St. Martin is one of the most unique of the stunning Caribbean islands. It has the usual Caribbean gems—stunning beaches, azure waters, and exciting nightlife. What it also has is two separate cultures. St. Martin, one single island, is governed by two separate sovereign countries, the Netherlands and France. There are no borders and crossing from one zone to the other is easy.
The French side offers exquisite shopping and dining (don’t bother looking for a McDonald’s here) with an elegant, somewhat dressy style. It’s also where you’ll find the best beaches.
The Dutch side, spelled St. Maarten, is somewhat livelier and more cosmopolitan with its exclusive resorts, clubs, bars, and casinos. Parents may want to be aware that beaches in St. Martin mandate clothing, while many of St. Maarten’s beaches are clothing optional.
The charm of visiting St. Martin is that it offers two vacations for the price of one
All-inclusive resorts are great for travelers who want a stress-free getaway and to enjoy an abundance of relaxation. All amenities are included and unlimited, so guests can have meals and drinks at their leisure without considering the expense. Most activities are also included in these rates. You can consider that the trip is paid for when it is booked, and most times, it includes cheaper airfare than would otherwise be available.
Best All-Inclusive Resorts in St. Martin
Sonesta Maho Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa (Dutch Side)
This 420-room resort by Maho Bay Beach on the Dutch side is an ideal getaway for singles, couples, and families. There are five all-inclusive restaurants (plus a pizzeria) and five bars to choose from. The mini-bars in the rooms are replenished daily, or guests can enjoy a drink at the swim-up pool bar. The resort’s spacious rooms have either a pool or ocean view.
All-inclusive dining and drinking includes an all-day buffet by the beach, several other fine eateries, and pubs. Go to La Fontana for Italian food and views of the most perfect sunset. The Latitude Bar offers drinks and 50 slot machines for gamers.
The adult entertainment has something for everyone, from trivia challenger, dance classes, poolside bingo, parties at the beach and pool, and a music program with live entertainment featuring comedians and karaoke.
Special kids and teen clubs will entertain and supervise the younger set in daily and nightly fun activities. The 4,000 square-foot Beach House is for kids between the ages of 3 and 12. It features an aqua park, slides, a pool, and a playground. Twenty-four-hour babysitting services are available. The Teen Zone is filled with electronic games, a pool table, foosball, and board games.
The tour desk can help guests find the best off-property activities, cruises, and tours. Perennial favorites include guided jet ski tours, a catamaran sail, and a rainforest adventure tour.
Book the Couples Escape package to save up to 30% off all-inclusive rates; it also includes lunch for two at Sonesta’s adults-only Azul restaurant (located at the Sonesta Ocean Point) and discounts on the resort’s romance dinner experiences. Couples can also choose from the resort’s different romantic wedding packages to create their dream wedding in stunning surroundings.
Divi Resorts (Dutch Side)
The Divi Resort is on the St. Maarten side of the island and offers an all-inclusive dining and drinking rate, with children under 12 eating and staying for free (non-motorized water sports and weekly activities are also included).
The stunning rooms and suites have a breathtaking ocean view and guests will enjoy access to the private peninsula. On-site shops offer souvenirs, clothing, and jewelry while the grocery mart carries daily necessities. The resort’s Aqua Mania Adventures offers daily cruises, scuba diving, snorkeling, and other great watersport activities, or guests can simply relax during a sunset or dinner cruise.
If you’re getting married or planning your honeymoon to St. Maarten, be sure to check out special packages that offer multi-night rates with perks or all-inclusive rates.
Sonesta Ocean Point Resort (Dutch Side)
The adult-only resort in the Dutch zone of St. Maarten has 130 suites that are fashioned in an elegant contemporary Caribbean style overlooking Maho Bay. Some top-level suites come with a personal butler, who will keep the room’s fridge filled with new wine each day.
