17 Best Resorts in St. Martin and St. Maarten: The Luxe List

About St. Martin and St. Maarten

St. Maarten/St. Martin is part of the Leeward Islands in the northeast Caribbean Sea, about 190 miles east of Puerto Rico and 22 miles northwest of St. Barts.

There’s no physical border dividing the two sides – there’s no customs or passport check when driving from one side of the island to the other. You’re free to explore both sides and come and go as you please.

As it’s small (only about 37 square miles in size), you can drive around the whole island in under two hours (traffic allowing).

Where to stay in St. Martin: French or Dutch side?

When planning your St. Martin vacation, one of your first decisions is whether to stay on the French side or the Dutch half. (Or do both and split your stay!)

French side

French St. Martin is known for its top culinary scene, chic beach clubs and intimate boutique hotels. It’s not quite St. Tropez though (nor as high-end as St. Barts).

Its narrow roads are often pot-holed, cows occasionally wander into traffic (really!) and some storm-damaged buildings (remains of the 2017 hurricane) still litter the landscape.

Dutch side

Home to the Princess Juliana International Airport, cruise port and yacht harbors, Dutch Sint Maarten is busier and more developed.

Here you’ll find larger resorts and more all-inclusives. On the whole, accommodations on this side are generally less expensive.

Best area to stay in St. Martin (French side)

When choosing the best part of St. Martin to stay, it usually boils down to Grand Case or Orient Bay – the main resort areas on the French side.

They’re only a 10- to 15-minute drive apart, and taxis are easy to find if you don’t have a rental car.

Grand Case

Set on the calmer Caribbean side, Grand Case offers sheltered swimming and those long golden sunsets thanks to its west-facing beach.

It’s also a foodie heaven. “Restaurant Row” dishes up some of the finest French cuisine in the Caribbean.

Orient Bay

On the flip side, Orient Bay on the Atlantic coast wakes up to a lively beach scene.

It’s the top choice for windsurfers and kitesurfers, with its breezy wave action and beach clubs galore.

Most boutique hotels sit just behind the long sandy stretch of Orient Beach, within an easy stroll of restaurants at La Place du Village.

Best area to stay in St. Maarten (Dutch side)

Many of the Dutch St. Maarten hotels and resorts are clustered around beaches and bays in the southwest (like Simpson Bay and Cupecoy), close to the pretty Dutch capital of Philipsburg.

There are also a few resorts in the Oyster Bay and Dawn Beach areas, about a 15- to 20-minute drive from Philipsburg.

Most Sint Maarten and Saint Martin resorts have suites with kitchens

Most accommodations in St. Martin and Saint Maarten (aside from all-inclusive resorts) offer suites with kitchens or kitchenettes – so you can be self-sufficient if you don’t feel like eating out all the time.

Stop at one of the island’s large Carrefour or U super markets to stock up on breakfast basics, snacks and light meal items.

The French wine and cheese selections are swoon-worthy, and you’ll also find delicious yogurt, paté and other goodies not readily available in North American groceries. Bonus: Many of these delicacies are relatively low-priced too, thanks to the island’s duty-free status.

Best St. Martin resorts (French side)

Carved into a lush hillside overlooking Grand Case Bay, this gorgeous 24-room boutique hideaway is one of the island’s most enchanting stays.

Whether you’re after a cozy studio, a loft-style layout or a roomy one-bedroom suite, Hotel L’Esplanade has it.

Featuring full kitchens, they’re decorated with hand-crafted Brazilian woodwork, Balinese furniture and subtle artwork inspired by the surrounding tropical landscape.

And it’s not just the esthetics that wow. The hotel also spoils guests with a serene outdoor pool nestled in the bougainvillea-filled gardens, small spa for treatments and a breezy yoga pavilion.

It’s hard to believe you get all this just a 5- to 15-minute walk from the beach (depending on what part of Grand Case Beach you choose) and just a short stroll from Restaurant Row.

2) Le Petit Hotel

This three-story Mediterranean-style villa is a jewel box of a boutique hotel.

Located at the quiet south end of Grand Case Beach, Le Petit Hotel is just steps away from the sea – a blissful base for your island escape.

There’s no restaurant. But you won’t miss it, as you can simply stroll along the beach to several beach clubs or, in the evenings, into Grand Case for a tasty meal at one of the fine restaurants there.

You’re also welcome to use the pool at sister hotel, L’Esplanade (#1 above) at the other end of Grand Case.

3) Belmond La Samanna

Ooh la la! The Belmond La Samanna is the height of hotel sophistication.

A true 5-star hotel in St. Martin, it’s lured the rich and famous like Oprah Winfrey, Jackie O, Salma Hayek, Anderson Cooper and Kevin Kline.

