French and Dutch, north and south; the island of St Martin/St Maarten is a diverse mix of cultures, cuisines and histories. And both sides of the island have some wonderful places to stay. We thought we’d offer a list of some of the island’s delightful small properties. All of these have less than 75 rooms; while that’s not exactly the size of a bed and breakfast, being small isn’t just about the number of rooms — it’s about the way a hotel feels.
Le Petit Hotel — St Martin
This charming property lives up to its name, with just nine rooms and one suite in the Grand Case area of St Martin.
Princess Heights — St Maarten
This property has about 51 suite-style rooms on a hillside near St Maarten’s Oyster Bay. It has a true boutique feel.
Sol e Luna — St Martin
A restaurant-cum-guest house, Sol e Luna has five suites, each of which has its own character. It’s located in the Mont Vernon area of St Martin, with views as far as Orient Bay.
Turquoise Shell Inn — St Maarten
The Turquoise Shell is located in Old Simpson Bay Village, with 10 one-bedroom suites in all. The best part is its perch right on Simpson Bay beach.
Grand Case Beach Club — St Martin
Grand Case Beach Club is all about the beach, boasting two private beaches on the property. It’s the largest property on this list, with 71 guestrooms, but it feels much more like a small Caribbean inn.
Mary’s Boon Beach Resort & Spa — St Maarten
One of the stalwarts of the Dutch side’s tourism industry, this four-decade-old property with 36 rooms is located on three miles of sand on Simpson Bay Beach.