Got St Maarten (SXM) Experience?

[sherban]

Hello All- Wife and I are torn between STT or SXM for our next Caribbean vacation and I'm wondering if anyone could share their thoughts, experiences, photos from SXM? I've also been looking at TA and TTOL...

Let me preface this by saying that we are more "party people" than "nature people"...so what is drawing us to SXM is the food, drink, beaches, clubs, and party opportunities more than a promise of great snorkeling.

Well, OK...here's the deal...my wife is almost 10 years younger than I am and she loves to dance and party that is why I am considering SXM...yeah, it's all about her, we all know that!

Thinking of staying here:
http://cliffsxm.com/gallery_photo/

Can anyone help out with some stories/experiences?
Thanks...

[alw1977]

I've been five times. Have plenty of pics to share. The Cupecoy area is very congested and doesn't have much beach, but if you are looking for an "au natural" experience, than that is a good place. SXM has a lot to recommend it, but I am more of a nature lover, hence our conversion to St. John.

We should probably PM about this. Wondering if your interests gear more toward food, European culture, a busy area, slightly more remote area, etc. I have many recommendations I can make. Our last trip was January 2007.

[flip-flop]

We aren't huge party people but went to SXM in 2002 and loved it! It was gorgeous, just takes longer to get there. We had a 5 month old at the time, so my memories are blurry but we stayed on Dawn Beach (the Dutch side - which is quieter), so my only recommendation would be if you like the nightlife it seemed to be more active on the French side.

That said, Scavengers (if its still there) was a great beach front little restaurant on Dawn Beach. We also had great grilled lobster dinner at Mr. Busbys.

Again, don't know if that place is still there.

[alw1977]

flip - Dawn beach is all f'ed up now. Westin came in a built a HUGE resort there and drove the smaller places out of business. It's really a shame.

[flip-flop]

BUMMER...when we were there it was pristine! Only a small resort (where we stayed) and a marina! That blows.

Oh well, I'll just have to stick with STJ!

[bevm]

It's funny because we went to Grand Cayman and loved it. Apparently the reef is wiped out from Hurricane Ivan (I think) and there's a cruise ship in port every day. It's amazing what happens in a few years.
We know we have a sure thing in STJ so that's why we go every year, having done almost every island. I still want to go back to Grenada though....
Sherban, went to St. Maarten and liked it. I believe the French side has more night life. But I was there several years ago. The French side also has nude beaches if that's your thing...

[Maryanne]

I was on a sailing yacht anchored off the French side a couple of years ago... I really enjoyed going ashore there...nice restaurants, night life, boutiques. And it was really pretty.

[sherban]

I'm hearing the French side is more quiet and quaint and has awesome food and the Dutch side has more nightlife, clubs, partying. Although I have heard good things about Calmos Cafe club/restaurant in Grand Case.

Let's admit it, the Dutch party...I love those people. Been to Amsterdam a couple times and been to Aruba a few times...they live it up.

I'm thinking about staying on the Dutch side so we don't have to drive the whole way across the island after hitting Dutch latenight clubs and then going to the french side during the day a few times to visit. There seems to be some darn good beaches over in the lowlands and Terres Basses areas...

I'm really tempted to check this island out...

[Chet]

Terres Basses areas...

We rented villas in Terres Basses (lowlands) and had the best of both worlds. It's a short drive to Marigot and the French nightlife. Go to the open air market on Wednesday's. Grande Case has excellent food and a killer beach bar-b-que for lunch. It's easy to drive to the clubs and casinos on the Dutch side - those by Cupecoy and Simpson Bay. Excellent shopping in Marigot and Phillipsburg. Baie Rouge, Plum Baie, and Long Beach are spectacular, very laid back, and clothing optional...the French are tan all over but we had to keep our white bits covered.

Don't bring your good stuff to the beaches and leave your gear in a bag on the beach in plain view. Sticky fingers lurk in the trees. That was our only bad experience.

[sherban]

Chet- Thanks for your inputs...the place we are looking at is in lowlands...near Cupacoy, Mullett, Long/Plum/Rouge beches....

I've read all the post about petty theivery...will leave the Rolex at home...oh yeah, don't own one...Seriously, we'll be careful about that if we end up in SXM.

ALW1977- Thanks for the PMs, you're a great help.

I'm pitchin' SXM to the wife...I want to check it out.

Any other inputs?

[sherban]

FYI on SXM....
http://www.caribbeantravelmag.com/artic ... 1000073087