Where to Stay in St Martin

Two miles of white sand on the French side, lined with beach clubs like Bikini Beach, Kontiki, and Waikiki Beach Bar. The village sits a five minute walk inland along Boulevard de Grand Case extension, with small bistros, a Carrefour mini-market, and rental car offices. Mornings are calm and good for swimming. By noon the music is up and the rosé is flowing. Naturist section sits at the south end past Club Orient, clearly marked, easy to avoid if you want. Stay here if you want to walk to your sun lounger in flip flops and never think about driving until checkout day.

Best for

Beach loverscouplesanyone who wants to walk everywhere

Walk times

Orient Beach 2 min
Mont Vernon viewpoint 15 min
Le Galion family beach 20 min

Skip if: You want quiet evenings or hate beach club music until sunset

Local tip: Book the east side of the bay near Esmeralda Resort. Trade winds keep mosquitoes down and the sunrise over the water beats any pool view.

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$246per night

Grand Case

The food capital of the Caribbean

Luxury $180-$450/night

A single road, Boulevard de Grand Case, runs the length of this fishing village on the French northwest coast. Fifty plus restaurants line it, from white tablecloth spots like Le Pressoir and Le Tastevin to lolos (open air grills) at the south end where Talk of the Town and Sky's the Limit serve grilled lobster and ribs for half the price. Tuesday night Mardis de Grand Case shuts the street to traffic from January through April. The beach is narrow but calm, perfect for sunset swims. Petite plage sits a 10 minute walk north and stays nearly empty. No nightlife past midnight. People come here to eat, sleep, and eat again.

Best for

Foodiesrepeat visitorscouples who skip the beach club scene

Walk times

Grand Case Beach 1 min
Lolos for cheap eats 5 min
Petite Plage 10 min

Skip if: You need a big resort with a kids club or constant entertainment

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$202per night

Marigot

French capital, real island life

Mid-range $140-$320/night

The administrative center of the French side, built around a working harbor and the Wednesday and Saturday morning market on Front de Mer. Fort Louis sits on the hill above town, a 15 minute walk up from Rue de la Republique with the best free view on the island. West Indies Mall and Marina Royale handle ferries to Anguilla, a 25 minute crossing that runs hourly. Restaurants on the marina serve French Creole through dinner. Beaches are 10 to 20 minutes by car. Stay here for boulangeries, bookshops, and the feeling that you're in a small French town that happens to have palm trees.

Best for

Travelers who want culture over beach timeday trippers to Anguilla

Walk times

Marigot Market 3 min
Fort Louis viewpoint 15 min
Anguilla ferry 5 min

Skip if: You came for the beach and don't want to drive to it

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$157per night

Simpson Bay

Nightlife, marinas, and the airport runway

Mid-range $110-$280/night

The Dutch side party zone, anchored by Airport Road and Welfare Road. Maho Beach sits at the south end, where 747s land 50 feet over your head at Sunset Bar and Grill (check the daily schedule posted at the bar). Casinos, sports bars, and chain restaurants line the strip. Simpson Bay Lagoon on the north side fills with megayachts in winter. Beaches here are wide and busy. Cheaper hotels and condos dominate, which is why budget travelers and groups end up here. Bring earplugs if you're east of the airport. The 6 am cargo flight is brutal.

Best for

Budget travelersgroupsanyone who wants nightlife past 1 am

Walk times

Maho Beach plane spotting 10 min
Casinos and Karakter Beach Bar 5 min
Princess Juliana Airport 8 min

Skip if: You want quiet, French food, or a romantic honeymoon

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Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.

$123per night