Saint Martin Luxury Hotels

St. Martin is a tropical island in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 300 km (186 miles) east of Puerto Rico. The 87 square kilometers island is divided roughly in half between France and the Netherlands Antilles; it is the smallest inhabited sea island divided between two nations.  The southern Dutch half comprises the Eilandgebied Sint Maarten (Island area of St. Martin) and the northern French half comprises the Collectivité de Saint-Martin (Collectivity of St. Martin), an overseas collectivity of France.

Today tourism is king; bustling Front Street in Philipsburg beckons bargain hunters with 500 duty-free shops.  There are 36 sugary sand beaches to visit: one favorite strip is Cupecoy Bay Beach near the Dutch-French border, and windsurfers head to busy Maho Bay Beach, located near the airport. One of St. Martin’s more private strands is Simpson Bay Beach. Simpson Bay Lagoon is enclosed, making the water a natural for water skiing. Dawn Beach, Oyster Pond, and Guana Bay are favorites for snorkeling and windsurfing.

Divers can explore the coral-covered HMS Proselyte, an 1801 British frigate,that lies a mile off the coast. Visitors can lounge on the beach or spend time mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, playing tennis, or participating in watersports.  Those who are more adventurous may want to try kiteboarding, or operators on the island can also arrange for parasailing, windsurfing and WaveRunner excursions with instruction. Sailing is very popular; experience the thrill of the daily 12-Meter Challenge, a three-hour staged version of the America’s Cup race.  Sailors of every skill level can serve as a crew member aboard the boats.

St. Martin is blessed with 37 beaches – one for each of the island's 37 square miles. Busy bays are venues for watersports, swimming, and snorkeling, while secluded coves offer private retreats.  The dress code ranges from modest (on the Dutch side of the island) to nudist (on the French side).  Half-day or full-day sailing excursions to undeveloped beaches nearby are also available.Some of the more famous beaches include mile-long Mullet Bay Beach, perfect for swimming; Dawn Beach, known for its incredible sunrises; and Little Bay Beach – a favorite of snorkelers that offers calm, clear waters that offer excellent visibility.

Saint Martin Destinations Facts

CURRENCY:

St. Maarten is currently outside the Eurozone and uses the Netherlands Antillean guilder but the US dollar is widely accepted

CLIMATE:

Sunny and warm year-round, with some cooling from trade winds. Average temperature during the winter season is 80F (27C) and a few degrees warmer due to humidity in the summer. There are occasional showers in late summer and early fall, with average annual rainfall of 45 inches.

ELECTRICITY:

The standard on the Dutch side is 110 V, 60 Hz, so in general, no converters or adaptors are required for appliances made for use in the US or Canada. However, a few hotels on the french side  operate on 220 V, 50 cycles.

TIME ZONE:

St. Maarten/St. Martin, Anguilla, and St. Barts operate on Atlantic Standard Time year-round. Thus in winter, if it's 6pm in Philipsburg, it's 5pm in New York. During daylight saving time in the United States, the islands and the U.S. East Coast are on the same time.

LANGUAGE:

English is spoken everywhere, but Dutch is the official language of St.Maarten, and French the official language of Saint Martin. On the Dutch side, you can also hear Spanish, Papiamentu, Italian, Hindi, Chinese, and other languages. On the French side, Creole Patois is also spoken.

SHOPPING HOUR:

Shopping on St Maarten and Saint Martin offers high quality duty-free goods in numerous boutiques. The island has a well-earned reputation as a "shopper's paradise". Popular goods include local crafts & arts, exotic foods, jewelry, liquor, tobacco, leather goods, as well as most designer goods. Because of Duty free Tax free abound the island has become more of a shopping and relaxing destination. Most often the designer goods are offered at significant discounts, often up to 40% lower than US retail prices.

VISA REQUIREMENTS:

Visa and passport requirements frequently change. We do our best to keep this information as current as possible; however, we recommend that all visitors check with their embassy or consulate before their departure.

U.S. citizens need a valid passport effective December 31, 2006 and a return/continuing ticket. Naturalized citizens must show an original naturalization certificate with photo identification. Green Card holders must have a valid passport and a return/continuing ticket.Canadian citizens need a valid passport and a return/continuing ticket. "Landing permit" with valid passport and return/continuing ticket.European Community: Valid passport and a return/continuing ticket

Things To Do in Saint Martin

Parasailing

If you are up to being suspended on a giant, inflated wing above the Atlantic ocean, go to Orient Beach. There is the largest range of options.The scenery with a bird´s eye view is terrific.

Things To Do in Saint Martin

Windsurfing

Windsurfing with the gentle trade winds on St Martin is a treat! Season starts in winter with the so called "Christmas Winds". Otherwise, Southern trade winds provide consistent conditions averaging 15 knots until July.

Things To Do in Saint Martin

Day Trip to Anguilla

No trip to St. Martin is complete without a day trip to the gorgeous and unspoiled island of sun and sand Anguilla. You'll cruise to the island by catamaran, go snorkeling off Sandy Island and spend a relaxing afternoon on Anguilla's Road Bay Beach.