All meals and alcoholic beverages at the resort’s three restaurants (two are exclusive to Ocean Point guests) and four bars and lounges are included in the price. The resort is thriving with activities, such as movie nights, live entertainment, bingo, pool, karaoke, and aerobics. Watersports abound, and there’s a golf course less than 2 miles from the resort.
The on-site Casino Royale is the largest gaming facility on the island, with 21,000 feet of slots, gaming tables, and a special high-roller section. Membership to the Players Club brings rebates, bonuses, comps for food, and free slot plays. There are extravagant Las Vegas-style shows every Saturday evening.
Included in the all-inclusive package are the fitness center classes in yoga and aquacise to help guest maintain their wellbeing. Check out special packages like the “Butler Suite Sale” and “The Suite Love Honeymoon” for upgraded experiences.
With all it has to offer, a stay at the Sonesta Ocean Point adds up to a getaway at St. Maarten’s most sophisticated resort. Guests of the Sonesta Ocean Point Resort have free and absolute access to the nearby Sonesta Maho Beach Resort.
Secrets St. Martin Resort and Spa (French Side)
Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa, on the island’s French side, is the ultimate luxury all-inclusive travel destination. French elegance blends seamlessly with a casual Caribbean style.
The 258 suites feature either a partial ocean, marina, or mountain view with private terraces or balconies, a soaking tub, 24-hour room service, and a mini-bar that’s refreshed daily. Members of the Preferred Club enjoy upgraded accommodations, access to their own special lounge, and enhanced concierge services, as well as continental breakfast each day and hot and cold hors d’oeuvres every afternoon.
The resort has six gourmet dining options and five bars. Unlimited Luxury privileges include all premium wines and liquors. For couples looking for an intimate experience, book the “Romantic Dining Experience” which includes a private dinner at a special area within the resort.
If it’s not clear already, Secrets goes all out for romance. Couples can upgrade their stay with numerous couples’ packages to celebrate a wedding, honeymoon, engagement, vow renewal, or anniversary.
St. Martin: The Two-in-One Getaway
St. Martin is surrounded by the most beautiful beaches that offer the best in sailing, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and other watersports. Visitors invariably enjoy day cruises for fun and romance while sunset cruises with a visit to a lively bar in St. Maarten are always popular.
Even more popular is the duty-free shopping on the island. Philipsburg, on the Dutch side, has plenty of luxury goods on display (think electronics, gold, and diamonds), especially on Front Street. The city’s motto, “Shop till you drop,” is taken seriously. Any money saved while shopping can be used inside Front Street’s Coliseum Princess Casino.
Philipsburg’s French counterpart, Marigot, takes a more laid-back approach. “Relax. The shops will remain open. Have a café au lait.” Either way, St. Martin is a shopper’s paradise.
St. Martin can be the vacation of a lifetime and staying at an all-inclusive resort can set it apart from an ordinary getaway. The all-inclusive resorts bring a level of elegance, luxury, and attention rarely found in other hotels.
Why Visit an All-Inclusive in St. Martin?
Life doesn’t get much easier. All-inclusive resorts specialize in catering to their guests and offering rare luxury, such as a 24-hour butler along with high-end accommodations. Need your shoes shined? Your breakfast served in bed? It’s a done deal.
All-inclusive resorts are hassle-free; guests just show up and have their butler arrange transportation from the airport and unpack their bags. Many of these resorts offer special romance packages for couples; safety for single travelers who don’t want to have to look for a place to eat and have fun; and fun for families, since these all-inclusive resorts usually include safe and supervised kids’ clubs that allow the parents some alone-time.
Can there be a downside to all this luxury and bliss? With all that these all-inclusive resorts offer, most guests don’t bother to venture far out. Everything they want and more is at their immediate disposal. They may, however, be missing out on some interesting local culture and that gem of a hole-in-a-wall eatery with the best food in town without that incentive to leave the resort.
One option for adventurous travelers in need of some spoiling would be to explore the sights and terrain for one week, then recover at an all-inclusive resort the next. It promises the best of two travel worlds.
