Hi to everyone I'm new to the site but have been to SXM 7 times going back in Nov 06 for another great holiday. Just wanted to say hi

Welcome to The Friendly Island Forum.

pat

hi!
welcome!

Hi bw, Hope you post alot so we can gain some knowledge fropm your previous experiences on SXM. Welcome. Scottie

We are visiting for the first time Aug 6th-13th - any pointers? We are staying at the Sunterra Resorts Flamingo Beach...any comments on the resort? What to do? Not to do? We have scheduled to go out on the Sint Maarten 12 Metre Challenge - anyone ever experience this? How about fishing? Anyone good to use?

Thanks for any help we can get :-)

Stop by Buccaneer Beach Bar most early evenings. You can walk from Flamingo. We'll be there 8/8 - 8/15!

Try the day trip to Anguilla and ride with the dolphins...amazing!!!!

before you go to swim with the dolphins, please do some reasearch. many dolphin faqcilities including the one in Anguilla are not so healthy for the dolphins.

the 12 metre challenge is awesome. that is a fabulous experience.

fishing? got to Lee's Roadside Grill on the main road near the bridge... not far from your resort.
ask for Lee or Chi Chi and see if you can arrange a fishing trip. they are the best on the island.
it's a good restaurant to eat in also.

At first I thought Lynns response was a little trolling here on GB but I could be wrong. Im not gonna argue dolphins again but isnt that place closed by now? Aside from the slimey green tanks and all the nature arguments against it you might check with someone knoledgeable to make sure its still there cause I read somewhere its been closed down.

Elaine - Where are you staying? Maybe we can all get together while visiting...it will be me, my husband, and 11 year old son.

Barbara - do you have an email for either of the fishing guides? We publish Texas Boating Magazine (www.TexasBoating.com) and plan to write an article on our experience in St. Maarten relating to anything on/in the water - diving, fishing, the 12 metre challenge, etc. Let me know if you have any other suggestions.

this is their web site
[www.leesfish.com]

and check out this web site for a variety of other activities available.
[www.saint-martin-activities.com]

We are a group of 5 couples traveling to St Martin in Mid July. This is the first any of us have been to The Island. can someone suggest a few good resturants, an Italian, Seafood, Steak, French, local cusine and any other you feel a group of soon to retirs Boomers might enjoy? Thanks

Howdy-
We will be arriving July 22nd for 2 weeks.
I can give you tons of suggestions for great restaurants. I can also tell you almost any restaurant you try will be good.
- Italian - La Rosa's II, Laguna
- Continental - Sunset Restaurant at GCBC
- Steak - Peg Legs, El Rancho
- local cuisine - Johnny under the Tree, or any of the lolo's
- Grand Case restaurants -

Rent a van and go driving around. The island is small and almost impossible to get lost. Visit as many beaches as you can. Stop at SunSet Beach Bar and watch the airbus take off, Buccaneer Beach Bar for BBC’s. At night visit Cheri's Cafe and Soprano's Piano Bar. Shop in Phillipsburg and Marigot. Try the local ice cream. Visit the casino’s at night – Atlantis, Royal and Princess. Take a catamaran trip to Prickly Island. Ride the Rhinos.

Uh oh…looks like your week is up. Oh well you’ll have to come back next year.


~~ Once you've slept on an island, you'll never be the same ~~
2008 St Maarten Pics

Thanks, We are also planning to do a private charter of a catamaaran to Angullia, have you any idea what is a fair price for a charter? We are staying in Terra Basses (sp) and have rented 3 cars so getting around should not be a problem. again thanks for your help.

For starters:

Italian - Sebastiano's in Grand Case; LaGuna across from the airport; LaGondola at Atlantis near Cupecoy; Spiga and a host of others all around the island.

Seafood - almost anyplace on the island has awesome seafood and most of it is fresh that day but if you want an inexpensive but good place that's very casual and without 'airs' try Lee's. He's an island sport fisherman and serves most of his catches at the restaurant. His grilled Caribbean lobster, while expensive, is awesome or has been for the last three years running when we've tried it.

Steak - If you want to blow a boatload of $$, try Rare at Atlantis near Cupecoy; if you enjoy Argentinian steak then Los Gauchos at Pelican Resort or Peg Leg Pub which has good food and spotty service much of the time although the word is they're working on improving it.

French - too many to name but Mario's Bistro would probably be top of my list. We also enjoy a late lunch at Friar's Bay Beach Cafe - awesome French food in a beachside setting.

Local cuisine - hmm, Mark's place but the locaton isn't too great although the food and prices are. Other options might include Gutside, on the way to Friar's Bay, which is very reasonable. If you want to try local take out barbecue there's Lido's Ribs, Johnny B's and again a host of other beachside local spots including one of our favorites, Rosie's on Mullet Bay Beach.

Best burgers and bar on the island, IMHO, would have to be Buccanier Beach Bar and people say their pizza's awesome but I haven't tried it.

We're mostly Dutchside diners but I have to say, I've never had a really bad meal on St. Maarten/St. Martin and if you poll 25 people you'll probably get that many different lists.

My personal favorite island restaurant is Antoine's in P'berg because I love their lobster thermidor or rack of lamb (both of which have been written up in US mags) and their to-die-for Grand Marnier Souffles, and Mary's Boon Restaurant on Simpson Bay would serve as a close second.

There's also a host of other new locations within the past 3-5 years which are excellent but the ones I've named have all stould the test of time.

pat