Best Places to Stay in St. Martin, French Side: Chic Picks!
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So you’re planning a getaway to St. Martin! Excellent choice!
This dual-nation “friendly island” has two distinct halves – French St. Martin and Dutch St. Maarten – and trust us, it’s one of the Caribbean’s most captivating spots.
The French side, in particular, oozes sophistication. Picture sipping rosé at chic beach clubs, indulging in barefoot-elegant dining and unwinding at charming boutique hotels.
Now, when it comes to pinpointing the top places to stay on this side, it’s often a delightful toss-up between the sun-drenched white sands of Orient Bay and the culinary haven of Grand Case.
We’ve spent a good deal of time exploring the island and checking out its most fabulous resorts. Here, we share our insider insights on the best areas to stay – plus our favorite St. Martin (French side) hotels and why we love them.
Featured reader comments and questions
French St. Martin at a glance
Here’s a bite-sized snapshot to plan your trip.
Why stay on the French side?
French St. Martin is the northern half of this dual-nation Caribbean island. It’s a chic escape where beach clubs mingle with boutique hotels. You won’t find mega-resorts here, just intimate stays with plenty of French flair.
Pssst! Locals might even whisper it’s the classier side of the island.
Read more: St. Martin vs. Sint Maarten: Which is better?
🏝️ Grand Case vs. Orient Bay
- Grand Case (Caribbean side) – Sheltered calm waters and sunsets that linger longer than on the Atlantic side. Its beachside bistros and “Restaurant Row” serve some of the finest French cuisine.
- Orient Bay (Atlantic side) – Breezier side of the island, famous for its mile-long stretch of white-sand beach, lively beach clubs and top-notch windsurfing and kitesurfing.
🏨 Favorite French St. Martin hotels
- Hotel L’Esplanade (Grand Case) – Lovely hillside boutique gem, ideal for couples, with full-kitchen suites (and reciprocal privileges at its sister Le Petit Hotel right on the beach).
- Esmeralda Resort (Orient Bay) – Spacious suites, with complimentary access to four beach clubs on Orient Beach.
- Belmond La Samanna (Baie Longue) – The island’s most luxurious 5-star stay, set on a dazzling white sand beach on the southwest coast.
- Grand Case Beach Club (Grand Case) – Popular 4-star beachfront property between two great beaches, perfect for families. (See our review.)
Also check out: 17 best resorts on St. Martin and St. Maarten
🏖️ Must-do activities
- Sail and snorkel in style on a day trip.
- Spend the day at Pinel Island.
- Lounge at an Orient Bay beach club (Coco Beach is the most exclusive).
See our full guide on unbeatable things to do on the island!
Contents: Where to stay in French St. Martin
Difference between the Caribbean and Atlantic sides
Difference between the Caribbean and Atlantic sides
One of the first things you’ll notice about St. Martin is the contrast between its two coasts – the calm Caribbean side and the breezier Atlantic side.
Two of the island’s top spots on the French side highlight this perfectly:
- Grand Case sits on the Caribbean coast.
- Orient Bay fronts the Atlantic.
They’re home to two of St. Martin’s most popular beaches – Grand Case Beach and Orient Bay Beach, respectively – and each offers a very different island experience.
Caribbean coast
The west-facing Caribbean side is sheltered from the trade winds, with calm glass-clear water for swimming.
When we visited in early March, the island was quite blustery, and it was noticeably more comfortable relaxing on a Caribbean-facing beach.
Bonus: You also get about an hour more of sunshine here at day’s end. While Orient Bay’s beach clubs wind down around 5:00 pm, you can still soak up the sun in Grand Case until around 6:30 pm.
Another big draw to staying in Grand Case is its legendary Restaurant Row – a string of superb French restaurants lining the main street.
Before Hurricane Irma struck in 2017, Grand Case was known as the “culinary capital of the Caribbean.” Today, after extensive rebuilding (and a few exciting new additions), it’s happily reclaimed that title.
Beach by day, dine by night – all within strolling distance of your boutique hotel.
Atlantic coast
On the Atlantic side, the morning sun wakes up Orient Bay.
Tanned beach boys haul out cushions and umbrellas, readying the beach clubs for another day on Orient Beach – a glorious mile-long stretch of powder-white sand licked by turquoise waves (one of the island’s top beaches).
It’s the windier side of the island – and the best area to stay in St. Martin for water-based windsports.
