Accommodations in St. Martin

With both French and Dutch influences, the countries of St. Maarten and St. Martin both have something unique to offer its visitors when it comes to accommodations. Travelers will find the best deals on the island are usually in package vacations, which can be booked on both sides of the island.

With two very culturally distinct sides of the island, travelers may want to browse through the detailed descriptions of the hotels to find accommodations best suited to their needs. They will find an alphabetical list of hotels, resorts, and villas, that describe amenities and other details, as one way to research accommodations in St. Martin and St. Maarten.

Location

The variety in culture and overall atmosphere of the island attracts many tourists to St. Martin/St. Maarten. Travelers can spend their time relaxing and soaking up some sun on any of the peaceful white sand beaches on the French side, and then head over to the Dutch side for some gambling and exciting nightlife. Vacationers who want to spend more time in a lively and entertaining atmosphere will probably enjoy lodgings on the Dutch part of the island, where many hotels and resorts feature casinos right inside the hotel and night clubs in close proximity. French St. Martin offers travelers a more serene stay with fabulous architecture and smaller establishments, that are more appealing for those vacationers trying to escape the crowds and indulge in a more relaxing environment.

Vacationers traveling on a budget will find that value accommodations are located on both sides of the island, though more so in St. Martin. Quaint hotels have some of the same amenities as their larger and more expensive counterparts. Most of these simple guesthouses and inns provide their guests with comfort and friendly service. Some provide less amenities than others, and may only consist of a soft bed to sleep in.

Types of Accommodations

Hotels

Although all-inclusive hotels aren't extremely popular on the island, both the Dutch and French side have this kind of hotels and resorts. All-inclusive accommodations let travelers book most aspects of their stay all on one bill. This kind of accommodation may be convenient for those vacationers who want to spend less time worrying about the little things and more time enjoying their trip. All-inclusive lodgings are also a good way to budget your vacation because the hotel or resort provides most amenities, meals, and activities all in one price, so vacationers won't have to worry about overspending on unplanned expenses.

Whether you are staying on the quieter less populated French side of St. Martin or the more upbeat Dutch St. Maarten, both areas have hotels and resorts that fit most travelers vacationing needs. From luxury to basic lodgings the island has hundreds of hotels and inns to choose from. If your tastes are glitzy and more expensive, luxurious hotels can be found on both sides of the island. These lavish accommodations give their patrons almost any amenity they could want, but the extra pampering does come at a higher cost.

Condo & Villa Rentals

St. Maarten's rental properties are gaining in popularity among tourist and vacationers. These accommodations are appealing to travelers because of the independence they offer their renters, and their homey amenities, like kitchens and large living areas. Families and large groups of travelers will find that rental villas and cottages are comfortable and can be inexpensive. These lodgings tend to be less crowded than some of the larger resorts and hotels, and tenants can enjoy a laid back atmosphere where cookouts and quiet picnics are not unusual. Timeshares are also available on the island, and are a good choice of accommodation for those who pay frequent visits to the island, or who enjoy traveling during the off-season, when the cost of renting a timeshare is at its lowest.

Camping & Eco-Tourism

Although there are plenty of opportunities for vacationers to explore the natural side of St. Martin/St. Maarten, camping is not an option.  There are no camp grounds on either side of the island.  There are, however, a few hotels who specialize in being eco-friendly, such as the Turqoise Shell Inn.  If you are interested in eco-tourism, visit our guide to Camping and Eco-Tourism in St. Martin.

Personal Considerations

Planning a trip to St. Martin/St. Maarten means spending a lot of time trying to make many factors work together.  When it comes to selecting a place to stay, you'll especially have to consider your party size, and the length of your stay.

Party Size

If you are traveling alone or with a small group, finding a place to stay won't be too difficult.  It is the larger groups that may struggle.  These types of parties can find a cheap hotel and rent a number of rooms, while hoping they will all end up next to each other, or at least one the same floor.  A better solution, however, may be to find a hotel that specializes in suites like the all-suite Palm Court Hotel, or to rent a villa with enough rooms to accommodate your crowd. 

