I just booked our trip to St. Maarten in March 2007. I can't wait to go. Our kids will be 3 and 21 months. It will be fun to see them playing in the sand. Does anyone have any recommendations for beaches/restaurants etc.?

-Mary

HI Mary, we went to St Martin a couple of years ago, flew out of Boston and had a great time. You probably know that there is the dutch versus the french side and that makes a difference in the food. If you go on the french side, the restaurants in the little town (forgot the name) are about 100% french food. Many people go to a huge beach called Orient beach which is good for the kids because there's lots of sand to dig in. Its noted for allowing nudity but much to my husband's disappointment there was almost none. The prices aren't cheap so be prepared. We did a couple of charter sails from the dutch side (most of the activities are from the dutch side) and if you like to sail, you'll have a blast. I don't know what restaurants exactly to recommend to you with the kids in mind as we picked small quiet ones where kids weren't basically. Try a good message board (not as good as this one but useful) by googling "Mr Saint Martin" which is devoted to just that island and I bet you'll see lots written about the beaches and restaurants. Have fun! (We stayed on the french side through GWV travel at a hotel called Le Domain something or other but GWV doesn't do all inclusives there anymore.)

I've been to St. Maarten/St. Martin many times. We have stayed on both the French and Dutch sides. My favourite place is Le Meridien/L'habitation/Domaine on the French side. It has a nice beach and 2 beautiful pools and hot tub.
I have been several times during March and it was a very busy island then. Orient Beach is nice but there was a lot of topless bathing and at the Club Orient end of the beach full nudity.
There are restaurants, lots of watersports rentals, and booths where you can buy pareos etc.
I've noticed that Westin is building a new property on Dawn Beach which we found quite nice before that area was hit badly by a hurricane several years ago.
The Cupecoy area has some nice beach area but the water/waves were quite rough the times we were there.
Captain Olivers was a nice seafood restaurant. In Marigot on the French side we loved the restaurants in the Marina area and there are some nice ones right in town by the market.
Grand Case is another smaller village known for excellent French restaurants.
On the Dutch side not far from the airport there is Cheri's Cafe that the kids might like. Enjoy!

We have a timeshare on the Dutch side and have been to the island many, many times, most recently this past June. Beaches: For little kids, I would recommend two, which happen to be our favorites. One is Friars' Beach (Caribbean side), which is between Marigot and Grand Case (the restaurant town whose name Karrie forgot) and the beach on Guana Bay, on the Atlantic side, past the Butterfly Farm and the horses. It is below Orient Beach, coming from the Dutch side. They are considered family beaches since the water is relatively calm on both. Since they are both on the French side, though, be prepared for topless bathers, though not nudity. I definitely WOULD NOT recommend Cupecoy Beach for children, especially since there is a lot of construction going on there nos. Your kids may be a little too young for the Butterfly Farm, but it's a great place. We've been there several times.
Incidentally, where are you staying? I can give more specific suggestions if I knew that. I suppose, from what you've said in your post, that you already have reservations. Le Meridien, mentioned in another post, has recently been sold.
A couple of things to keep in mind: You really must rent a car. The island isn't that big, and it's, by far, the best way to get around. We have used Michael (Simpson Bay) many times, rather than one of the chains, and we have gotten excellent service and rates. I have his phone number and e-mail address. Secondly, don't leave any valuables in your car or unattended. Although St. Martin is generally safer than some other islands, there are a lot of watching eyes, particularly by isolated beach parking areas.
I would welcome a personal e-mail if you have other questions. I would try to answer them and could provide you with a good Website for island information.

So how expensive is St. Martin, either side? What are the average prices for drinks or meals for two for instance? Is there grocery stores for shopping for your own food and is that expensive? I am asking for a friend...thanks!

First, let me correct a mistake I made above. The second beach I meant to mention is Le Galion, not Guana Bay, which is on the Dutch side. Le Galion is probably the best overall beach for small children (and old folks, like us). The waters are very calm because of a breaker which extends almost the entire way across the inlet where the beach is located. And, incidentally, there are places at both Friars' Bay and Le Galion where you can get fairly reasonable food. Kali's Beach Bar at Friars' Bay is particularly good. When we went there, we usually ate about 2 in the afternoon and made that our main meal of the day.

