Off-Season Specials

Visit www.Villalady.com for some exceptional rates on villas during the off-season. They have villas on both the French side and the Dutch side of the island. The web site has detailed descriptions and photos of the properties. An example of their offerings is one-bedroom Grand Case Cottage, which sits directly on the beach of Grand Case on the French side for $125/day or $795/week. Note that the price is in dollars and not euros!

7th Annual Caribbean Keelboat Championships Coming

North Sails, a world leader in sailmaking, is sponsoring the 7th Annual Caribbean Keelboat Championship in St Maarten. Thirteen teams of the Caribbean’s most competitive sailors have already registered, coming from St. Lucia, USVI, Grenada, St Maarten, Puerto Rico and Trinidad. Registration takes place on June 20 at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club at 6:00 pm and the race kicks off on Saturday, June 21. An awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 22 at the end of the race.

Heads Up About Parking in the Maho Beach Area

Still on the Dutch side, but at the opposite end of the island from Philipsburg is a very nice little area called Maho. The Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino is here, along with Casino Royale and many shops and restaurants. This is a relatively safe area with security guards on the streets at night. However, be careful where you park, even in the daytime. Do NOT park at the far end of this one-street area just inside the gates of the old Mullet Bay Beach Resort to the left. Unfortunately, rental cars are a prime target for theft. It only takes a minute to “open” a locked door or pry open a trunk. Also, at night, this area is dimly lit. Instead, drive under the portico at Casino Royale and use their free valet parking. Of course, you’ll probably want to tip them $5, but it’s well worth the convenience and ease of mind.

Holland House Completely Renovated

The Holland House Beach Hotel is located in downtown Philipsburg on beautiful Great Bay Beach. They have just completed a $1.3-million renovation that that includes all of its 54 air-conditioned rooms and suites. All street-view superior rooms and beachfront deluxe rooms have a king-size bed or two double beds, 26” flat-screen TVs, hairdryer, in-room safe, ironing board and iron, clock-radio, coffee maker, telephone and ceiling fan. The Junior Suite is an extended beachfront deluxe and has a living room with HiFi DVD sound system and IPON USB connection. The Holland House’s restaurant, the Ocean Lounge, was remodeled two years ago and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The hotel is within easy walking distance of many restaurants and bars, casinos, jewelry shops, boutiques, banks, the museum and post office. In addition, water sports, scuba diving and car rental facilities are nearby.

Until December 15, 2008, www.wiol.com is offering a special rate of $137 per night, excluding taxes.

Yet Another Caribbean Cocktail

Blue Martini

1 part vodka
1 part triple sec
1 part cognac
1 part pineapple juice
1 1/2 parts Hpnotiq liqueur

Combine in a shaker with ice; strain into a martini glass.

From The Blue Martini restaurant in Grand Case, St Martin

Summer Special at the Westin Beach Resort & Spa

The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa is located on beautiful Dawn Beach and features 308 guest rooms and six suites. Amenities include an in-room safe, hair dryer, iron/ironing board, refreshment center, ceiling fan, AC, coffee maker, Internet access, oversized bathroom, TV, and a balcony with an island view, ocean view, or oceanfront view. The resort has the largest freshwater infinity pool on the island, a fitness room, full-service spa, two oceanfront restaurants, a poolside café and bar, a fully equipped dive shop and a casino. In addition, they can provide rental cars.

You can now enjoy this luxurious resort at special summer rates. From June 1 to October 19, the Westin is offering rooms with a view of the resort for $149 per night. If you prefer an ocean view room, the rate is $179 or $229 for oceanfront. St Maarten charges a 20% accommodation tax and there is also a $10 per day resort fee. For complete details and to make a reservation, visit http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin.

Specials at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort

The Divi Little Bay Beach Resort is located on the south coast of St Maarten about two miles from the capital of Philipsburg and seven miles from the airport. The Resort is on a semi-private peninsula extending between beautiful Great Bay and Little Bay, with lots of beautiful beachfront.

Kids Stay and Eat for Free
Kids 12 and younger stay and eat for free! The limit is one child per one paying adult while dining. Kids dining options for breakfast, lunch and dinner are chosen from the children’s menu. Just select this special option when making your reservation. Limit two children per room. Available July 1 to December 23.

