Saint Martin is one of the most popular Caribbean islands and an ideal beach holiday destination. It’s packed with lush green landscapes ringed by white sandy beaches. And with plenty of places to eat shop and party, it boasts a thriving tourist culture. The best hotels in Saint Martin island are the hallmark of the island, which perfectly blends French, Caribbean, and Dutch histories.
Where to Stay in Saint Martin
Saint Martin is shared between two countries – France and the Netherlands. Philipsburg on the Dutch side and Marigot on the French side are the main cities of Saint Martin. Both sides have their own distinct personalities. The Dutch part of Saint Martin is known to be loud and wild. It’s where you’ll find awesome bars, nightclubs, casinos, and lavish resorts. The French side is more laid-back with its peaceful ambiance. It has great restaurants, cool shopping spots, and a harbor with colorful boats. Depending on the kind of holiday you want, you can choose any one of these best hotels in Saint Martin island.
We recommend reading our curated list of Top Things to do in Saint Martin if you haven’t decided which part of the island you want to explore!
Princess Heights Luxury Condo Hotel
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Set on a hillside, you get to enjoy the best Caribbean Sea views from Princess Heights Luxury Condo Hotel. Located at Oyster Pond Road, this 3.5-star hotel is a great budget option for families. The rooms are spacious with modern, stylish décor. Each room comes with a balcony and a fully-equipped kitchen. It also includes amenities like welcome drinks, childcare services, a gym, an outdoor swimming pool, and a free laundry room. There’s continental breakfast served at the hotel, though a variety of restaurants and cafes are within walking distance. The French district and Quartier de Orléans is also a couple of kilometers away.
The best part is that you can customize your stay package according to your holiday plans. This includes your choice of room and the type of activities you’d prefer to enjoy during your stay. Fun activities like jet ski excursions and boat trips can be booked from the hotel’s tour desk.
La Vista Beach Resort
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La Vista Beach Resort is located in Simpson Bay along the Caribbean Sea. It’s an ideal choice if you’re on a family vacation and are traveling on a budget. It’s also just a 5-minute drive away from the airport.
You can choose between one- or two-bedroom apartments, all of which come with a kitchen and modern appliances. The apartments are quite cheery-looking with their tropical décor.
You get free Wi-Fi, but you should go out for the activities offered here. The hotel’s tour desk can help arrange snorkeling, horse-riding, fishing, and other fun activities for you and your family. There’s also a large swimming pool within the property for a relaxing day indoors. All of the best eating and shopping spots in the neighborhood are within walking distance. And that’s why it’s one of the best hotels in Saint Martin island!
Hotel La Plantation
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Hotel La Plantation is a 4-star property situated at Parc de la Baie Orientale. You’ll find a good range of family-friendly suites and 2-bedroom villas to choose from. All the rooms have a warm, tropical décor with hand-painted wall murals. Not all rooms have the best view though. There’s only a select few that come with breath-taking views of the Orient Bay and neighboring islands.
Each room also comes with free Wi-Fi and a full kitchenette, so you can have your own version of local homemade meals. Don’t forget to enjoy the tropical breakfast buffet served at Café La Plantation every day. There’s also a freshwater swimming pool right outside, though you’ll enjoy the beach nearby more.
Esmeralda Resort
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Esmeralda Resort is situated in the fancy Orient Bay and boasts 65 suites spread across 18 villas. All rooms are spacious and very well-maintained, with classy decor. There’s a fridge in every suite, though kitchen facilities are available only in a select few. Only two villas face the ocean, so try to get a room in of those for the best views. Each villa comes with its own swimming pool, but the beach is better. Plus, at the beach, you get your own complimentary chair and umbrella!
If you’re into adventure activities, try your hand at fun stuff like parasailing, water skiing, scuba diving, jet-skiing, and surfing. Enjoy massage services for a relaxing experience. And when the hunger strikes, do check out The Astrolabe restaurant for its amazing French fare.
Coral Beach Club Villas & Marina
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Situated along Dawn Beach on St. Martin’s eastern coast, Coral Beach Club Villas & Marina offers a lot. Instead of regular rooms, you get a choice of townhouses, villas, and condos to choose from. A welcome basket, a spa and fitness center, and an amazing infinity pool are the typical hotel perks of Coral Beach Club. But apart from that, the rest of the property is designed to make you feel at home. In fact, it’s best suited for long vacations.
There’s babysitting on request and even grocery deliveries at your doorstep. This is super helpful when you want to fix yourself a snack. And you get to do this in your private Italian kitchen, which comes with the villas and townhouses. Each villa has a private pool, so you can also choose between lounging on the beach or relaxing by the pool. For the ultimate luxury experience, book an en-suite massage while your private chef cooks you up a delicious meal. What else do you need from one of the best hotels in Saint Martin island?
Oyster Bay Beach Resort
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Overlooking the Oyster Bay and located on a coral reef, Oyster Bay Beach Resort is a beach lover’s dream come true. You get incredible views from your room, plus complimentary umbrellas and beach chairs to enjoy the beach. You can also ask for snorkeling gear if you want to go and explore the reef.
If hanging around beaches all day isn’t your thing, there’s an awesome infinity pool here as well. The rooms come with a TV, microwave, and a private balcony. A gym, laundry room, live nightly entertainment, and an in-house restaurant are other amenities on offer. If you choose a penthouse, you also get a fully-equipped kitchen with barbecue facilities. And nothing gets better than a barbecue night on the beach.
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort
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Divi Little Bay Beach Resort is one of the best hotels in Saint Martin island for a family vacation. Located in Phillipsburg, it sits on a private peninsula between Great Bay and Little Bay. The rooms are pretty standard and decorated in neutral tones. It’s a great budget-friendly place where kids below 12 years get to stay for free.
