There's also a place in GC near the Club where you can either watch perfume being made or even make your own at TIJon.