Our Honeymoon in St. Maartin

I could not believe that one island could have some many different types of beaches to promote. You would be doing yourself a disservice if you only stayed on one beach. "What could be so different?" you ask... well, some are calm beaches, some are great for wave jumping and have a little bigger waves that crash on the beach. Some are great for using your snorkel and seeing what is swimming beneath you, others have bars on the beach where you can get food and drink while you enjoy the view. Some are so desolate (or at least they were when we were there in September) that you are the only one on the sand for hundreds of feet and another is great for topless sunbathing.

Quick Tips:

Get one of the local guidebooks that can be found free at stores or restaurants all over.

Best Way To Get Around:

We rented a car for the week. There is an inexpensive public bus transportation system that many tourists use, but we were not feeling that adventurous.

Best Things Nearby:
Beaches, casino, tennis courts, restaurants, the airport

Best Things About the Resort:
Beaches, casino, proximity to restaurants

Resort Experience:
We enjoyed Pelican Resort. It was very close to the airport, so the drive was easy. It was not all-inclusive, but that gave us a chance to visit many of the over 200 local restaurants. And we went in the off-season, so we could get around the island and to the different beaches pretty easily.

The unit itself was a little bit outdated with a ‘70s feel to it. But I have to say, it was clean. And in the tropical weather, the tile floor kept us cool.

The selection of swimming pools was unbelievable. But my favorite was the one that served poolside (and in-pool) mango daiquiris - yum!

And for a night of not driving around, the on-site casino was a nice change from most resorts.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Very Good

We would have never found this place if we hadn't gone snorkeling. Our tour guide pointed out this well-known restaurant, which sits on the water while we were on our way to our snorkeling destination.

This eatery is located in Sandy Ground near the French bridge. Its waterfront location and good food make it a very popular place, and reservations are a must. The cuisine is international, with an Indonesian flair. Dinner only. Mario's is a French restaurant (found often on the island, due to the dual ownership of the island by both the Dutch and French) but is not found in the dining guides given out free to tourists.

Our snorkeling instructor told us that if you ask anyone who comes here often or lives here that Mario's is one of the top three restaurants on the island. During the busy season (which is pretty much year-round except for hurricane season), you have to call weeks in advance to get a reservation here. But in mid-September, we walked right in and had the best table in the place.

If you don't know where to find the restaurant, you won't. But it is worth asking someone to find. You won't be disappointed.

This place was within walking distance of the Pelican Resort. We noticed it because it has that same name as a well-known restaurant in Philadelphia. We sat out on the deck overlooking Simpson Bay.

The food was excellent. The atmosphere was wonderfully romantic.