Fifteen minutes in the opposite direction you're in French territory... unique. Again with much to do: shopping, restaurants, ferry to Anguilla, local market at the port, and a Marina.

Marigot Marina is encircled with waterside restaurants from Zee Best, serving the best breakfast pastries, to pizzerias, to gourmet restaurants. Shops line the three to four block area with goods ranging from T-shirts to expensive jewels,imported clothing and beauty products from France.

The Port at Marigot is also interesting - market is there daily, but the best days are Wednesdays, and Saturdays when fish and produce is also sold. There are restaurants and bars overlooking the market and the port. Many of these restaurants are moderately priced compared to Grand Case and it's gourmet restaurant. Late at night the bars and clubs are vibrant. No casinos on the French side. From here you can also take a frerry to Anguilla and it's high end resorts and lovely beaches.

Best Things About the Resort:
Port de Plaisance is a quiet self contained resort with spacious accommodations.

The pool on the top floor of the resort overlooking the bay is very peaceful.

The casino has lots of prizes, giveaways, entertainment and $5 tables.

Free Internet access and if you don't have your own computer, after 5PM they allow you into the reservations office to use their computers—I couldn't believe it.

Resort Experience:
The units here are very private and comfortable - all with balconies and a water view along Simpson Bay and the marina. This resort markets to Europeans for 2-week vacations, and boaters with large yachts make this home because of their large marina. The resort is totally self-contained with pools, restaurants, a few shops, a deli and a casino with no need to leave, but you are on St. Martin—you MUST explore.

If you have a car the location is perfect -and a car is absolutely necessary for your ventures to the beaches, restaurants and casinos - or shopping, if that's your interest. There is a car rental office on premises.

In the past few years, occupancy seems very low and predominantly European. We are happy for the quiet enclave and leave the property for daily trips to the beach and at night to restaurants and casinos. The staff is friendly and try to be helpful. The casino has penny and nickel slots—in case you become low on funds—free drinks, an excellent singer nightly and on weekends a free show and drawings for cash. Last summer they opened a gourmet restaurant overlooking the casino floor.

There are no planned daily activities and children would be bored. The resort is in need of upgrading but we continue to find good value and a casual quiet ambiance here—coffee on the balcony in the morning with the rustling on leaves in the palm trees—watching the boats coming and going and planes flying over quite low in the afternoon to land at the airport across the bay.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Good
• Service: Very Good

You really need a car to enjoy the many beaches that St. Maarten boasts - from quiet and deserted to very bustling - Here's a quick overview of the beaches on the Dutch Side, starting on the east through Phillipsburgh and on to the French border just past Cupecoy. This MAP will help you - follow along as you read this report.

DAWN BEACH - This beautiful soft sandy cove with sometimes rough water and good snorkeling was once our favorite -Unfortunately it is now inaccessible due to construction of a new elaborate Westin Resort - may be completed in 2007. Will there ever be public access to this beach again???

PHILLIPSBURGH: The greatest improvement in the past two years. This beach is all cleaned up. It now has a boardwalk, calm water, sandy beach, chairs and umbrellas for rent for $5 or $6 including one drink. Just across from the beach are numerous restaurants, bars, casinos, and shops all on Front Street making it easy for the shopper in the family while the others swim and lounge. Gets busy when the cruise ships are in.

LITTLE BAY - another picture perfect beach with good snorkeling - Divi hotel and timeshare are here so there is water sports rental and a restaurant and bar.

MAHO BEACH - a narrow beach that comes and goes near the airport. A great beach bar - Sunset Beach - It has live music daily and folks gather here to watch the planes come in each afternoon - Thursdays are most popular when the jumbo Air France comes in. Here is their web site - SUNSET BEACH. The water can be rough and there are no chair rentals. The remainder of the beach is shared by Royal Islander (Time share) and Sonesta Maho Beach Hotel. Don't forget your camera.

MULLET BAY BEACH - This long usually calm beach mostly retains its sand. A couple of beach bars with barbecues and chair and umbrella rental. On weekends it does get crowded with local families enjoying their day off. The surfers love it when it's rough. And there is some snorkeling near the rocks.

