Leslie’s guidebook for Villa Amaya Guests
Food scene
This is a relatively new restaurant in SXM. They have a unique menu and space. The steak was outstanding. If you like quiet dining go early (by 7, latest) as they transform into more of a lounge with louder music by 9. About an 8 min drive from the villa in Simpson Bay.
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Palapa Lounge
Airport RoadThis is a relatively new restaurant in SXM. They have a unique menu and space. The steak was outstanding. If you like quiet dining go early (by 7, latest) as they transform into more of a lounge with louder music by 9. About an 8 min drive from the villa in Simpson Bay.
Everyone goes there to celebrate birthdays, so it can get loud, but for homemade pasta it is delicious. Reservations recommended. Simpson Bay, about a 7 min drive from the villa.
17 personas locales recomiendan
Izi Ristorant Italiano
Welfare RoadEveryone goes there to celebrate birthdays, so it can get loud, but for homemade pasta it is delicious. Reservations recommended. Simpson Bay, about a 7 min drive from the villa.
The Indigo Bay Cafe, which you can see off to the left from our villa, did not come up in our airbnb place search, but you should know about it. Lovely food, outstanding cocktails and you couldn't get any closer to the water. Indigo Bay's hidden gem. A 1 min drive or 3 min walk from the villa. Usually closed on Mondays- Check the hours, they change them from time to time.
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Indigo Bay
The Indigo Bay Cafe, which you can see off to the left from our villa, did not come up in our airbnb place search, but you should know about it. Lovely food, outstanding cocktails and you couldn't get any closer to the water. Indigo Bay's hidden gem. A 1 min drive or 3 min walk from the villa. Usually closed on Mondays- Check the hours, they change them from time to time.
Excellent food, not cheap, be prepared to spend, but if you are interested in going to the french side for dinner, This place and Le Cottage in Grand Case get the most raves.
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La Villa Restaurant
Excellent food, not cheap, be prepared to spend, but if you are interested in going to the french side for dinner, This place and Le Cottage in Grand Case get the most raves.
Pizza Del Sol in Simpson Bay is a small restaurant but offers a wide variety of traditional and specialty wood fired pizzas, as well as salads and pastas. Everything is tasty. We haven't found better pizza on the island. 7 min by car from the villa, in Simpson Bay.
Pizza Del Sol
Welfare RoadPizza Del Sol in Simpson Bay is a small restaurant but offers a wide variety of traditional and specialty wood fired pizzas, as well as salads and pastas. Everything is tasty. We haven't found better pizza on the island. 7 min by car from the villa, in Simpson Bay.
For Thai food, this is the go-to place. Indoor and outdoor dining. The service is usually quite good, although we did have one bad experience waiting too long for the food. We went back and service was ok again, which is why I put it on our list. Food is always tasty as are the cocktails. Close by in Simpson Bay, about 7-8 min drive.
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Avantika
For Thai food, this is the go-to place. Indoor and outdoor dining. The service is usually quite good, although we did have one bad experience waiting too long for the food. We went back and service was ok again, which is why I put it on our list. Food is always tasty as are the cocktails. Close by in Simpson Bay, about 7-8 min drive.
Le Cottage is an upscale French restaurant. Fine dining. Dishes have a caribbean flair, but are at their heart refined french food prepared by a talented and acclaimed chef. Expensive and a 35 min drive from Amaya as are all Grand Case restaurants- but for true foodies, this is a restaurant that consistently receives raves.
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Le Cottage
97 Boulevard de Grande CaseLe Cottage is an upscale French restaurant. Fine dining. Dishes have a caribbean flair, but are at their heart refined french food prepared by a talented and acclaimed chef. Expensive and a 35 min drive from Amaya as are all Grand Case restaurants- but for true foodies, this is a restaurant that consistently receives raves.
We love this place. Breakfast! Brunch. Fresh and delicious. In Simpson Bay about a 7 min drive from the villa. Try the baguette french toast- it's fabulous!
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REVEIL MATIN SXM
68 Welfare RoadWe love this place. Breakfast! Brunch. Fresh and delicious. In Simpson Bay about a 7 min drive from the villa. Try the baguette french toast- it's fabulous!
Going to the Rainbow is a nice idea for a day-trip. It's a beachside cafe situated on the gorgeous Grand Case beach. You can rent beach lounges for a small fee, and hang out all day. Then pop in for a fresh lovely lunch of Caribbean, French, Sushi or Tapas. Gorgeous views. Breeze in your hair. About a 35-40 min drive from Villa Amaya. You drive around the island on the way seeing more sights and views as you go.
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Rainbow Café
Going to the Rainbow is a nice idea for a day-trip. It's a beachside cafe situated on the gorgeous Grand Case beach. You can rent beach lounges for a small fee, and hang out all day. Then pop in for a fresh lovely lunch of Caribbean, French, Sushi or Tapas. Gorgeous views. Breeze in your hair. About a 35-40 min drive from Villa Amaya. You drive around the island on the way seeing more sights and views as you go.
