What To Do: Two Days in Paradise

By Roberta Sotonoff

If you’ve done nothing but lounge on the beach and sip margaritas while on St. Maarten/St. Martin, you’ve been missing out on so much more. “What else could I be doing?” you may ask. This island offers great shopping opportunities for the ladies, sporting activities for the manly man and romance for couples. These three two-day itineraries might inspire you to leave the lounge chair.

Girls Weekend
Day 1
Serious shopping is in order. Explore the Dutch side’s Front Street and ogle the baubles, bangles and beads at the many jewelry shops, which seem to be placed every 10 feet. If you plan to purchase, stick to well-known stores and check the prices of similar items before heading to the stores. Know that you’ve got bargaining power on your side when comes to purchasing the glitter, watches, cameras and electronics.

When you’ve worked up an appetite, grab some grilled shrimp, lobster, or rice and beans at Enoch’s in the colorful Marigot Market on the French Side.

After lunch, browse the West Indies Mall or the Plaza Caribe in Marigot. They have fashions you won’t find on the Dutch side, but remember that the merchandise is priced in euros.

The St. Martin side has great art galleries where you can shop for original paintings and sculptures. The Roland Richardson Gallery is a must-see, even if Caribbean Impressionism is not your thing. You can tour his renovated, pre-French Revolution home and courtyard gardens.

Whew! All that shopping is tiring. So, make tracks to Ocean Lounge, find an outdoor sofa, sip a guavaberry colada and watch the people on the Boardwalk.

Day 2
Spa day. Two of the best are La Samanna Spa on Baie Longue and Dior Spa at Cliffs of Cupecoy.

Lush tropical plants, a cascading waterfall and treatment rooms with indoor/outdoor showers, that’s La Samanna. There’s a full range of treatments, including unique ones like the Thai Herbal Ball, a compress of therapeutic herbs and plants. Lunch at the hotel restaurant. It sits on a cliff overlooking Baie Longue. Spend the rest of day relaxing on their satiny-sand beach.

Or, another option is the world’s only Dior Spa. A two-hour Harmony Body Massage includes reflexology and shiatsu. Guests can stay the day, use the pool, steam room or sauna and, of course, shop the Dior boutique.

If you haven’t maxed out your plastic yet, check out the nearby Maho shops for fashions and souvenirs. Then watch the sun go down at Sunset Bar. The arriving planes fly so close, you might reflexively duck as they buzz overhead.

It’s a Guy Thing
Day 1
While the ladies are making the rounds at the shops and spas, the men can indulge in athletic activities. Summit the 1,492-foot Pic du Paradis. You’ll get sweaty, but the reward makes it worth it: a breathtaking panorama of tropical forest and water. (Note: Hire a guide.) About halfway down, stop at the Loterie Farm, which offers Fly Zone, a “canopy boot camp.” After you navigate ropes, suspended bridges and zip lines, enjoy a meal at the Hidden Forest Café.

Beach time! Rent a Jet Ski, parasail or enjoy an outdoor massage at Baie Orientale. You may even catch some of the local beach babes as they strut their stuff.

For a night on the town, carnivores can savor Angus prime steaks at the clubby setting of Cupecoy’s Rare. After dinner, try your luck at Atlantis Casino. It’s right across the street. Or, take a chance at one of the island’s biggest casinos, Casino Royale, which also boasts a Las Vegas–type show.

Day 2
Everyone in water! Jump in fins first and scuba dive with Blue Bubbles. Or, if you prefer to catch fish rather than watch them, contact Lee’s Deep Sea Fishing. Lee will cook whatever you catch and include a complimentary lunch or dinner.

The most unique aquatic option is the St. Maarten 12-Metre Challenge. Sail the same yacht that Dennis Connors did when he won the 1987 America’s Cup or compete in another famous craft. You don’t have to be a seasoned sailor to trim the sails, grind the winches or chug some beers. Be forewarned: Book well in advance.

After the sail, stop off at the Guavaberry Emporium on Front Street. They offer free samples of their potent rum. But be careful; it can give you a quick buzz.

Funky Pineapple Pete is a fun guy place to dine. The interior looks more like an alley than a restaurant. A game room features seven pool tables, four dart boards, an arcade and a large TV that broadcasts sports. Their burgers, seafood and ribs get rave reviews. Later, check out the sounds of Sweet Chocolate at Cheri’s Café.

