St. Maarten (The southern Dutch side)

[Buck On89]

I am resolved for Esmeralda and will make sure I report back.

Check cheaptickets for percentage off on your stay. Often you can get 20% off what you'll typically find online. I got 25% off last year. Book the room for two just in case I have TLN. Free "breakfast".

[PogoStick]

Yes, I checked. I basically got a sense of availability thru Expedia, Hotels.com, TripAdvisor, etc. It probably has a lot to do with the time I am staying - 2/27 thru 3/4 (5 nights). I noticed in a couple of places there was a day or two unavailable during my requested dates, rest had availability.

Thanks for checking in!

Try the Horizon View in downtown Pburg. They usually have something available. Not 5* but decent for the price. It is best to call them 1 721-543-2120.

[AmpDude2003]

I tried a couple of last ditch efforts with Homeaway and VBO property rental websites. Had a couple of solid leads and inquired, but both were listed as available but not. Got immediate responses from owners.

I am resolved for Esmeralda and will make sure I report back on daily life 20-25 minutes north and my frequenting the Chica Bars. Now, if only I negotiate for 1 or 2 hotties to possibly come back with me.

I am good with the local scene, but it was been 3 years or so. I am also there on solo, so this changes the scenario considerations, more favorably to me.

Take care everyone. I sense there is a good group here and appreciate the feedback. I will report back for sure.

[Buck On89]

I have two days to cancel Esmeralda.

That is where I usually stay. It's about a 20-25 minutes drive to the chica bars. I like the French side for quietness. Look at a few of my old posts for place to eat. Plus there is a great place on top of the hill (tex Mex place) great food decent price for the French side.

[AmpDude2003]

Yes, I checked. I basically got a sense of availability thru Expedia, Hotels.com, TripAdvisor, etc. It probably has a lot to do with the time I am staying - 2/27 thru 3/4 (5 nights). I noticed in a couple of places there was a day or two unavailable during my requested dates, rest had availability.

Thanks for checking in!

Did you check.

Divi Little Bay.

Holland House.

Captain Olivers?

[Mel365]

Did you check.

Divi Little Bay.

Holland House.

Captain Olivers?

Hey Mel,

Most of my postings are in RI, some in MA. From MA.

I have two days to cancel Esmeralda. Wondering if I should but like I mentioned there was not a great deal of availability. I am travelling with just myself. I did check out some of the links you fellas provided for rental agencies. Most were suited to larger parties, then there was always the great unknown of booking thru an unfamiliar website.

[AmpDude2003]

Hey Mel,

Most of my postings are in RI, some in MA. From MA.

I have two days to cancel Esmeralda. Wondering if I should but like I mentioned there was not a great deal of availability. I am travelling with just myself. I did check out some of the links you fellas provided for rental agencies. Most were suited to larger parties, then there was always the great unknown of booking thru an unfamiliar website.

Orient Bay is at the north end of the island on the French side The clubs near Carolinas are near the south end of the Island on the Dutch side.

It is about a 15-20 minute ride without traffic. The closest bar is the Border Bar, Casa Blanca at Oyster Bay. The rest of the clubs are another 10 minutes further south.

Where do you Monger in the USA and write on the USA board?

Happy Mongering.

Mel.

[Aussie Greg]

Mel,

I'll be in St Martin from the 29th May, yes cricket with Australia playing West Indies again in the Caribe, maybe we can catch up.

A. G.

[Mel365]

Orient Bay is at the north end of the island on the French side The clubs near Carolinas are near the south end of the Island on the Dutch side.

It is about a 15-20 minute ride without traffic. The closest bar is the Border Bar, Casa Blanca at Oyster Bay. The rest of the clubs are another 10 minutes further south.

Where do you Monger in the USA and write on the USA board?

Happy Mongering.

Mel.

Hi guys,

I am a senior member on the USA site, and further realize that doesn't mean anything here. Finally going back to St Martin after a 3 year hiatus. Last time I was there with family, but this time I get to go alone. No more sneaking out to go to the grocery store and get side-tracked to Carolina's. Last time we stayed literally right next to the airport around Simpson Bay, same road as a casino and sunset bar right next to the air strip and beach. This time I am staying at Esmeralda Resort, choices were slim with my deciding to book just today. Renting a car too. I was on a short leash the first time and it was difficult to get away, I got to experience Carolina's 2 x and once went to the strip club right next to our place.

This time I can freely do as I want, so I'll be exploring a little bit more in terms of night life and options. I think Esmeralda is north of all the fun houses so I think the proximity will be good. I'll look into a little take out as well. Thanks to all the great references and safety tips on this forum I should be in good shape, but always welcome your kind recommendations please.

