St. Martin Destination Guide

ST. MARTIN, FRENCH WEST INDIES
THINGS TO KNOW
CLIMATE
Temperatures in St. Martin range from the mid-70s to mid-80s,
reaching their peak between July and October.
WATER
The water is drinkable, but bottled water is preferred by some.
GETTING THERE
You will fly into Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM),
which carries service from many large East Coast airports. Given
the island’s dual French and Dutch heritage, direct flights are
also available from France and the Netherlands. La Samanna is
located about 15 minutes from the airport, and your reservation
includes complimentary private round-trip transportation.
SPECIAL NOTE: St. Martin is great for a disconnected
experience, but please note this may cause interruptions in
technological services such as internet, TV and telephone.
GETTING AROUND
La Samanna’s 55 acres are easily accessible by foot, but a butler
is available to chauffeur you around via golf cart. Please note
that La Samanna does not allow visitors to drive the golf carts on
their own. Should you wish to venture outside the resort, a rental
car is recommended. La Samanna receives special rates with
Prestige Rental Car, which has a desk on the resort’s grounds.
PARKING
Self-parking is available at the resort complimentary.
CHECK IN/ARRIVAL PROCESS
Your Destination Concierge will greet you at the main resort
registration area and will then escort you to your residence and
show you around the resort. If you plan to arrive early or check
out late, please let your Destination Concierge know as soon as
possible.
QUICK FACTS
ADDRESS
Belmond La Samanna
PO Box 4077
97064 St. Martin
CEDEX
French West Indies
CHECK IN
4 p.m.
CHECK OUT
11 a.m.
CURRENCY
The official currency of the
French Antilles is the Euro, but
USD is widely accepted.
LANGUAGE
French and Dutch are the official
languages of the island, but
English is widely spoken.
PASSPORT
Yes
CONVERTER
La Samanna provides 110 and
220 volt adapters in each villa.
AIRPORT
SXM
THINGS TO KNOW
GROCERIES
For just the cost of groceries, your Destination Concierge will be happy to fulfill your grocery order. Simply
complete the order form on your Inspirato.com account at least 72 hours prior to your arrival. Additional
shopping trips are $25 plus the cost of groceries.
SPECIAL NOTE: Groceries on St. Martin are generally more expensive than they are in the United States.
IN-RESIDENCE DINING OPTIONS
La Samanna’s preferred chef, Chef Angie, is an island native, allowing her to cook authentic Caribbean
breakfast, dinner and snacks in your villa. Additionally, room service is available.
DC’S TIP: Other than breakfast, Chef Angie’s menus require a minimum of four people. Additionally, cash is
recommended for the chef service – a 20% fee will be added to your total if you want it on your folio.
STAY FIT
The fully equipped fitness center is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and includes cardio machines, weights,
flat-screen TVs and headphones.
PVA’s TIP: Head to the Rendezvous Pavilion every Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 a.m. for complimentary
yoga sessions.
HOUSEKEEPING
Daily.
TIPPING GUIDELINES
While our Destination Concierge teams and housekeeping staff welcome and appreciate recognition for
exceptional service, tipping is not expected and is entirely up to you based on your level of satisfaction. If
you would like to leave a gratuity, we suggest the following general guidelines:
+ Destination Concierge: $20-$50 per day depending on the level of service you experienced.
+ Housekeeping: $5-$7 per occupied room per evening is typical for luxury hospitality.
+ Restaurants: The customary 15-20% of your total bill is appropriate. Please note that for any bill that says
“Service Compris,” no tip is necessary.
+ Vendors: Gratuity is dependent on the complexity of the experience or service, so we suggest using
your discretion.
AMENITIES
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A stunning crescent-shaped beach
Two swimming pools
La Samanna Spa
A state-of-the-art fitness center
Three lit tennis courts with instruction and complimentary racquets
Camp La Samanna for kids ages four to 12
Cabanas and private powerboats available for rent
Business center
THINGS TO DO
SPA
Open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the La Samanna Spa offers a range of treatments, such as
massages, facials and body wraps that employ luxury French spa products.
DC’S TIP: Reservations are recommended.
GOLF
Mullet Bay Golf Course — an 18-hole, par-70 course – is the only golf course on the island, located on the
Dutch side. An alternative option is to take an easy day trip to Anguilla, where you will find the CuisinArt
Golf Resort & Spa, home to an 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed championship course.
BEACHES
A crescent-shaped, white sand beach hugs the water just steps from your villa, giving you direct access to
the pristine seaside. The coastline continues toward Long Bay, one of the longest and quietest beaches on
the island. A little further along the coast brings you to Plum Bay (located about 10 minutes away by car), a
slightly more rugged but more secluded area that offers great snorkeling during calmer tides.
