St. Maarten or St. Martin?

The island is divided into two parts, a Dutch part andreal city and there are only a few streets like the
a French part. There isn’t any real border andBoulevard de France. The Marina Port La Royale is
the difference between both islands can not be seenvery romantic with plenty of restaurants to choose
easily. The biggest difference might be the touristfrom. The old Fort Louis is worth a visit, as well as
infrastructure, which is less developed on the Frenchthe new shopping mall West Indies.
side.Both islands have fantastic white sand beaches but
St. Maarten is a center of tourism in the Caribbeanthe best are located on the French part. The Baie de
and you will find a number of hotels, casinos andPlume, Baie Longue or Baie Orient should not be
restaurants. The island offers European atmospheremissed. The best beaches on the Dutch side are the
and is a favorite amongst Americans. The capital cityMullet Bay, Great Bay and Simpson Bay Beach.
is Phillipsburg which is constructed on a narrow sandyThe choice of hotels and resorts seems to be
land strip which separates the sea from the Greatendless and there is something for any budget. One
Salt Pond. There are some colonial buildings andof my favorite hotels in the Caribbean, the
plenty of shopping possibilities for the many cruiseMary’s Boon Plantation, can be found on St.
shippassengers. St. Maarten is a tax free island andMaarten. The lovely colonial style hotel has deluxe
you will find many things cheaper than elsewhere.rooms and suites which are located in the main
St. Martin is a typical French island where everythingbuilding or the cottages direct on beautiful Simpson
goes a bit slower than on St. Maarten. The capitalBay Beach. The hotel is ideal for a Caribbean
city is Marigot which looks more like a village than aHoneymoon!