Information Pages
There are plenty of hotels, time-share ressorts, guesthouses, cottages, villas and condos available to visitors on both sides of the island. You will find every category of accommodation for tourists and business people alike. Many of them have an own web page, allowing you to check in advance all kind of informations about the type of accommodation they offer. From the luxury 1000 USD a night hotel room to lovely cottages in pristine surroundings for a modicum 100 USD, everything is available for a happy stay under the sun.
As in Real Estate, there has been a construction boom on the Dutch side, resulting in luxury hotel developments. Several new hotel complexes, often belonging to international chains, are lining -or will soon be - the shores of St. Maarten, offering every type of services and commodities you would expect from a first class hotel. Some of these recent developments consist in village style apartments and condominium complexes. Always located on a beach or/and marina, they include everything from spa and pool to boutiques, and sometimes also casino. On the Dutch side, several hotel and apartment complexes also offer timeshare. Contrarily to what happens on other islands, all-inclusive hotels is not a favored option on the island, considering the amazing amount and variety of restaurants island's visitors will want to enjoy.
Don't expect high raise resorts on the French side. Hotels and guesthouses there tend to be more in the colonial style, sometimes in old plantations or villas. Antique hardwood furniture, Caribbean, Balinese or Provencal decoration are aimed at making your tropical dream come through. Contrary to the American lifestyle of resorts on the Dutch side, St. Martin offers a more laid back atmosphere in a relaxed and romantic surrounding. This includes tasteful and often sophisticated decoration, renowned French restaurants and a lifestyle reminding of St. Tropez. Not surprisingly, the French side also proposes a naturist hotel-resort on famous Orient Beach.
On the French side too, visitors often rent a private villa, cottage or self catering bungalow. Believe it: it feels great to get up in the morning and buy your fresh baguette and croissants in the nearby "boulangerie", or invite your neighbors to a "pastis"or a "ti-ponch" while watching the sunset from your private terrace! |