I will make sure I report back once I return. Take care all.

[AmpDude2003]

Hi guys,

I am a senior member on the USA site, and further realize that doesn't mean anything here. Finally going back to St Martin after a 3 year hiatus. Last time I was there with family, but this time I get to go alone. No more sneaking out to go to the grocery store and get side-tracked to Carolina's. Last time we stayed literally right next to the airport around Simpson Bay, same road as a casino and sunset bar right next to the air strip and beach. This time I am staying at Esmeralda Resort, choices were slim with my deciding to book just today. Renting a car too. I was on a short leash the first time and it was difficult to get away, I got to experience Carolina's 2 x and once went to the strip club right next to our place.

This time I can freely do as I want, so I'll be exploring a little bit more in terms of night life and options. I think Esmeralda is north of all the fun houses so I think the proximity will be good. I'll look into a little take out as well. Thanks to all the great references and safety tips on this forum I should be in good shape, but always welcome your kind recommendations please.

I will make sure I report back once I return. Take care all.

[Mel365]

Carolinas and El Capitan have VIP rooms for parties of a number of people on the second floor.

I was referring to the 3 VIP BEDROOMS available at seamans / hypnotique.

They are accessible via the driveway on the side of the building. They have king beds, flat panel TVs, multi head showers and one for sure has a kitchen.

They can be rented at the Back desk at Carolinas.

Mel.

[DavisLucJr]

Here's a good resource. I think they're the largest vacation rental broker around:

http://www.homeaway.com/search/keywords:Sxm

That one works. The one we use is http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...ten/st-maarten.

If you're mostly going to be spending time mongering, you'll want to find a villa on the east side of the island, so try and narrow your search to areas like Dawn Beach, Guana Bay, Oyster Pond, Orient Bay, Tamarind Hill. Even Beacon Hill and Great Bay (Philipsburg) are close enough, although they are more "urban" areas.

Cupecoy and Maho (the area by the airport) have a lot of nice villas, and although they are far from the casas, they are much closer to the nightlife (stripclubs and dance clubs) part of town.

I'd rent cars, but if you're adamant about not doing any driving and taking taxis, I'd stay close to the casas.

The taxi scene will not be what you are used to. There aren't really many (if any. I can't recall) marked taxis. In fact, you'll find that a lot of people will automatically become taxi drivers on the island if they sense you need a ride. Shouldn't be too risky if you're in a group, so long as you negotiate a fixed rate before hopping in. Still, I'd rent cars and have DDs. You don't need to be as strict about it, just sensible about it.

Again, narrow your search to a villa with 4 bedrooms. Specify with the villa owner that although there are 4 of you, you want 4 bedrooms. Most villa owners will assume 4 people want 2 bedrooms. Getting yourself a place with a pool should be very easy, as most have them. Beachfront is a bit tougher to find, and will cost more. Other than that, most have BBQs and what passes for wi-fi.

Hope this helps a bit. I am excited for you and your buds. Sorry if you already mentioned this, but what are your travel dates? I only ask because you will save a bunch of $$$ if you can postpone your trip until after April 15. That is the magical date when high season turns into low season. Any money you can save on villas is money you can spend on extra-curricular activites!

Let me know if I can be of any further help.

[John2526]

Here's a good resource. I think they're the largest vacation rental broker around:

http://www.homeaway.com/search/keywords:Sxm

3. DavisLucJr: Thank you for the kind offer to help with the villas. Don't have PM privileges here yet. Any chance you could post it here? Even a general what to look for in a villa, location etc. I'm worried we'll book a fancy villa and then won't be able to get the chicas there. Cost isn't much of an issue, we've been saving a while for this trip and want to splurge for a once in a lifetime experience.

Thanks also for the advice on picking up from the same place, makes so much sense, we'll definitely be doing that!

[Lucky Strike]

Hey lucky strike, how much are the VIP rooms?

Last time I used Carolina VIP room was a while ago - 2008 or 2009 - I recall it was $100/ hour and included a bottle, or something similar. Back then they had 55-56 chicas, so the bar was packed and the VIP room was often offered to groups of customers.

[Lucky Strike]

Wow, thank you for all the replies, I'm blown away by the attention!

1. On the VIP room, I haven't read about this before. Is this a room that's separate from the main bar where me and my friends can book and hang out for a private party? Sounds like fun if so! How many can this room accommodate?

In Carolina and El Capital the VIP rooms are separate from the bar. They're on the 2nd floor. I've not been in El Capitan, but the room seems very large, seems like it can accommodate a large party. In Carolina the room is not huge, but when I was there last time (2008 or2009 - don't remember) there were couple of couches and definitely can accommodate 4 men + 4 chicas.