St. Martin lives up to its reputation as a sun-drenched speck in the Caribbean where turquoise bays meet golden sands and lush hills rise to kiss the clouds.
This butterfly-shaped island has been shared by the French and Dutch since 1648, which explains why some of the island goes by “St. Martin” while the other part is referred to as “St. Maarten.” The northern half exudes French savoir-faire through its many cafés and markets, while the southern Dutch half hums with energy from beach bars, casinos and bustling boardwalks.
There are no borders or checkpoints between the two, though you’ll notice subtle shifts in language, architecture and even phone service as you explore.
Despite being the smallest inhabited island shared by two nations in the Caribbean at just 37 square miles, St. Martin is rich in experiences — from homey Creole cuisine and French fine dining to hidden coves and yacht-lined harbors. It’s a vibrant blend of cultures. Whether you’re after quiet seclusion or lively immersion, you’ll find it here.
Where to Stay
If you’re seeking privacy, timeless luxury and natural beauty, Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel is the most appealing option in St. Martin.
Set above the secluded Baie Longue (meaning “Long Bay”) on the island’s far-west French side, this retreat blends Mediterranean-inspired design with Caribbean warmth. The resort features 83 rooms, suites, cottages and villas — each with whitewashed walls, soft blue tones and private balconies or terraces that open to sweeping views of the sea.
It also happens to be a gourmet mecca, where guests can enjoy sunset cocktails at Baie Longue Bar, followed by dinner at L’Oursin, which serves seasonal French-Caribbean cuisine on an open-air terrace overlooking the water. For a more laid-back evening, dine under the stars at La Spiaggia, by Laplaj, where Italian comfort food and spritzes are the order of the day.
On-property activities include yoga, tennis, kayaking, sailing and spa treatments, as well as champagne sunset cruises — perfect for taking in the glorious island scenery, no matter your pace.
Where to Eat
While you’ll be spoiled for choice at La Samanna, St. Martin offers a host of gastronomic gems worth exploring beyond the resort. Some of the best can be found nearby in Marigot, the island’s charming French-side capital, and farther north in the waterfront village of Grand Case, often lauded as the “food capital of the Caribbean.”
Tucked along the Marigot waterfront, Chez Fernand is an excellent open-air French bakery that churns out freshly baked pastries, flaky baguette sandwiches and pizza-like flatbreads. Grab a window seat to people-watch or take your order to go as you stroll through the bustling Marigot Market.
Just across the street, amid the lively Village des Lolos (local open-air cafés), Sandy’s Creole Cuisine stands out with generous portions of island specialties, including accras de morue (salt cod fritters), curried shrimp, oxtail stew and nutmeg-dusted piña coladas.
Heading north along the coast, Grand Case boasts an impressive array of acclaimed restaurants. For elevated French-Caribbean fare, Le Pressoir offers an elegant dining room inside a century-old Creole building, plus a sophisticated menu featuring dishes like lobster bisque and prawn cappelletti (served tableside from a conch shell, no less) or a delicate egg parfait with foie gras, truffle, mushrooms and asparagus. Adjacent to the restaurant is its handsome sister bar, Canne & Mélasse, which pairs cigars with more than 150 rums from across the Caribbean.
Just down the road, L’Auberge Gourmande pairs a welcoming atmosphere with colorful local artwork (much of it available for purchase) and a menu of French bistro-style dishes. Appetizers cover the bases with the likes of mussels au gratin in curry butter and Parmesan, garlicky escargots and duck foie gras ravioli. For mains, expect expertly prepared seafood (sea bass, scallops and Dover sole) along with hearty favorites (slow-cooked beef cheek gratin and roasted rack of lamb) plus a killer French wine list.
For a more casual, down-home experience, Grand Case’s famous lolos grill up big platters of meat and seafood by the water. Don’t miss Cynthia’s Talk of the Town, where heaping plates of barbecued spareribs, grilled lobster, snapper and chicken come piled high with sides like coleslaw, fried plantains, corn on the cob and piping-hot johnny cakes (rounds of fried cornmeal).
Where to Play
Kick off your island adventure on the Dutch side at Maho Beach, where thrill-seekers gather for one of the world’s most extraordinary sights. Set just beyond the runway at Princess Juliana International Airport, this exciting strip of sand gives an up-close view as planes soar in for landing just overhead. The planes fly so low that you can practically touch the landing gear as they thunder past, sending sand flying in every direction and making your pictures look Photoshopped.
Heading north to the French side, nature lovers will find plenty to explore. Nestled amid the lush interiors, Loterie Farm — this private nature reserve sits at the foot of Pic Paradis, the island’s highest peak at 1,391 feet — pairs a sense of adventure with a bit of luxury. You can hike to the summit, zipline through the trees or unwind in a jungle cabana by the pool with cocktails and tapas.
A short drive east leads to Parotte Ville Bird Park, a family-friendly aviary and cultural museum founded by lifelong animal lover Georges Parotte. Now nearing its 10th anniversary, the park is home to more than 140 birds across 26 species, including charismatic sun conures and rare hybrids.
Parotte still hand-feeds the baby birds and designs the enclosures himself. Visitors of all ages can interact up close with the friendly flock, explore a curated heritage museum filled with family heirlooms and then relax with a smoothie at the open-air cafés and playground.
Where to Relax
Of course, if you’ve come to the Caribbean, you’re probably hoping to catch some sun. With more than three dozen beaches, St. Martin provides no shortage of options. The hardest part is choosing one — and securing a reservation if you’re hoping to use a lounger and umbrella at a beach club.
For a remote stretch of sand that’s well-protected from the wind, go to Anse Marcel Beach Club on the northern coast. Hugged by lush hills, this crescent-shaped cove features a hotel, restaurant, spa and watersports like kayaking and paddleboarding.
Another standout is Orient Bay. This long, white-sand beach on the northeastern coast exudes an effortless je ne sais quoi. People come here to lounge and mingle, surf, jet-ski and parasail above the deep blue Atlantic. For a glamorous experience, reserve sunbeds at Coco Beach Club, where you can sip expertly made spritzes and dig into yellowfin tuna tartare, spice-crusted mahi-mahi or creamy grilled lobster linguine.
For a farther-flung experience, take a day trip to Pinel Island, just north of Orient Bay. Set within a protected nature reserve and accessible by a quick ferry ride, this calm, family-friendly islet is perfect for snorkeling and wildlife spotting — you might catch a glimpse of iguanas, hermit crabs, rays or turtles.
The island is home to two beach clubs. The best option is Karibuni Restaurant, a stylish, eco-conscious eatery that’s separate from its namesake boutique hotel, which sits across the water on the mainland. Operating since 1988, Karibuni is known not only for its eclectic menu, which ranges from Creole platters and Thai beef salad to grilled lobster and cod fritters, but also for its exclusive, on-the-sand seating, beachside service and a commitment to protecting the delicate island environment for generations to come.
