Yikes...logging in was brutal..."safe" looking place for info. Anyway, I realize, like most forums that I can go back thru 97 plus pages of "archives" to get the information I need, however, I'd like to ask, now, to save some time if you don't mind. I'm looking for an economical, friendly and trustworthy rental car company... any locals you's recommend? I've heard they are the best but, unfortunately I have never pursued that option? I've dealt with the standard Avis, Hertz, Thrifty (ad nauseum) and have had tough, unfriendly and discourteous experiences for the most part. Can you help me? I'm 100% certain this question has been answered thousands of times. One more time please !!! Yes, I've been to SXM over and over again...it's time for a change !!! WE "timeshare" at The Towers at Mullet Bay.

no one is better than alain arnell at triple a car rental. ask him for the special rate..but to be fair, there are many locals that are good also. i would stay away from the hertz,avis,thrifty national sites. you will not be sorry with AAA

Welcome.....You will find all your answers here!!!.....I take taxis....so have no idea on car rentals!!

We second Alain at AAA!

I think there are many good ones, we have used Tropicana for the last several years.

[www.tropical-tropicana.com]

I USE TRIPLE A FOR MANY MANY YEARS ..A GOOD PRICE EVEN THOUGH I RENT A JEEP. 350.00 FOR TWO WEEKS. EXCELLENT SERVICE,ALWAYS THERE WAY BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT ARRIVES AND OFFICE IS ONLY ABOUT 2 MILES FROM AIRPORT. MYRA AND ALAIN ARE GREAT.

We always use Michael at Unitycarrental@

Sorry I hit send to quick. Unitycarrental@yahoo.com

Most renters have their favorite and as you are seeing they are local folks running their own businesses. The agencies paired up with a franchise just don't seem to be on the same page. I used Thrifty for 2 years before I wised up.

I'll give a thumbs up to Leslie Bruce at Kenny's. He meets you at the airport with your car and off you go, no ride to an office. He'll even bring you a phone from Sharon, the best phone rental on the island. Once I tried him, I've never left and that covers over 10 years.

Kenny's


Sharon

Welcome to Go Beach, Grover.

We, too, are Towers owners and have been since pre-construction. Of course it would be nice if we could go back to those earlier days but given the history of time-sharing on St. Maarten, we are still pleased with The Towers and offer no regrets about being there.

Regarding your question regarding great LOCAL car rental agencies I would agree most heartily with Dr. Doug. We've been using Lesley Bruce of Kennys Car Rentals for more years than I can remember at this point, usually twice a year, and he's never disappointed us. His service is exactly as described above and he'll deliver your cell phone from Sharon Harris if you're using her service and you've so requested.

Have a great trip.

Respectfully,

pat

WOW, I think I'll hang out on this forum for awile....gobeach? should be "go SXMers"...thanks so much for everyone's time.

Alaine Arnell @ AAA (3 votes), Tropicana (1), Michael @ Unity (2), and Leslie Bruce @ Kenny's.

I really like the Leslie Bruce concept of pick up and drop off in the parking lot. I'm (we...my "social chairman" and I) are sick and tired of waiting for a van which typically has no A/C followed by the excruciating line at the check in counter a la Thrifty, Avis.....etc. Excruciating because my "beach gravity" is pulling me down and the "Mah-doo-doo" beckons my taste buds.

I see Unity has a website....I'll google to check the others.

Can't thank you enough for the input...I like this place !!!!! Oh, I/we are 11 year "vets" on SXM and may help others with other needs/questions. Cheers, Grover.

Grover,

One last thing regarding Lesley Bruce/Kennys. If I'm not mistaken, the toll free number on his website may be out of service. We generally email him at:

bruce@sintmaarten.net

and he's always very good about getting back to us.

I hear you about waiting for a van pick-up at the airport and then waiting again for the paperwork. Lesley is generally there waiting or will be within minutes if he's taking care of another patron in the lot, but he puts you in your car and on your way in no time flat and likewise on the return - You give him a time and he's there and you're on your way again.

Don't know when you're planning on going but if it's soon, let us know on your return how things are at the Towers. Are you a member of the Towers board?

www.towerstimeshare.com

Questions that are Towers specific always asked and answered there, too, when possible.

Respectfully,

pat

pat
i know you have been to sxm many years and have a great idea of everyhing. i have only been there 21 years now and usually explore everything and take considerations into other peoples output. lesley is a good company. dont get me wrong. but just for the hell of it i e mailed him about a vehicle that i have already reserved through aaa and he was 110.. a week more. you needd to look around and not just think that everything will be the same and a great deal received. the only price i dont barter with is club o.. because they dont barter. my point is today you need to look around at everything unless you are set on staying at one particular place.
rspectufully
alex

Alex,

I rented from AAA once. Thery're a good company for those that choose to use them - no argument there, and they certainly have a following of clientel that are very happy with the services they offer.

But unfortunately, the only time we used them they did NOT provide me with the service I had requested and which they repeatedly assured me, via emails which I had saved, they would provide.

It is not my intention to demean any rental agency - they're all out to make a living just as we are here at home in our businesses, and I won't go any further with this discussion. If you're able to save $110. a week over Lesley's best price then your only choice is to go for it.

I've never maintained Lesley was the cheapest company out there, but merely, IMO, THE BEST!! He's never mislead me; he's always provided exactly the service we've contracted for; he's always been on time; and the few times we've had problems such as our car being tampered with while parked at a beach, he's been right there to resolve them and take care of us. And beyond that, he's gone the extra mile a few times to make things work for us when problems have arisen.

In my mind, that's the service I want and I'm willing to pay for it. And I'm not saying Mr. Arnell doesn't provide this same service for his customers, but sadly he didn't for me. And I would prefer not to have to go to another location to get my car but that's a personal preference.

After almost 40 years of trips to the island, one thing I've learned is that we are all generally happy with our choices until something goes wrong and until something does in our relationship with Mr. Bruce I will continue to support him and his service both verbally and through the simple matter of recommending him as a reliable and responsible company to do business with, and I'm sure for all the same reasons you will do the same for your agency of choice.

Respectfully,

pat




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/2011 11:06PM by pat.

Boy o Boy Pat....you are a very good writer.....is a book in the future???
It sure would be a fun read!!
Dan