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.