Where to stay in St. Martin
Ninety square kilometres split between two countries make this the smallest shared island in the world. You won't spot a border fence, but the atmosphere shifts the second you cross over. The international airport sits on the Dutch side, while the quietest stretches of sand belong to the French side.
Three main hubs follow, ranging from a village known for its restaurants to the administrative capital. Expect to pay around $240* a night right on the waterfront, while an apartment with a kitchen costs considerably less. No travelers in our community have shared a stay here yet, so this guide relies on the island's geography rather than member reviews.
Compare hotel prices in St. Martin
In a hurry? Find the best accommodation deals in 3 clicks.
Compare live deals from Booking, Expedia, Agoda and other partners.
How many nights in each area?
The island takes forty minutes to cross end to end, so a single base is enough and driving time never weighs down your day. You just have to decide what you want under your feet when you wake up.
- One week: Everything in Grand-Case if you are here for the restaurants, everything in Orient Bay if you are here for the beach. Changing bases across 90 sq km accomplishes nothing.
- Ten nights: 5 nights in Orient Bay then 5 in Grand-Case: the east for the wind and sports, the north for dinners and quiet.
- Cruise stopover: Nothing to book on the French side, since the boat docks in Philipsburg on the Dutch side, and you visit Marigot as a day trip.
- Budget: Marigot around $153*, or a self-catering apartment in Baie Orientale, keeping in mind that on this island, dining out rivals the cost of lodging.
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 St. Martin
See how the areas sit relative to one another before choosing your base. Click a name to jump to its description.
Grand-Case and Anse Marcel North coast
for going out to dinner and calm swimming
Grand-Case centers around a single beachside street that defines the entire area, packed with everything from lolos, those roadside barbecue spots, to upscale dining rooms. The bay is calm and shallow. Further north, Anse Marcel sits in a cove enclosed by hills, complete with a marina. The downside is that away from the main strip, things get very quiet, and the international airport is forty minutes away.
The towns in this area
Where to stay in this area
Grand Case Beach Club Luxury
Two private beaches for swimming and snorkeling, featuring a pool and restaurant. All rooms look out toward the garden or the sea.
Le Domaine Anse Marcel Beach Resort Luxury
Private beach, restaurant, and self-catering apartments tucked into the back of Anse Marcel cove. Scuba diving trips and boat charters depart from the nearby marina.
Love Boutique Hotel Mid-range
Right on the sand in Grand-Case, offering just a few rooms, some with oceanfront terraces. The strip of restaurants starts right at the doorstep.
Blue Sail Hotel Mid-range
Steps from Anse Marcel beach, featuring a terrace, restaurant, and parking. A solid practical choice in an area otherwise dominated by large resorts.
Pros
- The highest concentration of great restaurants on the island
- A calm bay without rough surf, good for children
- Sunsets looking out toward Anguilla from the beach
Cons
- Only one lively street, as everything else quiets down early
- Forty minutes from the airport via the coastal road
Orient Bay and the east East coast
for the wide beach and wind sports
Orient Bay Beach is the island's most famous stretch: 2 km of sand, beach clubs, and windsurfing or kitesurfing driven by the trade winds. Just offshore, Pinel Island is an easy shuttle ride away for a day of snorkeling, while Le Galion Beach, sheltered by its reef, stays calm even when the wind kicks up. The downside is its popularity: heavy crowds when cruise ships are in port, and a swell that picks up quickly.
The towns in this area
Where to stay in this area
La Playa Orient Bay Luxury
Four stars with a pool, garden, and private beach right at the end of the bay. The kind of spot where you can happily stay put all day long.
Orient Bay Palm Court Residence 4 Stars Mid-range
Apartment complex featuring a pool, garden, and on-site restaurant located just minutes from the beach. Having a kitchen in your unit makes a real dent in the weekly travel budget.
Orient Beach Hotel Budget
Steps from the sand, featuring a pool and free parking. Unfussy, and sitting right where you want to be in this neighborhood.
Pros
- The island's most vibrant beach, lined with dining right on the sand
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing year-round
- Nearby Le Galion, with no waves, ideal for young children
Cons
- Crowded on cruise ship days
- The breeze, great for sailing, makes outdoor dining a bit breezy
Marigot and the west coast West coast
for local life and quiet coves
The capital of the French side centers around its market and Marina Royale, with fort Louis overlooking the bay and offering the finest view on the island. Heading south, the coast lines up quieter coves like Baie Rouge and Baie aux Prunes, while Pic du Paradis reaches 424 metres at the center. The downside: the town quiets down entirely after the market wraps up, and its beaches do not match the ones in the north.
The towns in this area
Where to stay in this area
Centr'Hotel Mid-range
In town with a terrace, restaurant, and bar, five hundred metres from Potence beach at the end of the street. Convenient if you want a base and a car.
Villa Kapresse du 978 - Guest house Budget
Renovated guesthouse with a pool, garden, and bar. The gentlest budget option on an island that is not cheap.
Pros
- The gentlest nightly rate on the French side
- Morning market and local life outside the beach zones
- Nearly empty coves just a short drive away
Cons
- Quiet at night once the marina closes up
- Downtown beaches are nothing special
Our tips for booking the right place
- You land in the other country: The international airport is located in Sint Maarten, on the Dutch side, about forty minutes from Grand-Case. You cross the border without stops, but arrange your transfer when you book your stay since taxis do not use meters and rates are negotiated before you get in.
- Two countries, two currencies: The French side charges in euros, while the Dutch side uses Caribbean guilders or US dollars, often both. Businesses generally accept either currency, though at an exchange rate that favors them, so paying in the local currency of whichever side you are on is the easiest approach.
- Keep a close eye on hurricane season: The dry season runs from December to April, bringing the best weather and highest rates. From June to November, prices drop but the hurricane risk is real, as the island was hit hard in 2017 and many establishments close down in September and October.
- Booking a room without checking which side of the island the address is on, because search engines mix up Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten, and the vibes are completely different. You get casinos and duty-free shops on one side, and villages and restaurants on the other.
- Getting a hotel right next to the airport in the Maho area, where planes fly just feet above the beach, making for a fun daytime spectacle but a tough night's sleep.
- Relying on Marigot for a beach vacation, since the capital is built for local life and the market rather than swimming, meaning the real beaches are a ten-minute drive away toward Baie Rouge.
FAQ: where to stay in St. Martin
French side or Dutch side, where should you stay?
Where to stay on a budget in St. Martin?
Should you rent a car?
How many nights should you stay?
When is the best time to go?
Can you cross the border freely?
About the author
