5 Unbeatable Areas + Hotels

Ready for your Caribbean getaway? Then let’s start this guide on where to stay in St. Maarten, a secluded paradise that you’ll never want to leave!

Before we start, you should know that the island is divided between its Northern French side called St. Martin, and its Southern Dutch side, St. Maarten. In this post you’ll find the best neighborhoods on each of those sides, plus a list of the top hotels in all areas, for every budget.

After thorough research I can say that Simpson Bay on the Dutch side is the best area to stay in Sint Maarten. But definitely check the other neighborhoods too, as each has its charm.

Since this is a super popular holiday destination, I’d recommend booking your hotels here in advance, and securing your spot early. 

Quick Picks for Your Stay

If you need to take a quick decision and book immediately, I got your back, check this list with the best hotels located in Simpson Bay:

Here is a map to help you visualize where all the different areas and places to stay I will be talking about are located:

Best places to stay on the Dutch side

As I just mentioned, the island is split between the Dutch and French sides. The Dutch side is called Sint Maarten and it’s perfect for those traveling to the island for the first time as it’s home to the cruise terminal and to the international airport (map).

NOTE: Since the island is divided between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the French Republic, there is a border, however it’s an open one and you can cross it freely. 

The Dutch side has that typical Caribbean island vibe, lots of amazing resorts and many attractions and things to do!

1. Simpson Bay – best area to stay in St. Maarten for the first time

Simpson Bay, located in the Southwest side of the island (the Dutch Side) is the perfect place for first-time visitors! 

Home to the international airport, this area will keep you entertained all day long with its lively center brimming with shops, bars, restaurants, clubs, and casinos! Of course, you’ll also find some fab white beaches and transparent waters surrounded by beautiful green hills!

While here you can try activities like hiking, snorkeling, or even horseback riding at the Seaside Nature Park (map), which is only a 15 min drive away.

NOTE: You can totally rent a car if you want to explore the whole island (you can drive around the entire island in 90 min or even 60 min if there’s no traffic). If you’re not keen on driving, you can also use the buses to get around the Dutch side as there are a few. However they do not run at set times, so you’ll have to plan a bit in advance. 

This is also where you’ll find the ferry port (map), which is the starting point of many boat tours that go around the islands surrounding St. Maarten. So if you’re planning to join some day trips, Simpson Bay may be the right place for you. 

But one of the main things Simpson Bay is famous for is Maho Beach (map), where you can see the planes swoop into the land above your heads (Princess Juliana International Airport is literally just 5 minutes away).

Other accommodation options in Simpson Bay

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Hilton Vacation Club Royal Palm St Maarten – here’s one more amazing option in Simpson Bay that offers a private beach area, 2 restaurants and a spa center. 

Things to do in Simpson Bay

• Spend some time in nature at Seaside Nature Park 
• Try some water sports at Cupecoy Beach (map)
• Enjoy the most beautiful sunsets at Mullet Bay (map)
• See the planes landing at Maho Beach 
• Take a day trip tour to Prickly Pear Island

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2. Dawn Beach – for the best beaches in St. Maarten

Dawn Beach lies on the Eastern shores of St. Maarten, on the opposite side of Simpson Bay, just a 30 minutes drive from the international airport. 

This area is home to some of the best beaches on the island, and it’s a great place to stay for those of you who just want to relax on the sugary shores, swim and try some water sports.

You won’t find many things to do here, since it’s mostly a place where tourists come to chill. However you can definitely explore around and maybe go explore Simpson Bay if you want to check some shops or other attractions.

A fun place that you can visit near Dawn Beach is the Parotte Ville Bird Park (map), which is located a 10 min drive away from the beach. It’s a super cute park where you can see lots of birds and also feed them! 

Other accommodation options in Dawn Beach

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Oyster Bay Beach Resort – Here’s one more amazing beach resort that comes with a free airport shuttle, an outdoor pool and a spa center. 

Things to do in Dawn Beach

• Swim in the turquoise waters at Dawn Beach
• See some cute birds at Parotte Ville Bird Park 
• Enjoy a bite at Big Fish Seafood Grill (map)
• Try your luck at the Casino (map) in Simpson Bay

3. Philipsburg – where to stay in St. Maarten for history lovers

Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side of St. Maarten and it’s located in the Southeast side of the island, around a 10 min drive away from Dawn Beach and a 30 min drive from Simpson Bay. 

This is a great spot to stay for those interested in the history of the island! There are a couple of spots that you can visit and even just by walking on the streets you’ll see some unique Antillean architecture . 

A really cool place that you can see here is Fort Amsterdam (map) which is around a 3 min drive away from the area. There are only some ruins now, but the building dates back to the 1600s, plus the views are pretty incredible! 

The town also has two main streets, Front Street (map) and Back Street (map), where you’ll find everything from chic boutique stores and amazing restaurants!

You’ll also find some cool museums like the Pirate Experience @ The Rusty Parrot and the Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit (a treat for Star Wars fans). 

Before sunset you can head to the boardwalk right on Great Bay Beach (map) and do a bit of shopping! There are also some dining options, like the Layback Beach Bar & Grill (map) where you can eat some yummy food while admiring the ocean views!

