Where to Stay in St Maarten - 3 TOP Areas (with Hotels!) (2024)

Saint Martin is a secluded piece of paradise in the Caribbean Sea, divided between its northern French side, called St. Martin, and its southern Dutch side, St. Maarten. In this post I will be talking about both sides of this incredible island.

Each part of the island is divided into several other areas, all with their own vibe and character, and it is important to know them in order to choose which is the best place where tostay in St. Maarten for your dreamy vacation!

To help you with that, I created thisguide with the best areas and accommodationson the island: from the touristic Simpson Bayto the laid-back Dawn Beach, the family-friendly Philipsburg,and the French Orient Bay, there is for sure the right area for your interests and budget.

So now it’s time to discover them all: get ready for aquamarine waters, palm-fringed beaches, secluded coves, vibrant nightlife, and much more!

You’ll be enchanted by this island… but you’re not the only one, so don’t forget to book your hotel as soon as you can if you want to secure yourself a spot! Are you ready?

Let’s go!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

If you need to take a quick decision and book immediately, I got your back, check this list with the best hotels located in Simpson Bay:

Sint Maarten vs St. Martin – Which to choose?

Alternatively, if you prefer a more European vibe, with nude beaches, delicious French food, and a quieter location, the French part of St. Martin is for you!

Here is a map to help you visualize where all the different areas and places to stay I will be talking about are located:

1. Simpson Bay – where to stay in St. Maarten for the first time

Simpson Bay, located in the southwest side of the island (the Dutch Side) is where to stay in St. Maarten if it’s your first time here!

The Simpson Bay area will keep you entertained at any time of the day, starting from its lively centerbrimming with shops, bars, restaurants, clubs, and casinos, to super long white beaches and transparent waters surrounded by beautiful green hills!

If in Sympson bay the options to spend a relaxed holiday are plenty, the opportunities to stay active are even more! Here you can go hiking, snorkeling, or even horseback riding at the Seaside Nature Park and play golf at the golf course just nearby.

The area is also home to many water sports and to the ferry port, the starting point of many boat tours exploring the surrounding islands, like Anguilla or St.Thomas!

But one of the main things Simpson Bay is famous for is Maho Beach, where you can see the planes swoop into the land above your heads (Princess Juliana International Airport is literally just 5 minutes away).

If you like the area, check out the amazing hotels and resorts from luxury to budget below, and make sure you book them as soon as you can to secure yourself a spot!

Other accommodation options in Simpson Bay

Things to do in Simpson Bay

• Explore St. Maarten turquoise waters in this yacht excursion!
• Reconnect with nature at Seaside Nature Park
• Engage in cool water sports at Cupecoy Beach
• Enjoy the most beautiful sunsets at Mullet Bay
• Do some plane spotting in Maho Bay
• Sail to Anguilla on a luxury catamaran with this tour!

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2. Dawn Beach – the best beaches in St. Maarten

Dawn Beach lies on the eastern shores of St. Maarten, on the opposite side of Simpson Bay, and 30 minutes drive from the airport. If during your holiday all you want is relaxation, sun,and sand, this is THE place for you!

In Dawn Beach you can lay down on the white sands (like the one of Orient Bay beach), deep dive in the crystal clear watersand snorkel with colorful fishes during the day, and enjoy a tropical co*cktail with a sunset view in the many beach barsas the sun goes down.

But from Dawn Beach you’ll also have access to many outdoor activities, like hiking to the top of Pic Paradis peak, where you’ll have stunning views both of the island’s interior and coast, or zip-lining in Loteries Farm if you want some adrenaline!

Other accommodation options in Dawn Beach

Another great accommodation option in this area is the JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa. This new hotel has an outdoor pool and a spa where guests can just relax and enjoy their holiday. There’s also a whirlpool tub as well as a fitness center for those looking to relax their body and their mind.

Things to do in Dawn Beach

• Swim in the turquoise water of Dawn Beach
• Discover the wildlife at St. Maarten Zoo
• Go check out the beautiful Orient Bay Beach and Oyster Pond
• Go hiking in the Pic Paradis and enjoy stunning views
• Get some adrenaline at Loteries Farm

3. Philipsburg – where to stay in St. Maarten for families

Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side of St. Maarten, located in the southeast side of the island, right next to Dawn Beach.

This lovely town is set on the Great Salt Pond, and offers an incredible number of attractions and activities for tourists.

Just wandering around the center you can exploreits fascinating history, like in the ruins of the old Dutch fortress, and gazing at the Antillean architectureof the colorful houses.

And if you’re looking for some leisure time, there’s a boardwalk right on Great Bay Beach with many duty-free shoppingand good dining options. The town also has two main streets – Front Street and Back Street, where you’ll find everything from chic boutiques, casinos and amazing shops and restaurants!

Offering also many kid-friendly attractions like The St. Maarten Zoo or the Sint Maarten Museum, Philipsburg is the right place to stay in St. Maarten with thefamily.

Other accommodation options in Philipsburg

Things to do in Philipsburg

• Explore the waters around St. Maarten on this cool speedboat tour!
• Bring your kids to St. Maarten Zoo
• Check out the indigenous Arawak artifacts at Sint Maarten Museum
• Learn about St. Martin history at the Fort Amsterdam
• Walk around the beautiful Cyrus Wathey Square

4. Orient Bay – where to stay on the French side of St. Martin

Located in the northeastern part of St. Martin, on the French side, the village of Orient Bay has become one of the most popular beaches on the Caribbean island.

One of the best things you can do here is to simply relax on the beautiful Orient Bay Beach,nicknamed the “Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean”, the largest on the island!

Even if super busy with tourists, this beach is definitely worth your attention, offering white sand, turquoise water, countless beach restaurants, hotels, and shopping options. What’s more, in true European style, the western end of the beach is for nudists if you want to hide from the crowds and take your tan to another level!

On this side of the island, the Atlantic Ocean has stronger winds, so the ocean becomes the perfect base for a wide range of watersportsas well as sailing, yachting, and boat tours.

Last but not least, the town offers interesting historical attractions to take a break from the hot sun, such as Fort Amsterdam, the Emilio Wilson Estate, and the Border Monument.

Other accommodation options in Orient Bay

Things to do in Orient Bay

• Swim, splash and chill in the beautiful Orient Bay Beach!
• Engage in cool watersports like waterskiing & jetskiing
• Check out the historic Fort Amsterdam
• Have a stroll at the Emilio Wilson Estate
• Work out on your tan at the nudist beach

Frequently asked questions about hotels in St. Maarten

Conclusion

Here we are at the end of this Caribbean vacation through the best areas of St. Maartens and its amazing hotels, resorts, and villas!

By now you probably have already chosen the best accommodation for your interests and budget, but if not, here are my two absolute favorite hotels where to stay in St. Maarten, maybe it will help a little more:

• Villa Alabaster– luxurious beach resort offering beautiful villas with the best ocean views!
• Baker’s Suites– Great mid range hotel within walking distance from Simpson Bay Beach

I am sure this guide will help you find the best place for an unforgettable and relaxing holiday, and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it! Just remember to book your favorite accommodation as soon as you can, places here sell out super fast!

If you have any questions regarding an area or a hotel, please leave it in the comment, I am looking forward to answering you!

Have a dreamy vacation,

Elena