Summer Fun Sale
You can save 30% off nightly rates if you reserve now until May 16th and save at the Travel must be completed anytime this year through December 23.

For full details and to make reservations, go to http://www.divilittlebay.com.

Make Restaurant Reservations Online

If you want to eat at the restaurant of your choice, be sure to make a reservation – especially during high season. Now, you can do that easily at DineSXM (www.dinesxm.com). This web site allows you to search for restaurants by several criteria: type of cuisine, location, features (such as buffet dining, Happy Hour, live entertainment), “Best For” (such as sunset dining, island feel, unique setting, hours and price. For each restaurant on their site, they include a profile of that restaurant. This profile provides the address and phone number, a rating, a price category, a description of the restaurant, the type of cuisine, its features, “best for” information, which credit cards are accepted, menu suggestions, the number of indoor and outdoor seating, hours and reviews (if there are any). Be sure to check out this site as it will help you discover new restaurants that appeal to you and facilitate making reservations. Also, visit often as the site is fairly new and more restaurants are being added regularly.

Day Trips to St Barth

There are several options for making a trip to St Barth from St Maarten. All the ferries arrive at Gustavia, St Barth.

The Rapid Explorer Sea Shuttle is a 73.8’ semi-planing, hydro-supported foil catamaran with a capacity for 86 passengers. The Sea Shuttle departs Captain Oliver’s Marina, Oyster Bay at 8:30 am and 5:00 pm on Monday-Saturday and at 9:30 am on Sunday. It departs St Barth at 9:30 am and 6:00 pm on Monday-Saturday and at 10:30 am on Sunday. The crossing takes a short 40 minutes. The enclosed, air conditioned vessel features on board snack and beverage services, as well as audio and video entertainment, Round-trip fare is $125 for adults and $86 for children between 3 and 12 years. Please visit www.rapidexplorer.com for all details and to make reservations.
The Voyager is a high-speed catamaran that departs from Marigot, St Martin and from Captain Oliver’s Marina at Oyster Bay three to four times a day, depending on the day. The crossing from Marigot takes 1 hour 15 minutes; the crossing from Oyster Bay takes 45 minutes. The fares are comparable to those of the Rapid Explorer. Visit their web site at http://www.voyager-st-barths.com/ for full details.


The Edge is a 62' motorized catamaran, wave-piercer high-speed ferry that departs Pelican Key (the Simpson Bay area on the Dutch side of the island) every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The Edge leaves at 9:00 am and returns at 5:00 pm; check-in time is 8:00 am. The crossing time is 45 minutes. Round-trip fare for adults is $60 and $33 for children between 2 and 12 years.

The Swalgia II is a motorized catamaran that departs from Great Bay Marina – Chesterfield in Philipsburg, St Maarten on Wednesday and Friday. The ferry leaves at 9:00 am and returns at 5:00 pm, with check-in at 8:40 am. Sailing time is one hour. The round-trip fare for adults is $92 and $56 for children between 2 and 12 years. In addition, a $15 port fee will be charged per person at check-in. The Swalgia II has a free bar and snacks and offers complimentary use of snorkel gear. The trip includes a stop on the return trip for a relaxing swim and snorkeling in the clear waters of Ile Fourche off of St Barth.

Day Trips to Saba

The Edge is a 62’ high-speed catamaran that leaves for Saba from Pelican Key (in the Simpson Bay area) on Wednesdays through Sundays (no crossings on Monday or Tuesday). Check-in is at 8:00 am, with a 9:00 departure. The passage to Saba takes a mere 75 minutes. The Edge departs Saba at 5:00 pm for its return to St Maarten. The fee is $70 for adults and $35 for children aged 2 to 12 years. A port fee of $12 per person is also required.

To make reservations, go to http://jmb.caribbean-activities.com and click on “Ferries” in the left column.

Day Trips to Anguilla

Anguilla is just a hop, skip and a jump from St Maarten, and there are several choices of ferries to make this easy day trip.