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHT
Located at the end of Princess Juliana Airport’s runway, Maho Beach’s white sand and turquoise water is
picturesque on its own, but that’s hardly what makes it one of St. Martin’s most iconic scenes. Jumbo jets
land on the tarmac right next to the beach, meaning the airplanes come in just a few yards above
swimmers’ heads and send the sand swirling.
FAMILY
At The Butterfly Farm, hundreds of exotic butterflies from across the globe flutter around beautifully
manicured grounds.
PVA’s TIP: Join a 15- to 20-minute guided tour – included in your entrance fee – to learn from the experts,
who can show you how to handle the delicate animals.
MUST-DO
Stroll through the idyllic village of Grand Case and right away you’ll notice its characteristic architecture:
intricate carvings and pastel colors make the wooden buildings stand out. The charming area is considered
a hub for the island’s dining scene, boasting a high concentration of gourmet restaurants.
DC’s TIP: Visit Grand Case at sunset for maximum enjoyment.
ROMANTIC
A petite sliver of beach, flanked by rocks and leading right into the water. This isn’t a fantasy: Lovers’ Beach
is just big enough for two (hence its starry-eyed name), making it the smallest beach on the island. Look
closely on Pointe Arago’s coastline and you’ll find this isolated enclave.
THINGS TO DO
ADVENTURE
Jet packs aren’t as far off in the future as you might think: Flyboarding turns science fiction into a thrilling
water sport. A jet-ski turbine mechanism, attached to your feet, propels you up to 45 feet above the ocean
– and sends you charging underwater upon your descent. After a 20-minute orientation, you’ll be flying
high.
NATURE
Spend some quality time with some of St. Martin’s best-known locals: the fish. A deep-sea fishing excursion
immerses you in the seascape and shakes up your vistas of the coastline. Be on the lookout for mahi mahi,
tuna, blue marlin and more.
LOCAL
Marigot Market’s spectrum of colors and aromas rivals that of the natural flora and fauna surrounding it. The
bustling bazaar features local vendors selling just about everything, from fruits and vegetables to artwork,
jewelry and rum, of course.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
+ Snorkeling
+ Water skiing
+ Zip lining
+ Kayaking
+ Sailing
+ Island hopping
+ Banana boat rides
+ Shopping
+ Hiking
+ Horseback riding
+ Scuba diving
+ Historical tours
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
FAMILY
Izi Pasta Lounge (located on Simpson Bay) – Italian chef Davide Foini created this casual offshoot of his
well-known St. Maarten eatery, the upscale La Gondola Ristorante, and filled its menu with classic pastas,
lasagna, entrees and desserts.
ROMANTIC
Le Cigale (located on Nettle Bay) – Fine French cuisine and wine, candlelit tables, open-air dining and bay
views obstructed only by gently blowing palm trees: Le Cigale’s recipe for a dreamy dinner is tough to beat.
SPECIAL NOTE: Open for dinner only and closed Sundays.
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
FINE DINING
Trellis (located on-site) – Combining the island’s hybrid French and Caribbean heritage, the haute cuisine at
Trellis emphasizes freshly caught fish, lobster and other seafood. The panoramic ocean views make the
perfect complement to a bottle of wine from the bistro’s prolific selection.
LOCAL
The Karibuni Beach Bar Restaurant (located on Pinel Island) – Casual Caribbean food and a relaxing
atmosphere are what draw visitors to this beachfront hangout, where you can sip your cocktail at a table or
in the shallow water directly outside.
FESTIVALS AND ACTIVITIES
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St. Martin Salsa Festival – January
Carnival (French side) – February to March
Heineken Regatta – First weekend in March
Carnival (Dutch side) – April to May
St. Martin Open Golf Tournament – Second weekend in April
Ecotourism Day – May
Fête du Nautisme (water sports festival) – May
Billfish Tournament – June
Bastille Day – July
Schoelcher Day (boat and bike races) – July
St. Martin’s Day - November
Information presented in this Inspirato destination guide is current as of March 4, 2015. While it is believed to be
accurate, Inspirato LLC (and its officers, employees and affiliated entities, collectively “Inspirato”) makes no
representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of the content presented herein. The contents
of this destination guide may change at any time and without notice. This destination guide is presented for
informational purposes only for Inspirato members and guests. Inclusion in this destination guide is not to be
considered an endorsement or recommendation by Inspirato for any of the mentioned third-party products,
services, activities or vendors. Participation in any of the mentioned third-party products, services or activities
may require a separate agreement with a third party and members and guests are encouraged to review any
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members and guests may incur with any third parties, and members and guests utilizing any information in this
destination guide waive any claims against Inspirato. Inspirato is a registered trademark of Inspirato LLC.