Windsurfers and kiteboarders zip across the glittering water, while sun-seekers kick back on loungers with chilled rosé in hand.
The boutique hotels of Orient Bay are tucked just behind the beach clubs, shaded by palms and lush tropical greenery.
When hunger strikes, the beach restaurants dish up fresh seafood, crisp salads and other French-Caribbean essentials.
Later, you can stroll to La Place du Village, just five minutes from most hotels. This open-air dining square hums with energy come dinner time, with several indoor-outdoor restaurants – French, Italian, Asian, Mexican and more – all clustered around a lively courtyard.
Different vibes
Though Grand Case and Orient Bay are just a 10- to 15-minute drive apart, they feel worlds apart in spirit. One is mellow and foodie-focused, the other is sportier with beach-club-glam.
Renting a car is recommended to explore all the activities the island offers.
But the beauty of staying in either village is that you don’t need a car. Within both Grand Case and Orient Bay, you can get around on foot. And a taxi between them is only about $20 USD.
Best hotels in Grand Case, St. Martin (Caribbean side)
Hotel L’Esplanade
Nestled on a verdant hillside overlooking Grand Case Bay, the exquisite 24-room Hotel L’Esplanade is a boutique standout and one of the best St. Martin hotels, French side. We’ve stayed here twice now – and loved it both times!
Options range from cozy studios to spacious one-bedroom suites. And each room boasts a full kitchen, Brazilian woodwork, Balinese furniture and private terraces with panoramic ocean views.
An inviting outdoor pool, spa and yoga center round out the amenities at this resort.
All this luxury is just minutes on foot from Grand Case Beach and Restaurant Row.
For a deeper dive: See our Hotel L’Esplanade review.
Le Petit Hotel
A Mediterranean-style boutique villa, Le Petit Hotel is tucked away at Grand Case Beach’s southern end. It’s another one of the best Grand Case hotels.
It has just 10 bright suites with full kitchens and balconies overlooking the sea.
Enjoy complimentary daily continental breakfast, easy access to beach clubs and the option to use the pool at its sister hotel, L’Esplanade.
If you’re trying to choose between Le Petit Hotel and L’Esplanade, Le Petit Hotel has the benefit of being right on the sandy beach. And it’s very quiet for a romantic stay. But it doesn’t have a pool and it’s a longer walk to get to Restaurant Row.
Grand Case Beach Club
The Grand Case Beach Club is nestled at the north end of Grand Case Beach. It’s one of the best resorts in St. Martin for families, in particular, seeking beachfront bliss.
It offers two pristine beaches, free use of water sports equipment and accommodations ranging from studios to spacious 1,400 sq. ft. suites, all with full kitchens.
It’s also just a short walk to Restaurant Row.
For more insights: Check out our detailed Grand Case Beach Club review.
Le Temps des Cerises Beach Hotel
If you want to be in the heart of the action – with lively party vibes around you – Le Temps des Cerises Beach Hotel is where you’ll want to drop your bags.
Right on Grand Case Beach in front of this little 8-room boutique hotel, the scene is set with chill tunes and a front-row seat to some fun people-watching.
From the glass balcony of your room, you can almost reach out and tickle the sea.
As you’re smack in the center of Grand Case village here, you’re surrounded by a smorgasbord of tempting restaurants just outside the hotel’s entrance.
Best Orient Bay hotels, St. Martin (Atlantic side)
Esmeralda Resort
Esmeralda Resort is a tranquil 4-star oasis at Orient Bay, with 50 ground-floor rooms and suites (all with kitchenettes) housed within 14 Caribbean-style cottages. Each cottage has its own swimming pool.
Orient Beach is just a short walk away, and as an Esmeralda guest, you get complimentary lounge chairs and umbrellas at various beach clubs. (Usually you have to pay to use the beach club amenities.)
Don’t miss dinner at its French restaurant, L’Astrolabe – one of our favorite restaurants in St. Martin!
Bonus: Esmeralda offers great value compared to other Orient Beach accommodations.
For more information: See our review of Esmeralda Resort.
La Playa Orient Bay
La Playa Orient Bay is a 4-star gem. After checking it out ourselves, we can confidently say it’s one of the best hotels in St. Martin (French side, of course!) with a prime location right on Orient Beach.
This chic boutique hotel perfectly balances laid-back Caribbean vibes with understated luxury.