From Marigot
The Link Cat, a 48-foot by 17-foot aluminum catamaran with diesel engines, licensed for 90 passengers, that make three round trips daily between Blowing Point, Anguilla and Marigot, St Martin. The catamaran has a roomy lounge, a bar, a bathroom and a large sundeck on top. It departs Blowing Point, Anguilla for Marigot, St. Martin every day at 8:40 am, 12:40 pm, and 5:30 pm. It departs St Martin at 11:20 am, 2:20 pm and 6:00 pm. The cost is US$10 per person one way. Visit their web site at http://www.link.ai/, email them at fbconnor@anguillanet.com or call them at 264-497-2231.

From the Ferry Terminal on the waterfront in Marigot, the ferries to Anguilla run every half hour between 7:30 am and 7:00 pm, with arrival in Anguilla at Blowing Point. The trip takes about 20 minutes, and no reservations are necessary. Ferry crossings are $12 each way, plus a $35 departure tax. The last ferry leaves Anguilla at 6:15 pm and leaves Marigot at 7:00 pm. Ferries are also available for charter.

From Simpson Bay
The “96 Degrees” is a 26-foot Mako that can take up to six passengers and leaves from Simpson Bay Lagoon. You’ll be met at the airport and taken to the boat once you have cleared customs at the airport. The boat arrives in Anguilla either at Sandy Ground or Blowing Point. To make reservations, go to http://jmb.caribbean-activities.com and click on “Ferries” in the left column.

Coming soon: Day trips to Saba and St Barth

Come Aboard “At Random”

At Random, a 26-foot Navy tender with deep seats and lots of shade, can provide you with hours of fun snorkeling and/or fishing. They offer three different packages: the Family Fun Tour, the Bottom Fishing Tour and the Fishing and Snorkeling Tour. The first two are $85/hour for up to six passengers; additional passengers pay $10 each. The Fishing and Snorkeling Tour is also $85/hour but is limited to six people.

Family Fun Tour
You’ll cruise along “Mega Yacht Boulevard” from Simpson Bay to Marigot on the French side. Next, you’ll be able to swim and snorkel at several beautiful beaches. Included in the tour is an open bar, snacks, snorkel masks and snorkels, music, some fishing rods and, of course, a fun-loving skipper.

Bottom Fishing Tour
Kids are welcome on this tour. The skipper will cut the bait and help with rigging the hooks, if necessary. That way, parents can relax, have a beer and go for a swim. If the party consists of all adults, they’ll go out into deeper water where you can try for bigger fish. This tour includes fishing tackle, snorkel masks and snorkels, an open bar and snacks. Good for kids over age 6. There is a two-hour minimum on this tour.

Fishing and Snorkeling Tour
For the first hour, you’ll be trolling in coastal waters and might just catch jacks, mahi-mahi, small tunas, mackerals or wahoo. After an hour of trolling, the skipper will find a beautiful area for bottom fishing for one and a half hours where you can catch snappers, yellowtails, groupers, eels and sergeant majors. If the fishing is good, the skipper will stay longer, if you wish. Otherwise, you can move elsewhere and go swimming and snorkeling. All fishing tackle and bait is included, as well as snorkel masks and snorkels, an open bar and snacks. There is a two-hour minimum on this tour.

To contact them, visit the web site at www.randomwind.com.

Baggage Screening System Down at Airport

As reported in the SXM Daily Herald, the x-ray baggage screening system has been down for three days now. Some passengers had to leave their luggage behind when they departed Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) Tuesday. Baggage had to be lugged to the airport employee screening area for security checks and clearance. However, this contingency arrangement could not cope fast enough with the large number of bags that had to be processed and many passengers were left without some, or all, of their luggage. Flights were not delayed because of the scanning problem, but the schedules were maintained at the expense of passenger luggage. No official word was received from the airport Tuesday about when the problem would be fixed. In the meantime, luggage continues to pile up. PJIA director of operations Larry Donker said in a press statement Monday that the technical department in cooperation with the maintenance provider of the hold baggage system was working to resolve the problem.

Get On Board Da Party Bus!

You can’t miss Da Party Bus! This once-upon-a-time school bus has been transformed into a colorful party bus full of Caribbean flavor. Viewed from the back, you’ll see an authentic old Creole-style house with a tin roof whose door opens to a wheelchair lift so everyone can party. Da Party Bus begins its trip in Simpson Bay at 7:00 pm and travels through Philipsburg, Oyster Pond where you’ll enjoy the sea breezes and then returns to Simpson Bay for the nightlife until midnight. The bus stops at Pineapple Pete’s and the Tijuana Yacht Club in Simpson Bay, Kind Beau-Beau’s at the Oyster Bay Beach Resort and the Driftwood Boat Bar. You’ll typically spend from 20 to 45 minutes at each stop, and you get one free drink for every drink you buy. Of course, you can order appetizers at any stop, as well. With 24-hour advance notice, Da Party Bus will shuttle you from your hotel to their starting point – and back home again. For full details, visit their web site at www.thestmaartenpartybus.com.

