The Quintessential Travel Guide To St Martin
04 May 2022
Caribbean
‣
St Martin
St Martin villa rentals
The perfect stay
in St Martin
With a mixed cultural heritage of Dutch, French and Afro-Caribbean, the charming island of Saint Martin is one of the smallest of the Caribbean islands. But despite its diminutive size it manages to pack in gorgeous beaches, a vibrant nightlife, and stunning luxury villas In St Martin, you get the best of everything on vacation, from delicious rum cocktails to sunsets that’ll take your breath away.
A single island with two distinct identities, Saint-Martin (on the French side) or Sint Maarten (on the Dutch side) is an eclectic and sunny island with a huge personality. It’s estimated that over 80 different languages are spoken on St Martin, and this has led to the island becoming famous for some seriously tasty fusion cuisine.
A single island with two distinct identities, Saint-Martin (on the French side) or Sint Maarten (on the Dutch side) is an eclectic and sunny island with a huge personality. It’s estimated that over 80 different languages are spoken on St Martin, and this has led to the island becoming famous for some seriously tasty fusion cuisine.
Take your pick from any one of the 37 sandy beaches, or browse luxury boutiques and galleries galore in the bustling towns. Stop for a glass of Shrub rum, infused with orange peel, and snack on some freshly fried fish. Water sports are a must, as is exploring the lush tropical interior. From museums dedicated to Star Wars character Yoda to the colours and aromas of Marigot Market, St Martin is a genuinely warm, welcoming, and utterly enchanting little island.
Things
you can’t miss in St Martin
- Make sure you get a chance to explore the two unique cultures: French Saint Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten.
- Snorkelling or scuba diving in the island’s abundance of colourful reefs is a must for any nature lovers.
- Foodies will want to sample some of the local specialities, including Callaloo (a hearty island soup), crab backs (made with the finest blue crab) and fresh guavaberry juice.
Our insider tips for Saint Martin
Popular destinations in St Martin
Terre Basses, sensational beaches
The French Lowlands of St Martin are pure glamour, glitz, and sensational beaches. Home to multi-millionaires, A-list celebrities and private estates, it’s also where you’ll find the island’s most idyllic beaches. White, sugar-soft sand is caressed by the azure water of the ocean, and deserted beaches are lined with palm trees, tropical gardens and the most opulent villas you could imagine. With the sea on one side and the lagoon on the other, Terre Basses is that secret hideaway we all dream of when we’re planning our perfect island escape.
St Martin villa rentals you will love
Our luxury Saint Martin villas & rentals
Amandara
10 PEOPLE -
5 Bedrooms -
6 Bathrooms
Emeraude
8 PEOPLE -
4 Bedrooms -
4 Bathrooms
La Pinta
8 PEOPLE -
4 Bedrooms -
4 Bathrooms
Mumbai
6 PEOPLE -
3 Bedrooms -
3 Bathrooms
Amethyst
10 PEOPLE -
5 Bedrooms -
5 Bathrooms
La Samanna Villas
8 PEOPLE -
4 Bedrooms -
5 Bathrooms
“Nowhere else can you enjoy a unique blend of three fabulous cultures (Caribbean, French and Dutch) alongside some of the world's best beaches. History, culture and bucket loads of natural beauty... St Martin is a very special place.”
Florence Crawley
Why stay with us?
Curated and inspected homes, villas & chalets
Luxury linen and toiletries
Round the clock support
Complimentary weekly clean
Dedicated concierge
Earn & redeem Accor ALL loyalty Reward points
Personal Meet & Greet
Complimentary medical support in partnership with AXA
Enhance your St Martin stay
Your luxury onefinestay rental villa in St Martin comes with a host of additional services, including wellness activities, sports and equipment hire, dinner reservations, a personal chef, childcare, car hire, entertainment, and celebratory decorations. Just ask your dedicated concierge for more details.
Essential information
When to visit St Martin
JAN
77F
FEB
77F
MAR
77F
APR
78F
MAY
78F
JUN
80F
JUL
84F
AUG
84F
SEP
82F
OCT
80F
NOV
78F
DEC
77F
Please note: these are the average temperatures reported but can vary greatly due to weather conditions, such as heat waves etc. We kindly invite you to contact us for more information, including confirmation that your chosen villa has air conditioning, to ensure a comfortable stay.
Best time to go
During spring: while the climate of St Martin is pretty consistent all year round, spring is a relatively tranquil and peaceful time on the island, with fewer visitors towards the later months. In May, the temperatures and humidity start to go up, making the earlier months of March and April a better time to visit when temperatures are around 23°C (75°F).
During summer: the summer months are the rainy season in St Martin, although rain showers are usually brief and followed by plenty of warm sunshine. Average summer temperatures are around 29°C (84°F). Sea temperatures are similar, making swimming and snorkelling at this time of the year a pleasure, especially as water clarity is very good. You will need to be aware that from August to October there is the remote chance of a storm, but these are very rare.
During autumn: the later months of autumn start to see the cruise ships pull into port and the visitor numbers start to swell. Temperatures don’t deviate much from the mid-20s°C of the spring and summer, with the occasional chance of a very brief shower or two. As the autumn months move into winter, those showers become less noticeable, and the beaches start to fill up.
During winter: from December onwards you’re entering peak season in St Martin. The temperatures remain constant, but rainfall is much lighter than the summer months. The Leeway Islands are cooled by the Trade Winds, so it never gets too uncomfortably hot or humid. That means plenty of opportunity for exploring the island’s attractions, lazing on the beach, or simply relaxing in your private St Martin villa.
How to get there
Make the journey as memorable as the arrival. Your dedicated concierge can arrange transportation from the closest airport to one of our St Martin vacation rentals or villas.
By plane
The Princess Julianna International Airport is on the Dutch side of the island and is one of the busiest in the Caribbean. Your dedicated concierge can arrange transfers to your villa or for a hire car to be waiting for you when you arrive. Chartered and private flights also land at a smaller airport near Grand Case in the north of the island.
By boat
The island of St Martin is at the epicentre of the Caribbean cruise industry and during the winter months dozens of ships arrive at the island’s main port at Philipsburg. Smaller private yachts and many of the inter-island ferries dock at Marigot on the French side of the island. Regular connections run to the neighbouring islands of St Barts, Saba and Anguilla.
By car
The major car rental providers are represented at the main airport. The island is very small with narrow roads, so many visitors prefer to get around by taxi or using the local minibus service.
Local tips
- In French Saint Martin the currency is the Euro and in Dutch Sint Maarten the currency is the Netherlands Antilles Florin, also known as the Guilder.
- The French side of the island is known for its peaceful laid-back nature and the Dutch side of the island is known for its more lively and vibrant nature.
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