Best Things Nearby:
Beaches
Best Things About the Resort:
Nice accomodations - quite large and well equipped and maintained. We also rented a studio apartment which was very spacious and well equipped.
Resort Experience:
There are numerous opportunities for fun at the resort depending on your taste: beaches, 7 pools, casino (not very exciting), bars, restaurants, snorkeling, scuba diving, etc. However, at the resort, the "Friendly Island" isn't friendly. The maintenance people were great, but everyone else who dealt directly with the public--reception, grocery store, restaurants, etc.--seemed surly and short. We met one friendly bartender!
The diving was better than advertised, but we won't go back to Dive Mania as a dive shop - again, surly and uncaring attitude prevailed from the people at the counter to the dive masters. Dive Safaris was much better.
The beaches were good, but sometimes crowded. Although there were several peddlers on the beach, they were not pushy or offensive. Not true of some of the people working for various resort shops around the beach. We didn't go to the nude beach after the warnings.
The artisans' market in Marigot (French section) was fun to visit, and the island is beautiful. Needed a rental car. Ours was from the resort and not in good shape, but it was functional. The drive around the island is worth it (although Phillipsburg is full of cruise tourists and traffic and parking can be awful).
Restaurants at the resort are average quality at best, again with not very good service. Ate lunch at La Vie en Rose in Marigot and it was excellent. Had dinner at Le Bec Fin near the resort. The food was good and the service excellent. If you like Tex-Mex, the new sports bar near the drawbridge (a short drive from the resort) was very good with friendly service. Also ate at a small Indian restaurant near the drawbridge - food was quite good.
We took the catamaran (Dramamine advised) to Saba for two days of great diving with Sea Saba - made up for St. Maarten. The crew on the cat were very helpful and friendly. Also fun and friendly accommodations (Juliana's) and dining (Brigadoon - great food and the woman who runs it is a hoot) on Saba.
- Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
- Activities: Very Good
- Amenities: Very Good
- Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
- Family Friendliness: Good
- Service: Fair