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From: halle@hou2b.UUCP (J.HALLE)
Newsgroups: net.travel
Subject: St. Maarten
Message-ID: <586@hou2b.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 31-Jul-85 13:05:24 EDT
Article-I.D.: hou2b.586
Posted: Wed Jul 31 13:05:24 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 1-Aug-85 23:59:05 EDT
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 24

I recently spent a week in St. Maarten and would recommend it highly to
anyone thinking about the Carribbean.  A few thoughts:

Check with the travel agent about accomodations.  A lot of the hotels are
under construction.  Avoid any in Phillipburg.  The two in Little Bay are
nice.  We stayed at the Belair and would recommend it.  If you want to be
near the town that is probably the best.  If you want to be farther out,
several appear to be nice but I cannot make recommendations.  But consider
staying on the eastern shore.  The breezes are better and it can get somewhat
"stuffy" on the leeward side.

If you rent a car, use Avis.  Their cars are in the best shape.  Anyone else
and you take the risk of not making the hills.  But a car is not really
necessary for most of the time.

Avoid the Peacock Casino (at St. Maartin Beach Club).  They cheat.

The best restaurants are on the French side, especially in Grand Case.  Two
in particular are outstanding.  I have never eaten anyplace better.
They are: Tastevin and L'Auberge Gourmand.  Make reservations.  And if you
ask for Michel (T) or Jean Paul (AG) you will get even better than their usual
superb service.  It's almost worth the trip just for those two restaurants.

(BTW, if you go there, tell them how you heard about them.)