SXM and SBH questions..encore presentation...

[davesmom]

Bonne année! I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday season, wherever you are! I have a couple of questions, and yes, I did a search first, and did not find the answers so I will ask them here.

First, I am not sure if anyone can answer this but we have not gone through immigration upon arrival in SXM without Vincent's Premium IV people, and we have not actually left the airport; this time, however, we have to stay on SXM for 2 nights so I don' t know if Vincent / Vincent's people can even be engaged to get us through immigration, pick up our luggage (I am not a carry on type of girl ) , and get us into a taxi or do private transportation to the hotel. Has anyone actually gone to SXM and stayed there? Any thoughts? In the past, at this time of year, the last couple of years, the lines for arrival at SXM seemed really long. Maybe there is a VIP service on SXM to contact to do the same thing if not Vincent's? Does anyone have a driver they like on SXM?

Question Deux: I am trying to find out when our boat actually gets into SBH to see if we can even do dinner the first night in Gustavia. If we are lucky, maybe early evening and then we can go to dinner if it is not too late to get a reservation, and I am not even sure how that works, as the concierge at Le G did all that before. I think I would like to try the Lounge/Restaurant Baron de Rothschild as I really can't find anything very French. Working this out time-wise with the "tender" to the boat situation has to be taken into consideration, also..but don't really have experience with that either. Since the boat probably leaves too early to go to dinner the next night, we only get 1 night if we are lucky. I would like to try to go to lunch at Eden Rock on the one day we have there (lobster things obligent) but not sure of the best way to make a reservation there, either? I will call the cruise line to see if their concierge actually can make reservations on the island for their guests..I have a lot to learn about cruises...

Alors, merci beaucoup en avance for any ideas or your experiences with these sorts of things. I'm starting to realize we probably should have planned more time in SBH....

 

[Jeanette]

Bonne année! I may be able to help a little. The answer to your first question depends on when you arrive at SXM. I typically travel with carry on, but needed to check a bag going home due to shopping. We arrived from SBH to SXM late afternoon and the wait was minimal for both immigration and baggage. I've also maneurvered this routine early morning and the wait was short. You may have a loger wait if a large jet from the US arrives, but keep in mind you won't be doing the typical re-check of luggage or going through security a second time if you are staying in SXM. You'll need to go through immigration, grab your bags and head out to a taxi. There is a taxi line outside the airport. For the first time, I felt SXM has entered the 21st century with immigration, boarding passes and luggage.

Making dining reservations is easy. I recommend to do it yourself so you can easily make changes should your schedule change. L'Esprit's email address is Espritsbh@gmail.com and there are links for a SandBar "booking" and the menu here. We enjoyed two beautiful meals at the Eden Rock last month and, to me, the Sand Bar remains one of the most splendid places to dine in the world. I am sad that people have experienced inconsistent or unsatisfactory meals there.

If you haven't visited Le Cafe yet, it's a fun experience with a French piano bar vibe. There are late and early dining seatings with piano music and a singer. You can easily walk there from where you tender and there is a lovely bar if you to enjoy a coupe de champagne. We did not dine at the Rothschild Lounge, but stopped in for pre-dinner champagne and wine and it was very lovely. My March cruise offers a cheese and wine tasting excursion there.

I've sailed into St. Barth on two cruises and will be spending a full day and evening there during a cruise in March. I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Our last visit was during the Bucket and we chose to dine on the deck and enjoy the glorious view of the sailing yachts and Gustavia. SeaDream is known for fabulous cuisine, so don't rule out a rare opportunity to dine on deck from Gustavia harbor.

 

[KevinS]

Bonne année!

Vincent and and his partners may be able to help. If not, one of Terrance Rey’s businesses may be able to help. Their VIP Fast Track Service may suit your needs.

https://vipservices.sx/

 

[davesmom]

Dear Jeanette, what a fantastic letter and such good advice! I appreciate the info about going through SXM without a VIP service, as it does look do-able from what you have said. I did not realize that we would not have to go through a second security. I have heard that getting a taxi is a lot easier than in SBH as well, so maybe we will just "wing it"..hopefully there will be someone or a cart for the luggage..I have a LOT of luggage experience with my travels as does Davesdad and I am just trying to give him a break!

As for dining reservations, I will look into Le Café as we had it in Saint-Tropez but I did not have time to have dinner there. It seemed to be lots of fun, though! I will do my best to try to find something. I don't think we will be able to make it to L'Esprit as we would need to take a taxi and be under the pressure of getting back without problems to the tender...maybe if I had done it before, I'd have more courage but I do not know how the ship times go..but then again, if I got stuck in SBH, it would not be the worst thing..I am happy to know that you have enjoyed your cruises and I do prefer going in March/April, but since we got married in January, I think we had better go now! I have heard that SeaDream has great food also, so that should be interesting. I fully intend to do lunch at Sand Bar if possible. At dinner, I always get their foie gras and it is always fantastic. I am sure we will be dining 1 night on deck in the harbor at Gustavia, which is truly a delight. Seeing the Bucket from the water has to be one of the best views as we have only done it from land.

We thank you so much for such an encouraging letter as it is hard to "step out the norm" of staying at Le G, but maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks! I will report back!

 

[davesmom]

Bonne année!

Vincent and and his partners may be able to help. If not, one of Terrance Rey’s businesses may be able to help. Their VIP Fast Track Service may suit your needs.

https://vipservices.sx/

Thank you, Kevin! I think I might have actually met Terrance! I will check it out!

