Culinary delights
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Table for 2
Wine and dine your sweetheart with an intimate night out at a St. Maarten restaurant featuring local cuisine, international cuisine or beachfront dining. Located in a historic old stone building at the base of Rainforest Adventure Park, Emilio’s is consistently voted one of the best restaurants on in the island and ranked in the top 10% of all restaurants worldwide by TripAdvisor. This is for good reason – the ambience and signature dishes, from the goat cheese starter to the rosemary rack of lamb, impress the senses.
If you want to dig your feet into the sand and feel the breeze over dinner, restaurants in Simpson Bay and Maho front the ocean, and many have local bands and DJs for some musical entertainment.
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Shopping & Nightlife i water fun i accommodation i romance i culinary
Whether in St. Martin or St. Maarten, you’re on the same small Caribbean island, giving you the chance to experience two lively European cultures for the price of one vacation. On the French side to the north, St. Martin offers world-class gastronomy with a Caribbean flavour, as well as unique luxury villas and places for romance and connection. St. Maarten — the Dutch side to the south — serves up exciting nightlife, sartorial treasures and every style of accommodation. Both sides feature turquoise seas, year-round warmth, sunshine and famously fabulous beaches.
With no border between St. Martin and St. Maarten, exploring both nations is quick and easy. Their location in the Lower Antilles makes either side a great base for island hopping – St. Barthelemy, Anguilla and any number of deserted cays are just a short trip by boat or yacht.
St. Martin and St. Maarten are also united by the unrivalled hospitality of the people, together earning this unparalleled vacation destination the nickname, The Friendly Island.
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Culinary discoveries in the capital
In Marigot, the French capital of St. Martin about 20 minutes from Grand Case, you’ll find the biggest cluster of lolos near the ferry terminal. Conch fricassee (conch with chives, onion, garlic, cane sugar and other ingredients), pan-fried lamb with creole rice, and fried red snapper are a few of the dishes on the menu.
Marigot is also a fine-dining spot. Blessed with a panoramic view of the spectacular bay at Marigot, La Terrasse Rooftop buzzes with bistro-style cuisine – imagine snails in garlic butter, lamb shank-confit, and mahi-mahi filet in Creole sauce.h And for dessert? The Nutella tiramisu is impossible to resist.
Full French flavour
Nowhere else in the world does French cuisine meet Caribbean flair with such delicious results. On the heels of several St. Martin restaurants being recognized by worldwide competitions – including the World Culinary Awards – the nation declared 2022 “The Year of Gastronomy,” with many celebrated chefs opening new outposts on The Friendly Island.
In the charming fishing village of Grand Case, you’ll find “Gourmet Boulevard,” where top-quality choices abound. La Pressoir, ranked by Caribbean Journal as the best restaurant in the Caribbean, tingles the tastebuds with a seven-course tasting dinner, often including its famed egg parfait, lobster medallion, and truffle brie cheese. L’Auberge Gourmande, situated in one of the oldest typical Creole houses on the island, offers vol-au-vents (a type of puff pastry), frog legs and a foie-gras trilogy with a Caribbean twist. For quicker beachfront fare, visit one of the outdoor, locally owned BBQ spots, called lolos, found along Grand Case Beach as well as in the village centre.
St. Martin
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St. Maarten
Duty-free treasures
Broaden your beach retreat with a little retail therapy. Shopping on the island is tax-free, so the price you see is the price you pay. Philipsburg – the capital of St. Maarten – features thoroughfares with designer boutiques, including Cartier, Dior, Michael Kors and Rolex, as well as shops for top-shelf alcohol and tobacco. Philipsburg Market, meanwhile, is the go-to destination for unique souvenirs, custom-made jewelry and clothing. Though the official currency is the Antillean Guilder, the U.S. dollar is accepted everywhere.
Make a bet
If you want to try your luck, you’re in luck – the Dutch side has 13 Las Vegas-style playgrounds with casinos and live entertainment. Casino Royale, across from the all-inclusive Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa, is the largest with over 1950 square metres of gaming and offers, over 300 slot machines, tables including craps, roulette and blackjack, and the island's largest theatre. Acclaimed comedians and other headliners make the trip and often play to full houses; some shows are complimentary. Casino Royale is also home to Déja Vu Lounge for classic cocktails and live music. Also, some of the island’s favoriteh restaurants Alina and rooftop bar Mimosa Sky Lounge are located above Casino Royale.
Party the night away
St. Maarten is bordered by beaches at every turn, every one of them pristine. But it is also a nation bustling with nightlife and duty-free shopping, two other reasons the Dutch nation has become a hot destination in the Caribbean.
