Just returned (1/1 - 1/9) Something is in the air....

[TR561]

Observations -

1. The island was the least crowded i have ever seen it. Very close to July feel as far as buzz.

2. Nearly 50% of all villas were vacant over the Christmas-NYE period. Spoke to Wimco, Corcorand and Eden Roc people and they all said the same thing, they haven't seen it this slow in several years. They are hurting bad.

3. Was at Petite Plage on Saturday night for the late seating (usually impossible to get into). Three large tables never got filled.

4. Bonito was the only restaurant that got close to a second seating and that was even pushing it.

5. The weather right now down there is the best i can ever remember. Very little wind and sunny every single day. Superb conditions.

6. Ti-Corail (first timer) was best lunch of the trip.

7. Lunches - Ti-Corail, Cabane, Nikki Sunday, La Guerite & Fish Corner. Also Nao for drinks.

8. Dinners - Zion, Petite Plage, Bonito, Sella, Jo Jo Burger.

9. SXM with only checked bags is incredible now. Exit bus, walk into a private security room, elevator, 30 feet up to your gate. Took off from St Barth and was at my American Airlines gate in a total of 17 minutes (17 minutes from St Barth runway to terminal seats) . If you time this right you can leave St Barth at 12:00 for a 1:15 flight... The airport terminal is nearly done and it looks very nice.

10. There is ZERO sargassum. Again, the weather and feel is as perfect as you can get.

 

[amyb]

Your glowing report of your happy trip was a pleasure to read. Now, the tourism board and the realtors and the restaurants have to get real in their pricing. And very soon the essential services must catch up...water, electricity, wi fi. I also think a building moratorium on rental villas has to pause. Housing efforts need to tackle affordable employee and worker and staff housing. That's where the need is.

Just sayin'

 

[cassidain]

9. did you mean only checked bags or carry on bags?

 

[Bart -my real name-]

I also think a building moratorium on rental villas has to pause.

What does this mean, Amy? Is there currently a moratorium on new construction? Or are you saying they need to have a moratorium on building new villas?

 

[amyb]

What does this mean, Amy? Is there currently a moratorium on new construction? Or are you saying they need to have a moratorium on building new villas?

They need to stop building large underused villas. Even when unoccupied the electricity runs to keep the ac on to protect the structures and belongings. Water to keep the pool fresh. Water for the landscaping. Not proper use of what is currently available. IMHO.

 

[Bart -my real name-]

Thanks and I agree! And not just for St Barts!

 

[cassidain]

Damn billionaires

 

[davesmom]

Observations -

1. The island was the least crowded i have ever seen it. Very close to July feel as far as buzz.

2. Nearly 50% of all villas were vacant over the Christmas-NYE period. Spoke to Wimco, Corcorand and Eden Roc people and they all said the same thing, they haven't seen it this slow in several years. They are hurting bad.

3. Was at Petite Plage on Saturday night for the late seating (usually impossible to get into). Three large tables never got filled.

4. Bonito was the only restaurant that got close to a second seating and that was even pushing it.

5. The weather right now down there is the best i can ever remember. Very little wind and sunny every single day. Superb conditions.

6. Ti-Corail (first timer) was best lunch of the trip.

7. Lunches - Ti-Corail, Cabane, Nikki Sunday, La Guerite & Fish Corner. Also Nao for drinks.

8. Dinners - Zion, Petite Plage, Bonito, Sella, Jo Jo Burger.

9. SXM with only checked bags is incredible now. Exit bus, walk into a private security room, elevator, 30 feet up to your gate. Took off from St Barth and was at my American Airlines gate in a total of 17 minutes (17 minutes from St Barth runway to terminal seats) . If you time this right you can leave St Barth at 12:00 for a 1:15 flight... The airport terminal is nearly done and it looks very nice.

