Hello
We are planning on spending 10 days in April with our 2 boys ( 8 and 10 years old).
I am having a hard time choosing betwen Hoste hotel, Cap Caraibes Hotel, Alamanda, Palm Court or condos such as Townhouse Menorca, Marlene, Carribean Riviera.
The kids like a nice pool and us adults the beach.Is there a place with a pool on the beach so that the kids can stay there by themselves?
Is there a place which is better situated?
Thanks for your help.

Alamanda is quite nice and has a pool but is back a short walk from the beach area. It, cap caribs, palm court, and Lhoste are close to the market square area which has restaurants, shops, etc. Palm Court shares the pool to the rear of LHoste but is more of a walk. It is less $ and friends stayed there recently who used to be regulars at LHoste and they liked PC alot. LHoste is quite close to the beach but costs more. There is also a small pool right at the beach bar/restaurant that is directly in front of LHoste.

I believe with Alamanda you get use of chairs/umbrella at Bikini. Palm Court and LHoste you get free use at LaPlaya in front of LHoste. Bikini caters to the cruise ships so on some days there are alot of people in their beach section. PC and LHoste do not so their area is usually not as crowded tho be advised, having kids with you, there is frequent topless and some nude.
I don't remember if cap caribes uses the area in front of LHoste or the next section to the north.
Have a great trip

Forgot to mention. You can also find a wealth of information at www.traveltalkonline.com

Actually, when you stay at the Alamanda, you get chairs in front of Kakao. We've stayed there on our last 3 trips, and woudn't think of staying anywhere else. They are the closest hotel to the beach, literally steps away, and with all of the restaurants right behind the hotel in the village square, it's a can't miss!

Staying at Cap Caraibes you get chairs at Waikiki. All of these areas are among the best on Orient Beach, IMHO.

All of the suggestions are great. Perhaps Alamanda would be best because of it's close proximity to the beach and the village. However, never, never, ever leave your children by the pool alone.......while on vacation or at home. It's just not being a responsible parent. SXM is a wonderful vacation spot. Enjoy!!

Contessa

8 & 10 is WAY too young to leave by themselves, in a pool, in a foreign country!!! They will LOVE the beach/waves as soon as they see it!! Our kids (10 and 13) have been going for the past 5 years and LOVE to stay on the beach all day. We come back to our private Villa and they jump in the pool to cool off!! Check out a Villa, IT'S WORTH IT!!! (especially with kids)

Have fun!!