Its 56 spacious rooms are a stylish mix of blonde wood and boho-chic decor, each with a private balcony. Many feature a clever “hidden” kitchenette, complete with a cooktop, microwave and fridge.
For extra luxury, opt for a 710 sq. ft. executive suite, featuring a full kitchen and a breezy terrace.
The hotel also has its own pool, beach club (complimentary) and restaurant. And you’re just a hop and a skip away from La Place du Village, with all its different eateries.
Orient Beach Hotel
Right next door to La Playa Orient Bay is the newer Orient Beach Hotel. It’s just as lovely as La Playa.
In fact, both hotels look quite similar in design.
It offers 35 beachfront rooms (517 sq. ft. in size), all with blonde wood floors and private terraces or patios. Each is equipped with a kitchenette.
Rates at this hotel include complimentary access to several beach clubs on the white sands out front.
Other great St. Martin (French side) hotels
Anse Marcel and Marigot (the capital of St. Martin) are the two other main areas to stay on the French side of Saint Martin.
But you’ll find hotels scattered about other areas of St. Martin too.
Belmond La Samanna
If you’re looking for the most deluxe resort on St. Martin, say hello to the Belmond La Samanna! It has charmed big-name celebrities from Jackie Kennedy Onassis to Oprah, Salma Hayek and Anderson Cooper.
Perched above the silky sands of Baie Longue (Long Beach) on the southwest coast of St. Martin, it has 83 rooms and suites.
Some suites even come with private pools. Or splurge on one of their large villas and indulge in 4,600 sq. ft. of space and an infinity pool.
It was hard for us to tear ourselves away from our beach chairs here and move up to the restaurant. But we forced ourselves – and dined on delicious fresh seafood and wine from their 15,000-bottle wine cellar.
Exceptional service, along with amenities like a gym, yoga center and tennis courts, ensure a luxurious experience at this exquisite retreat.
Le Martin Boutique Hotel
A new 2023 addition to St. Martin’s hotel scene is Le Martin Boutique Hotel.
Located in peaceful Cul de Sac on the Atlantic Ocean side, it’s the best place to stay in St. Martin for quick access to Pinel Island and its sheltered beaches. (While off the Atlantic coast, Pinel Island has beaches facing west, protected from the wind.)
You’ll find six cozy rooms with terraces, along with a pool.
It’s not right on the beach, but the sea’s just a skip away. Kayak or snorkel to Pinel Island for free, or hitch a quick water taxi ride.
Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa
The all-inclusive Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa is one of the few truly adults-only places on the French side.
Set on the secluded curve of Anse Marcel Bay, it offers a serene upscale escape surrounded by lush hills and turquoise water.
Note: The resort closed to start a major renovation in 2024, briefly reopened in early 2025 and has since closed again to complete its refresh. It’s slated to welcome guests once more in early 2026.
Orient Bay vs. Grand Case: Which is better?
Tough one!
As you can see, there are several great Saint Martin hotels, French side – in both Orient Bay and Grand Case.
Orient Bay, with its vibrant beach bars and water sports, buzzes with energy. It’s a slice of paradise for those who love to mix sunbathing with a bit of adventure.
Because it’s wind-kissed, windsurfers and kitesurfers, in particular, love Orient Bay.
On the other hand, Grand Case is a foodie’s dream. Restaurants on the beach and along Restaurant Row serve some of best French cuisine you’ll ever drool over.
Base yourself in Grand Case if you’d like to be walking distance to all this deliciousness.
Last words on the best places to stay in St. Martin, French side
And there you have it – a blend of luxurious hotels and charming boutique finds, all set against the backdrop of beautiful beaches!
Two of the best areas are Orient Bay and Grand Case. No matter your choice, though, you’ll be wowed by the French side’s hotels.
To fully experience the best of St. Martin, a great option is to split your time between both Orient Bay and Grand Case, as we did (spending a few days in each).
Enjoy your stay on the French side of this delightful Caribbean island!
More St. Martin/St. Maarten travel information
- 25 Unbeatable Things to Do on St. Martin/St. Maarten
- How to Plan a Fabulous Trip to St. Martin/St. Maarten
- 7 Super Fun Boat Tours From Dutch St. Maarten
- 10 Top Restaurants in Grand Case for Food Lovers
- St. Maarten in a Day: Cruise Port Edition
- Which is Better: St. Martin or St. Martin?