By day, St. Maarten has a laidback island vibe. When the sun goes down, the energy ratchets up, with music, dancing, karaoke and beach parties. Simpson Bay is the island’s hot spot for a night out with friends, where dancing into the wee hours at the bars and clubs is practically a sport. There’s even a Simpson Bay Pub Crawl every Friday, where revellers hit Nowhere Special (move to the rhythms of the live music), Topper’s Bar (try its delicious homemade rum), and 3 Amigos (where Margaritas flow freely, frozen or on the rocks.)
Be entertained
Water fun
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Shore-hopping until the sun goes down
To travel in the lap of luxury, and arrive at St. Barts or Anguilla in style, consider chartering a motor or power yacht. With faultless logistics, discreet service, and satellite connections, these yachts are like luxurious homes on the water with decks, BBQ grills, A/C, flat-screens T,V and more, and boast shallow drafts to berth in small harbours. The Moorings company, at Marina Fort Louis, has yachts available for charter, and can supply a captain and chef for the entirety of your cruising experience, while Captain Sup has one of the most luxurious charter yachts in the Caribbean – a modern and majestic Lagoon 450 Catamaran (pictured).
St. Martin is located in the Lower Antilles, an area of the Caribbean populated with dreamy deserted islands, as well as Anguilla, St. Barthelemy (aka, St. Barts, which is also a part of France) and Saba. None is more than 90 minutes away by boat, meaning it is easy-breezy to extend a vacation in St. Martin beyond its turquoise shores and into the rest of this beautiful archipelago.
Five-star operators like CaptainJo Boat Charter and Scoobido make a day on the water, discovering all the islands nestled between St. Martin and St. Barts, Anguilla, and Saba, an unforgettable adventure. CaptainJo has a fleet of boats – from Power Catamarans with a full bar, fridge and kitchen to luxury express cruisers. Scoobido is named after its catamaran, which covers about the surface of a tennis court at 75 feet. Built in France, it features a Bose sound system, comfy trampolines to stretch out on, a spacious deck area, and a waterslide for fun dips into the sea, and reaches up to 28 knots. Fresh baguettes, cheese and wine are served on board.
One of the best ways to explore St. Maarten is from the water, dropping anchor along its coastline to take in the stunning views, dive and snorkel along protected colourful reefs, and access the beautiful beaches. The fun doesn’t stop along St. Maarten’s shores, however – you can also explore nearby nature-reserve deserted islands as well as Anguilla and St. Barthelemy (also known as St. Barts).
With more than 10 picturesque marinas, The Friendly Island is a haven for watercrafts, from catamarans and sailboats to mega yachts. (Fun fact: the word “yacht” is of Dutch origin.) Countless charters from the Dutch side offer both half- and full-day itineraries. They often include stops at Pinel Island, where a marine park protects the stunning underwater flora and fauna. Make a point of sailing to uninhabited Tintamarre Island, a natural haven about five kilometres away where unspoiled beaches and the chance to snorkel with turtles and stingrays await.
Anguilla, which can be seen from marinas like that at Cole Bay Lookout Point, is just 15 kilometres away, and St. Barts is a 30- to 45-minute ride by watercraft – making them both a perfect day trip.
Travelzoo tip: While you’re at Cole Bay, hike the nearby hill to see the famous statue of a lone figure on a chair, and to get the most Insta-worthy photos of the marina.
The sunsets in St. Maarten are legendary for illuminating the sky in orange, pink, and purple hues, and you can capture every minute of it on a cruise from Simpson Bay and Maho. Operators of catamarans, sailboats and private yachts often include a well-stocked open bar on their sunset cruises, so that you can imbibe your cocktail of choice (“sunset sipper”) while enjoying Mother Nature’s light show.
‘Seas’ the day
Every style of stay
Berlin Welcome Card
To make the most of your trip, we recommend getting a Berlin Welcome Card. You can snap up discounts of up to 50% on top attractions, plus it doubles as a travelcard that you can use on buses, trams, and trains, so you can get around the city with ease.
You can buy different durations of passes depending on how long you're in the city for (passes range between 2-6 days).
Plus, families will be pleased to know that all accompanying children under the age of six, and up to three children under the age of 15 can get public transport for free.
Find out more here.
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Hotels, villas and more
Those seeking a personal, laid-back and authentic accommodation away from it all will find it on the Friendly Island. The Dutch side is home to hundreds of guesthouses and dozens of charming bed and breakfasts and inns. Many of them are locally owned and eco-friendly, providing a truly immersive experience in island culture.