Its 83 rooms and suites spill across a collection of white-washed two-story cottages, adorned with shutters, arches and terracotta tile roofs.

Named after flowers, they feature travertine floors, soothing blue and coral colors and a touch of glamor. Some suites even have private pools.

Want to splash out? The 4-bedroom villas (4,600 sq. ft.) deliver the full Caribbean fantasy with private infinity pools.

4) Esmeralda Resort

Sprawled across acres of lawn and coconut groves at Orient Bay, this 4-star resort is as relaxing as they come.

Its 50 rooms are scattered among 14 Caribbean-style cottages, with the resort’s road meandering around them.

Our room was a 500 sq. ft. standard room with a terracotta tile floor, soaring plantation-style ceiling, very comfortable king-size bed, spacious bathroom with a tub/shower combo and a small kitchenette area with a microwave and mini-fridge.

Larger suites have 4-poster king beds and separate living rooms.

Each cottage has its own swimming pool with pool loungers (but no umbrellas, as the area is quite windy).

The resort’s fine dining French restaurant, L’Astrolabe, is superb – their weekly lobster night is renowned island-wide.

The glorious white sands of Orient Beach are a 5-minute walk through the property, and then you’re at the tony Coco Beach Club.

But for complimentary beach chairs (a welcome Esmeralda perk), you need to walk to the next beach club, Kko (also very good), or neighboring beach clubs.

5) Grand Case Beach Club

For families (and couples) who want simple seamless access to calm swimming beaches, Grand Case Beach Club is our top pick.

At the north end of Grand Case Beach, it fronts two heavenly swimming beaches – Petite Plage (Little Beach) on one side (with plenty of complimentary loungers for guests) and a narrow quiet stretch of Grand Case Beach on the other.

Unfortunately, it was too windy during our stay for us to take out the SUP boards. Great consolation? A prime lounging spot for two in a cabana on the resort’s rocky promontory jutting out into the sea.

This lovely 4-star luxury hotel in St. Martin (La Playa Orient Bay) is the cat’s meow.

Dressed in Caribbean boho-chic décor, with blond wood furnishings and floors, its 56 suites (completely renovated in 2019) are fresh and bright. And it doesn’t hurt that each one has a private balcony.

Set in a prime spot on Orient Beach, La Playa lays claim to its own outdoor pool, beach club and restaurant.

Fancy fresh sushi for lunch? Head to its cool beach bar under a tented canopy.

Dinner? You’re just a hop, skip and a jump away from all the great restaurants in Orient Bay’s La Place du Village.

7) Orient Beach Hotel

Set back behind sea grape plants, it’s made up of a row of attached three-story cottages, each with seven rooms facing the Orient Bay’s beautiful beach.

All studio-style rooms (517 sq. ft.) have a small kitchenette (complete with a microwave, mini-fridge and ceramic stovetop), living room area and private patio or terrace.

In a palette of royal blue and earth tones, they’re contemporary, fun and inviting. The screen of branches between the bedroom and kitchenette area is both whimsical and clever.

8) Le Temps des Cerises Beach Hotel

This little St. Martin boutique hotel, right on Grand Case Beach, has only eight picture-perfect rooms.

With plank floors, shabby-chic furnishings and white clapboard walls, they feel like they were plucked from fancy beach cottages. Some have lovely views of the golden sand and turquoise sea just feet away from their glass-walled balconies.

9) Le Martin Boutique Hotel

French St. Martin got a cute new hotel in 2023 with the opening of Le Martin Boutique Hotel.

Located in the tranquil Cul de Sac area, opposite Pinel Island and its excellent beaches, it’s a little gem!

It only has six rooms. Four have terraces to look out at the sea. The other two rooms have garden views. All rooms come with big glass doors, so there’s lots of natural light.

Breakfast is on the house. You’ve got your usual cappuccinos and juice, but also some tasty extras like homemade nutella for your baked goodies, homemade fruit smoothies and fancy egg dishes with avocado or salmon.

While the hotel isn’t beachfront, you’re a stone’s throw from the sea.

Borrow a kayak or grab some snorkeling gear (both free to use) and paddle or swim out to Pinel Island. Or take a little water taxi to Pinel Island from the ferry pier, located a short walk away.

Best hotels in St. Maarten (Dutch side)

10) Sonesta Ocean Point Resort

If you’re searching for the best St. Maarten all-inclusive resort, the adults-only Sonesta Ocean Point Resort is an easy contender.

Stylish. Sensual. Sophisticated. These three words sum up most guest impressions (though some feel it falls shy of true 5-star status).

Its 130 airy suites feature custom-designed furniture and artwork.

