marina
Reged: 12/10/02
Posts: 80
Loc: Scottsdale, Arizona
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Dear All,
Your help please. We are getting married on Jan 24th and will have guests coming in from Europe and the US. Several of the flights will not get in until after the STB airport closes so many will have to spend the night in SXM.
We are building a website with info for our wedding guests on all travel resources and I would like to suggest a hotel(s) near the airport,on the french side that does not cost a fortune but that is not a shack either. Perhaps I could list 2 or 3 places.
Any advice/insight is greatly appreciated!
Many thanks from Amsterdam,
Marina
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Eric
Reged: 10/07/02
Posts: 679
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Marina,
One night on the French side is a tough call. I'd check into Le Meridien or Hotel Mont Vernon(not sure if it is still open though). Also check out Les Alizes(sp?).
We've spent the night on the Dutch side near PJIA at the Maho Beach Hotel on our way to/from SBH.
We might be on SBH January 24th - January 31st, 2004 & probably will stay at Filao. Plan B is Jan 10th - Jan 17th.
Eric
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Erma
Reged: 10/05/02
Posts: 529
Loc: North Georgia
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Marina,
Just curious on the French side request...will the guests be flying out of the Grand Case airport w/ St. Barth Commuter?
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LauraB
Reged: 10/08/02
Posts: 199
Loc: NC, USA
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I would recommend keeping them as close to the airport (whichever one they're flying in and out of) as possible. My husband and I flew into SXM last fall and stayed in Philipsburg; that 5 mile trip took probably 2 hours because there is only 1 two-lane road around the island. It is routinely congested, but when one nitwit "double parks" the entire ring road becomes a parking lot. And the whole scene is hot, humid and shabby. The good news is that after they see St. Martin, they'll know that SBH is heaven!!
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marina
Reged: 12/10/02
Posts: 80
Loc: Scottsdale, Arizona
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Hey guys,
THanks for the replies. Reason for the French side is that I had a really bad experience on the Dutch side. Heard that Grand Case or Marigot is the place to be (also from our last stopover but hated the resort we stayed at for the one night - forget the name). Perhaps Maho is an idea because it is close. The plan is to hae everyone fly WINAIR (trying to work out a group deal) but is St Barth commuter out of Grand Case better?
I will have to coordinate many different itineraries as folks coming from Europe and US arriving on different days at different times. Was also going to suggest the ferry for those who are afraid of flying on the puddle jumpers.
If you have any more thoughts/suggestions, please keep them coming! Will check out what you gave me...tx again!
Grazie,
Marina :-)
PS Oh ya.. does anyone know the name of the hotel near the Juliana airport runway..? Is is the Caravanserai or something like that??
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Erma
Reged: 10/05/02
Posts: 529
Loc: North Georgia
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Marina,
I can say that we had a WONDERFUL experience flying Saint Barth Commuter out of the Grand Case airport a few weeks ago. We arrived 30 minutes before our scheduled flight (7:30a.m. is the first of the day then I think 8:30). The place was dead! Not long before the departure time we checked in and didn't even have time for a drink/breakfast before we were on our way. Okay, some people might not like what I am about to say but...zero security...we just walked over to the boarding area. Not a soul in site. Now, that could be different for your time...I have actually heard of the French Army being around for security...not sure why the difference on our day.
You could have the guests stay at the wonderful L'Esplande Hotel in Grand Case. They could enjoy a nice meal in town and be close by for the a.m. flight....and AVOID PJIA for this segment. It would be very civilized! No departure tax since it is French-French (I know, in transit would prevent this under 24 hours on the Dutch side but just in case they were on St. Martin longer this is nice to know..hey, it's something!)
This is fun helping you with your wedding plans! Hope this is of benefit, Erma
Oh, by the way...SBC is currently 50E one way.
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Skateboard Phil
Reged: 11/04/02
Posts: 781
Loc: Chevy Chase, Md.
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Check out www.cheapcaribbean.com for great SXM hotel/condo deals.
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Skate La Tourmente
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bbrowne
Reged: 05/10/03
Posts: 48
Loc: Texas
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I have traveled and worked on St.Martin on several occasions.
I would never stay anywhere but Marigot. Marigot is really a cool town, centrally located to all the best things on St. Martin. There are lots of young stylish people on the streets. A fun place.It has great tourist areas for world class dining and evening fun. It is close to Grand Case for even better dining. It is close to Long Beach(my personal favorite beach in the world).It is located close enough to the Airport, but away from the Dutch side. (I have never found anything on the Dutch side worth going to see)
La Residence is an inexpensive in town hotel. It has about 20-30 rooms. It is not fancy but clean and has a beautiful garden dining area that seems to me would be a natural for a wedding party stop over location. It is 1/2 block from the marina area that has several sidewalk cafes and restaurants. It is just a couple of blocks to the harbor that has lots of restaurants and just a fun area.
I am sure there are other places but I would Try to stay in the center of town.
Stay in groups after dark.
Bob
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marina
Reged: 12/10/02
Posts: 80
Loc: Scottsdale, Arizona
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Hey guys, thanks for the input. Dealing with AM Ex here and they have given us a group deal on the Caravanserai next to the airport. The KLM flight does not land until about 530pm and most will be jetlagged. Most will probably take early flight out the next morning. Anyone ever stayed there? We got a fabulous rate... I figure that people can make their own plans but thought it would be nice to offer an alternative with discounts!!
M
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JackR
Reged: 10/10/02
Posts: 981
Loc: North Shore
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I am sure it will be great. We spent an over night in St maartin when our flight was delayed and arrived after the last SBH plane.
Your guests will eat, hit the sack, get up for a nice breakfast and then catch the early flight to SBH.
Well maybe they won't sleep and just party all night
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