Romantic Getaway
Two hotels in particular radiate some serious, romantic vibes. Secluded Princess Heights boasts a breathtaking view from 900 feet above Oyster Bay. Another incredibly romantic spot for scenery, service and a spa is La Samanna. But what to do once you leave those properties?

Day 1
Share some savory crepes, omelets, quiches or freshly baked croissants that’ll melt in your mouth at Zee Best restaurant. Pack a lunch and spend the day on Simpson Bay Beach. Shaped like a half moon, it’s a one-mile stretch of soft, powdery sand and one of the most secluded, beautiful beaches on the island.

Reserve a beachside table at Antoine by the Sea, where only the sounds of the sea will interrupt your conversation. Their lobster thermidor is superb and big enough to split. The perfect post-dinner entertainment is Sopranos Piano Bar. Put a few bucks in the tip jar and request “your song.” Finish the evening with a barefoot walk on the moonlit beach.

Day 2
Get off to an early start and watch the sunrise at Dawn Beach and then cruise to Prickly Pear Cay for some snorkeling. To make this vacation even more memorable, take your honey to Front Street and buy her something special that shines.

Dinner can be some fabulous fare at a Grand Case restaurant. Or, head to Marigot’s La Vie en Rose for fine cuisine, soft music, a view of the harbor and a long-stemmed red rose.

Want to go dancing? Groove at the Asian-inspired Tandra or jive under the stars at the very “in” Bliss nightclub. Sip their specialty, the Blisstini, flavored with watermelon, passion peach and espresso.

Whether you’re with the guys, your girlfriends or that special someone, your St. Maarten/St. Martin vacation will be unforgettable.

What's In A Name?

Getting lost in St. Maarten/St. Martin is an almost impossible task—and not because the island covers only 37 square miles. One main highway circles it, and staying on this path will take you through the changing landscapes, from bustling neighborhoods to rolling, velvety green hills.

The transition from one neighborhood to another is easily recognizable by the curious street names found printed on green reflective signs and on some maps that lay out paradise for you to explore. Many of the signs bear the Dutch words steeg, meaning alley, and straat, or street, as a subtle reminder of the link to The Netherlands. Rue, the French word for street, will become evident on the northern side of the island that is the westernmost part of the Republic of France.

In Philipsburg, the tiny alleyways pay homage to some of the oldest families who settled here over time and to salt picking, the main economic activity for many centuries. A notable alleyway is von Romondtsteeg, where the oldest descendant of the family lived well into his late 90s. Zoutsteeg (Salt Alley) used to be one of the main transportation routes to move salt from Great Salt Pond to awaiting Europe-bound ships in the bay.

Sitting on the southern tip of St. Maarten/St. Martin, Pointe Blanche's streets have the names of its oldest residents: the birds. It's easy to see how Ground Dove Road gets its name. A quick drive through it will send flocks of the brown birds into the air.

The sound of the ocean echoes in Guana Bay. Its street names, including Queen Couch and Ivory Shell, give a distinctive beachy feel to the neighborhood.

Middle Region's streets are a tour of the Caribbean; they bear the names of islands and countries in the region.

Artistic types will find the names of prominent painters gracing the streets of historic Madame Estate. People are the theme in the Dutch Quarter. Here, the names often reflect the old families whose land they cut across.

Old plantation names are revived in Belvedere. One of the newest neighborhoods, its street names keep a link to the area's past as part of the old sugar plantation from which its name is derived.

St. Peters/South Reward was the primary source of food for the island. The freshest vegetables and fruits were collected by the cartloads. Today, the fruit trees still sway in the wind—but the delicious-sounding names are the ones rich with history.

Fortification and defense play a prominent role in the winding hillside trails of Little Bay. Belair and Cay Hill are where all things wild roam. The streets have names such as Puma and Otter.

Evergreen, Cedar, Oak and Cashew are on the list of names that define Cole Bay, one of the largest and oldest neighborhoods. The letter "W" also surfaces in many of the names.

Simpson Bay, a fishing village that has grown into a bustling little town, keeps its old-time charm and its original residents' firm ties to their Catholic faith. Catholic nuns, who held vital roles such as schoolteachers and nurses, are immortalized in some of the street names.

While Front Street is the mecca for jewelry shopping, Pelican has the names that sparkle. Some notable addresses bear names such as Ruby, Peridot and Amber.

Don't leave home without your credit card, or our shopping maps. Click here for quick guides to St. Maarten/St. Martin shopping and shopping maps.

On your tour around the island, sample the island's cuisine. Use our restaurant guide to help plan as well as a handy guide to activities and sights here.