We visited in November 2019. It’s crazy to think that COVID hit just around the corner in 2020. Looking at these photos and reminiscing about the trip really helped me get through the tough times during the pandemic. Hopefully, it can bring some joy to you too. Start thinking about your next trip!
We hopped on a non-stop flight from JFK to the still-in-the-works Princess Juliana International Airport on the Dutch side. Picked up a ride from the car rental place that was conveniently waiting for us, and they whisked us off to the French side of the island where our sweet villa, Villa Turquoze, awaited. The whole driving deal is American style, so no sweat with the rental car.
Our villa, perched up on the mountainside in Orient Bay, served up killer views day and night. Awesome location, super tidy, and booking was a breeze – would definitely recommend.
Spent our first night and day chilling by Orient Beach. Bit of a drive down the hill, but easy parking, great eateries, and even a little grocery joint nearby. Score for sorting out brekkie with the kids! The ocean’s a bit lively on this side (it’s the Atlantic, after all), so we stayed dry and just soaked in the vibes.
The next day, we decided to hit up the Rainbow Cafe in Grand Case. The water was super calm today, so we basically just chilled in the water all day. In St. Martin, most of the beach restaurants hook you up with free chairs and an umbrella if you order some drinks and food. There might be a minimum to spend at some spots, but we’ve never been called out for not ordering enough. Bonus, two drinks usually cover the cost of the chairs and umbrella in no time. (Seems like they’re charging for beach chairs now, but it’s still an awesome spot)
On day three, we were all set for some surf lessons. But, it was crazy windy, and the instructor suggested we postpone because the kids were too little for that kind of surf. Gotta give a shout out to SXM Explorer for looking out for our safety. He also tipped us off about Friar’s Bay Beach while we were chatting with him. Much love for that!
Friar’s Bay Beach was kind of like Rainbow Beach, but with only two restaurants there, and it was a little tricky to find the first time. We eventually found it using Google Maps that I had downloaded for offline use before we left the US. The Friar’s Bay Beach Cafe was a solid choice for the day, and the kids really enjoyed the booth where we had lunch. The pictures are adorable, you should check them out!
That evening, we had a chef come and cook for the family at the villa. They were great at staying in touch the week before, asking about our diet preferences and allergies. They were super punctual with everything, and the kids absolutely loved the food, especially the dessert. It was such a relief to relax while they took care of everything. I totally recommend Fabulous Feast for a break from cooking, and even more if you can manage it.
On our last day, we headed to the Dutch side of the island. We made our way to Mullet Bay Beach, a recommendation from a friend. We hit some traffic getting there and could see the hurricane damage that they were still cleaning up. Fortunately, the roads were smooth and easy to navigate. They drive on the right side of the road there, which made it so much easier for us, like I mentioned before. Mullet Bay Beach was so peaceful, and there were plenty of beach chairs the day we went. We snorkeled by a small rock wall on the left side of the beach and saw lots of colorful fish with the kids. I wouldn’t recommend it if the sea was rough, but that day, there were no waves at all, and it was easy to hover next to the wall with the kids. We got our chairs and umbrella from Da Waterhole, the restaurant, and had some drinks there. For lunch, we went to the Sunset Bar and Grill, which is famous for the view of the airplanes over Maho Beach. We even watched a passenger plane take off from the beach, but we stayed to the side of the jet blast. The people who stood there got tossed around a lot in the sand, it was pretty amusing but definitely not safe. They do have a board with the times of all airplane schedules so you don’t miss it. Air France is the one to see – it’s the biggest passenger plane landing on the island. Make sure to check out the slideshow below for the whole experience!
After a great week it was time to come home. We will definitely be back. The people were warm and welcoming, and the atmosphere was relaxing and beautiful. Thank you SXM!!!!!
