Dear wife and I visited SXM on a cruise. Now we have the chance to go back as we had hoped. Only saw Orient beach on our first visit. We have rented a beachfront condo in Grand Case for 7 days,6 nights. We will have a car and want to get the most out of our trip. We are 50somethings, love the beach and plan to go to Anguilla for a day. Can we buy a cooler and take beverages to the beach? We have seen an ad for someone renting cell phones, beach chairs and umbrellas by the week. Good idea? Any info will be helpful. 21 days and counting!!

Hey!

It's good to have a cell phone and Sharon can fix you up.


[www.queenofsxm.com]


You can buy coolers from a number of stores in Philipsburg or the cheap types at grocery stores. All beaches are public and coolers are allowed on most without a hassle. If the primary purpose of the beach concession is to sell drinks and rent chairs it's best to rent from them.

We consider it an effort to pack chairs and an umbrella around. Just rent wherever you are going for about $12.00 for 2 chairs and an umbrells.

If you are in the Grand Case area I would suggest renting a car to get around. Visit the Dutch side for nightlife, casinos and dining. You don't need to reserve...there are many rental booths in the PJIA terminal, NEGOTIATE a small car for about $120.00 per week, If one guy won't give it another will.

Have a great trip!

BIGDEN

Craig Roberts of Pack-U-Light!! He's efficient, professional and a really nice guy to do business with. He can be reached at: packlightsxm@hotmail.com
Also, had a great experience with Leslie Bruce of Kennys Auto Rental. A real gentleman!! Great prices, too!
Good Luck and Enjoy!!


Contessa

longingforwater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dear wife and I visited SXM on a cruise. Now we
> have the chance to go back as we had hoped. Only
> saw Orient beach on our first visit. We have
> rented a beachfront condo in Grand Case for 7
> days,6 nights. We will have a car and want to get
> the most out of our trip. We are 50somethings,
> love the beach and plan to go to Anguilla for a
> day. Can we buy a cooler and take beverages to the
> beach? We have seen an ad for someone renting cell
> phones, beach chairs and umbrellas by the week.
> Good idea? Any info will be helpful. 21 days and
> counting!!

Regarding the cooler you can pack one of those thin bags you buy in the grocery for 2-3 dollars. I ahvent used them in St. Martin but read about someone who did and I used one in Florida and it worked like a dream and took up no room at all in the suitvcase since it lays flat.

In reference to a cell phone. We activated international service with our Verizon Razor and used it last year. The charges were nominal and the service was a good as it was with the one's I rented on the island. If your carrier is other than Verizon, it's worth a phone call to see if there is available service on the island.

I usually bring a soft cooler from home-is flat in the suitcase

You can't do any better than getting a phone from Sharon her service is the best. We also use Lesley from Kenny's car rental & he has terrific service so it just made two good things great when Sharon & Lesley decided to team up. Way to go guys. >< Dragging chairs & umbrellas around & having to take them out of the car every day when you get back & worrying about someone stealing them from the trunk is a real pain in the behind. It definitely costs more to rent on each beach but I am on vacation & the few extra bucks for comfort & ease is well worth it. I also understand that the chair rental company only has sand chairs which are not very comfortable IMHO. On a different note it seems as if once again a certain person was given free stuff to promote a business since it is being promoted on all the boards by that person.

Candace

tELL me it isn't so. Not again already.

Surely she's jesting!!


Contessa

i am looking for a reputable cell phone rental service dutch side st maarten. would like free incoming calls for 2 week rental

[www.queenofsxm.com]

sHE'S got the best rates and the best deal on the island and if you rent your car from Kennys he will even meet your with both you car and your cell phone at the airport and your good to go. bruce@sintmaarten.net

Since you're new to this, if you do use Kenny's Car Rental (also great advice) and have the phone delivered with the car for free, you will still have to return the phone to the Royal Palm store on the day of your departure and they only accept cash. You cannot just leave the phone in the car when you drop off the car at the airport.

Using Sharon is good advice and if you do rent the phone from her (excellent rates for the rental) she will need your credit card number "just in case". You can reserve the phone over the internet and 1 week before you depart for the island, she will e-mail you what telephone number you will be having attached to your phone so you can advise your friends and relatives. An excellent system.

[www.vrbo.com]

Life is not a child's game of follow the Leader. Instead, life is more about finding one's own purpose in life....your life's plan, and then making a positive difference on earth.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2008 04:30PM by John.

Where are you staying in Grand Case? Grand Case Beach Club? The beachfront condo sounds great.

Dear First Timer,
I returned last night from my first trip to St. Martin. We rented a villa on Baie Rouge Beach. I had a wonderful trip and I can tell you some do's and don'ts.

Do find Martin at the Marigot Royale Marina if you want to book a day trip by boat. Best prices for all day private sail with captain, open bar and food. (good food!) Be sure to go to Prickly Pear. It is the most beautiful place I have ever seen! (and you can take a cooler) Anguilla was also very nice, but we only dropped anchor there to swim, so I am not sure if you can take a cooler to the beach.

Do call Octopus Diving if you would like to snorkel. They are great AND they do not take more than 6 people out at a time.

Do go to Lottery Farm and eat at Fusions. Breathtaking views and really good food.

Do eat at Temptations and Rare for a nice meal. Other than that stick to "Lo-Lo's". Those are the local restaurants that look like shacks but serve great fish, lobster, ribs, and smoked chicken. The Sky's the Limit in Grande Case has wonderful home made ice cream.


DO NOT eat at the Fish Pot in Grande Case! Very expensive and very bad!

Do not get on a ferry if the waters are choppy. We went to Saba and people were leaning over board (if they could) getting sick. The rest of them were just wearing their breakfast. Not a good day.

I will definately go back - soon! I hope this helps.

Hey Sandman,

We are staying at the Hotel At'lantide on the Blvd De Grand Case. If you know anything about the place or the area, please let me know. By the way, are you a New Yorker?