A St. Martin Trip Report
August 2006
by Doug Snow
Another major development was the purchase of the old Belle Creole property by the W Hotel chain. The plans call for a new resort of 200 suites and several villas. This brings another high-end hotel to the French side, which will be a happy addition during the peak season when it is often hard to get rooms or villas. And the island has added an amenity that was long over due: a new 27-hole golf course! This has been an issue for many of our clients and now they don’t have to travel far to play on an inadequate course. With the La Samanna hotel and its new villas on one end, and the new W Hotel on the other, the Low Lands area will definitely rise to the level of a "Destination with in a Destination".
Villa Reviews in Detail
Villa C TRW
Wow it is getting better and better! This six bedroom 'private resort' with 2 pools, now boasts a beautiful, spacious spa. The villa comes with a caretaker and chef. When clients want treatments at the spa the caretaker can arrange this, and Fleur, a British 'Beauty Expert' will come to give the spa treatment. Most of the bedroom décor has been improved and updated. The furniture has been changed in the house (media room, living room, bedrooms). The two twin beds that used to be in one of the bedrooms have been moved to the old Gym downstairs, which is now the sixth bedroom.
Villa C MED
A completely new villa with three very large and private bedrooms. Both the kitchen and living areas are fully air-conditioned, and the large, covered outdoor living area near the pool is the most popular place for clients to spend time. We were impressed with the sound system throughout the villa, which the current clients were using to the fullest!
Villa C SEY
Has a new kitchen and much-improved décor with the same great view. As with nearly all of our villas in St Martin, this villa features a large kitchen, huge bedrooms and ensuite baths, with a large pool and deck area to match.
Villa C SHA
Looked great and has a dock – great for jet skis or a small powerboat -- and small private beach for sunning (not swimming) on Simpson Lagoon. The caretaker lives in a small cottage by the beach with two friendly dogs for added security.
Villa C VUE
Well-designed for large groups. The two bedrooms downstairs have been redone and are now master suites with an extended wooden deck -- very private from the upstairs and very peaceful. The rooms are light and airy and don't feel like they are on the lower level at all. The pool has been rebuilt to now have steps and a table. The kitchen opens up to the side with a breakfast bar. The entire villa is very airy and pleasant.
New Villas Under Construction
We visited a number of new villas currently under construction including: Le Reve, Cote Sud, Le Jardin de la Mer (Belefonte's old villa) and Petite Plage 4 & 5 directly on Grand Case Beach. All these projects are designed for the villa rental market and have everything American client's desire: large pools, fully air-conditioned living rooms, king size beds, large patio areas and huge bathrooms. Photos really are the best way to explain what these new villas will look like and we will have them up on the website as they become available.
Villa C GLU is a private beachfront villa in the Baie Rouge area with 5 bedrooms. Four of the bedrooms have connecting deluxe bathrooms with custom tiles from floor to ceiling. Each has oversized shower areas, and several feature large tubs. The kitchen is professional grade, state-of-the-art, and looks out through the living room to the pool area and the ocean beyond. The villa also has a large game room, a media room with large screen TV, a spa on the lower level and a tennis court. It is truly a self-contained resort!
All the furniture is from top design firms and rooms are very boldly decorated in a modern African style. The design of the villa reminds me of the new St. Martin airport at times, kind of retro modern. The villa will also feature many colored boxes with candles that the caretaker will light every night. A full-time maintenance person will be on-site as well as a security guard 24-hours-a-day.
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