10. There is ZERO sargassum. Again, the weather and feel is as perfect as you can get.

Very encouraging!! I was/am really concerned about the moustiques problem and catching Dengue as it sounded very ominous. Did you experience a problem? I was also hearing it was super windy, which last time last Dec., I was not able to really kayak or stand up paddle board as the moniteurs were against us taking them out, so I was hoping for a better result this time. I have been toying with booking at La Petite Plage but have not taken the plunge yet...may check out the menu. (The food in the St-Tropez restaurant this summer was very interesting but service was kind of lame, however..). Thank you for your very helpful post! I have Vincent helping us get through SXM because we are not carry on flyers, but SXM has been a mess for so long, we hope to see improvements!

 

[Rocket]

Very encouraging!! I was/am really concerned about the moustiques problem and catching Dengue as it sounded very ominous. Did you experience a problem? I was also hearing it was super windy, which last time last Dec., I was not able to really kayak or stand up paddle board as the moniteurs were against us taking them out, so I was hoping for a better result this time. I have been toying with booking at La Petite Plage but have not taken the plunge yet...may check out the menu. (The food in the St-Tropez restaurant this summer was very interesting but service was kind of lame, however..). Thank you for your very helpful post! I have Vincent helping us get through SXM because we are not carry on flyers, but SXM has been a mess for so long, we hope to see improvemenys!

 

[Rocket]

We have Vincent helping us in two weeks, there is no way I'd go through SXM without him.

 

[Suzannah]

Thanks for your report. How was Zion? We’ve been everywhere that you mentioned and are considering it for a middle of the week dinner for our upcoming trip in February.

 

[etx]

Thanks for your report. How was Zion? We’ve been everywhere that you mentioned and are considering it for a middle of the week dinner for our upcoming trip in February.

You didn’t ask me, but couldn’t help but comment as we loved Zion and specifically the Chef’s Table. I thought it was truly a wonderful experience and that the food/presentation and just the whole night was better than Ocean Club, a huge favorite on here when it comes to Michelin-esque dining. OC and Zion are different experiences for sure but for my money, I’d take Zion if I had to choose between the two…but you should just do both!

 

[cec1]

You didn’t ask me, but couldn’t help but comment as we loved Zion and specifically the Chef’s Table. I thought it was truly a wonderful experience and that the food/presentation and just the whole night was better than Ocean Club, a huge favorite on here when it comes to Michelin-esque dining. OC and Zion are different experiences for sure but for my money, I’d take Zion if I had to choose between the two…but you should just do both!

Fortunately, no need to choose!

 

[cassidain]

Fortunately, no need to choose!

That’s the right attitude!

Cuisine is very good to excellent at both restaurants judging by my limited experience.
Service at OC multilayered and on a higher level altogether.
Then there’s the view of the car park vs the view of the billionaires’ mega yachts to consider

 

[TR561]

9. did you mean only checked bags or carry on bags?

Only carry on.

 

[TR561]

Thanks for your report. How was Zion? We’ve been everywhere that you mentioned and are considering it for a middle of the week dinner for our upcoming trip in February.

It's very good. It's an urban setting tamarin with better food.

 

[Eve]

guess insta influencers have left the building. Hope for good

 

[TR561]

I want to be very clear about the vacant Villas and lack of crowds at restos. It's solely because people are seeing much better value in other places. The pricing has reached a breaking point. At least the week I went this was the consensus.

 

[Suzannah]

You didn’t ask me, but couldn’t help but comment as we loved Zion and specifically the Chef’s Table. I thought it was truly a wonderful experience and that the food/presentation and just the whole night was better than Ocean Club, a huge favorite on here when it comes to Michelin-esque dining. OC and Zion are different experiences for sure but for my money, I’d take Zion if I had to choose between the two…but you should just do both!

I appreciate the information, especially from a fellow Texan We have done OC and not looking for something that level on this night. But very glad to hear that Zion is even mentioned in the same sentence. Looking forward to it!

 

[dadto6]

The view at the chef table is fascinating to watch the chefs at work. Not a view of the car park.