There are enough activities here to keep both you and your kids entertained for your entire stay. You could set up a family excursion and get the hotel to organize fun activities for you. Or you could borrow diving and snorkeling gear and enjoy a swim session. And if you prefer a locally guided tour, we recommend Snorkel & Discovery Tour, where you’ll spend an entire day snorkeling and riding on a speedboat.
On-site, you get access to three pools (2 for adults and 1 for kids), a spa and fitness center, and also a shopping complex. And the surrounding ambiance is so peaceful you’ll never want to leave.
Simpson Bay Beach Resort & Marina
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The Simpson Bay Resort & Marina is situated along the Simpson Bay Beach. It features more than 300 suites that are decorated in bright tropical colors. You also get a kitchen, free Wi-Fi, a walk-in shower, and a private balcony with every suite. There are many good restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. So you have the option to eat out or just cook up a great meal indoors. Plus, there are also 5 restaurants, a coffee shop, 3 bars, a deli, and a snack bar on-site to take care of your hunger.
There are also seven pools here, and one of them is just for kids. And with the amazing L’Aqualigne Spa, four tennis courts, and the Mullet Beach nearby, there’s plenty to keep you grown-ups busy. The Casino Royale and Paradise Plaza are just a couple of miles away.
Sonesta Ocean Point Resort
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The luxurious Sonesta Ocean Point Resort is located in Maho Reef. It’s one of the best hotels in Saint Martin island for a romantic getaway or a retreat with friends. The 130 suites here are decorated in neutral colors and complemented with some very fancy amenities. To name a few, Greek marble bathrooms, Italian Modena porcelain floorings, and ‘400-thread-count’ sheets. It also includes a private balcony with ocean views, a TV, free Wi-Fi, and a minifridge. And since it’s an all-inclusive hotel, your meals, alcoholic drinks, and any planned activities are all part of your package.
One downside to this place is that it’s adult-only. So planning a family vacation here might be a problem. But on the bright side, you get four bottles of alcohol delivered in-room. And if you decide to go for an upper-tier suite, you also get a private butler service and a swim-out pool. There are three pools here, plus three restaurants and four bars. The dishes are inspired by Mediterranean and Caribbean cuisine and are actually pretty good. Your stay in Sonesta Ocean Point Resort also gives you access to the spa at the Maho Beach Resort next door.
Hotel L’Esplanade
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Hotel L’Esplanade is a small family-owned property located in Grand Case. All of the 24 suites include a private terrace or balcony with stunning views of Grand Case Bay. The interior décor is designed like a loft and includes a part of different spots around the world. You’ll find Balinese furniture, Brazilian woodwork, Mediterranean tiles, and French linens.
There’s a fully-equipped and stocked kitchen plus a spacious living room in each suite. You also get free Wi-Fi and a TV. But you might not need these with the beach right next door or the palm tree-lined swimming pool on-site. Do check out the poolside bar, though. The bartender is pretty great at mixing up some amazing tropical cocktails.
For some extra unwinding, try the spa treatments at Ti Spa or the complimentary yoga class at Ti Temple. The property grounds and gardens are really well-maintained. A pleasant evening walk here will probably be just as refreshing as a spa treatment. There aren’t any restaurants at the hotel. But most of the neighborhood’s best eateries are all within walking distance.
Belmond La Samanna
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Belmond La Samanna is hands-down one of the best hotels in Saint Martin island. This 5-star resort is located on the French side of Saint-Martin and overlooks the Baie Longue. It features more than 80 suites, including 3- and 4-bedroom villas. You have access to a tennis court and fitness center to keep up with your activity routines. But since you’re on vacation, grab some gear and try out the watersports at this resort.
You could also choose to just lounge by the pools or at the cabanas here, or hire a boat and set out to sail. If you prefer all-inclusive excursions, sign up for The Best Catamaran Day Sail in St Maarten. It’s a 5-hour yacht excursion that takes you on a tour of the French and Dutch sides of Saint Martin. Nannies are also available for hire if you have little kids tagging along with you.
The best feature of this resort is the amount of privacy it offers without compromising on luxury amenities. Each suite and villa is furnished with mahogany antiques and comes with a private ocean-view terrace. The Elysee Spa has a variety of soothing treatments, so don’t forget to indulge yourself a little. The on-site restaurants are also worth a try, although keep in mind the dishes can be a little pricey.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Saint Martin:
- Vesna Taverna – This American-Greek-French restaurant serves authentic and delicious meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Located in Simpson Bay, it is perfect for grabbing a meal before you head out on a boat tour.
- Karakter – During the day, Karakter is a beach lounge and bar. But at night, it turns into a fun open-air restaurant where you can enjoy a bunch of locally popular dishes.
- Pizza Del Sol – Pizza and fresh seafood is the specialty of this Italian eatery. It’s situated near the Yacht Club, making it a great spot to grab dinner after a day at sea.
- Carousel – After enjoying some of the best meals in Saint Martin, don’t forget to try the famous gelato of Carousel. The ice cream here comes in every flavor you could want and is super refreshing.
Recommended Activities In Saint Martin:
- Half-Day Tour Dive Adventures Double Tank Dive – Explore scuba diving with this tour, which is great for both beginners and experts. You’ll get to enjoy great views of wreck and reef sites and witness exotic sea life.
- Sky Explorer Flying Dutchman Schooner Ride and Sentry Hill Zip Line – This is a tour that combines the Flying Dutchman, the Schooner Side, and the Sentry Hill Zipline rides into one thrilling adventure. It’s perfect for adrenaline junkies and may not be for the faint-hearted.
- Simpson Bay: Lambada Sunset Cruise of Saint Martin – Enjoy this catamaran cruise around the Caribbean islands and watch a memorable sunset with family and friends.
