Sint Maarten in January 2013

November 4, 2012 - Rick

I was able to book a bucket list trip for January. I don’t know how many of you have seen the YouTube video of commercial jets landing at the Sint Maarten airport, but it is something I’ve always wanted to see in person. They look to virtually be close enough to touch and I’m excited to have the chance. It is not coincidence that is has been cold on Hilton Head the last couple days and I’m becoming more of a southern boy as the years go on. I had a hoodie on the last two days when the high only hit 60 degrees. Blood thinning or something?

American Airlines used to have a flight from Savannah to Miami which made Caribbean travel really easy for us. When they cancelled that flight it became necessary for us to travel 2 hours further south to Jacksonville to catch a flight to Miami then on to the Caribbean. If we tried to fly it from SAV we would be routed through Dallas then up to Newark and have to hop a cab to JFK to fly to SXM. It is just so much easier to ride down I-95 and leave from JAX.

The tickets were 35K round-trip each and we used SPG points at 12K per night and the fifth night free at the Westin Dawn Beach Resort and Spa. The resort is a limited participation member in the SPG program and it took a call to the resort to check on award availability. The going rate was $320 per night so with the fifth night free and 48K points, we got a decent value for our SPG points. Cash and points was not available the dates we needed. It will be one of our first stays as a Platinum member of the SPG program and I’m looking forward to evaluating the upgrades and attention as a Platinum instead of a Gold member.

Our costs to date were $176 for taxes and fees on the award tickets total and we are subject to a $20 resort fee per day. It is a new island for us and Katy and I would appreciate any tips prior visitors may have for us. The resort reviews seem mixed and I realize it is somewhat off the beaten path, but that works just fine for us. Besides our trip to the beach to watch the planes land up close and personal, it will just be a laid back five days in the sun.

Anybody else off to Sint Maarten in January or have some local tips for us?

Tim J

I am! Second week of January. Let me know if you’d like to meet with a reader for some plane watching.
Susan Cline

And here I thought you were going to meet us in Poipu Have fun!
Eken Ekensson

Nya Äventyr Med Nalle Puh-Disneys
Eken Ekensson

Gräns:Barntillåten
Mintuer:44:55:Timmar
Spårk:Svenska,Danska,Finska,Norska,Engelska
Text:Svenska,Danska,Finska,Norska,Engelska
Eken Ekensson

Svenska Röster,Peter Wanngren,mflera.
Eken Ekensson

Aristocats,Svärdet I Stenen
Svenska Röster
Berättarröster-Bertil Fredrikström
Sångrröster-Bertil Fredrikström
Eken Ekensson

Merlin,Katt-Bertil Fredrikström
Arthur,Katt-Bertil Fredrikström
Kalle Anka-Bertil Fredrikström

Mflera.
Jeff

Rick ,

don’t build up you hopes up to for the Westin Dawn Beach . While it is a nice property you will get no recognition as a Platinum member other then a free beer at check-in or 500 SPG points if you ask them for it . The hotel is far from everything , casino smack in middle of the property and you will accosted by time share sales people every time you walk through the lobby . You should think about renting a car as driving around st. martin on your own was a great experience .
wise2u

Go to the french side of the island and you can visit a nice resort at Little Divi Bay. On a cruise we took a snorkel tour and they bussed us to this resort and we went off the beach. The second time we were there we just caught a cab and did it ourselves. They have a snack bar/tiki bar on the beach and for a fee I think you get some food and drink tickets and use of their facilities. you don’t have to pay though, as the beach and ocean are free for all to use. French side of island has better food , but higher prices.
The island that had the freakiest landing strip I’ve ever seen was Antigua, you could see it from where the cruise ships docked, it was right next to the water and in between 2 mountains with very little room for pilot error, no way I would want to land there. Freaked me out just watching them take off and land.
Joe

Rick, I was there last year on a cruise, there is a bar to the left if you are facing the water that has a surfboard with arrival times. Most of the big planes start coming in around noon time. Try riding the fence when the planes take off, it is a blast– did it with my 2 boys!! There is a bar/trailer on the right where the drinks are a lot cheaper, $2 beers etc.. January is pretty busy, get there early if possible–it will fill up quick especially depending on how many ships are in town. Last year there were 6 ships in when we where there, but there are days with only 1-2 ships in.
wijibintheair

Try and go to Maho beach (the plane each) on a Satrdy or Sunday – they are the busiest days for flights. The sunset beach bar will have a surf board up with flight times.
For beaches I recommend Happy Bay on the French side, a bit of a mission to get to, but a fantastic beach once you’re there ( with a nice beach shack for drinks and ood but order food early if you want it).
Grande Casse great for a night out or good dining, but it is a long way fom Dawn Beach.
Any pacific questions feel free to ask
http://twitter.com/Mileage_Update Mileage Update

Rick, Im gonna email you as well. Isla Pinel. Its near you since you are at Dawns Beach. Isla Pinel is on the French side. You can read more about it online as well.

Sint Maarten in January 2013

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