How to plan a perfect trip to Saint Martin.
Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin have coexisted peacefully here since the Partition Treaty of 1648.
(No wonder they call it the Friendly Island.)
Credit:Margaret Pattillo
Heres how to map out your ideal St. Martin getaway.
There are actually only two seasons here: dry season and wet season.
The former lasts from December to April and is also the peak time for tourists who crave nonstop sunshine.
Margaret Pattillo
The Best Hotels in St. Martin
The island has no shortage of luxury lodging.
ButLa Samanna, A Belmond Hotel, is the undisputed winner for well-heeled jet-setters.
It all comes at a premium, of course: rates here usually start above $1,000 per night.
Margaret Pattillo
If youre OK with dialing down the opulence a notch or two, considerParadise Peak Bed and Breakfast.
For those who crave something closer to the action, consider booking your stay atDivi Little Bay Beach Resort.
It overlooks Great Bay on a spit of land within striking distance of Philipsburgs famed nightlife.
Margaret Pattillo
So, pick your personal slice of paradise based upon what, precisely, youre after.
For example, if you want to avoid other people entirely, Mullet Bay is for you.
Its on the western side of Sint Marteen, not far from the French border.
Margaret Pattillo
In fact, the entire peninsula here boasts secluded gems like Long Beach, which abuts La Samanna resort.
In between sits Cupecoy Beach, which is notable for its limestone cliff formations rising gracefully from the sands.
It is teeming with crowds and anything but serene, but it certainly makes for a good Instagram story.
Margaret Pattillo
If its aquatic activity youre craving, the bustling strand of Orient Beach is where you want to be.
Hedge your bets between beauty and boisterousness with an afternoon at Anse Marcel Beach.
But if that ever gets old, theres anabundance of activitiesboth on and offshore to keep you busy.
Start off by snapping selfies in front of the iconic murals of Marigot.
Start from the trailhead near Colombier, and itll be a 3.1 mile out-and-back journey to the pinnacle.
If you prefer to stay over water, the options are equally as robust.
Up along the northern end of the island is Orient Beach.
Its calm, cerulean surf sets it apart as a prime location for marine activities.
Just north of the beach is a Cul-de-Sac Bay, where youll find the ferry to Pinel Island.
The five-minute ride spirits you to this idyllic iguana-guarded getaway.
Its a Natural Reserve with some short walks to be enjoyed amongst the native flora or fauna.
Martin is proud home to some of the finest cuisine in all of the Caribbean.
Up the road is Grand Case, another quaint village overrun with fine flavor.
Check outOcean 82, one of the islands most famous dining destinations.
Grilled lobster and creamy pasta dishes are on heavy rotation as diners enjoy seaside sunsets.
For more of a French Bistro vibe, head toL’Atelier Bar a Viande et Poissonin Orient Bay.
The steak frites are as savory as any youll find in Paris.
And the wine as well as rum options are plentiful.
It is owned and managed by chef Bastien Schenk and his wife, Sabine.
The daily, Frenchnouvelle-style tasting menu is conceived based upon whatevers fresh and seasonal at the moment.
Check out theGreenhousefor a prime example.
Signature items include the Jamaican jerk chicken salad, as well as the manageably spicy bang bang shrimp.
The boisterous beachside dining hall features live music on most nights of the week.
However you play it, donotleave without sampling a sip of the guavaberry liquor, a local delicacy.