The restaurant is now called Bamboo House. It's more than sushi, with a fusion menu and a spectacular nighttime view. Bamboo moved from Simpson Bay to the top of a hill in Cay Bay and the atmosphere is outstanding. Its outdoor dining, so don't go if rain threatens. You can park near the bottom and they will relay you up to the restaurant, or pull all the way up for valet parking. About a 11 min drive from the villa.
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Little Bamboo
150 Welfare RdThe restaurant is now called Bamboo House. It's more than sushi, with a fusion menu and a spectacular nighttime view. Bamboo moved from Simpson Bay to the top of a hill in Cay Bay and the atmosphere is outstanding. Its outdoor dining, so don't go if rain threatens. You can park near the bottom and they will relay you up to the restaurant, or pull all the way up for valet parking. About a 11 min drive from the villa.
There are a few Indian spots on SXM but for us, this was tastiest Indian food we've found on the island. It's a small, unassuming place in the Maho area of the island, but the Navratan Korma was quite tasty, as were the other Indian dishes we've tried.
Spices Of India
There are a few Indian spots on SXM but for us, this was tastiest Indian food we've found on the island. It's a small, unassuming place in the Maho area of the island, but the Navratan Korma was quite tasty, as were the other Indian dishes we've tried.
Emilio's offers a fine dining experience in a historic building. Located on the grounds of a former plantation, the old sugar boiling house has been transformed into a lovely, twinkling restaurant. Consistently fine food and service, lovely atmosphere. Its a great choice for a special meal. Reservations are a must. About an 8 min drive from Villa Amaya in Dutch Cul-de-Sac.
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Emilio's Restaurant
59 L.B. Scott RdEmilio's offers a fine dining experience in a historic building. Located on the grounds of a former plantation, the old sugar boiling house has been transformed into a lovely, twinkling restaurant. Consistently fine food and service, lovely atmosphere. Its a great choice for a special meal. Reservations are a must. About an 8 min drive from Villa Amaya in Dutch Cul-de-Sac.
Supermarkets
How great that in Villa Amaya you are a 5 min drive from one of the 2 major supermarkets on the island. Carrefour is a 5 min drive from the villa, out the top roundabout and down Bush Road. It's similar in size, quality and variety to an american supermarket, although the brand choice can be different. In SXM you can unknowingly stay a 40 min drive from the nearest supermarket. That stinks! who wants to drive almost an hour and 1/2 round trip to get milk for coffee? The Carrefour should be one of the first stops during your stay to stock the fridge with your favorite foods.
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Carrefour Market
79 Bush RdHow great that in Villa Amaya you are a 5 min drive from one of the 2 major supermarkets on the island. Carrefour is a 5 min drive from the villa, out the top roundabout and down Bush Road. It's similar in size, quality and variety to an american supermarket, although the brand choice can be different. In SXM you can unknowingly stay a 40 min drive from the nearest supermarket. That stinks! who wants to drive almost an hour and 1/2 round trip to get milk for coffee? The Carrefour should be one of the first stops during your stay to stock the fridge with your favorite foods.
Shops
Victors is the best spot to get those forgotten personal items such as deodorant, sunblock, conditioner, body lotion..well you get the idea. Victors is on the way to the Carrefour supermarket on Bush Road, about a 4 min drive. They have a large selection of personal care, hair, skin nail and other items and have a small but helpful cosmetics section as well.
Victors cosmetics
Victors is the best spot to get those forgotten personal items such as deodorant, sunblock, conditioner, body lotion..well you get the idea. Victors is on the way to the Carrefour supermarket on Bush Road, about a 4 min drive. They have a large selection of personal care, hair, skin nail and other items and have a small but helpful cosmetics section as well.
Front street in Phillipsburg is the main shopping street for tourists. If you are in the market for jewelry or a watch, this is the place. Its considered the best place in the caribbean to buy in terms of variety and prices. Remember you can always negotiate. It is almost expected! After cruising Front Street take a turn and go to see the Great Bay with a wide open beach, some interesting restaurant choices and a view of the Cruiseport.
Front Street
VoorstraatFront street in Phillipsburg is the main shopping street for tourists. If you are in the market for jewelry or a watch, this is the place. Its considered the best place in the caribbean to buy in terms of variety and prices. Remember you can always negotiate. It is almost expected! After cruising Front Street take a turn and go to see the Great Bay with a wide open beach, some interesting restaurant choices and a view of the Cruiseport.
Would you like to take something tasteful from Sint Maarten home with you? Check out Nest Home, 5 min away (not far from the Carrefour supermarket). Nest has carefully sources and curated large and small decor items, and a few gift items as well.
NEST Home
Would you like to take something tasteful from Sint Maarten home with you? Check out Nest Home, 5 min away (not far from the Carrefour supermarket). Nest has carefully sources and curated large and small decor items, and a few gift items as well.
Neighborhoods
You drove through it on your way to the villa from the airport. Simpson Bay is the closest 'town' for dining with plenty of high end and lower end restaurants to choose from. About an 8 min drive from Villa Amaya
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Simpson Bay
You drove through it on your way to the villa from the airport. Simpson Bay is the closest 'town' for dining with plenty of high end and lower end restaurants to choose from. About an 8 min drive from Villa Amaya
Maho Village provides restaurants, a few shops and a casino or two. There are some large time-share properties in the area as well. Worth exploring.
