Sorry, not a clue.

Hi, can anyone who has been to the cottages recently provide any current information? The area sounds lovely, but the reviews here seem quite mixed.

Also, two specific questions: how far up the hill is it form the beach and is there really a privilege card with the Radisson for the pool/beach access? Does the Radisson grant that?

Thank you

I'm also trying to find out about the use of the Radisson pool. If I hear anything I will let you know.

We're planning to visit in December. We've read the reviews. We like to cook our own meals and are wondering if we can buy fresh fruits and vegetables anywhere on the island and in particular if we can buy fresh fish. We'd also like to know what the kitchens at Cottage de Lonvilliers are like. Do they have stoves with burners? Ovens? Has Didier extended his afternoon siesta to 5 pm?

We have traded our timeshare thru RCI to stay at Cottages de Lonvilliers for the
past 4 years! Our last visit was August 2009 and we are booked again for a week in mid October of this year. We usually travel to SXM twice a year, renting an apartment, studio, or villa for a couple of weeks and another trip to stay at the Cottages de Lonvilliers in combination of 3 or 4 nights elsewhere. We have always enjoyed our stay there. They do have wifi (Didier will give you the password). I thought I read a review that someone said you could buy access to the pool at the Radisson for $50.00 per week, but not sure if this is true.
The beach there is great, and just a few minutes walk down the hill and past the Radisson. I have done some snorkeling there, but there other areas that are much better.

The kitchen is adequate for cooking. There is no oven, but there is a small overhead microwave/convection oven. Love the fact that they furnish beach towels and hair dryers.

This is probably not the place for someone that wants to hit the night spots and casinos. The drive over the hill would not be wise if you have had a bit too much to drink, but it is close enough to Grand Case for dinner or the pizza place in the Cul de Sac, just before you turn to go up the hill, and other good places recommended in the area.

I will be staying at Cottages de Lonvilliers for the next two weeks, and will write a review soon thereafter. Be warned, folks, I have traveled extensively, and I would only stay on the French Side; There are too many drugs and thugees on the Dutch Side. I will give a fair and comparative accounting of our stay at Cottages within the next month. Didier has been only helpful thus far. Regards, B

Drugs and thugees? Yep, that's fair.

B
'Drugs and thugees?' Didier has been only helpful?''only stay on the French side?'
You may of traveled extensively but your post shows your whole lack of knowledge about this island. Its an open boarder. The crime is wherever the opportunity allows it if at all. Theres pluses and minuses to both sides. A little more objectivity mebbe before you put your report together?

Anonymous User Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I will be staying at Cottages de Lonvilliers for
> the next two weeks, and will write a review soon
> thereafter. Be warned, folks, I have traveled
> extensively, and I would only stay on the French
> Side; There are too many drugs and thugees on the
> Dutch Side. I will give a fair and comparative
> accounting of our stay at Cottages within the next
> month. Didier has been only helpful thus far.
> Regards, B

Our trip report for 10/15-10/29 to the Cottages de Lonvillies

I don't know what to say about the above comment...crime and drugs can be anywhere there are people...

We departed on the 15th from BWI to Miami and had no problem at all, easy, and smooth flying...I couldn't believe it!

Weather was great, the occasional showers one calls the Caribbean showers for the most part everyday... just brief and lots of sun!

Pinel Island was wonderful as always, lots of people the day we went...2 cruise ships in town that day, but still lovely and hot.

Orient Beach was wonderful and for the most part quie
t, Love the OB, had breakfast at Coco's and caught up with old friends.
Dinner at l'astrolab and again caught up with old friends, missed seeing Thomas, food wonderful. In fact the new chief I think was outstanding, had a wonderful goat cheese soup which was so good, my mouth is still watering just thinking about it. Surf and turf was the special and done to perfection.

Enjoyed my fresh croissants and baguettes everyday...something i look forward to!!

Dinner at Le Calypso in Anse Marcel several nights, very nice and wonderful entertainment on both Wed. nights.

Lunch in Marigo several days, as well as shopping.

Friars beach was wonderful,very relaxing and lunch there was good also...just wanted a darn hamburger and found it was delicious!
Rum was outstanding also!!!!

