Over Night !

[fielddreamer]

Our ship is staying overnight and we are interested in hearing what anyone has done at night in St. Maarten ! We have been there several times but the usual day stop.

Edited December 27, 2016 by fielddreamer

[gtaylor]

There have been a number of discussions here recently about overnight or very late night departures.

 

Look around or search for some of them.

 

If you have specific questions about restaurants or bars or such, let us know your preferences.

 

The more information that you put into the question, the better the responses will be.

 

gary

[Karysa]

For an over night stop I would reserve a car ASAP. I would also find out where we could safely park it over night. I would go to Grand Case for sunset and dinner and boutique shopping and then head to the Maho strip for a drink and some shopping. An overnight stop would be fantastic to me. In the morning we would head out to less populated beaches and lunch out if time allowed for that. Knowing the island is a real bonus for an overnight stop to me.

[blue_water]

Would look at a few of the spots recommended by locals for dinner and fun after. We had a couple great dinners (and fun) at Pineapple Pete's and more fun after at Toppers, both near each other in Simpson Bay. Or for a fantastic lobster dinner on the water Skip Jack's. But if no DD it's not smart to drink and drive so would suggest taking a taxi at night if you want to enjoy yourself. Or as mentioned try to get a rental and drive to Dawn Beach, or better yet Friar's Bay and have a fabulous lunch at the FB Beach Club. 2 lounges and umbrella for $10 if you eat there and their cuisine is excellent. Then taxi at night!

[blue_water]

Or take the ferry or a nice cat sail to Anguilla your longer day in port!

Edited December 28, 2016 by blue_water

[gtaylor]

I've got to assume that it is a mistake, but the official Port of St Maarten website shows the ship as being docked on December 14 from 8-5, and then again on December 15 from 8-6.

 

I know that ships calling on Cabo San Lucas do this, perhaps so they can sail out to sea and open the shops and casino, but this just doesn't look right.

 

gary

[bosswench]

We had an overnight in St. Maarten a couple weeks ago. Since we were four adults we reserved a car in advance so we were off the ship and on the road within an hour of docking. First we headed for Maho beach to watch the airplanes. It was too late to see the huge planes land but there were some 737's so we had a great time for two hours. Then we took a leisurely drive to Grand Case, walked around and window shopped for awhile before having a fantastic dinner at La Villa. Finally we stopped to share a crepe from the stand in the parking lot before heading back to the ship around 9:30. The next morning we headed out fairly early for a beach day on Orient Beach. Rented chairs and umbrellas at Orange Fever, relaxed on the beach, watched the parasailing and other water sports, and had lunch until it was time to head back at 3. A perfect day.

 

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[fielddreamer]

We had an overnight in St. Maarten a couple weeks ago. Since we were four adults we reserved a car in advance so we were off the ship and on the road within an hour of docking. First we headed for Maho beach to watch the airplanes. It was too late to see the huge planes land but there were some 737's so we had a great time for two hours. Then we took a leisurely drive to Grand Case, walked around and window shopped for awhile before having a fantastic dinner at La Villa. Finally we stopped to share a crepe from the stand in the parking lot before heading back to the ship around 9:30. The next morning we headed out fairly early for a beach day on Orient Beach. Rented chairs and umbrellas at Orange Fever, relaxed on the beach, watched the parasailing and other water sports, and had lunch until it was time to head back at 3. A perfect day.

 

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Where did you park over night at the ship ?

[bosswench]

Where did you park over night at the ship ?

 

The car rental agency, Hertz, had parking for us just behind the port shopping area. A security golf cart gave us a ride back to the ship when we got back, 10:30 pm or so.

[Hlitner]

When we have stayed on St Maarten we prefer to rent a condo around Grand Case...so that we are within walking range of their many excellent restaurants. If we were doing an overnight on a cruise, we would certainly include dinner at one of our favorite Grand Case restaurants...although with only one night it would be tough to choose. The last time we stayed at Grand Case it was a 2 week stay...and we never went hungry. But a problem for cruisers is that one should not even think about drinking and driving on the island...having dinner at a French restaurant in Grand Case means drinking some decent wine. A real dilemma.

 

Hank

[Karysa]

The car rental agency, Hertz, had parking for us just behind the port shopping area. A security golf cart gave us a ride back to the ship when we got back, 10:30 pm or so.

 

This is good info. Thanks😊

[Karysa]

I've got to assume that it is a mistake, but the official Port of St Maarten website shows the ship as being docked on December 14 from 8-5, and then again on December 15 from 8-6.