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Maho
Maho Village provides restaurants, a few shops and a casino or two. There are some large time-share properties in the area as well. Worth exploring.
Sightseeing
You can gondola up, and zipline down, or gondola round trip. The tallest zip line certainly in the Caribbean. Bring a camera. A must do at least once in SXM if you don't fear heights.
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Aventuras en la selva tropical St Maarten - Rockland Estate
You can gondola up, and zipline down, or gondola round trip. The tallest zip line certainly in the Caribbean. Bring a camera. A must do at least once in SXM if you don't fear heights.
If you'd like to experience the sound and feel of a jet landing directly over your head, go to Maho Beach which is located at the beginning of the runway at the Princess Julianna airport. Usually fun for kids.
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Playa Maho
If you'd like to experience the sound and feel of a jet landing directly over your head, go to Maho Beach which is located at the beginning of the runway at the Princess Julianna airport. Usually fun for kids.
A private nature preserve, tree-top adventures, a zip line, a jungle pool and hiking trails. They play music around the pool, the atmosphere is generally chill and the surroundings beautiful. About 30 minutes by car from the villa and you will be driving up and down a very steep hill.
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Loterie Farm
Rue du Pic ParadisA private nature preserve, tree-top adventures, a zip line, a jungle pool and hiking trails. They play music around the pool, the atmosphere is generally chill and the surroundings beautiful. About 30 minutes by car from the villa and you will be driving up and down a very steep hill.
A new and unique attraction in SXM- for you snorklers. Visit an underwater sculpture park that highlights the history of Sint Maarten. The more than 300 sculptures also provide an artificial reef for beautiful marine life. Dive into a world where art meets nature.
Under SXM
A new and unique attraction in SXM- for you snorklers. Visit an underwater sculpture park that highlights the history of Sint Maarten. The more than 300 sculptures also provide an artificial reef for beautiful marine life. Dive into a world where art meets nature.
For a 1/2 day, full day or overnight boat trip paired with gourmet food and drink- look at Pyratz. It's a shared charter experience, you can be one or two people or reserve the entire boat, explore Sint Maarten, or other nearby islands, and they offer some onboard activities as well. The food is a delicious carribean influenced culinary experience. Pyratz is consistently top rated on the island.
Pyratz, Gourmet Sailing
For a 1/2 day, full day or overnight boat trip paired with gourmet food and drink- look at Pyratz. It's a shared charter experience, you can be one or two people or reserve the entire boat, explore Sint Maarten, or other nearby islands, and they offer some onboard activities as well. The food is a delicious carribean influenced culinary experience. Pyratz is consistently top rated on the island.
Another excellent choice for a day long boat trip - or overnight. Celine is a luxury catamaran with trips around Sint Maarten or a visit to Anguilla or St Barths, paired with gourmet food and other on-board activities like snorkeling or paddleboarding. Like Pyratz- Celine is also consistently highly rated on the island.
Celine Charters
Lane 1Another excellent choice for a day long boat trip - or overnight. Celine is a luxury catamaran with trips around Sint Maarten or a visit to Anguilla or St Barths, paired with gourmet food and other on-board activities like snorkeling or paddleboarding. Like Pyratz- Celine is also consistently highly rated on the island.
Consejos para la ciudad
Formas de ahorrar
Cheap eats!
Lal's Indian Food on Airport Road in Simpson Bay is tucked behind a casino. It lacks atmosphere even though it is outdoor dining but makes up in very respectable and tasty Indian Food at great prices (for SXM). Lal is the owner, he'll probably be serving you himself, which is a pleasure. He plays classic rock videos on low volume on a screen over the bar. It's not our favorite in terms of food, but it's about a cheap as you can eat on SXM in a proper restaurant.
Costumbres y cultura
Electric on Sint Maarten
Power costs are FIVE times on the island what they are in the US or Europe. Power generation is hard on the environment and there is one source that struggles to keep up. We want you to be comfortable, of course, but PLEASE, we beg- do not run the A/C with windows or doors open. PLEASE do not run the A/C in the villa when you leave for any period of time. This helps the power company avoid power outages (which can happen with alarming frequency) and allows all villa owners on the island to avoid raising rental prices to compensate for careless guests who waste precious power. Thanks sooo much
Costumbres y cultura
Safety
St Maarten is a low crime island, but not a no-crime island. Most crime is opportunistic. Lock all doors when you leave the villa including the pool deck door and all sliding doors. You don't want an opportunistic thief to enter, grab your passport or jewelry and run. When you park, lock your car doors. St. Maarten may be paradise, but it is not utopia. Take the same common sense precautions you would at home.
Cómo moverse
Rent a car
No matter where you stay on SXM, you need a car. There is lots to do (lots more than I listed in the book) but its not centrally located in one area on the island, it is spread throughout. Driving is on the same side of the road as in the US and rental cars are generally quite reasonable.