The cottages de lonvilliers were very relaxing as always, Didier was around taking care of business as always, rooms are in the process of getting upgraded with TV's, furniture etc. I love the peaceful quiet evening s on the deck, cocktails and husbands Cuban cigars...

Sorry to not get too specific on restaurants and food, our local hangouts were great as always and heard la tatu was outstanding but still can't find the darn place.

The new US Market was open just outside of Mt. Vernon on the main road. Nice clean and fully stocked. Prices??? well they are high just about everywhere...but then I am not shopping for all meals everyday...so what I needed was just fine.

We were not robbed, mugged, all of our tires stayed on our rental car and Unity was our car rental as it is whenever we go...We didn't walk the beach at night because I don't like stepping on things i can't see...
The mosquito's were bad...couldn't find the mosquito milk until the 4th day before we left...darn would have like to try that with rum...hehehehe

Trip home into Miami....plane late leaving SXM, later still arriving in Miami, storms in the area...customs a mad house, seemed to have to walk 10 miles from the arriving gate, through customs, through baggage pickup, through security to our gate. decided to take the sky train...by the time we got to the train we had already walked about 10miles... we got the train at station 3 and went to station 4 and had to walk another 1/2 mile to get to the gate...would be nice to have the sky train at the security check in!>< I know that sounds lazy but.... made it home to BWI after midnight...wish I were on the beach right now!!! hope to not have to go into Miami again...

Over all a great trip, met lots of nice people, worked on my french and have a great tan and extra pounds to show for it all!!!

Lynne

Perfect!! Everything a great vacation should be without any of the dubious'extra events' so many talk about and most of us worry about. Glad you had a good trip.

Respectfully,

pat




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2010 04:35PM by pat.

Staying at the cottages in 2 weeks. Sounds great. First time on the French side. Do the units have coffee maker? like to enjoy some in morning. Any names on good restaurants would be helpful.
Thanks

Mark,
Yes all the units have coffee makers and full kitchens, small but full. Very nice and relaxing place.
The Radisson is at the bottom of the hill and they have a couple of nice restaurants. The Calypso in the little village down there is also very nice. We ate there often, But you are so close to many good restaurants in Cul de sac, Grand Case, Orient beach area...you won't go hungry!
Enjoy!

Hi Mark-

My wife and I have stayed at the Cottages de Lonvilliers the last week of October for the last two years. We do an RCI swap and are booked for next October.

The property is nice enough, quiet and relaxing and Didier does a good job.

We rent a car from Michael at Unity Car Rental and pick up beer, wine, snacks and cold cuts at Grand Marche in Cole Bay on our way from the airport to Anse Marcel. The small kitchenette at the Cottages has a good sized fridge, stove and sink. Perfect for our needs.

We do not spend a lot of time in Anse Marcel. We pack a cooler and drive to Orient Beach everyday.

We have dinner in Orient Village or in Grand Case. Both are about 5 minutes away from Anse Marcel.

In Orient Village we like Paris Texas, The Safari Grill, Tai Chi and Tap 5 (for pizza, pastry and bread). Andy and Cheryls has the best breakfasts and cheeseburgers on Orient Beach. Rancho del Sol is on the road above Orient has good pizza and an unbelievable chocolate cake.

In Grand Case we like Talk of the Town Two and Calmos Cafe. The Sky's the Limit is also good.

We also like the pizza at Villa Pizza on the road to Cul du Sac. It's right across from the hill going up to Anse Marcel. We get it to go and bring it back to our room. A Villa pizza, a cold Heineken (for me) white wine (for my wife) on our terrace is a perfect way to end a perfect day in Paradise.

We like the Cottages de Lonvilliers. It's not 4 or 5 stars but it's a place to stay close to where we want to be.

daveb

Would love to have information on Belair Hotel near Divi on Dutch side of St. Marteen. also any info on the Les Cottages de Lonvillines would be appreciated as well. Am visiting the area in July. How is the weather during this time?
thank you.

the weather in July is usually hot and dry although it is hurricane season.
the Belair Hotel is a very nice older property but well kept. it gets good reviews.People like it there.

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