Beachfront resort with poolside loungers and white parasols on sunny St. Maarten day
VIPMAKKI Destination Guide

St. Maarten

Two nations, one island, infinite glamour — St. Maarten/St. Martin is the Caribbean's most cosmopolitan playground. The French side seduces with Belmond La Samanna, Grand Case's gourmet boulevard, and St. Barths-level sophistication. The Dutch side pulsates with vibrant casinos, Maho Beach plane-spotting, and a yacht-filled Simpson Bay. VIPMAKKI unlocks the best of both worlds on this extraordinary dual-nation island.

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Pristine St. Maarten beach with white sand and crystal clear Caribbean waters
Luxury Accommodations

Best Hotels in St. Maarten

Belmond La Samanna on Baie Longue is the island's crown jewel — a French-side legend with private villas cascading down to one of the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches, an infinity pool that seems to merge with the sea, and the island's finest dining. La Playa Orient Bay brings boutique chic to the French side's most vibrant beach. Holland House in Philipsburg delivers Dutch-side elegance with a prime waterfront location. The Morgan Resort in Simpson Bay offers Maho Beach runway views and a rooftop pool.

Belmond La Samanna

Baie Longue icon. Private villas. French-side legend.

La Playa Orient Bay

Orient Beach. Boutique chic. Vibrant French style.

Holland House

Philipsburg waterfront. Dutch-side elegance.

The Morgan Resort

Simpson Bay. Rooftop pool. Maho Beach runway views.

Culinary Excellence

Best Fine Dining

Grand Case on the French side is the "Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean" — a single boulevard dense with exceptional French-Caribbean restaurants. Le Pressoir delivers refined French gastronomy in an intimate bistro setting. L'Auberge Gourmande occupies a charming Creole cottage with classic French cuisine. Bistrot Caraïbes serves lobster thermidor that draws diners from across the island. Emilio's on the Dutch side offers contemporary Caribbean cuisine in a historic plantation house.

Le Pressoir

Grand Case. Refined French. Intimate bistro.

L'Auberge Gourmande

Creole cottage. Classic French. Grand Case charm.

Bistrot Caraïbes

Legendary lobster. Grand Case. French-Caribbean.

Emilio's

Historic plantation. Contemporary Caribbean. Rum bar.

Elegant French-Caribbean fine dining experience in Grand Case, St. Martin
Maho Beach famous plane landing experience inches above beachgoers in St. Maarten
Beach & Island Life

37 Beaches & Dual-Nation Thrills

Maho Beach delivers one of the Caribbean's most unique spectacles — aircraft landing just feet above sunbathers as they approach Princess Juliana International Airport. Orient Bay on the French side is the island's St. Tropez with beach clubs and European glamour. Cupecoy Beach offers secluded limestone-cliff coves. VIPMAKKI arranges private beach setups with butler service, day charters to Anguilla, and helicopter transfers between the Dutch and French sides for a true dual-nation luxury experience.

Travel Planning

Best Time to Visit

December through April is peak season with perfect weather and the liveliest atmosphere across both sides. May through July offers excellent value with fewer crowds. The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta in March is the Caribbean's largest sailing event. August through November has the best rates with hurricane season flexibility. The dual-nation island pulses year-round.

Dec-AprPeak Season
MarchHeineken Regatta
May-JulSweet Spot
Year-RoundMaho Beach Flights
VIPMAKKI Picks

VIP Recommendations

Our concierge team's most-requested St. Maarten experiences.

1

La Samanna Oceanfront Villa + Private Chef

An oceanfront villa at Belmond La Samanna with private infinity pool, dedicated butler, and a Michelin-trained private chef preparing a multi-course tasting menu as the sun sets over Baie Longue. Includes a couples' spa journey at the cliffside wellness sanctuary.

2

Grand Case Gourmet Crawl + Sunset Catamaran

Private chauffeur through Grand Case — the Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean — with a multi-course progressive dinner at Le Pressoir, Bistrot Caraïbes, and L'Auberge Gourmande. Preceded by a sunset catamaran sail with champagne and fresh ceviche.

3

Anguilla Day Charter + Heineken Regatta Weekend

Private yacht charter to Anguilla's Shoal Bay for a day of powdery sand and snorkeling. Return to St. Maarten for the Heineken Regatta weekend with VIP race-viewing deck access, champagne reception, and an after-party at a Simpson Bay marina club.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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