Although it’s a busy gateway to the farther reaches of the Caribbean, St. Maarten (the Dutch side of the island) certainly merits more than a quick fly-by. Spend a few days here and you’re sure to be impressed by the variety of dining, duty-free shopping, nightlife and, of course, beaches. When you touch down in St. Maarten and decide to “go Dutch,” here are the best hotels on Dutch St. Maarten (note: this list does not include all-inclusives.) Here are the best St Maarten hotels to try from across the island.
Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa Secluded on the sands of Dawn Beach, this 341-room resort has a host of amenities and entertainment options. There’s a casino; a spectacular two-tier infinity pool for sunning and swimming; comfy and modern rooms feature Westin’s signature Heavenly beds; and what is arguably SXM’s best resort spa offers an impressive menu of indulgent treatments. This is the best hotel in St. Maarten. Book Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa.
Holland House Beach Hotel Small (54 rooms) and sleek (think “European-Caribbean” chic decor), this boutique hotel is directly on Philipsburg’s Great Bay beach boardwalk, so all the shopping, dining and beaching you desire are mere steps away. Book Holland House Beach Hotel.
Coral Beach Club
This condominium-hotel has a collection of stunning townhouses, units and villas overlooking Dawn Beach, with a whitewashed Mediterranean-style vibe and a great restaurant called Big Fish. Book Coral Beach Club.
Princess Heights
This condominium-hotel has long been popular with CJ readers, thanks to warm service, spacious accommodations and decidedly affordable prices — and a great location in the Dawn Beach area. Book Princess Heights.
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort On a peninsula between Little Bay and Great Bay, with 235 hilltop and beachfront rooms, this timeshare wins praise for its amenities, including four restaurants; three pools; on-site shops; and an optional all-inclusive package. Book Divi Little Bay Beach Resort.
Mary’s Boon Beach Resort & Spa A fixture since the 1970s, this simple 37-room boutique is hidden in plain sight right next to the airport. The grounds are lush, and there’s a restaurant and small spa, but the real standout is its “backyard:” the white-sand sweep of Simpson Bay, which feels as if it’s all your own. In short, this is a classic beach hotel that’s one of the Caribbean’s best beach bargains. Book Mary’s Boon Beach Resort.
Alegria
This 78-room boutique hotel has more than its share of amenities, including two pools, a swim-up bar, five restaurants, free Wi-Fi and a great location very close to the airport overlooking Maho Bay. Book Alegria.
The Summit Resort Hotel
The story at this family-owned small hotel is the location, which offers spectacular views of Cupecoy Bay. It’s a warm, friendly property with a great pool bar and a show-stopping pool deck. Book The Summit Resort Hotel.
Oyster Bay Beach Resort For the freedom and privacy of apartment living plus the convenience of hotel amenities, look no further than this Dawn Beach timeshare-condo-hotel, which boasts 180+ units (most with kitchens) as well as two restaurants, a pool, spa, and its own convenience store. Book the Oyster Beach Beach Resort.
Simpson Bay Resort & Marina Apart from value pricing, there are so many reasons to love this Dutch-side treat. We’ll start with six pools, four restaurants, and 300+ mod rooms, which all have kitchens (some even have Murphy beds), and let you discover for yourself the remainder of this beachfront’s ample assets. Book Simpson Bay Resort and Marina.