The type of party you have will make a difference as well.  If you're traveling with young children, a family-friendly resort like Flamingo Beach Resort will keep your kids occupied, while adults who know that things are going to get crazy should be on the look out for locales where young children are discouraged from staying.  Club Orient is one such locale, which is a clothing-optional, adults-only resort.  Couples heading to the island for a romantic getaway may find the intimate ambiance of a quaint inn or bed and breakfast to be  exactly what they need. 

Interests

It is not uncommon for hotels to offer package deals on specialized activities.  If you know you want to spend your days diving or fishing, you may be able to find a hotel that offers room, board, and a day out on the boat for one base price. 

Length of Stay

A long trip to St. Martin/St. Maarten can get pricey, especially if you select a large resort with a high price tag as your choice of lodgings.  It may be smarter to find a rental property, where you can have all the comforts of home, and at a more affordable rate.

Quality

As you search for accommodations in St. Martin/St. Maarten, you may find it helpful to review our Star Ratings guide.  These ratings have been compiled without regard to price, favoring quality over money, which means that regardless of your budget, you will be able to find a locale that is perfect for your style.

One and Two Stars

The 1 Star properties on St. Martin/St. Maarten have minimal furnishings and amenities.  Functionality is favored over beauty.  These hotels tend to be small, and owned and operated by one person, or a family.  Vacationers who plan to drop their bags off and only return to sleep will find these 1 Star hotels to due just fine.  St. Martin/St. Maarten's 1 Star Properties include Travel Inn Hotel, Sea Palace Resort, and Flamboyant Beach Villas and range in price from $99 to $175(USD).

St. Martin/St. Maarten's 2 Star hotels will be a bit larger, though functionality will still rule over luxurious furnishings and elaborate design.  These hotels might be privately owned, or are part of a small national chain.  Room service or a restaurant might be available.  St. Martin/Maarten's 2 Star properties include Blue Emeraude, Club Orient Resort, and La Casita Villa, and range in price from $150 to $650(USD).

Three Stars

As you begin to move into the 3 Star range, you will find properties that have nice amenities and décor.  Comfort is important at these locations, and the staff is friendly.  A bar or restaurant, as well as room service are usually located on the property, though it is not guaranteed. St. Martin/St. Maarten's 3 Star properties include Sunterra Royal Palm Beach, Pelican Resort Club, and L'Hoste Hotel, and range in price from $300 to $800 (USD). 

Four Stars

Rooms at St. Martin/St. Maarten's 4 Star properties are comfortable, luxurious, and well-cared for.  These rooms are nicely decorated, and come with a staff ready to go above and beyond.  St. Martin/St. Maarten's 4 Star properties include Hotel Marquis Resort & Spa,  Hotel le Domaine de Lonvilliers, and the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa and range in price from $350 to $1000.

Five Stars

The best of the best is what you get when you stay at a 5 Star property in St. Martin/St. Maarten.  These hotels are clean and comfortable, with great attention paid to detail.  You may find extras in rooms at 5 Stars, such as flat screen televisions, jacuzzis, and furnished patios.  At this time, we only have one hotel in St. Martin/St. Maarten's rated with 5 Stars - La Samanna.

Hotel Search

You can make finding your St. Martin/St. Maarten lodgings easier by visiting our advanced hotel search tool.  But entering all of the amenities that you are a looking for, our database will compile a list that fits your needs perfectly.  You can also search hotels by availability.

Finding the right accommodations in St. Maarten or St. Martin is as easy as deciding what you want out of your vacation: a quiet and relaxing getaway; exiting nightlife and party atmosphere. These are all things that are important to consider when choosing a place to stay on vacation, and once you've decided on your lodgings, you can spend the rest of your time enjoying all the wonderful things this unique island has to offer.ngs this unique island has to offer.