 

I know that ships calling on Cabo San Lucas do this, perhaps so they can sail out to sea and open the shops and casino, but this just doesn't look right.

 

gary

 

I only see 9-5 on the 13th when I clicked the link that you provided. This is odd.:p

[gtaylor]

You have to change the date to December 2018, as it defaults to the current month. :)

 

gary

[Karysa]

You have to change the date to December 2018, as it defaults to the current month. :)

 

gary

 

You usually spoon feed us so I never thought that I would not be taken to the exact spot that I needed to be. :D

[gtaylor]

Port of St Maarten website doesn't let me do that. :(

 

gary

[Trend]

When we have stayed on St Maarten we prefer to rent a condo around Grand Case...so that we are within walking range of their many excellent restaurants. If we were doing an overnight on a cruise, we would certainly include dinner at one of our favorite Grand Case restaurants...although with only one night it would be tough to choose. The last time we stayed at Grand Case it was a 2 week stay...and we never went hungry. But a problem for cruisers is that one should not even think about drinking and driving on the island...having dinner at a French restaurant in Grand Case means drinking some decent wine. A real dilemma.

 

Hank

 

We are in port overnight, and thought of spending the day on the beach in Grand Case as well as having a meal then returning later to ship. We are going to cab it but recommendations for restaurants would help as well as where to be dropped for beach access as this is one spots we have never visited.

[Hlitner]

We are in port overnight, and thought of spending the day on the beach in Grand Case as well as having a meal then returning later to ship. We are going to cab it but recommendations for restaurants would help as well as where to be dropped for beach access as this is one spots we have never visited.

 

Grand Case is actually a very small village where you can walk from one end to the other in about 10 min. Most taxis are going to drop you in front of the beach bar/restaurant/cafe where they know the owners :). My advice is to simply walk down to the beach (right behind the main street) and stroll along the beach checking out the various beach options. For us, we always look for the most comfy chairs...and will also take a look at the lunch/snack menus.

 

As to dinner, there are so many good restaurants in this small village that we hesitate to choose one over another. You can go on sites like Trip Advisor and Yelp and look at the most recent reviews. When DW and I stayed in Grand Case we would often just walk through town and browse the daily menu specials...choosing what appealed to us at the time (and we have never been disappointed). Keep in mind that prices do vary and some of these places can be pricey (but often wonderful). Our last meal in Bistrot Caraibes was excellent....but then DW might suggest Le Pressoir. And L'Auberge Gourmande never disappoints. The problem with visiting for a single night is make the choice. Keep in mind that if you are there in the busy season, some of these restaurants are small and its wise to make a reservation. On the other hand, if you are dining early (say 6pm) you will have a better chance of getting a table as opposed to trying to get a table at 8-9 without a reservation.

 

While crusiers tend to eat early (we see folks lining up for dinner at 5 on some cruises), Grand Case is very French/European oriented where many folks prefer to dine no earlier then 8.

 

Hank

[Karysa]

We are in port overnight, and thought of spending the day on the beach in Grand Case as well as having a meal then returning later to ship. We are going to cab it but recommendations for restaurants would help as well as where to be dropped for beach access as this is one spots we have never visited.

 

I personally would pick a very casual place if I was going from the beach to a restaurant in Grand Case. We usually go to the beach, shower and then go out for dinner. If we were to go to the beach and stay for sunset and dinner we would likely go to Calmos or Sunset Cafe for dinner. I personally do not look great post beach and would feel uncomfortable at a nicer place post beach.

[happy_travellers]

We are in port overnight, and thought of spending the day on the beach in Grand Case as well as having a meal then returning later to ship. We are going to cab it but recommendations for restaurants would help as well as where to be dropped for beach access as this is one spots we have never visited.

 

An option would be to go for a nice lunch in Grand Case like Le Soleil which is on the beach and will have lounge chairs to use if you eat there.If you pay cash US$ at Par to Euro. Going in day light you get the wonderful view over to Anguilla. Then for dinner you could go to the LoLo's which are low cost local food stalls. Sky's the limit and Talk of the Town are two of the best. There is nice shopping on the main street of Grand Case.

Edited January 11, 2017 by happy_travellers

[Karysa]

What time are you arriving and when do you depart the next day? Chances are you will be on the island for dinner the first day and lunch the next day on an overnight stop.

[Trend]

Just checked we do not arrive till 3pm and depart at 4pm following day. So the question now is do we cab ot the first afternoon and have dinner and just go to beach on Dutch side,but we have never done Grand Case town or beach. We have been many times to all the other popular and not so popular beaches.

