Rent your vehicle at the airport.The competition there makes for signifigantly lower prices.Some lesser expensive places:
1.Cheri's
2.Turtle Bar
3.Dingy Dock[oyster pond]
4.La Plantation[also oyster pond]
5.The lo lo's in Grand Case[also spotted around the island,For 15 years I looked down my nose at them but try them once and you are hooked.
6.St Severin in Marigot
7.Buffet at the Princess Casino[best buy on the island]
Have a great time

Dear Joy,
We love the Royal Islander. Unfortunately this past year it was hit hardest by the hurricane and so we had to forego staying there. We stayed at the Sapphire instead. I can't wait to return in Dec. The Royal Islander is very lovely with an expansive patio and pool area. Due to the hurricane, they will be redoing everything inside and out. It is right across from Cheri's, the Casino Royale, Haagen Daaz, many fine shops and at night it is lit so romantically with the tiny lights in the trees that line the street. Cheri's has bands every night and is basically an outdoor restaurant and a stopover for many of the tourists. It is generally safe with guards on the street at night. The grounds of the Islander and Maho are well lit at night and very romantic. The beach (what little is left of it) is not good for snorkeling and can be slightly rough at times but there are MANY beaches to travel to for snorkeling (read comments from others on this site). The airport next door is fun to watch and if you've never seen a 747 up close before, it's simply awe inspiring! We cook only at lunchtime and go out to dinner at night. They have a small welcome party plus a few other activities during the week. The rooms are beautiful and clean and the staff is exceptionally nice. We rent a car at the airport but that's your choice (again, read other's comments). We feel that our investment was well worth it and the view from our two balcony suite is breathtaking. Sorry to go on and on about this place but I hope that this answers some of your questions since you asked specifically about the Islander...And on the lighter side... a note to all other readers (since this has already happened to me once before), I know your timeshares are wonderful also but she asked about the Islander and I answered her (am I paranoid or what?)

In addition: Yes there are safes in the rooms. You do not have to pay for chairs while at the resort but you will pay at most public beaches for the chairs/umbrellas. There are a ton of restaurants to choose from within walking distance of the Islander. Yes I took every precaution when driving and parking (no valuables left in car at any time). Finally, you'll have a wonderful time with or without the other couple. Just remember to relax and take in the beauty of it all.

Thank you for all of your input about the Royal Islander Club. It =
sounds really nice. The only thing that would maybe bother me after =
awhile are the planes (I saw a picture on the internet of one flying =
like 10 feet above the peoples heads on the Maho beach) - that would be =
really loud I would think :0). Maybe by May they will have it =
remodeled and the beach will be redone. I think that we will =
request the Roayal Islander or The Sunterra Resort Flamingo Beach on =
Pelican Key (have not found anyone that knows about this resort yet but =
sounds nice). Have you been there? I sure appreciate the info =
that you sent me. Thanks a lot
Joy

I'm sure that there are some people that may be bothered by the sound but the people I have met at the Royal Islander have never really found it bothersome at all. In fact, after a few planes leave (and the larger planes are spaced FAR apart) you don't really notice it at all. The planes that come in, come in VERY quietly (They are gliding in) and the sound of them stopping is really at the other end of the airport (far away). At night, there is one Air France 747 that comes in around 9:00PM. It is enormous but unless you see the lights of the plane, you would never even know a plane was landing. Actually it is exhilerating to watch or even hear these planes take off. The first minute (literally) that I arrived I was hurried to a side balcony overlooking the airport to watch in awe as a 747 prepared to take off. It can't be explained in writing. One must watch one to believe it. Two years ago it seems that all the planes took off further down the runway rather than right next to the beach. It may be because the thrust of the air is so powerful that too many people were getting injured standing to watch from behind the plane (on the small beach). I was actually disappointed. Obviously if the Sunset Beach Bar does well and it sits right on top of the airstrip at the beach end, it can't bother too many people. Also, the traffic in and out of the airport is not like JFK. It is a small airport. I'm not trying to persuade you to stay there. I would hate to see you go and not like being next to the airport. Our friends as well as my husband and I just don't find it a problem but maybe someone can send you info on the other resort so you'll have another objective opinion. Good luck in finding the place of your dreams altho you can't go wrong picking any of the majority of the places in sxm.

Through RCI Points Vacation, my husband and I have booked a reservation for 11/10-=17/2007 at the Royal Islander Great Bay, located on Little Bay Road. Can anyone tell me about this hotel. This Royal Islander is not the Royal Islander Club la Plage on Simpson Bay.

Currently, there are no "real" photos on the internet. The RCI vaction directory only shows an artist's rendering.

Any recommendations for fun and young 55 & 59 year olds? We love snorkling, eating, meeting locals and just socializing.

thanks!

Pam, for that time of year you could do much better. Not a bad location, but reviews are so so. It was redone a couple of years ago, but not sure of the timeshare part. It is mostly an all inclusive. Some love it, others say it is a dump.

Augie;

I am an agnostic dyslexic who questions if there really is a dog.

I am curious about the comment there is going to be another casino in Divi. Are there any othercasinos opened since last Christmas other than the Westin?. Is there a date marked for Divi if there is one opening there? Thanks in advance for info
Sharon

We're owners at Divi and have never heard that a casino will be built.