Hotels Under $200 Per Night in St. Martin
Value Hotels and Special Offers Make a Caribbean Vacation Affordable
Mar 16, 2009
The French side--St. Martin-- is noted for the gourmet dining experiences of Grand Case and Marigot, the French Riviera-like Orient Beach, and the hiking and zip line experience of Pic Paradis. The Dutch side--Sint Maarten--more closely resembles a U.S. resort area with glitzy casinos, movie theatres, a wide selection of cuisines, and family-friendly activities at the Zoo and Butterfly Farm. Both sides offer incredible duty-free shopping ports and interesting marina areas.
In the off-season months some of the special cultural activities include the St. Maarten Carnival, held Apr. 16-May 4, 2009, and the annual French Bastille Day celebration on July 14. Information on activities and events is available through St. Martin Tourism and Sint Maarten Tourism websites.
St. Martin Value Resorts and Hotels
The major resort areas in St. Martin are concentrated around Orient Beach and Oyster Pond on the east side of the island, and Baie Nettle and Marigot on the western side.
- Captain Oliver’s Resort spans the Dutch-French border on Oyster Pond, and offers a popular marina and basic, comfortable accommodations as well as onsite access to boat charters, scuba diving and water taxis to Dawn Beach. An ocean view double is offered at $170 per night from May 1-Dec. 12, and includes a buffet breakfast.
- Columbus Hotel is a delightful small hotel on Oyster Pond, within walking distance to Dawn Beach. Rooms have kitchens and sitting areas, and run $160 per night for a double from Apr. 16-Dec. 20.
- Le Flamboyant, a 271-room hotel, sits on a spit of land between Baie Nettle and the Simpson Lagoon, with views to both bodies of water. A standard room for two is $186 until Mar. 31, $166 from Apr. 1-14, and $124 from Apr. 15-Dec. 15. Those who can plan ahead can save 40 percent off these already cheap rates if making reservations by Mar. 31 for arrivals between Apr. 1 and Dec. 14.
Sint Maarten Value Resorts and Hotels
In Sint Maarten, many of the resorts are operated as time-sharing resorts but also offer hotel accommodations when units aren’t full. These resorts are large and offer everything from beaches and pools to fitness centers, numerous restaurants and even casinos.
- Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, a short distance from Phillipsburg on Great Bay, has 235 rooms on the beach and up the hillside. A studio or junior suite can run as low as $165 per night in low season, with larger beachfront rooms running slightly higher.
- The Pasanggrahan Royal Guest House is a great choice for those who like smaller, offbeat inns with a lot of charm and individual attention. Located on Great Bay in downtown Phillipsburg, it offers comfortable, specialty rooms with antique furniture and lots of history. Rates are $198 to Apr. 15, and $168 from Apr. 16-Oct. 15.
- Pelican Resort is one of the largest resorts on the island, located on Simpson Bay on the southern end of the island. On site are a casino, marina, spa and shopping arcade in addition to the beach, five pools, four tennis courts, a children’s playground and a dive shop. A 1-bedroom double ocean view is available starting at $164.
- Wyndham Sapphire Resort is a high-rise resort on Cupecoy Beach, with views out to the ocean and to Simpson Lagoon. The resort includes two pools, day spa, business center, stores and a video arcade. A sea view 1-bedroom with a small kitchenette and private balcony is $165 from Apr. 15-Dec. 18.
Also see information on bargain rates in Anguilla and Antigua.
Source: Travel Adventures Leeward Islands, Hunter Publishing 2008
