I walked over to the property and took quite a few photos about 4 years ago. It was a really ghostly place at the time. If anybody'd like to see the pics, email me at mighty(at)charter(dot)net.

I'd like to see the place restored, too, as I do like unique places. That's why we like the Holland House in Phillipsburg.

I was at La Belle Creole in St Maarten when Hurricane Luis hit the island and completely enjoyed my stay there until we finally were able to get off the island. The management company at the time was Winfair Resorts who provided us with another vacation the following summer with a prepaid vacation at the time. They could not have treated those of us who were stuck any nicer. I have often googled them to see if there is any plan to reopen. I would love to see if it reopened someday.

156 rooms, 8 staff apartments, 25 buildings, 25 acres
The view from the top of the tower is teriffic.
4 Tennis courts of artificial turf
There was a croquet court/field
A very elaborate cistern network under 2/3 of the buildings
2/3 rooms have vaulted ceilings

remember when, BarFlyMon?

those were the days!

[barcann.livejournal.com]

The Golf Pro from my work who vacations every year on a Caribbean Island with his family did stay there a long time ago and said that the rooms were very very nice and as I imagined, stone walkways throughout. He agrees that the beach was unusable as it was mostly stones like you find a Friars on the edge, but noticeable even when you swam out a ways. He did say that there was good snorkeling there that he remembers. He actually liked the place and he generally only stays at very upscale places. He said that the only thing he didn't like was that there was no good beach to enjoy and so he felt forced to leave the premises to find good beaches every day.

A few weeks ago he and his family stayed at Cuissinart on Anguilla and again,loved it because it meets his vacation style of "visit beach outside unit...back to room..visit beach outside unit..eat..visit beach outside unit..back to room.. and then finally eat and then sleep - repeated every day". This was his second time there. He met the Blanchard's on one of their excursions in from New England and enjoyed the food and ambiance. Lovely people.

He is now actually considering buying property on Anguilla to build an upscale restaurant. With that, I wish him luck! He has no idea...

[www.vrbo.com]

Life is not a child's game of follow the Leader. Instead, life is more about finding one's own purpose in life....your life's plan, and then making a positive difference on earth.

I remember those VAULTED CEILINGS very well. When the sun would heat the roof they expanded causing a loud BANG each time one of the beams moved. It was very disturbing having to listen to that banging noise all day.Plus I recall the pool water had a greasy feeling from suntan lotion.The only thing I enjoyed was the food buffet there.That hotel wasn't worth the money they charged tourists.

I just sewed on a button with a "sewing kit" that had a cropped bussines card saying "La Belle Creole - A Conrad Hotel". This may be 40 years old. I used to go to St. Maarten often.
Regards
Ivan Rezucha, Alameda, CA, USA

As I recall that hotel openned in the late 80's and was ruined by the hurrician in 95.I stayed there a few times and really didn't care to much for the hotel.

That's amazing Ivan. You found a little piece of history there. I love little "finds" like that.

[www.vrbo.com]

Life is not a child's game of follow the Leader. Instead, life is more about finding one's own purpose in life....your life's plan, and then making a positive difference on earth.

I really hope that the hotel is purchased and is back in operations. I spent many wonderful, romantic vacations there. . .I would go back in a heart beat if it were reopened. It was my favorite hotel on SXM.

Hi BarFlyMon !! Where have you been?

B, you didn't tell me BarFlyMon was here!

Cheers
irina

he come and he go

[barcann.livejournal.com]

Not me I wouldn't go back there even it was for free.I only stayed there because LaHabitation wasn't open on Labor day weekends.

BobP,
I'm getting the impression you didn't care for La Belle Creole - LOL.

Several years ago we purchased an armoire and bureau that were once furnishings there. They are heavy blonde oak and we value them as an "historical" addition to our SXM condo.

I, too, would love to see the property re-opened as a first class resort.

wendyk,I'm glad you found what you needed for your condo. The inside of the rooms we stayed in had furnishings similar to black iron tables & railings.Orange/brown floor tiles & heavy wooden roof beams that popped loudly when the sun warmed them.Besides the furnishings the pool had a heavy coating of suntan lotion in the water. The water actually felt greasy and nothing was done to remove the lotion. But I have to agree with NEIL the Sunday breakfast buffet was excellent. We normally spent our vacations at LaHabitation beginning in 87. The everyday buffet breakfast there was even better than La Belle Creole's on Sunday.Remember the rumor that Trump was purchasing the old hotel and was to be given a casino permit.Since its located on the French side we didn't believe he would get the permit.IMO, SXM already has enough hotels, rental units and condo buildings. The more hotels & rental units the lower overnight costs will be for vacationers. The rates are lower in recent yrs than 20 yrs ago.How about a nice park or beach area instead of another hotel.