Other accommodation options in Philipsburg

Things to do in Philipsburg

• Learn more about history at Sint Maarten Museum
• Visit the ruins of Fort Amsterdam
• Have fun at the Pirate Experience @ The Rusty Parrot museum
• Walk around the beautiful Cyrus Wathey Square (map)
• Buy some cool things from the Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit museum
• Admire the art at African Market gallery (map)

Best places to stay on the French side 

Welcome to Saint Martin, the French side of the island, which is known for its Mediterranean vibe! This part of the island usually attracts a more older crowd, compared to the Dutch side and it’s also a bit more touristy than the former. 

NOTE: The French side of the island is known to have water and electricity issues. So maybe make sure you always have some water in case of a water outage, and also check in with the staff at your accommodation to see if they can help you out in a scenario like this.

Here you’ll find fancy beach clubs, gourmet restaurants and incredible boutique hotels!

4. Orient Bay – offers a fab Mediterranean vibe 

Located in the Northeastern part of the island on the French side, the village of Orient Bay is home to one of the most famous beaches here, Orient Beach (map) and it’s one of best places to stay in St. Martin, Dutch side.

Nicknamed the “Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean” this beach is super long and it offers lots of beach bars, restaurants, water sports and lots of amazing hotels. 

Bikini Beach restaurant (map) is a great spot where you can go to enjoy a yummy meal right on the sandy shores or some drinks around sunset. 

It can get pretty crowded at times and you should know that the Western end of the beach is for nudists. So if you want to escape the crowds and take your tan to another level, you know where to go!

Another perk about this part of the island is that the winds are much stronger, so the ocean becomes the perfect for a wide range of watersports as well as sailing, yachting, and boat tours.

When you’re not chilling on the beach, you should check out some of the attractions in the area like the Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House museum and Saint Joseph Church (map)! 

Other accommodation options in Orient Bay

Things to do in Orient Bay

• Swim, splash and chill on the beautiful Orient Bay Beach
• Try some watersports like waterskiing & jetskiing
• Visit the Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House
• Go for a stroll in the Etang Chevrise birding area (map)
• Enjoy some drinks at Coco Beach club (map)

5. Grand Casse – best place to stay in St. Martin for the small town vibe

There’s another amazing place where to stay in St. Martin, on the French side of the island and that’s Grand Casse.

Offering a small town vibe, this area is famous for its beach clubs, numerous restaurants and fabulous hotels set right on the sandy shores.

This place is perfect for those who want to spend their time sipping cocktails on the beach, eating yummy food and just enjoying the Mediterranean-Caribbean vibe combo!

Grand Casse is that island escape spot that you’ve always dreamt of. It’s also a great spot for couples who’d prefer something more idyllic. 

The town is also home to a very small airport that is mainly used for regional flights to Guadeloupe and Saint Barth, as well as for private flights. 

Since you’re on the French side (on St. Martin island), you should definitely go on a hunt to find some places that serve traditional French dishes and foods like Bakery ‘le Sucrier’ Grand-Case (map). Head there in the morning for your coffee run and get some mouth-watering baked goods that you can enjoy right on the beach. 

There are some other French restaurants that you can try such as the Captain Frenchy SXM (map). Plus you’ll find plenty of gift shops that will keep you busy when the sun is shining way too strongly. You’ll find most of them on Bd de Grande Case (map).

Other accommodation options in

Things to do in Grand Casse 

• Sunbathe all day long on Plage Grand Case (map)
• Eat mouth-watering baked goods from Bakery ‘le Sucrier’ 
• Shop for souvenirs on Bd de Grande Case
• Enjoy a dinner with a view at Océan 82 restaurant (map)

FAQs about where to stay in St. Maarten

📍 Which is the best area where to stay in St. Maarten?

Simpson Bay is the best area to stay in St. Maarten as that’s where you’ll find lots of hotels, amazing restaurants and fun activities!

🏖️ Which are the nicest beaches in St. Maarten?

Some of the best beaches in St. Maarten are Maho Beach, Orient Bay Beach or the ones in Pinel Island, just a five-minute ferry ride from St. Maarten.

🧳 What are the best things to do in Sint Maarten?

The best things to do in Sint Maarten include relaxing on white-sand beaches,trying watersports like snorkeling, or going on boat tours in the surrounding islands like Pinel Island!

👑 What are the best beach resorts in St. Maarten?

⚖️ Orient Bay vs. Grand Case: Which is better?

Both are amazing and offer the same Mediterranean beach vibe, however Orient Bay tends to get a bit more crowded than Grand Case, so if you’d prefer something a bit more tranquil then I’d go for Grand Case. 

📆 How many days should I spend in St. Maarten?

I’d recommend spending at least 5 days to 1 week in St. Maarten, as that way, you can explore the French and Dutch side, chill on the beach and also take some boat tours. 

☀️ What is the best month to go to St. Maarten?

The best time to visit St. Maarten is mid-December to April when the weather is perfect for chilling on the beach!

Final thoughts on where to stay in St. Maarten

What a place! I hope you enjoy your holiday in this iconic destination and I’m sure that after reading this guide on where to stay in St. Maarten, you’ll feel more than ready to plan your trip!

As always, I’d recommend booking your hotels here in advance, as this is a super popular destination and usually the top-rated hotels sell out super early. 

If you’re still not sure which hotel to pick, here are my top 2 favorite St. Maarten hotels, both set in Simpson Bay:

Enjoy your time in St. Maarten and as always if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop me a comment in the section and I’ll answer them as soon as possible. 

Have a dreamy vacation,

Elena 

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