Twin Palms is owned by Tom, Wanda, Mark and Angela. While each of us has different favorite spots, we've put together a list of the places and things that visitors seem to enjoy the most. Here are some of the consensus "best bets" while you are on the island

You will need to rent a car on St Maarten island to explore all that it has to offer.  The rental agents are in booths outside the baggage claim.  (They are like vultures.)  We recommend Safari Rentals for the best daily rate.  If you choose Safari, ask for Derrick at the Safari booth as you exit the airport.  Depending on the season, you should expect rates of about $40 per day for a car or $70 per day for a jeep.  Negotiate if it is much higher than this.  Be sure to go over any noticeable dings and dents with the rental agent before driving off.  Get a four-wheel drive with a high clearance. You never know how much of an adventure you will discover. As with any tourist area, do not leave anything valuable in the car.  You should try to drive like the locals- it’s safer than being too polite!

During “High Season,” traffic tends to be bad between Philipsburg and the Airport.  To get to Marigot, the capital of the French Side, leave Oyster Pond toward the French Quarter or Middle Region to avoid going through the high traffic areas.

Services made Easy- We recently discovered an outfit called "The Mailbox." You will see it on your left as you drive from the airport past Simpson Bay. The Mailbox offers cell phone rentals, fax services, and a myriad of other "business services" that you may need. Before renting a cell phone, check to see if your service is picked up on the island. Many times you don't need to anything at all to get great service from your US provider.

American dollars are accepted everywhere.  Prices are marked in Euros on the French Side and Guilders on the Dutch Side.  While credit cards are accepted at most places, they don’t like American Express.  ATM machines also take most US ATM cards.

The First Day

To get acclimated, we suggest a quick visit to Busby’s for a Rum Punch or Pina Colada.  Busby’s is a short ride from the Villa, past the Westin to Dawn Beach.  If you reach Busby’s before sunset, ask to speak with Grey.  You can tell him that Mark, Angela, Tom and Wanda suggested that he might help you get acquainted with things.  Grey can provide you chairs and umbrellas at the beach as well as suggest restaurants, casinos and the like. Roslyn, Laurel and Marc are always there to serve you with a Carib (the local beer of the islands) or great food.

Busby’s is also Mark’s favorite breakfast spot.  Busby’s becomes “Daniel’s by the Sea ” in the evening for fine Italian dining.  It receives excellent reviews and you can’t beat the location!

The scene at Busby's is a favorite- beach, bar, umbrella, food- a perfect spot to spend the day!

Since you are going to be in the Villa for a few days, you may want to stock up on a few essentials (like coffee, wine, cheese and crackers).  There is a convenient grocery store in Philipsburg called Sangs.  As you approach Philipsburg from Dawn Beach, you will encounter a “roundabout.”  Go about half way around and toward Pointe Blanche.  Sangs is about ¼ mile on the left after the roundabout.  If you just need a few things, you can also get staples at the convenience store across from Busby’s.  The proprietors will always cheerfully help you with any questions.

Apart from Busby’s (aka Daniel’s) here are a few of our favorite restaurants:

Chesterfields- just down the road from Sang’s in Philipsburg on the right, Chesterfields is an ideal spot for on-the-water dining.   Everything from seafood to burgers at reasonable prices.

Lee’s Seafood- it takes a while to get there if you travel during peak traffic, but it is awesome seafood in a fun atmosphere.  Lee's is located near the drawbridge in the Simpson Bay area. They have live music every evening.  I suggest you go early because they fill up for dinner.

Sol y Luna- it can be a little hard to find, but we think it is the best fine dining on the French Side.  Located between Orient Beach and Grand Case in Cul de Sac, they have a beautiful restaurant with a lot of wonderful touches and great food.  Don’t be disappointed if they are closed because they are not the most consistent in terms of schedule.

BDLG- tucked in the corner at the Harbor in Marigot.  We like it for the open air dining with a French feel.  Angela likes the pizza.

Jimbos- You've never had Tex-Mex like this before! Located in the Simpson Bay area, Jimbo's is a Caribbean twist on an American favorite with a little Jazz thrown in.

Phil's Get Wet Bar - He may be a crazy Canadian, but he serves a great burger and fries! If you are shopping in Philipsburg and head toward the water, you will find Phil along the main strand. He is always happy to serve a frozen cocktail, but he prefers Molson- eh?

Zee Best - For the best French Pastries, Wanda insists on Zee Best. They also have great Coffee and Omelets. They have two locations- one in Marigot and one in Simpson Bay. While the one in Marigot may be more authentic, the one in Simpson Bay has more variety. Both are great for people-watching!

Johnny B Under the Tree - If you feel adventuresome and want to REALLY go local, try Johnny's. It's outdoor dining, literally under the tree. Great barbequed ribs, chicken and, oh yeah, lobster! Don't look for a lot of amenities, but the people are great and the food is excellent.

Grand Case (by day)- This stretch of beach by the old pier is never crowded. Grab a menu from "Talk of the Town" or one of the four or five outdoor barbeque joints and enjoy. Try to get a seat that is on the water. Ribs, chicken, snapper- and lots of great caribbean side dishes

Grand Case (by night)- The cusine rivals some of the best French restaurants in the world. Park your car in the attended lot (it's worth the five dollars) and stroll down the short stretch through the town.

Night Life- There is always something happening. Tuesday is two-for one on the Lady C. This is a floating bar overlooking the mega-yachts in the Harbor at Simpson Bay. Tom and Mark are always straining to see the gilrs from the Victoria's Secret yach which, conveniently, always seem to be in port. On the French side of Oyster Pond, you can try to find a spot at the Dinghy Bar at Captain Olivers Resort. Watch out for happy hour when they let you pour your own drinks! Some of us just need to be protected from ourselves! Head over to Maho for great live music and dancing at Cheri's Cafe. Reknowned throughout the islands for attentive service in a casual atmpsphere, every night is a lively party.

Here are a few fun excursions we recommend:

The Sunset Cruise (Tango or Lambada)- Goes out around 5:00 PM on Thursday from Pelican Marina Simpson Bay.  Try to book in advance.  Rum Punch and a coastal tour are complemented by the camaraderie of fellow vacationers.

You can also book excursions to St. Barths, Anguilla or Saba from Simpson Bay or the tour desk at the Oyster Pond Resort.  This is located at the end on the same road that Busby’s is located.

We also recommend that you visit the Open Air Market in Marigot.  Wednesday and Saturday Morning draws the most vendors and they have all sorts of trinkets and artwork and scarves and such.

OPEN AIR MARKET IN MARIGOT

Shopping on Front Street in Philipsburg- you may find parking difficult.  If so, you can park at Sang’s Grocery store and tip the attendant to watch your car and prevent towing.  There are some good buys on electronics, jewelry and booze.  It is always negotiable and always tax free.

Nature- There are several nature preserves on the island. If you can find Captain Olivers above Oyster Pond on the French side, continue up the hill until you can't drive further. There is a site of an old resort that was destroyed by a hurricane. Above the site is a nature preserve with fantastic views. Take the walk around the peninsula and look back at your villa (Twin Palms). If you continue on the road toward the French Quarter, you will find the Rotary Overlook. The platform overlooking the ocean makes for memorable photos. Take a hike up to Pic Paradise, a nature preserve in the middle of the island. You need to be in pretty good shape to make the journey, but the views and scenery along the way are worth it. If you are into the human version of a nature preserve, go to Orient Beach and join the nude bathers!

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