Dutch St. Maarten may get more attention than its French neighbor — it has the island’s airport and the bulk of its bigger hotels— but French St. Martin abounds with charms of its own, from lovely boutique hotels to some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean. The relaunch of one of St. Martin’s premier resorts, combined with the island’s strong claim to being the culinary capital of the Caribbean (especially if you love French Creole food), make this a great time to explore this unique French territory.
Here are nine reasons you should book a trip to Saint Martin right now.
Please Your Palate in Grand Case A few other Caribbean destinations might argue over which island has the best dining scene, but Grand Case indisputably has the most celebrated restaurants located on a single street, Grand Case Boulevard. Le Pressoir, with its fine French cuisine, sets the table, joined by its unmatched rum bar; other standouts include the modern Bistrot Caraibes, Auberge Gourmande (located in a historic Creole cottage), and the beachfront Rainbow Cafe. The celebrated Grand Case Beach Club Resort is a great address for travelers who want an exquisite dine-around experience at their doorstep.
The Return of Luxurious La Samanna For the last half-century, the Belmond La Samanna resort has set the standard for five-star luxury in St. Martin, and a renovation completed in late 2023 has raised the bar even further. Reopened with a major refresh of its eight Pool Villas, the 83-room Baie Longue boutique resort blends a prime beach location and great amenities (including a beautiful hilltop spa) with a host of cultural and culinary options, including an artist-in-residence program and a dining series highlighting selections from the resort’s La Cave wine cellar.
Love the Lolos Fine dining isn’t the only thing on the menu in St. Martin. Visitors and locals seeking an alternative to white-tablecloth service flock to the island’s lolos, small restaurants that stay open late and serve traditional island food. You’ll find these relatively inexpensive eateries primarily in Marigot (on the beach near the ferry terminal) and Grand Case (on Grand Case Boulevard and on the waterfront). Top choices include Sky’s the Limit, Au Coin de Amis, and Rib Shack #6 in Grand Case, and Rosemary’s in Marigot.
Browsing the Outdoor Market in Marigot The Caribbean’s largest outdoor market sprawls along the Marigot waterfront with more than 100 vendors selling fresh fish, produce, spices, and more. Bursting with local character, it’s one of the best places to fully immerse in the culture of St. Martin while also shopping for authentic souvenirs, including locally flavored rhum arrange.
Hit the Loterie Farm Whether you want to peer at parrots or party in a pool, Loterie Farm is perhaps the most quirky and diverse attraction in St. Martin. A private nature preserve that’s home to 20 species of tropical animals and birds, Loterie Farm also has a 1,000-foot zip line, hiking trails, the lush Jungle Room restaurant, and a Jungle Pool that hosts sultry, adults-only parties on the last Saturday of the month. Located near Pic Paradis, Loterie Farm is a great place to recharge after a hike of the 1,391-foot peak, the highest point on Saint Martin.
Make Your Own Perfume The best souvenirs are those attached to memories, and visitors to the Tijon Parfumerie in Grand Case can literally take the scent of St. Martin home. The perfume maker offers introductory perfume-making classes that take 60-90 minutes, with participants creating three distinctive fragrances. A more advanced, 2-3 hour class also is available.
Take It Off on Orient Bay Clothed, topless, or nude, there’s a place for you on St. Martin’s Orient Bay Beach. The most famous nude beach in the Caribbean is located on the south end of this long strand, near Club Orient, a family friendly nudist resort that was devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017 (but has plans to reopen). Other parts of the beach are designated as clothing-optional.
Scale the Heights of Fort St. Louis Built in the late 1700s to defend French St. Martin (primarily from the British and Dutch), Fort St. Louis protected Marigot until 1851, when it was decommissioned. The ruins of the fort still command the heights overlooking Marigot and Simpson Bay. The short but steep hike to the fort from Rue du Fort St. Louis is rewarded with spectacular views.
Shuttle or Paddle to Pinel Island Water taxis from the village of Cul de Sac on St. Martin’s northeast coast spirit visitors to Îlet Pinel, a small island that features a beach club and restaurants on two quiet beaches, hiking trails, and snorkeling. It’s a quiet oasis just 5 minutes by boat from the mainland — close enough that you can also get there via kayak or paddleboard.
