In what is the most significant hotel development on the French side of St Martin in years, AMResorts has officially debuted its new Secrets St Martin resort.
The property, which is set on Anse Marcel, welcomed its first-ever guests this week, Caribbean Journal has learned.
The resort, the first-ever Secrets-branded property in the French Caribbean, is a dramatic transformation of the former Riu Palace St Martin that was destroyed during Hurricane Irma.
The adults-only property has a total of 258 suites, all of which come with 24-hour room service, twice-daily maid service and complete all-inclusive convenience, according to AMResorts.
Secrets St Martin has a total of six dining concepts: the poolside Barefoot Grill; the Coco Cafe snack bar; the Pan-Asian eatery Himitsu; the Market Cafe international buffet; the Italian-style Portofino and Olio Mediterranean Cuisine.
The all-inclusive program includes everything from unlimited international and domestic top-shelf spirits to mini bars to theme parties and pool and beach wait service.
The property also has what it calls “limitless access” to its eateries, meaning travelers don’t need reservations for any of the resort’s restaurants.
While the concept of an all-inclusive on an island that is arguably the Caribbean’s greatest dining destination may be hard for some travelers to wrap their heads around, Secrets seems to have embraced its position, encouraging guests to explore the myriad dining options off property, particularly in the nearby gastronomic capital of Grand Case.
Either way, it’s a huge step forward for the crucial tourism sector on the French side of St Martin, one that has largely been bereft of major hotel development for decades.
Of course, St Martin is home to a number of terrific small and medium-sized properties, too, from the beloved Grand Case Beach Club to the tiny, ultra-chic LTC Beach Hotel, the latter the newest hotel in St Martin.
Having the power of AMResorts and its parent company, the global travel giant Apple Leisure Group. behind it, could provide St Martin with a much-needed and invigorating injection of marketing energy.
The resort is the 16th resort in Secrets’ Caribbean portfolio.
For more, visit Secrets St Martin.
– CJ