 

[ouanalao]

St Barth Sevices is another option: https://www.saintbarthservices.com/

 

[Trinigerl]

We arrived December 24th from MIA to SXM our flight was behind Air France and a few other airlines, so it took us over an hour to clear immigration as everyone has to use the new Kiosk to scan your passport then you exit immigration and collect your bags. The good thing is our bags were waiting for us when we got out of immigration. There is a taxi line as you exit customs, they go in order so you get the next taxi in line and the driver will take you to your hotel. We were here for a week then went to SBH for NYE week. We came back to SXM on Saturday when the airspace was closed so ALL of the folks that were on the ferry with us from SBH had to spend a night or three here in SXM until they can get on a flight back home (USA or France).
There are a lot of great restaurants here and the people are nice and welcoming. Both islands are very busy with traffic, so some patience is needed.
Hope this helps we fly back to Houston on Saturday.

 

[davesmom]

We arrived December 24th from MIA to SXM our flight was behind Air France and a few other airlines, so it took us over an hour to clear immigration as everyone has to use the new Kiosk to scan your passport then you exit immigration and collect your bags. The good thing is our bags were waiting for us when we got out of immigration. There is a taxi line as you exit customs, they go in order so you get the next taxi in line and the driver will take you to your hotel. We were here for a week then went to SBH for NYE week. We came back to SXM on Saturday when the airspace was closed so ALL of the folks that were on the ferry with us from SBH had to spend a night or three here in SXM until they can get on a flight back home (USA or France).
There are a lot of great restaurants here and the people are nice and welcoming. Both islands are very busy with traffic, so some patience is needed.
Hope this helps we fly back to Houston on Saturday.

You are so kind to take your time to give us some real insight as to what goes on.. So sorry for the people who had trouble getting back..”been there” when the flights couldn’t take off from SBH but at least we could get a helicopter. Whenever we are on SBH, traffic is always crazy, so you are right; patience is a virtue, and since we only come for 1 day, we have to plan around that so we get the car back on time..so much shopping, so little time! Would love to know what restaurants you might recommend on SXM and what you enjoyed on SBH; at least we hope to get a couple of French meals on SXM and for a dinner on SBH. We wish you safe travels and no delay, and good weather back in Houston!

 

[Reed]

You are so kind to take your time to give us some real insight as to what goes on.. So sorry for the people who had trouble getting back..”been there” when the flights couldn’t take off from SBH but at least we could get a helicopter. Whenever we are on SBH, traffic is always crazy, so you are right; patience is a virtue, and since we only come for 1 day, we have to plan around that so we get the car back on time..so much shopping, so little time! Would love to know what restaurants you might recommend on SXM and what you enjoyed on SBH; at least we hope to get a couple of French meals on SXM and for a dinner on SBH. We wish you safe travels and no delay, and good weather back in Houston!

Hello Gina, SD normally get in early enough to do some shopping then you would have plenty of time to go to dinner. I think the tenders run late when there is an overnight on SBH. You will probably have a full day on the island the following day. They normally give guests a generous amount of time on the island. The ship concierge would be able to make any dinning reservations. You also might want to ask for a private anniversary dinner on deck which they will happily set up for you.

 

[Trinigerl]

It depends on which side of the island you are staying? If the Dutch side I would suggest Sonesta Maho, there are several restaurants that are good and the airport is a 5mins ride with a taxi maybe $5-$10 per person. You’ve Jax a steak house, Le Moulin Fou, Roma and Mr Chow, Dasha in the Starz casino .
As mentioned before in Grand Case there are several great restaurants Ocean 82, Bistrot Caraibes and of course you already know at the Super U and Carrefour Shopping.

 

[Jim A]

Making reservations: I usually reach out via email/via their website if there is one if I am making it or have questions for them well in advance. For any of the hotels this should be fine. Or just call, I hear there is a handy-dandy list on here with phone numbers that I have been using for years

Restos20251219 Draft

Attached is the draft version of the latest update to my Resto List, the December 17 2025 version. I'm sure that there a few things that I missed. Please let me know if you spot an error, or something that I missed. Thanks!

www.sbhonline.com

 

[davesmom]

Hello Gina, SD normally get in early enough to do some shopping then you would have plenty of time to go to dinner. I think the tenders run late when there is an overnight on SBH. You will probably have a full day on the island the following day. They normally give guests a generous amount of time on the island. The ship concierge would be able to make any dinning reservations. You also might want to ask for a private anniversary dinner on deck which they will happily set up for you.

Such wonderful ideas, Kimberly! I will certainly ask! I am calling the SeaDream people this morning to get more info on the concierge service. Thank you!

 

[davesmom]

Making reservations: I usually reach out via email/via their website if there is one if I am making it or have questions for them well in advance. For any of the hotels this should be fine. Or just call, I hear there is a handy-dandy list on here with phone numbers that I have been using for years

Restos20251219 Draft

Attached is the draft version of the latest update to my Resto List, the December 17 2025 version. I'm sure that there a few things that I missed. Please let me know if you spot an error, or something that I missed. Thanks!

www.sbhonline.com

Thank you for the link! I know Kevin’s list is always the perfect place to get the real list!

 

[davesmom]

It depends on which side of the island you are staying? If the Dutch side I would suggest Sonesta Maho, there are several restaurants that are good and the airport is a 5mins ride with a taxi maybe $5-$10 per person. You’ve Jax a steak house, Le Moulin Fou, Roma and Mr Chow, Dasha in the Starz casino .
As mentioned before in Grand Case there are several great restaurants Ocean 82, Bistrot Caraibes and of course you already know at the Super U and Carrefour Shopping.

Love those places..French grocery stores are my “product candy”..makes me feel like I am always there in some little way. We’ll be on the Dutch side so thank you!

 

[Jim A]

Thank you for the link! I know Kevin’s list is always the perfect place to get the real list!

I have some numbers/emails in my contacts and book some online as well, but just to be safe, I always print it before I get on the plane. Thanks @KevinS