CUPECOY BEACH - Sometimes it's there - sometimes it's not. The setting is beautiful and rather private - Not easy to negotiate your way down the cliffs, but once down below there are caves carved into the rocks giving you privacy and shelter. No services here - bring along all that you need. Frequented by nudes and gays.

Enjoy them all if you have enough time - they each have their own personality.

The ambiance can change daily depending on the crowd. Local business people with their families come on weekends. It is very busy when cruise ships are in, and more quiet with vacationers at other times. The beach is lined with "Beach Clubs" with names as in Saint Tropez, Bikini Beach, KaKao Beach, Coco Beach, Waikiki... all have restaurants, lounge chairs and umbrellas, water sports concessions, and small shops that sell crafts and beachwear.

Always a breeze, a few rolling waves, and best of all a continuous parade of people. There is so much to see. Expect many topless people on this beach, it is European and occasionally guests from the "au naturale" resort at one end wander from their territoy "au naturale" and no one seems to mind. I guess it's one of the attractions of Orient Beach. Here is a WEBSITE that will answer many questions that you may have.

Chairs and umbrellas average about $20 U.S. per couple. Personable waiters serve drinks to your lounges. When it's time for lunch, you can choose to go to an open air sheltered area surrounded by palms and seagrape - somewhat divided with different levels of decking so that there is privacy - not just a big open room. You can also be served on the beach. Kakao beach gives you a take away Styrofoam container and plastic glasses. Although the food was very good, we preferred Waikiki. The waiters brought out a low wooden coffee table, not plastic - a bucket filled with ice for your wine or beer and real glasses. Even the plates were interesting; black or white, oval, rectangular, or square, depending on your order.

Food is exceptionally good for what we are used to being served at the beach in the states. A full range of choices from hot dogs and ribs, to wraps, salads and full course meals of fish and meat served with an interesting array of small veggies, stuffed mushrooms, tiny tomatoes, with mozzarella. The Kebob meal was enough for us to share. A true experience not to be missed, even if you are on a cruise that stops only for the day.

BAIE LONGUE: This beauty of a beach is Hotel La Samanas romantic setting. A long trek along a dirt road filled with pot holes will reward you with a paradise almost to yourself. Lots of beach here, many beautiful homes with large properties make it very private. You'll see a few cars parked along the edge of trees with a path leading to the beach with beautiful soft sand and usually calm water. There are no services here - bring your own blanket and cooler but it's ideal for those who dream of quiet romance.

BAIE DES PRUNES: Even further along this rutted dirt road is this cove - frequented by the French - mothers with children. Not easy to get to and again no services - you're on your own here, but the sand and water are nice and it's sure to be quiet.

BAIE ROUGE: Just a little blue and white sign marks the entrance to this beach - food, drinks, chairs, and umbrellas are available. (I've written a separate journal entry dedicated solely to this lovely beach.) Good snorkeling here near the picturesque rocks at both ends. People come and go all day long here - especially when the cruise ships are in port. You can rent chairs and umbrellas and order food and drinks from two grill shacks. Don't miss it.

MATI BEACH: This beach is between Baie Rouge and Marigot. Mati Beach and Layla's have restaurants that serve lunch and dinner at times. We have always the beach deserted and lots of seaweed and washed up trash along the shore. Unless it gets cleaner, we feel there are better choices.

FRIAR'S BAY: Again access to Friar's Bay is a dirt road found between Marigot and Grand Case. There is lots of room for parking and a large restaurant/bar and decks with tables and benches. Trees provide shade. We were there for a full moon party - the band was great, the place crowded with everyone enjoying food, drinks, music, dancing, and a bonfire. The water is very calm - seemed to be a good place for families with young children.

ANSE MARCEL AT L'HABITATION: A very calm beach with talcum powder sand lined with seagrape trees, lounge chairs, and covered gazebos - for hotel guests - but no one shooed us away. The restaurant and bar are open to the public but there are no facilities on the beach. The access road is very steep and windy. The hotel has been bought by Radisson and renovations will soon begin.

ORIENT BEACH: St Martin's most popular beach with both locals and visitors. It's very crowded when ships are in. Truly a French experience - don't miss it. My other two journals explain it in detail.

DAWN BEACH: Now belongs to Westin.