Where to stay in Sint Maarten
Planes touch down here, and cruise ships dock here. Almost every beach on the island is top-tier and nothing is far away, so what you are really choosing is how close you want your room to be to the constant motion.
Three areas span the range from lively to secluded. Maho sits right under the flight path, Philipsburg swells and empties with the cruise schedule, and Dawn Beach stays quiet. Expect $152* in town and $300* right on the water. All nine spots featured here are fully bookable and verified one by one.
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How many nights in each area?
Driving from one side of the island to the other takes twenty minutes. One base is always enough, so your choice comes down to how much morning noise you can tolerate rather than proximity to sights.
- One week: Base yourself in Simpson Bay if you plan on going out at night, or Dawn Beach if you just want to unwind. They sit at opposite ends of the island, twenty minutes apart from each other.
- Three nights: Philipsburg: town streets, the beach, and restaurants all without getting back in the car, with the rest of the island just a short taxi ride away.
- Cruise stopover: Nothing to book: the terminal is in Great Bay, and Front Street is an easy walk or water taxi ride away.
- Budget pick: Philipsburg or the back of Simpson Bay, around $105*: beachfront spots come at a steep premium all over this island.
At a glance: our picks by traveller type
Pick the profile that fits you and go straight to the recommended area.
Map of the areas in Sint Maarten
See how the areas sit relative to one another before choosing your base. Click a name to jump to its description.
Philipsburg and Great Bay Capital
for the city, the shops, and the beach right outside your door
Two parallel streets sit between the sea and the lagoon: Front Street for duty-free shopping, Back Street for local life, and a sandy beach running the entire length of the bay behind a boardwalk. This is the only spot in the country where you can stay right in town and do everything on foot. The catch: on cruise ship days, the street gets packed until mid-afternoon, then the town empties out all at once.
The towns in this area
Where to stay in this area
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort Luxury
A large resort on its own peninsula, away from the hustle of Front Street but just a five-minute drive away. Multiple beaches, several pools, and an internal shuttle.
Holland House Beach Hotel Mid-range
On Front Street, with the beach right behind the property and a terrace overlooking the bay. The best-located spot in the capital if you want to get everywhere on foot.
Pasanggrahan Boutique Hotel Budget
The island's oldest hotel, opened in 1904 and long serving as the governor's residence. Colonial decor, a garden, and rates that have nothing in common with the rest of the beachfront.
Pros
- Everything on foot: the beach, restaurants, shops, and the harbor
- Some of the most reasonable rates in the country
- The boardwalk runs along the sea for over a kilometre
Cons
- On cruise days, the town is packed until mid-afternoon
- Very little going on in the evening once the ships pull out
Simpson Bay, Maho, and Cupecoy West
for nightlife, dining, and going out
This is the side that never sleeps. The marina at Simpson Bay lines up restaurants, Maho packs in casinos and bars, and planes roar right over the beach just feet away, which has turned into a spectacle in its own right. The downside is plain to see, between jet engines all day and music all night, this is not the place for an early bedtime.
The towns in this area
Where to stay in this area
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Luxury
The large all-inclusive resort in Maho, featuring a casino, spa, and multiple restaurants right across from the plane-spotting beach. A practical setup in a neighborhood where nightlife is a major draw.
Mary's Boon Beach Resort Mid-range
Kitchen-equipped studios and apartments sitting right on the sand at Simpson Bay. The property sits at the end of the runway, and guest reviews consistently praise the beach while noting the roar of departing jets.
Travel Inn Hotel Simpson Bay Budget
A straightforward spot set back from the beach, within walking distance of the marina restaurants. Easily the most wallet-friendly option in an area where bargains are hard to find.
Pros
- The largest selection of bars and restaurants in the country
- The airport is under ten minutes away, making for quick transfers
- Places at every price point, from small hotels to all-inclusive resorts
Cons
- The noise from daytime flights and late-night bars
- The beaches here get heavier foot traffic than elsewhere on the island
Oyster Pond and Dawn Beach East
for the quiet atmosphere, the open sea, and sunsets over St. Barts
Sitting on the opposite side of the island from the airport, the east coast wraps up with a marina and two long beaches facing the open ocean. On clear days, St. Barts stands out on the horizon, and boats depart regularly from Oyster Pond. The trade-off is straightforward: you cannot walk anywhere outside the resorts, and budget-friendly stays simply do not exist in this pocket.
The towns in this area
Where to stay in this area
JW Marriott St Maarten Beach Resort & Spa Luxury
The largest resort on the east coast, right on Dawn Beach, featuring a spa and multiple dining options. It is the newest property in the area.
Oyster Bay Beach Resort Mid-range
A property built directly on the reef between the marina and the open sea, offering units with kitchen facilities. Boat excursions depart right from the hotel dock.
Princess Heights Mid-range
Hillside apartments rising above Dawn Beach, all equipped with kitchens and ocean-view terraces. You can reach the sand in just a few minutes by walking down the slope.
Pros
- The quietest corner of the territory, far from the jet noise and cruise ships
- Two wide stretches of sand and the departure point for boats bound for St. Barts
- The view of the neighboring islands from the heights of Oyster Pond
Cons
- No bargain options here: rates start high and stay there
- A car is an absolute must since nothing is within walking distance
Our tips for booking the right place
- US dollars are accepted everywhere.: The official currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder, but prices are listed and paid in US dollars across almost all hotels, restaurants, and taxis. No need to stop at a currency exchange before your trip: bring US cash, and hold onto smaller bills for taxis since drivers cannot always make change.
- The jet noise runs on a schedule.: Heavy jets touch down mostly in the early afternoon, and the traffic dies down by evening, so staying in Maho is not out of the question as long as you can skip a daytime nap. If quiet is your priority, look toward the east coast instead of hoping for a room with clever soundproofing.
- Check the cruise ship schedule before you book.: Up to four ships can dock on the same day in Great Bay, which completely transforms the vibe in Philipsburg and drives up excursion prices. Cruise lines publish their port stops online, so a quick look beforehand saves you from arriving on the heaviest days.
- Booking in Maho for peace and quiet: the beach sits right under the flight path just a few dozen feet from the landing gear, and the area also packs in the rowhest bars on the island.
- Relying on Dawn Beach or Oyster Pond without a rental car: you will find zero shops or restaurants within walking distance outside of the resorts, and paying for taxis adds up fast on every single trip.
- Hunting for a cheap beachfront room: this island simply does not have them. Affordable spots sit inland or a bit back from the water.
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