Being that the AR membership is a world traveling bunch and that I am planning a vacation to St. Martin in the Carribean in late August, I was wondering if anyone had been there and could offer recommendations as to accomodations and things to do.

I have some concerns regarding Dengue fever which seems to established itself on the island and throughout most of the Carribean. I recon I won't be forgetting the deet.

Mainly looking at the French side of the island and decent hotels/resorts.
Thanks

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=82794

Just to supplement your information, looks OK to go. r in s.

The Hotel La Plantation, on the French side is nice, and comparitively affordable. But be careful about the lobster dinner on Monday night!!! The price is quoted in EUROS per POUND!! But the scale they weigh them on is in KILOS, and the conversion from euros to dollars is now approximately 1 euro = $1.50. I learned this lesson the HARD way!!!! Breakfast there is wonderful, even if you don't stay there.

You must visit the Sunset Beach Bar on the Dutch side. Good drink prices and VERY nice scenery. Topless women drink free! The sunsets there are nice, too.

Cote Plage, in Orient Village (French side) has good food and good prices, as does Lee's, in Simpson Bay (Dutch side). At Lee's, get the crab cakes appetizer, and the grilled grouper entree. Delicious!!!

Take your lady shopping on Front Street in Phillipsburg. The jewelry is reasonably priced, but be sure to go when there is NOT a cruise ship in port. Those Europeans spend like MAD, the shopkeepers know it, and won't dicker when the shops are full of them. When no ships are in, you can get real deals. Talk to Yogi in Kay's Jewelers (not affiliated with the U.S. chain of the same name.)

Then there is the BIG attraction - Orient Beach itself. The beach is lined with funky little shops and eateries and amusements. Take the parasail ride, it's worth it!!

Have lunch at Pedro's and at Baywatch, at least twice each.

Then stroll the beach. On the whole 1.5 mile beach, topless sunbathing is allowed and common. Club Orient, on the north end, is a clothing-optional resort - full nudity while sunbathing and while performing any and all other daily activities. TAKE THE PLUNGE, YOU WILL LOVE IT!! Check out www.orientbeach.com

Get there early, and bring a cooler of beer and snacks. You can park in Club O's guarded parking lot, rent two chairs and a beach umbrella for a total of $20 for the day.

DO NOT GO TO THE BEACH AT NIGHT!!! Thugs roam and prey on tourists; robberies occur with relative frequency at night, but you have nothing to worry about in the day.

DO NOT RENT A CAR FROM HERTZ!!! They are a complete rip-off!! Whoever you rent from, never leave anything of value in the car. Buy your gas on the Dutch side, much cheaper. Groceries, too. A six-pack of Corona is only $4.00 at Maho Beach Grocery, near the airport. American cigarettes only $1.50. But they don't have aspirin or any other simple over-the-counter day-after remedies. Get those on the French side.

I'll post more when I think of it.

The Butterfly Farm, just north of Orient Beach, is pretty cool.

Lots of casinos on the Dutch side, if you like to gamble.