Fulfill a romantic fantasy or make that group vacation one to remember by booking a villa. Situated in the most immaculate and desired locations, villas in St. Maarten offer grand architecture, state-of-the-art amenities, and private pools – some perched above the beach to give you stunning views while cooling off in the pool with a drink in hand. Many villas even come with private chefs and concierge services, to ensure every aspect of your stay is spectacular.
The choices for accommodation in St. Maarten are just as plentiful as the beaches, shopping and nightlife. Luxurious hotels. Unique villas. Charming bed and breakfasts. Condo rentals. There is a little bit of everything to fulfil your needs, desires and dreams.
Given their location on the southern peninsula of the island, Great Bay Beach and Little Bay Beach boast astonishing views of the ocean at both sunrise and sunset. Add in the long stretches of sand and a boardwalk with a myriad of shops and restaurants, and you’ve got a prime location for St. Maarten hotels. Many of them offer all-inclusive options, like Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, where children 12 and under stay free on room-only reservations and children under five stay and eat for free on all-inclusive reservations. If you want to work on your golf game, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino is within walking distance of 18-hole Mullet Bay Golf Course, plus it’s across the street from Casino Royale.
A private luxury villa is one of the most unforgettable and unique ways to experience St. Martin. You’re not just staying on the island, you’re living on it. With villas from one to 14 bedrooms, this is a great choice for both lovebirds as well as large families and groups of friends. You can count on privacy and exclusive services and facilities, from an infinity pool to daily housekeeping and car service.
Orient Bay in St. Martin has been given the name "Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean” for its stunning white sandy beach (the biggest on the island) and a plethora of watersport activities – and for having some of the most luxurious, exclusive properties on the island. Most of the properties are perched high on a hill for breathtaking panoramic views of Orient Bay. (Take it in from a private infinity pool!) St. Martin Sotheby’s International Reality has a selection of about 70 villas on the island, including in Orient Bay, and 100% Villas also rents out one-of-a-kind properties on the heights of Orient Bay.
A private estate in the west of the island’s French side, Terres Basses (meaning ”The Lowlands”) is considered by many to have three of the most stunning beaches in the Caribbean: the white sands of Baie Rouge, Baie Longue (Long Bay, as it’s about half a mile long) and Baie Aux Prunes (or Plum Bay Beach). This is the beachfront for multi-million-dollar homes. Some of these estates can be rented from Sotheby’s and 100% Villas, as well as Property Ink, a luxury rental agency representing dozens of such properties, from one-bedroom beachfront villas to nine-bedroom ocean-facing estates.
Vacation like an A-lister
Romantic moments
A vacation in St. Martin provides no shortage of memorable moments to share with your significant other. A sunset boat trip off Grand Case to Creole Rock, a small rocky outcrop that adds to the romance of the setting. A visit to the nature preserve Loterie Farm to go ziplining through the jungle canopy and cool off with a dip in its spring-water swimming pool. Parasailing over the crystal blue waters of the island. Or just relaxing together on the beach to the sounds of the ocean waves.
Love is everywhere
Full of places that can only bring couples together, St. Martin is a year-round destination for romantic getaways, including for exchanging vows, cocooning together on honeymoon and celebrating relationship milestones.
Couples from around the world come to marry on the island after having had their civil ceremony in their native country. The beaches, secluded coves, and tropical gardens of St. Martin offer spectacular outdoor venues for the ceremony. La Samanna, perhaps the island’s most glamorous hotel overlooking Long Bay, has an ace team of wedding experts to take care of your special day, from the reception and floral arrangements to photography. They even arrange fireworks, so you can really let the sparks fly for an unforgettable finale to the outdoor festivities. If you’re looking for an adults-only affair, Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa in the discreet cove of Anse Marcel can stage your ceremony and reception, for a destination wedding in a truly romantic bubble.
Make a spa date
The people of St. Maarten value “slowing it down.” And so, after spending time in the water or browsing the shops, treat yourself and your partner to a spa visit, where the personalized treatments leave the mind, body, and spirit rejuvenated and in the mood for romance. Indulge in an ocean-side couples’ massage – like the one offered at the Serenity Point Gazebo overlooking Maho Bay as seen here at Sonesta Ocean Point Resort or at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. Or experience Sunset Spa in Simpson Bay, where expert massage therapists soothe your muscles in a private beach cabana. You and your significant other will hear nothing but the ocean, the rhythmic sound of the waves seemingly programmed to put you in a state of relaxed bliss.
A setting for romance
As the world’s smallest landmass to be made up of two nations, united in harmony, there is really no better place for couples than St. Martin/St. Maarten. Here, a trip to a spa feels like a getaway within a getaway. You can also put romance on the menu at any number of restaurants, with food, decor and service that will have you feeling the love.
Romantic retreat
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