- 17 Hot Hotels on St. Martin/St. Maarten
- Hotel L’Esplanade: A Perfect Boutique Hotel in Grand Case
- 7 Reasons to Love the Grand Case Beach Club
- A Beachfront Gem in Grand Case: Inside Le Petit Hotel
- Review of Esmeralda Resort in Orient Bay
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Our top travel tips and resources
→ General trip planning: TripAdvisor is a helpful starting point, offering loads of user reviews on hotels, restaurants and things to do.
→ Hotels: Booking.com is our go-to for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – often at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. (We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy!) You can also find great discounted rates on Expedia, especially for hotels in the U.S. and Mexico.
→ Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
→ Flights: For the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets are often non-refundable. If you want more flexibility, it’s usually worth booking directly with the airline, even if it costs a bit more.)
→ Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
→ Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
→ Car rental: Renting a car is often a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the lowest rates.
→ eSIMS: Stay connected affordably with Airalo eSIMS covering 200+ countries and trusted by 10 million+ users, including us! (No more huge roaming bills!)
→ Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
→ Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
→ Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
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About the authors
NEED HELP! I love your expert traveling reviews and suggestions.
I would love to travel to St. Martin with my husband and another couple. I would love a beautiful upscale hotel where I can relax at the pool, go to the beach, eat delicious food and enjoy the spa in the hotel or nearby. I would love for it to be close to other restaurants and to walk to shopping. I am overwhelmed with not only deciding on a hotel, but which side to stay on.
You mentioned the beach stays open approx. 1½ hours later on the Caribbean side than the Atlantic side and that the Atlantic side may be more windy.
Can you help me narrow down an area to focus on and a possible hotel recommendation?
Thank you, Nicole
You’d probably love Hotel L’Esplanade in Grand Case. We loved it so much, we’ve now stayed there twice!
It pretty well ticks all your boxes :-).
It has a pool. It’s a short 5- to 7-minute walk away to the Grand Case Beach Club, where you can rent beach chairs and an umbrella. (Or you can walk a bit further and use the complimentary beach facilities at the hotel’s sister hotel, Le Petit Hotel, which is beachfront). It’s walking distance to all the fabulous French restaurants in Grand Case (and to the shops on the main street). It has a spa exclusively for guests — Ti Spa. And it’s adult-oriented, so it’s ideal for a couples’ vacation.
Hope this helps!
I really enjoy reading your travel articles!
I was wondering if you have any thoughts concerning safety in Grand Case?
I’m thinking of booking a week at the Grand Case Beach Club with our family (two adults and three children). But some of the things I’ve read about Grand Case are a bit disconcerting (attacks on tourists etc.). I’d love to hear your perspective on this and if you think this is a safe area to bring children to.
Thanks so much for your time.
Hi Melissa,
You surprised us with your mention of attacks on tourists.
We think most of these reports are from some very old threads (from 15 or more years ago) on TripAdvisor and other forums.
More recently, there was a case of a Canadian tourist shot in 2019 by thieves on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. And in 2022, an American tourist was shot in the leg trying to prevent two thieves from leaving a restaurant in Grand Case after robbing the cash register.
So, is St. Martin/St. Maarten safe?
We always felt safe in Grand Case (and St. Martin). The Grand Case Beach Club is very family-friendly and you’ll see lots of families on the main public beach and the little beach at the resort.
When we were in town at night for dinner, we always walked back (as it’s so close) — using the flashlight on our phone, mainly not to stumble on a pothole or two. (You could have the restaurant call you a taxi for the short lift back to the resort if concerned about safety.)
If you stick to the main tourist street in Grand Case at night (where all the restos are), you should be fine — and this street is lit. (That 2022 incident of the American tourist getting shot wasn’t a targeted attack on him. He was trying to be helpful and unfortunately got shot as a result.)
The same advice goes for the whole island. Don’t wander off into what look like dodgy areas and keep to the tourist parts of Philipsburg and other places on the island and you should be fine. (This is our advice for traveling anywhere, actually.)
Have a look at the foreign travel advisories on the U.S. government website and Canadian government website. They have no red flags; their advice is to exercise “normal security precautions.”
So, yes, we think St. Martin is safe — as safe as other Caribbean vacation destinations (or other tourist destinations in the world, for that matter). We wouldn’t hesitate to go, with or without children :-).
We hope this helps!