my wife and myself along with my granddaughter and her fiance are going to be arriving june 7th staying for a week at the royal palm beach do we need a rental car, how close is the grocery store, good resturaunts in the area, close casinos and i bet i think of more later
Thanks

If you don't get any responses here...try-

www.traveltalkonline.com or

www.everythingstmaarten.com

indytom,

Do you NEED a rental car? Not really but you will be very sorry in the long run if you don't have one. Royal Palm is a great location for dining out and catching the megayachts as they come and go but if you want to do any beaching you really need to be able to get around the island and a rental car is about the best and most economical way to do this.

There is a major grocery not too far from you but you wouldn't want to walk it and there are lots of restaurants - good ones, too, and of many varieties. I believe there's a casino within walking distance but like I've already suggested, I really think, personally speaking, you'll be happier having a car and being at no one else's mercy when it comes to getting around the island.

Traffic can be heavy on the one main road but if you just avoid the bridge openings in that area you can go anywhere with relative ease once you have wheels. Cars are relatively inexpensive and the cardinal rule is, leave nothing in them at any time, not even locked in the trunk or glove box. This is the very down-side of having a rental car - they are easy pickings for breakins.

Respectfully,

pat
:-) :-)

As you'll be right next to the bridge, you can head towards P'Burg when it's open. If it's your first time on the island, you might only want to rent a car for a few days, as there's a lot to do in your area. Or you might take a bus to a beach or town,

Traffic is terrible in the Simpson Bay area that sometimes you can walk faster than drive. There are several grocery stores and many good restaurants along the main road, all within 10-15 minute walk. This section of St. Martin is very safe. You'll find many tourists walking at night. If you want to explore the island, rent a car during the least cruise ships in port.

ok since it seems the general consecuse of opinion is that we should rent a car
any suggestions as to who to get it from

alain arnell at triple a. he is the best and probably the cheapest. his e mail is triplea@outremer.com.i pay 20.00 a day for a jeep bu he has cars and vans also.

We also use Alain for our trips 3 times a year.

And agree with everything Pat says. We stay in the area of RP frequently. We drive around to beaches during the day and park the car at night. Walk all over Simpson Bay to the great restaurants, bars etc.

SXMaholic Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If you don't get any responses here...try-
>
> www.traveltalkonline.com or
>
> www.everythingstmaarten.com

SXMHOLIC

You answer a lot of questions this way. Why dont you just answer the question. Wouldnt it be just as easy in the long run. Then they referal wouldn't be needed.