Out thought was first late afternoon just stroll the town like always and the next day leave ship at 7:30 AM beach till noon have lunch and return by cab to ship.

Grand Case Beach Club said we can pay for cots at their area. I have heard some areas on the small beach are nicer sand any feed back would be helpful

[Karysa]

Just checked we do not arrive till 3pm and depart at 4pm following day. So the question now is do we cab ot the first afternoon and have dinner and just go to beach on Dutch side,but we have never done Grand Case town or beach. We have been many times to all the other popular and not so popular beaches.

Out thought was first late afternoon just stroll the town like always and the next day leave ship at 7:30 AM beach till noon have lunch and return by cab to ship.

Grand Case Beach Club said we can pay for cots at their area. I have heard some areas on the small beach are nicer sand any feed back would be helpful

 

So I take it you don't want to rent a car. Understandable if you don't know the island, want to drink or just don't like having the freedom and hassles of driving a car on the island.

 

Getting in at 3, strolling the boardwalk to town and shopping and stopping for a drink or dinner would all be possible and easy to do.

 

Personally I wouldn't rent chairs at Grand Case Beach or Petite Plage and would instead save my money and purchase food and drinks with it and go to a place that provides chairs to patrons free of charge.

 

I might be wrong but I know Grand Case and the Grand Case Beach Club quite well so when you are talking about the small beach are you actually talking about Petite Plage ? The GCBC has 2 beaches basically separated by the rocky point where the restaurant is. The one beach is part of the very longGrand Case Beach which doesn't have much sand where the GCBC is and it's for the resort guests only at least that's what the sign says and you would only be able to enter this part of GC beach via the GCBC or the water. The other beach is Petite Plage which can be reached from the GCBC and it also has a public entrance just past the GCBC and this is the beach where Creole Rock Watersports is and where you can rent beach chairs and watersports like kayaks and paddle boards.

 

8:15 would be pretty early for the beach and my guess is that you will have more luck at GCBC that early getting chairs because they start earlier than the other places on the beach because they run some all day catamaran trips to other islands from there and check-in is 8 or shortly after. They also serve a nice breakfast at their restaurant Sunset Cafe.

Edited January 13, 2017 by Karysa

[gtaylor]

So I take it you don't want to rent a car. Understandable if you don't know the island, want to drink or just don't like having the freedom and hassles of driving a car on the island.

 

Getting in at 3, strolling the boardwalk to town and shopping and stopping for a drink or dinner would all be possible and easy to do.

 

Personally I wouldn't rent chairs at Grand Case Beach or Petite Plage and would instead save my money and purchase food and drinks with it and go to a place that provides chairs to patrons free of charge.

 

I might be wrong but I know Grand Case and the Grand Case Beach Club quite well so when you are talking about the small beach are you actually talking about Petite Plage ? The GCBC has 2 beaches basically separated by the rocky point where the restaurant is. The one beach is part of the very longGrand Case Beach which doesn't have much sand where the GCBC is and it's for the resort guests only at least that's what the sign says and you would only be able to enter this part of GC beach via the GCBC or the water. The other beach is Petite Plage which can be reached from the GCBC and it also has a public entrance just past the GCBC and this is the beach where Creole Rock Watersports is and where you can rent beach chairs and watersports like kayaks and paddle boards.

 

8:15 would be pretty early for the beach and my guess is that you will have more luck at GCBC that early getting chairs because they start earlier than the other places on the beach because they run some all day catamaran trips to other islands from there and check-in is 8 or shortly after. They also serve a nice breakfast at their restaurant Sunset Cafe.

I can't address Grand Case in the morning, but for your afternoon/evening in Philipsburg, I would recommend Antoine's for your dinner overlooking Great Bay, your ship and the sunset.

 

Click

[Ski Mom 2]

We stayed in a beach condo in Grand Case for a week in between The Rainbow Cafe and Frenchy's. The beach is lovely there and The Rainbow Cafe has chairs you can use if you order drink or food. They are open for breakfast and the food is quite nice and so are the folks that run it. There are kayak rentals and massages available as well. You can take a nice walk on the beach and even see the small planes coming into land (not Maho but fun in its own way).

 

Dinner in Grand Case is lovely and I wouldn't miss it!

 

 

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[Trend]

Maybe I am better off with Rainbow Cafe. Coming in so late in afternoon does not allow for much as DH spends his life in a car and holiday means NO car so to cab it to GC for dinner then back the next day is costly.

How long would it take us by cab in early morning from port to GC.

Maybe we will come for breakfast.