Things To Do in Saint Martin

Sunset Cruise

See the sun set over the magical waters of the Caribbean! Sip on a glass of champagne while the sun sets a romantic back drop taking you into an evening of fine food whilst sailing the seas on board an intriguing tall ship!

Things To Do in Saint Martin

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Meal Plan

 

***Price is based on a per person, per day basis***

***Meal plan is non-commissionable***

The MAP Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner meal plan includes all meals in the Restaurant.  Please note that La Samanna reserves the right to change or alter inclusions at any time.  Children younger than 5 are not allowed in La Samanna's Gastronomic Restaurant at dinner time.

 

Things To Do in Saint Martin

2011 MAP F&B Plan

Breakfast and dinner in the restaurant.  Please note that children younger than 5 years old are not allowed in La Samanna's Gastronomic Restaurant at dinner time.

Recommended Restaurants in Saint Martin

Partners in Paradise

Partners in Paradise promotion is in conjunction with the CuisinArt Resort, Carlisle Bay, and Hotel St. Barth Isle de France.  Consistently recognized as one of the Caribbean's finest and most exclusive resorts.  Exclusive resorts.  Explore the award-winning wine cellar of La Samanna, French-Caribbean fusion cuisine, unique beach setting - or simply take time to discover the many cultural delights of St. Martin, its European-style nightlife, duty-free shopping, and the myriad other possibilities in this easily accessible French/Dutch Caribbean island.  Package includes 3 nights accommodation in an Ocean View room, breakfast buffet, use of fitness center, and tennis courts, all non-motorized water sports, and one day beach cabana.  $1020.

Hotel:
La Samanna

Rate Includes:

Package includes 3 nights accommodation in an Ocean View room, breakfast buffet, use of fitness center, and tennis courts, all non-motorized water sports, and one day beach cabana.

Travel Window: 09-June-2010 / 17-Dec-2010
Booking Window: 09-June-2010 / 17-Dec-2010

Terms and Conditions: Package cannot be combined with another promotion. Package components are subject to availability and advanced reservations are encouraged. Package components cannot be exchanged or refunded. St. Martin 4% government tax is additional and not included on package price.

Stay 4 Pay 3

Stay four  nights or more at La Samanna and receive an additional three nights at no additional charge. 

Hotel:
La Samanna

Rate Includes:

Travel Window: 09-July-2010 / 21-Dec-2010
Booking Window: 09-July-2010 / 21-Dec-2010

Terms and Conditions: The Extra Nights promotion is subject to availability of the promotion and close outs. This promotion cannot be combined with another package or promotion.

2011 Stay 4 Pay 3

Stay three nights or more at La Samanna and receive a fourth night at no additional charge. 

Hotel:
La Samanna

Rate Includes:

Travel Window: 02-Jan-2011 / 21-Dec-2011
Booking Window: 02-Jan-2011 / 21-Dec-2011

Terms and Conditions: The Extra Nights promotion is subject to availability of the promotion and close outs. This promotion cannot be combined with another package or promotion.

Stay 7 Pay 6

Stay four  nights or more at La Samanna and receive an additional three nights at no additional charge.

Hotel:
La Samanna

Rate Includes:

Travel Window: 09-July-2010 / 21-Dec-2010
Booking Window: 09-July-2010 / 21-Dec-2010

Terms and Conditions: The Extra Nights promotion is subject to availability of the promotion and close outs. This promotion cannot be combined with another package or promotion.

2011 Stay 7 Pay 6

Stay six nights or more at La Samanna and receive an additional a seventh at no additional charge.

Hotel:
La Samanna

Rate Includes:

Travel Window: 02-Jan-2011 / 21-Dec-2011
Booking Window: 02-Jan-2011 / 21-Dec-2011

Terms and Conditions: The Extra Nights promotion is subject to availability of the promotion and close outs. This promotion cannot be combined with another package or promotion.

2011Stay 14, Pay 11

Stay fourteen nights or more at La Samanna and receive an additional three nights at no additional charge.

Hotel:
La Samanna

Rate Includes:

Travel Window: 02-Jan-2011 / 21-Dec-2011
Booking Window: 02-Jan-2011 / 21-Dec-2011

Terms and Conditions: This promotion cannot be combined with any other promotions or packages. Other restrictions may apply.

Romance Package

Includes accommodation, private roundtrip airport transfers, daily breakfast buffet in the main restaurant, champagne on arrival, one Caligula dinner for two, one day use of a beach cabana from 9am to 5pm, one couples Swedish massage (45 minutes), one day luxury car rental (excludes taxes, insurance, and gas).

 

Hotel:
La Samanna

Rate Includes:

Travel Window: 01-Apr-2011 / 21-Dec-2011
Booking Window: 01-Apr-2011 / 31-Aug-2011

Terms and Conditions: Offer valid for a limited time only.