Martinbound,

Perhaps Fabulous Feasts has changed their policy... we catered only one very speacial dinner for 6 couples... we also used them for smaller crowd when we stayed a couple doors down at Little Jazz Bird - one special dinner for three couples... so, you may want to check again... we went through Villa Liesure, so perhaps there was a special connection.

We always did major food shopping at Match in Marigot (very much like any large shopping brand in US), they also sell wine and hard liquor (great prices). Be prepared, Match is all French, (we had a blast trying to figure things out, like -- milk, but who knows this might be a turn-off for some people...) For last minute items, there is a great "mart" in the strip shopping center in Nettle Bay area (on left going towards Marigot).

I used my calling card for my calls, many folks used their cell phones... nobody did anything special with their phones, just brought them and gave it a shot... some worked, some did not...it was easy for people in US to call villa as well. Either method was reasonably economical.

When we were there, many, many foats available... storage aea on side of house had some extra fun toys as well... that may have changed as these items only last so long. Worts case, buy floats at Match.

You will have a blast...

Tonka

Tonka,

Thanks for all the info! You've been great! Please let me know if there is anything else we shouldn't miss....the restaurant or casino that is a must?

Well,

Our favorite hang out is the Marina in Marigot... some great little restaurants there...get a table on the dock and let time decompress, just watch people,boats, moon, and stars...and the jovial wait staff. Don't try to rush a meal or a drink, or the bill...just relax and take a deep breath... La Vien Rose, in Marigot, is always our favorite fine dining spot, get a balcony table facing the water, if possible... no preferences over casinsos... we typically played the ones in Cupecoy/Maho area... but I suspect you will find our best spot to be the pool deck at Serna :-) just a matter of what time in the morning you want to start the blender for those frozen drinks...

Tonka

Tonka,

Thanks for all the tips! Did you ever have a problem at any restaurants with a large group (12)? Were reservations required?

All of your suggestions sound fabulous! I'm sure we will find our favorite spot to be the pool deck at Serena too!

I forgot to ask earlier...are the grocery stores open on Sunday's? Did the maid clean up for you in the kitchen?

We are a little worried about drinking and driving on the island. We were trying to rent a driver but was unable to locate such a service, particularly for a large group! I hate to take taxi's since we have rented cars, but maybe that will be the safe thing to do.

Martinbound,

We found if we called and made reservations, most of the restaurants would handle 12... some no, but in most cases no problems... many restauarants in the Marina would take us without reservations -- just walked up, depends on how busy they are. If one is busy, walk next door to the next...

I don't remember if Match was open on Sunday, but, pretty sure it was. The smaller mart in Nettle Bay was open all the time.

When we stayed at Serena, the maids (two) came every day... except the following Sunday...(unless that Sunday was check-out day.) We generally picked up after ourselves, throwing dirty dishes in dishwasher, just kept things tidy... but the maid service always finshed our work and would clean the kitchen thoroughly... we just did not like leaving an ugly mess in that area all the time... just the way we were...

Don't worry about the drinking and driving (wrong way to say that, sorry...) Of course be careful, and do use common sense... when we were there we had 6 couples and three cars... it might have made sense to have one of the three a mini van... but, we managed just fine... I would not stress about it...

You may want to lok at the other board to get additional insights as well... www.traveltalkonline.com, go to Saint Martin forum...

Let me know if you have any other thoughts, questions...

Tonka

Thanks for all the info Tonka! You've been great! Did you ever visit St. Martin in the summer? We're hoping the weather will be sunny every day as in New England we have been rained out the past month!

Been raining here, in Mid-Atlantic area, way too much over the last few days... more rain yesterday than what we had from Agnes in 1972.

The latest we've been to SXM is late July - we have always experienced awesome weather. In fact I would say better weather than the typical humid, hot days we'd be experiencing at home. And, you are hitting low season, where rates are better.

I would assume as you get into August/September in SXM you may experience more tropical waves... but hey, still better than weather at home...

Tonka

Hi Tonka,

I have a few questions from the group! Is there an iron at the villa? How about beach umbrellas? Two in the group are fair skinned.

10 days and counting...

Martinbound,

I don't recall any beach umbrellas, but they may have them available. Our group had a few fair skinned types as well and the great thing we discovered is the design of the house around the pool... there are many areas that are actually covered yet open... so some of you could be sunning while lounging next to some in the shade... very cool... [literally :-) ]

Yes, there is an iron, in fact there is a fully equipped laundry area right off of the kitchen - usually used by the maids and caretaker, but you are free to use it as well...

I envy your "10 days and counting..."

Tonka

We are a group of 5 couples staying at Le Cascades in Terras Basses, Plum beach. Is any one familure with this Villa?

Not familiar with it... but if the pictures are worth anything... looks wonderful. Good area to stay, close to Marigot.

Thank you

We ahve been renting Villas from Jennifersvacationvillas.com for the past 5 years. There are a great company and have always been pleased. We are going in Nov and just booked a 4 bedroom/4bath BEAUTIFUL villa in the French lowlands.
Go to their site and and can check the villas out and the prices are listed for each one.
Good luck!!

Hello Tony,

For your Jan 07 vacation look at the Sunrise Villa. We have found this to be one of the ncest and cleanest Villa in the Oyster Pond area. They were also in the process of renovatin their kitchen this summer.