Hey everyone. My husband and I are traveling to St Martin Jan 13-20th. We have already booked a room at the Holland House in Phillipsburg for 4 nights. However I keep seeing posts to not go to Phillipsburg! So now I'm second guessing myself. Is it due to crime? Secondly, we are looking for a place to stay for the other 3 nights of our trip. Preferably in the Simpson Bay area. Any suggestions? Some place somewhat reasonable. Third, my husband would really love to go fishing. Can anyone offer any suggestions for him? We don't mind going out with others ( we don't want a private boat )

Thank you for your time~! Cant wait til January!

There was a recent trip report that praised Holland House for it's location, rooms, view and beach in front so I would say that staying in Philipsburg is not bad at all. It is full of many restaurants, gift shops, and casinos. If it were me though, I would not wander far in the evening except to drive to other parts of the island like Simpson Bay, Maho, or Cupecoy where there are plenty of people enjoying the nightlife situated in those areas.

For your extra nights, for a really nice place, you could try Mary's Boon, although you could find places cheaper which I believe you are looking for. Also, there's the Royal Turtle Inn in Simpson Bay. The Royal Turtle price comes with breakfast, if I am not mistaken. Then there is another place along Simpson Bay which people said was very nice and is great for a few nights but the name escapes me for the moment. Maybe someone will pipe in and advise.

For fishing, your husband can sign up at Lee's (it's a restaurant but has deep sea fishing excursions as well) in Simpson Bay. I don't know how much it would cost now but a few years ago my brother paid $125 as long as they got 3 other people to go as well. Lee's did get 3 other people so he went for a 4 hour fihing trip.

[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.

We've stayed at Sea Palace(dowtown) twice in the past year. Really enjoyed being downtown and within walking distance of an almost uncountable number of restaurants and shops. We did usualy drive out to other parts of the Island in the evenings.
Turquoise Shell Inn( www.tshellinn.com ) on Airport Rd just past the drawbridge in Simposon Bay area is where we've stayed for a night to three nights on several occassions. It's a nice, very well kept place. 50 feet off Simpson Bay Beach. Within walking distance of a bunch of great restaurants. Carter is a great host and manager.

That's the name! Thanks Norm.

[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.

Thank you for the suggestions, I will be looking into those. I was in St Martin 14 years ago when I was 16, but its really hard to remember the different areas and such. I do believe we stayed at the Royal Palm back then. And if I remember correctly we were able and walk to numerous places.I think we will enjoy Phillipsburg but be ready to get to somewhere else after the 4 nights.We plan to rent a car, but worried because the Holland House offers no parking lot. Would you suggest not renting a car while in Phillipsburg? Or do you think we can find parking?

Thanks again for all your help!

If you want, you can take the local bus to Simpson Bay or Maho during the day. It's fun and it only costs about $2 per person. You can pick up a bus marked "Maho" on Back Street in Philipsburg and when returning, if in Maho, stand in front of the Royal Islander and they will pick you up. You MUST tell them when to stop or else they will not stop. They will stop all along Simpson Bay as well. I went to Philipsburg from Maho by myself on one trip and I enjoyed it immensely. It was easy and carefree. No car to park, no worries.

If it were me (and it's only my opinion so don't think everyone else would feel the same), I would not rent a car while in Philipsburg and just enjoy the town and all it has to offer. When staying in the Simpson Bay area, that's when I would rent the car. The reason I would not rent a car while in Philipsburg without viable parking is the distance it would be from the hotel to the car at night and that would not make me a happy camper.

[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 highly recommend Roy for deep seas fishing. 554-7995 runs out of Turtle pier, by the airport. He'll work with you if you only have one or two.

Anyone know if Holland House renovated the upstairs rooms. I recall it opened about 30 yrs ago and I think I noticed the lobby was renovated recently.We had a few drinks at the lobby bar DEC 79 but we never went up to see the rooms.

Holland House is a well run property. The rooms are very nice; so are the public areas. I understand they have a parking lot one block over.

The Holland House is a great place to stay! No need to second guess this one! We so enjoyed our week there, and would return without queston. The room was large, with a king bed, studio-type kitchenette, and large deck over-looking the bay. I believe it had been renovated, but the original wood floors were beautiful. The staff at the HH are 1st rate, and the beach crew are always there with a "cold" one! Make sure you say hi to Iceman!

We walked from one end of the boardwalk to another, at basically all hours, and had no problems!! Enjoy your stay!