So Many Places, So Little Time

By Pat Cantor

For an island that is a mere 37 square miles, St. Maarten/St. Martin offers an incredible array of locations for your ceremony, parties and dining, entertainment, pre-wedding accommodations and your honeymoon. Of course, every bride wants the most amazing wedding photos as well. St. Maarten/St. Martin is filled with wonderful backdrops, from beaches at sunset to the terrace of a luxury private villa to the gorgeous gardens of an elegant hotel.

The backdrop for your wedding might be an incredible mega yacht anchored in the marina or cruising at sea. St. Maarten/St. Martin is a major mega-yacht destination, and facilities are available for weddings and parties. Who knows, maybe a famous movie star was standing in that very spot where your ceremony will be held. This time, you are the star!

Private villas abound on St. Maarten/St. Martin and are very popular locations. Like mega yachts, it gives you the atmosphere of tropical glamour gone Hollywood. Most villas are in the French Lowlands and, like the mega yachts, provide you and your guests seductive luxury and fairy tale romance.

St. Maarten/St. Martin's lovely hotels are great locations for your wedding, whether you book them for the wedding itself and/or to accommodate your guests. Each hotel has a unique personality and offers a variety of on-site facilities.

La Samanna is a luxurious hotel in the French Lowlands and a favorite of celebrities. Its beach and grounds are beautiful and elegant. Two of the island's prettiest hotels are located in the island's gourmet capital, Grand Case. Le Petit Hotel and L'Esplanade are fairy tale boutique hotels within easy walking distance from Grand Case's fabulous restaurants. Two of St. Maarten's newest accommodations are The Cliffs and Rainbow. Sitting side by side high above Cupecoy Beach, these two very Euro buildings overlook the sea and provide simply gorgeous views. Both are condos that also rent to vacationers so your guests will have plenty of space to relax in. Another luxe condo "hotel" is the elegant Coral Beach Club in the exclusive Oyster Pond area of Dawn Beach. Also in Dawn Beach is the new Westin hotel. The resort is also self-contained with elegant dining, wonderful rooms for parties and events, great beaches and wonderful rooms and suites.

For a "town" experience, the Divi Hotel, situated between Philipsburg's two amazingly beautiful bays, offers a complete experience for wedding parties, from lovely spaces to charming guest rooms and the beach, combined with easy access to all of Philipsburg's great shopping and dining. Holland House, situated on the beach in the heart of Philipsburg, is newly renovated in French chic mixed with Caribbean charm. You are steps from the excitement of Philipsburg.

For small and charming options, try the historic hotel Mary's Boon in Simpson Bay, situated on a three-mile beach and beautifully decorated in Indonesian teak furniture, with very good food and a beautiful pool. La Vista, in the Pelican area, is another favorite with visitors. It's right in the middle of the action in Simpson Bay, yet very private. Its beach is the site of many weddings and photos.

The island's largest hotel, and a favorite with wedding planners, is the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort. Its bonuses, in addition to well-appointed rooms, are the flexible facilities and gorgeous gardens and beach.

Looking for a great place to dine and/or party? Have your wedding reception at Fusion, located right on the Philipsburg Boardwalk overlooking gorgeous Great Bay Beach. It's Caribbean chic meets contemporary cuisine.

If partying on the water is your idea of fun, consider partying aboard Calypso, where you and your guests cruise to Marigot. Enjoy a three-course meal at a local restaurant and lively island music. Another option is Tango, a large 63-foot sail catamaran, and its unique Caribbean-style dinner cruise. Tango features a full open bar, snacks, a Creole buffet-style dinner including local dishes, dessert, Caribbean rums and music.

To de-stress, try one of the island's excellent spas for a simple treatment or a full day of beauty. Most spas offer "his and hers" treatments, including side-by-side massages and mani-pedis. Some top spas are Good Life and L'Aqualigne. To totally de-stress, book a private yoga session with Dinah, who also holds classes at the Loterie Farm.

While you could certainly plan your own destination wedding, if you want a totally stress-free experience from the legal applications to exactly where and how your wedding will transpire, it is strongly advised to retain one of our island's excellent wedding planners.

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.