St Martin luxury yachts in the marina

Is the Dutch side or French side better to stay?

A question often asked by first time visitors before they travel is whether the Dutch side or the French side of St. Maarten / St. Martin is better. Let us convince you that is not a question to worry about on your way to the most fun destination of the Caribbean.

 

Argument 1: It does not matter if you stay on the Dutch side or French side

 

The first answer is: it doesn’t matter. The island of St. Maarten / St. Martin is compact in size – so all you want to do on island is within reach well under an hour of driving. This way, the different characteristics of the two sides and its regions only make your holiday a “Twice the Caribbean” experience.

 

It also does not matter as the borders are open. Many visitors do not notice when they cross the border. Most of our guests cross the border at least one time during their holidays to explore the many activities, restaurants, bars, landmarks, nature and sights of both sides.

 

Argument 2: It is not about the nation, but about the area

 

To design your best St. Maarten / St. Martin holiday, it is important to look at your preferences and what lodging or area fits you best. The joint offer of the two sides provides for a wide variety of seaside resorts and boutique hotels. If you are looking for a cosmopolitan and bustling resort area, Philipsburg (especially by day) and Simpson Bay and Maho  might be your district of choice. For more quaint seaside surroundings, consider Oyster Bay, Anse Marcel and Cupecoy. If you like relaxing “clothing optional“, the southern part of Orient Bay Beach is your place to be. Together with Grand Case, both are reputed foodie meccas in the Caribbean. If you are a yachtie or yachting fan, you will find a large community and all you need in the Simpson Bay Lagoon area. With all this offer at hand, it remains irrespective of where you choose to stay as all is close by.

 

Argument 3: It is about what combines us that makes St. Maarten / St. Martin a destination of choice

 

Next to differences amongst St. Maarten / St. Martin areas, many features are shared and reinforce one another. Frequent visitors and many on island see the destination as one, with complimentary strengths and common denominators. Beaches are plenty and pristine on either side of the island. It is high end French side Grand Case and Orient Bay cuisine added with the culinary diversity of the Cupecoy, Simpson Bay and Maho areas on the Dutch side that makes the island jointly deserving of its title “Culinary capital of the Caribbean“. Watersport fans are also well off on either side, from Dutch side capital Philipsburg and Simpson Bay all the way up to French side Orient Bay Beach.

 

 

No side is better; each has its own different districts, landscapes and features – and all excursions of either side are at your direct disposal when staying on our island!