Now, more generally - - supermarkets and smaller grocery stores are located all over the island, particularly on the Dutch side. Prices overall are a bit higher than in the US, but not unreasonably so. It depends what you get. Fruits and vegetables will cost more. If you insist on buying your favorite state-side brands, you'll pay more for them. However, if you like Dutch or French cheese and similar products, they'll be less. There are also some very good and cheap Dutch and other European packaged foods (thanks to the EU). Dollars are accepted everywhere on the Dutch side; few non-natives use the official Antilles guilders (not the former Dutch ones), which are worth about 56 cents. Euros are the official currency on the French side, but dollars are also used just about everywhere.

Restaurant prices tend to be high. What you spend for a meal depends on where you go and what you get. A four-course meal for two at a Grand Case restaurant - and many others - with drinks, could easily run you upwards of $100. On the other hand, if you to Grand Case during the day and eat at one of the local "lolos," or at similar places along the Marigot Market, you'll pay much less. Of course, you can always go to McDonald's or Burger King! There are also many Chinese in St. Martin, and we've eaten at a fairly decent Chinese restaurant (The Lido) next to a market on Cole Bay Rd., just outside of Simpson Bay, and it was rather good and reasonable. A favorite dining spot is Turtle Pier in Simpson Bay near the airport, which is still higher than what you'd generally pay for similar dishes in the US, but much less than Grand Case. And you can get to see and listen to their parrots also.

A few other restaurant recommendations on the Dutch side for casual meals: The Boat House and Ric's Place, both in Simpson Bay near the draw bridge. And, if you're not put off by its location, Mark's Place in the shopping center parking lot (really!) at the first big traffic circle going into Philipsburg from Simpson Bay is quite good and reasonable. It specializes in island food and grilled seafood. A lot of local business people apparently go there. There are also a number of restaurants around the Marina in Marigot - some casual, some not, and others in-between, with prices that match.

Thanks for all the information.

Yes, we have already booked our timeshare at The Royal Palm (on Simpson Bay). From what I have gathered the beach there isn't the best. Oh well, I think we will probably spend the morning exploring different beaches and the afternoon on the beach at the Royal Palm (while my youngest naps). Good to know the good kid beaches. I also like kid friendly beaches...no waves and I can see straight to the bottom.

Since we will have a car we can pretty much go anywhere for beaches/restaurants. We are also traveling with friends who also have a child. We are going to swap off babysitting duties at night so we can each get a few nights without the kids so any nice non-kid friendly restaurant recommendations are welcome as well. The restaurant prices don't sound that bad. It seems like my husband and I spend that here to go out to dinner (without the kids).

Does anyone know where I can buy a cake? It will be my daughters 3rd birthday while we are there and I want to get a cake for her.

Thanks for all your help!
-Mary

Mary,

First, re beaches: Another beach close to the Royal Palm, but better (though not as good as it used to be) is Mullet Bay, which is near our timeshare. It has a rather steep drop-off, though, and is not as calm as the others I mentioned. Also, there is a rather quiet beach along Simpson Bay Village (as where Mary's Boon is). There's not too much sand, but it would be fine for kids. Coincidentally, Friar's Bay is discussed in the current issue of the "National Geographic Traveler," which has a short article on "secret places" in SXM. I hope it doesn't get too popular. You must go to Le Galion with the kids, however, but be prepared for the very bumpy road in.

Re a cake: You might check out one of the supermarkets. I'm sure I've seen some there. Also, though, there is a delightful French cafe and bakery on Airport Rd. in Simpson Bay. Turn left out of Royal Palm and head toward the airport. The bakery will be on the left next to one of many small groceries in the area. I think it's name is Cafe Atlantique, but the sign is hard to see, and it closes about 3 pm. The proprietor is very accommodating, however, and he might just make a cake to order for you.

Our favorite restaurant in Grand Case is l'Alabama. I don't think you could go wrong there. Mario's Bistro in Marigot has come highly recommended, but it's always been closed for vacation when we were on the island. Jeff Berger (see below) has many other suggestions. His advise is good. This is his Website for dining; he has others, though some are only for members of his SXM group
.
http://www.jmbcommunications.com/sxmdine.html

Have a great trip! And please feel free to e-mail me if you have any other questions.