My Experience in St. Maarten
St. Maarten is one of those destinations I never get tired of visiting. I have traveled there numerous times and have stayed in several different places on the island. There is so much to see and do, whether you prefer relaxing on a beautiful beach, shopping, dining, visiting a casino, or exploring the island.
St. Maarten is divided between the Dutch side and the French side, and each has its own personality. I personally prefer the Dutch side and will focus primarily on it in this article. I’ll be sharing more about the French side in a future post.
Staying at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort
On my most recent trip, I stayed at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino All Inclusive, and it was wonderful. The staff was extremely accommodating, and we had a beautiful room overlooking the pool with views of the beach and ocean.
One of the things I particularly enjoyed about staying at an all-inclusive resort was having so many dining options available. The food at each of the restaurants we tried was very good.
La Fontana was my favorite, with delicious gourmet entrées. The Palms Beach Grill by day, which becomes Cantina Paradiso at night, also served excellent food. It was nice having a variety of restaurants to choose from without having to leave the resort.
The pool was lovely, but I have to admit that I spent most of my time at Maho Beach.
Maho Beach and the Airplanes
Maho Beach is beautiful, but what makes it truly unique is its location at the end of the airport runway. You can relax on the beach and watch airplanes fly incredibly low overhead as they approach the airport.
Chairs and umbrellas were available on the beach for a small amount during my visit. The vendor was very easygoing about what we paid.
Seeing the larger aircraft come in is an experience you won’t soon forget. Watching an enormous plane approach while you’re standing on the beach is incredible. You can hear it getting closer, and then suddenly it is right above you.
The airport runway is relatively short, which makes watching the arrivals even more fascinating.
My Favorite Beaches on the Dutch Side
St. Maarten has so many beautiful beaches that it can be difficult to choose a favorite. After visiting the island numerous times, some of my favorites on the Dutch side are Maho Beach, Mullet Bay Beach, Simpson Bay Beach, Kim Sha Beach, Pelican Key Beach, Cupecoy Beach, Great Bay Beach, Little Bay Beach, and Indigo Bay Beach, also known as Cay Bay Beach.
Each has something a little different to offer, so you don’t have to spend your entire vacation at the same beach. Exploring the different beaches is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the island.
Tours & Excursions in St. Maarten
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St. Maarten offers a wonderful variety of tours and excursions for those who want to explore beyond the beaches. You can experience both the Dutch and French sides of the island, take a sightseeing tour, spend the day on the water, go snorkeling, or visit some of the island’s most popular attractions.
Browse St. Maarten Tours & Excursions
Shopping and Entertainment
There is plenty to do in St. Maarten even if you don’t book an excursion.
A trip into Philipsburg is a must for me. The shopping is outstanding, and it is a fun place to spend part of the day exploring.
There are also casinos on the Dutch side if you enjoy that type of entertainment. There is even a casino directly across from the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, which makes it very convenient for guests staying in the Maho area.
Resort or Condo?
I’ve stayed at many places in St. Maarten over the years. While I really enjoyed the convenience of an all-inclusive resort on my most recent trip, I also love staying in a condo.
When I stay in a condo, I normally make breakfast in the morning, prepare a lunch to take with me for the day, and then go out to a nice restaurant for dinner. It gives you flexibility and can be a wonderful way to experience more of the island.
One of my favorite condos is La Terrasse. It isn’t directly on the beach, but the views of Maho Beach are beautiful. You can also watch the airplanes arriving and departing, which is quite a sight from above. Another favorite option is staying in a condo in the Simpson Bay area, where many properties are beachfront or just steps from the beach.
More of St. Maarten to Come
This article focuses mainly on some of my favorite experiences on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, but there is much more of the island to explore. The French side offers its own beaches, restaurants, towns, and experiences, and I’ll be sharing more about that side of the island in a future article.
After visiting St. Maarten numerous times, I still find something new to enjoy every time I return.
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