St. Maarten

[Tigger7570]

Hi:
We're thinking about doing an exchange for St. Maarten in the spring and there are four resorts listed. I'm looking for opinions on any or all of them and we looking to stay in a one bedroom. Any suggestions or help would be terrific. Thanks.

 

[Dean]

Hi:
We're thinking about doing an exchange for St. Maarten in the spring and there are four resorts listed. I'm looking for opinions on any or all of them and we looking to stay in a one bedroom. Any suggestions or help would be terrific. Thanks.

My info suggests than only RIC and ROP are worth taking, even then they're easy to get and not up to DVC standards. I haven't been there but this is the info I've compiled over the past few years. Still, for Xmas to Easter, it might be worthwhile. For other times, you should definitely look at other methods of getting there.

 

[Tigger7570]

Thank you for the info Dean. Since we have never done an island, and several people said St. Maarten was beautiful, we thought we would try it, but if you have heard these resorts are not up to DVC standards, I don't think it's the first island I want to try. Do you have any suggestions or preferences that you would recommend in regards to something similar to St. Maarten. I know a lot of people like Aruba, but I have also heard it's really not a pretty island. So as you can see, I'm at a loss as to where to start.
Thank you for any help.

 

[JimMIA]

I haven't stayed in those resorts, but I've been to St M. Not the prettiest island I've ever seen by a long shot. Hopefully someone can give you some good suggestions.

 

[Dean]

Thank you for the info Dean. Since we have never done an island, and several people said St. Maarten was beautiful, we thought we would try it, but if you have heard these resorts are not up to DVC standards, I don't think it's the first island I want to try. Do you have any suggestions or preferences that you would recommend in regards to something similar to St. Maarten. I know a lot of people like Aruba, but I have also heard it's really not a pretty island. So as you can see, I'm at a loss as to where to start.
Thank you for any help.

It really depends on what you want to do, how active you want to be and whether you want to eat out a lot or not. Personally I'd say Cayman's and St. John would be the top from a scenery and DVC exchange standpoint combined. I'd put Cancun in there as well. Aruba is more from a beach standpoint but is a desert island. St. Marteen/Martin is a great option if you want a lot of great dining options. I don't think it's that pretty of an island but not that bad either. St. James Club Antigua might be a good choice but the resort is hit or miss. Curacao sounds interesting but I don't know as much about it. And it seems Harborside Atlantis has been added back to the exchange list, something that must have happened fairly recently.

 

[Tigger7570]

Again, thanks for the great info. I will look into the islands and resorts you mentioned. Since it is our first time going to an island, it's more for relaxation and dining and looking for a tropical atmosphere. We actually gave our son and DIL their honeymoon in Antigua. Didn't do an exchange with DVC because they are only two bedroom units and it seemed a waste. They really enjoyed the island, but my son did find it a little too quiet and since DH is an avid Disney fan and absolutely loves Disney and all the activities available there and surrounding it, i.e, shopping, movies, boat rides, pools, etc., etc., and is hesitant about an island, I'm trying to find something that isn't too quiet. We're both over 55 so we're definitely not into the club scene and we're not looking do water sports. We're definitely active in the sense that we love walking, nature, swimming, bike riding, etc. We're your average 55 year old couple. We're not coach potatoes, but we're not mountain climbers either.

 

[Daffydee]

Last summer we traded to Royal Islander on St. Maarten. We totally enjoyed it. We love the beach and there are many different beaches to go to. We rented a jeep and went to different beaches. We went to the French side and to Orient Beach. We also took the ferry to Anguilla. BEAUTIFUL.

We are not much for night life but there is plenty of fine dining throughout the island.

My brother and his family went this past June and they also loved it. They stayed at the Sunterra resort.

Both my husband and my 15 year twin boys agree that they would go back there anytime.

Hope this helps.

Dee

 

[Tigger7570]

Thanks Daffydee. Everything helps when you're new at trying to plan a trip to an island.

 

[outahere]

We were in Curacao last year on the Disney Magic, when it came home from California. While it was an interesting island, it too is more desert than tropical. I've been to St. Maarten a few times, and most of it just didn't feel tropical. My vote for tropical would be St. John. It is definitely tropical and a lot of the island (something like 2/3) is actually a U.S. National Park, including some great beaches. I don't know what DVC trades you could get there, but it may be worth checking out.

 

[kimberh]

WE have just returned from St. Maarten, we spent a week there. The beaches and water are beautiful. The food was very good and a lot of restaurants to choose from. We rented 3 villas at Belair Beach club. It was on Little Bay Beach. The Belair is not up to Disney Standards but we really enjoyed our stay. We rented a car and toured the whole Island. When the week was over my family decided that Grand Cayman was still their favorite. We stay on the East End at Morritt's Tortuga Club. It is still rebuilding after Hurricane Ivan so I would check into St. John's if I were you. I looked at the Westin there the other night and it looks like it is wonderful!!! We have been to St. John's on a cruise excursion and it is beautiful. A majority of it is a National park.

Good Luck!

 

[Dean]

Then there's Orient Beach where those that should go naked don't and those that shouldn't do anyway.

 

[dgaston]

Have to agree with you Dean. DS then 15 was all about going to Orient Beach and wandering down to the "optional" portion of the beach, and then he saw the 70 year old naked man! He beat a retreat to our umbrella and rented a boogie board! It's one of my fond teenage parenting moments.

 

[Tigger7570]

Thanks everyone. I'm definitely going to check out St. John's.