Hi, we are first time visitors to St. Martin and would like to stay in a low key (smaller) spot with good facilities on the Dutch side. Would like something similar to Le Petit hotel on the french side (small, great rooms, beautiful beach access, not a ton of people) but on the dutch side. We are also debating bringing our 6 month old daughter so something that is amenable to children - preferably a studio / 1 br with kitchenette and pool and access to the beach. Any reccomendations?

Also, what is the new hotel / resort that was just built on the island? I like the westin, but it is pricey.

We are traveling the 2nd week in April.

Thanks so much.

Try Mary's Boon. Similar to the personal touch you'd get at Le Petit Hotel. Beautiful private beach (actually better than Le Petit) and they have various types of suites you can rent. It's also close to Maho and Simpson Bay. You will need to rent a car though since it is in a pretty secluded.

Place looks amazing. But i hear it is near the airport and the planes can be somewhat annoying....Also where would you eat lunch during the day? Could you walk to some cafe's or something or would you have to get into a car?

I'm choosing b/w this place, the Atrium in Simpson Bay and Carribean Princess on Orient Beach....tough decisions

We love Atrium. You can't go wrong - and you can walk to tons of places!

If you're looking for something comparable to Le Petite, the Atrium is really not that style. The Atrium is a very nice place to stay but comparing the 2 side by side, as you mentioned, it's really not in that catagory. I don't know about the other one so I can't help you there.