Hiking in St Maarten

If you want to stretch your legs and see St Maarten up close, consider going for a hike. St Maarten has 25 miles of clearly defined trails through the mountains and along the shoreline. For a spectacular view and a taste of history, you can climb Mount Concordia, which rises along the French-Dutch border in the center of the island. In 1648, the treaty that divided the island was signed here. Or, hike up beautiful Paradise Peak or Pic du Paradise, on the French side. This is the highest point on the island at 1400 feet. At the foot of the mountain is Loterie Farm, St Martin’s only private nature reserve. You can sign up to take the Eco Challenge day hike through this former 150-acre sugar plantation, which contains the island’s last remaining tropical forest. Below are several other contacts for arranging hikes.

Loterie Farms-Colombier

Guided hike through the rainforest

Phone: 05 90 87 86 16

St. Maarten National Heritage Foundation

Phone: (599) 542-4917

St. Maarten Road Runners Club

Phone: (599) 556-7815

Olivier Borensztejn
Phone: 06 90 62 79 07
Email:

oliviersxm@yahoo.fr

Authentic French Tours
Rue de Hollande, Marigot
Phone: 05 90 87 05 11
Email: frog.legs@wanadoo.fr

Dutch Hiking Club
Phone: 599-542-4917

28th Heineken Regatta

The 28th Heineken Regatta will take place in St Maarten from March 6 to March 9. This regatta is the largest sailing and partying event in the Caribbean. The Regatta will kick off with the Budget Marine Commodore’s Cup on March 6, which is a race only for boats in the spinnaker class. Heineken St. Maarten N.V., in cooperation with the St Maarten Yacht Club, has announced that the headline performance this year to conclude the four-day Regatta is a concert by Shaggy on the beach of Kim Sha (Simpson Bay) on March 9. Grammy Award-winning Shaggy is a Jamaican-American reggae singer who has six albums, five #1 hits, and 11 top-ten singles worldwide. Go to www.heinekenregatta.com for all the details about this year’s exiciting Regatta

Thursday, March 6th
Registration for all classes at the St Maarten Yacht Club in Simpson Bay from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Budget Marine Commodores Cup
Welcoming Party at Port de Plaisance

Friday, March 7th
The first race starts outside of Simpson Bay:
The Race around the Island for most classes from Simpson Bay to Great Bay
Prize Giving Ceremony and Party in Great Bay

Saturday, March 8th
Most classes race from Simpson Bay to Marigot
Prize Giving Ceremony and Party at Waterfront in Marigot

Sunday, March 9th
The final day with a race from Marigot to Simpson Bay
Prize Giving Ceremony and Final party in Simpson Bay with Shaggy

A Few of the Best Places for Souvenirs

Last Mango in Paradise is located on Front Street in Philipsburg. For lovers of Jimmy Buffet, this is the ultimate T-shirt and CD shop. The owners, Rodger and Bootsie, 30-year residents of St. Maarten and St. Barths, personally design their own custom Last Mango in Paradise apparel.

Rima’s Beach Wear, which has been in business for over 24 years, is located across from the lagoon in Philipsburg at 95 Pondfill Road. This is a large store that sells a wide selection of T-shirts, pareos, beachwear, hats, beach bags, towels, tropical dresses and skirts, jewelry…you name it!

Windmill, in downtown Philipsburg, west of the court house on the Great Bay side of Front Street has thousands of T-shirts and sweatshirts, plus many, many more items.

Spirit Air Cuts Two Thirds of Its SXM Flights

Spirit Airlines, which had three flights per week to St Maarten, is discontinuing two of its three flights effective immediately. Their once-a-week flight that departs Ft. Lauderdale will be on Sunday. They are complaining about the high cost of fuel and the high landing fees at Princess Juliana Airport in St Maarten.

