We’ve always heard wonderful things about the island of Sint Maarten, including the great weather, beautiful beaches and wonderful food. We decided to take our kids there for a 7-day getaway.
Our Stay At Royal Palm, A Hilton Vacation Club
We stayed in a 2-Bedroom Suite at Royal Palm, a Hilton Vacation Club. We loved it and will come back here on vacation for many reasons, including:
You can snorkel right from the beach. We brought our own gear and snorkeled every morning from the resort’s beach. The convenience was amazing.
The staff was great at suggesting activities, providing directions and even pouring my kids a lot of virgin piña coladas.
The pool has a swim-up bar with a great view of the ocean, which we enjoyed daily.
Rooms were spacious and featured first-rate amenities you’d expect from Hilton Grand Vacations, including a full kitchen and a separate living area, giving us condo-like space versus a typical hotel room. And the ocean view was spectacular.
Our Arrival On Sint Maarten
We landed at the airport and picked up our rental car. A travel tip: It is extremely convenient to have your own car to explore both sides of the island. And since there’s only one road circling the entire island, you really can’t get lost.
Both sides of the island? That’s right. There are two sides, a French side and a Dutch side, and as you can imagine, they are quite different. If you want a livelier nightlife and bustling activities, visit the Dutch side. If you want a more high-end experience, visit the French side. Either way, explore them both. We stayed on the Dutch side and loved the activity. The food had a more local Caribbean vibe. Think rice, beans, vegetables and protein.
We spent half our days driving around Sint Maarten, stopping at different spots along the way based on the recommendations from Hilton Grand Vacations.
We explored Front Street and loved its eclectic shopping scene, then relaxed on several beaches on both sides of the island. Just keep in mind that some French beaches are clothing optional. On other days, we enjoyed snorkeling outside the resort and spent time lounging in the pool and on the beach. It was paradise. There are fantastic restaurants throughout the island, as well as local ones within walking distance from the resort.
I’ve saved the most exciting part of our trip for last. I highly recommend that you plan to visit Maho Beach multiple times. You’ve probably heard of a famous beach where planes fly low overhead to land at the airport. That’s Maho Beach. I took a picture from the Sunset Bar & Grill. It isn’t photoshopped and I didn’t generate it using AI. Watching the planes fly so close overhead is truly exhilarating, and there’s no experience quite like it. I recommend spending an afternoon at the Sunset Bar & Grill, relaxing on the beach and taking in this incredible sight.
I don’t recommend standing behind the planes as they take off. I tried this, thinking it would be a great experience, and it was — until it wasn’t. When the plane fired its thrusters, the force blew sand at us, like knives piercing us. I laugh about it now, but I sure didn’t enjoy it at the time.
Sint Maarten was one of the best islands we’ve ever visited. Our Royal Palm stay was great, the food was diverse and delicious, the people were kind, the island was beautiful and there were plenty of things for everyone enjoy for the entire week. I highly recommend the experience.
Key Takeaways
Resort Experience: When it comes to accommodations, Royal Palm, a Hilton Vacation Club offers spacious rooms, upscale amenities and the convenience of snorkeling directly from the hotel beach each morning.
Getting Around the Island: Renting a car is straightforward, making it easy to explore both the Dutch and French sides of the island for a two-for-one island experience.
Island Adventures: Exploration includes shopping on Front Street, visiting tropical attractions and relaxing on a variety of beautiful beaches. Just note that some French beaches are clothing optional.
Dining Options Are Plentiful: Excellent local restaurants are within walking distance of the resort and a wide range of culinary options are found throughout the island.
FAQs
Q: What makes Sint Maarten a great family vacation destination?
A: Sint Maarten is a great family vacation destination because it offers beautiful beaches, diverse and delicious food, friendly locals and a variety of activities.
Q: What’s the difference between the Dutch and French sides of Sint Maarten?
A: The Dutch side is lively with bustling beaches, nightlife, shopping and more local Caribbean cuisine. The French side is more tranquil, featuring upscale restaurants, beautiful beaches and a distinct French influence.
Q: Are there activities besides beach and pool time?
A: In addition to beach activities and relaxing by the pool, you can shop on Front Street and enjoy many local restaurants.
Q: Why is Sint Maarten recommended for a week-long trip?
A: Sint Maarten offers an abundance of fun activities, beautiful scenery and delicious food to keep everyone happy for a memorable family getaway.