Lather up with Molton Brown bath products in your Greek marble bathroom, and soak up knockout sea views from the white wicker chairs on your balcony.

Rebuilt on the former Westin site, it offers polished comfort and warm easygoing service. Staff are genuinely friendly, giving the 200-room resort a relaxed welcoming vibe.

Rooms feel calm and contemporary, dressed in warm woods and sandy neutrals, with deep soaking tubs and furnished balconies. Some deluxe rooms even come with private plunge pools.

Dining is another strong point.

Carambola’s “flip-flop fine dining” hits the sweet spot between elevated and unfussy, while Liguria serves up fresh Mediterranean-inspired dishes with herbs from the JW Garden.

Add a lobby bar, poolside cafés and a small market, and you won’t go hungry!

12) The Morgan Resort & Spa

We spent a day here lazing by the pool, lingering over lunch and checking out a few rooms.

It has 122 rooms with sleek interiors – floor-to-ceiling windows, 55-inch flat-screen TVs, iHome docking stations and spa-like showers.

There’s no beach. But the resort makes up for that in spades with its spectacular infinity pool – a gently-sloping design that mimics a beach, minus the sand.

Cool curved pool chairs under large umbrellas and rustling palm trees are comfy spots to kick back while listening to the chilled pool music.

Why stay at The Morgan (apart from its great pool)?

• Cabanas for splurging – Private pool cabanas (extra charge) come with lounge-style couches for 12, privacy curtains and paddle fans for a constant breeze.
• Rooftop observation deck – See epic views of planes landing at the airport without the noise.
• Convenient location – It’s next to the airport (with free airport transfers) and close to the cruise port (ideal for pre- or post-cruise stays).

A longtime favorite for both time-share owners and hotel guests, Oyster Bay Beach Resort sits dramatically on the edge of a coral reef, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Oyster Pond on the other.

Its 180 studios and suites are clustered in several attractive, well-maintained aqua-colored buildings.

For more elbow room, opt for a 1- or 2-bedroom suite. For example, the one-bedroom suites give you a generous 770 sq. ft. and feature full kitchens (with dishwashers) and king-size beds.

Also good to know? The marina at Oyster Pond hasn’t been rebuilt since it was destroyed by the 2017 hurricane. Instead of yachts, you’ll see weathered pilings – but the pond is still picturesque.

When it comes to 5-star resorts in St. Maarten, the Coral Beach Club pretty well ticks all the boxes.

Operated by Oyster Bay Beach Resort (#13 above) and located on the same property, it offers 24 condominium-style villas and townhouses with Italian gourmet kitchens and washers/dryers.

The villas are drop-dead dreamy.

Flooded with natural light, they overlook the Atlantic Ocean and have two, three or four bedrooms each.

We love the fully retractable floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall glass doors that you can push back, so the outside becomes an extension of your living room. Luxurious amenities include pre-stocked wine fridges (you pay for the wines though).

As for the two-level townhouses with views of Oyster Pond, they each have travertine floors and two ensuite bathrooms with designer glass sinks.

15) Oceans at Divi Little Bay

Also don’t miss the short hike up to Fort Amsterdam, a colonial stone fort located at the end of Divi Little Bay.

From a spa to jet skiing and building sand castles on the beach, there’s enough to keep both parents and kids busy and happy. The on-site water sports center also offers kayaks, snorkel gear and SUP boards, and can arrange boat tours and sailing cruises.

No surprise… Oceans ranks high on our list of the best St. Maarten resorts for families!

16) Holland House Beach Hotel

If you’re wondering where to stay in St. Maarten for a night before or after your cruise, the 55-room Holland House Beach Hotel is your answer.

A short walk from the cruise port, it’s directly on Great Bay Beach and smack-dab in downtown Philipsburg. Sandwiched between a vibrant boardwalk in front and bustling Front Street behind, it puts you steps from shops and restaurants.

While outside is a hive of activity, guestrooms are soundproof (we couldn’t hear a peep). Half have views of the boardwalk and beach, while the others face Front Street. The bathroom is open to the bedroom, but you can close a partition for privacy.

Most rooms have recently been renovated – ask for one of these.

The breezy Ocean Lounge gets high marks for its ocean views and tasty bar bites.

17) Simpson Bay Resort Resort, Marina & Spa

This family-friendly resort enjoys a prime location in Simpson Bay, within an easy stroll of restaurants and shops.

Spend the day on the sheltered beach along Simpson Bay (calm for swimming) or splashing about in the six swimming pools.

Now you know the best places to stay in St. Martin and St. Maarten

What’s peachy about this island is how varied the accommodation scene is. From adults-only lodgings and intimate beach hotels to luxury villas and easy-on-the-wallet condos, you’ll find something to suit your style.

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