Spirit has had several customer service issues, and its policy of charging extra for almost everything has not been well received.

Indigo Bay Estates

Indigo Bay Estates, a new development on 148 acres in Cay Bay, St Maarten, will include luxury villas, ocean-view condominiums, single-family houses, townhomes and a five-star hotel with an ocean spa. This ambitious project has set its goal to become an environmental model for future projects by addressing environmental concerns such as saving indigenous trees and installing low lighting to encourage turtles to come ashore. Indigenous trees will be transplanted to a temporary nursery and will replanted when the infrastructure is complete. The project will use energy-efficient technologies, recycle wastewater for irrigation and install a “smokeless burn” unit for trash disposal. Lighting on the beach will be changed, and areas will be protected to encourage sea turtles to come ashore to nest. Most of the parking for the low-density development will be underground. This gated community will also offer 24-hour security, a boardwalk, a fitness center, an oceanfront bar and an equestrian center. The official groundbreaking is set for July 8, 2008. The first phase of work will take a year, and the first units will be available in the summer of 2009. For more information, go to www.indigo-bay.com.

Stone Restaurant

The Stone Restaurant, located in Simpson Bay at 23 Airport Road next to The Subway, serves International cuisine and is open from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. This newly opened casual restaurant serves top-quality meat, as well as lobster, and sashimi-grade tuna and salmon. The tenderloin is partially cooked in the kitchen and then served on a flat, polished, heated stone. Appetizers include salmon or vegetarian spring rolls. The professionally trained chef is Johann Roebert, the son of Neil Roebert, owner and captain of the Celine catamaran. Reviews state that this is a must-visit restaurant. You can contact them at 599-580-7841.

Radisson Resort to Reopen August 2008

The Radisson Resort St Martin in currently undergoing an $80 million renovation and transformation. The hotel is located in Anse Marcel on 1600 feet of beachfront on the north coast of St Martin. Originally scheduled to open in April 2008, the date has been pushed forward to August 2008. The renovations will feature the Larimar Spa; more than 5500 sq ft of meeting space; an open-air, beachfront restaurant; a contemporary upscale tapas bar in the lobby; lush, tropical gardens and an infinity pool.

The hotel will offer 189 rooms and 63 suites plus waterfront suites adjacent to the hotel’s 150-slip marina, which can accommodate yachts and sailboats up to 90 feet. The marina is located among one of the safest and prettiest harbors in the Lesser Antilles. The full-service marina is open daily and offers electric hook-up, clearance and customs services, laundry and shower facilities and fresh water. WiFi, restrooms and pay phones are available. In addition, the marina offers business services including photo copies and fax services.

Halsey's Restaurant and Lounge

Halsey’s is a very casual, come-as-you-are restaurant and lounge located just south of the Simpson Bay drawbridge across the street from the Royal Palm Resort. They offer such entrees as pecan-encrusted rack of lamb, filet mignon with broiled gorgonzola, sesame-encrusted yellowfin tuna, blackened mahi-mahi and duck breast with foie gras.. Happy Hour takes place every day from 4:00 to 6:00 with tasty nibbles such as fresh oysters and mussels. Fridays feature a sushi menu, wine and cheese tastings and a $5 Martini menu. Halsey’s also stocks a wide assortment of wines from all over the world as well as premium liquors and beers. For more information, check out their web site at http://www.halseysrestaurant.com.

86 Welfare Road, Simpson Bay
599.544.2882
Open 7 days a week

Jet Blue Flights from JFK

In mid-January, Jet Blue began flights from JFK to St Maarten beginning at just $154 one way. Reports from passengers confirm their claim to extra leg room and free, plentiful snacks. In addition, they offer seatback TVs with Direct TV programming and free wireless. In October 2007, Jet Blue was named the number one U.S. domestic airline by Conde Nast Traveler magazine's "Readers' Choice Awards" for the sixth year in a row. As of January 2008, the average fleet age of Jet Blue Airways was only 3.2 years. Their fleet consists of 104 Airbus A320-200 planes with a capacity of 150 passengers and 30 Embraer 190 planes (see photo) with a capacity of 100 passengers. The Embraer 190s are equipped with XM Satellite radio. The Airbus will also be equipped with XM Satellite radio once the current project of upgrading the seatback TV screens to a larger size is completed.