Voyager 3- Ferry Service between St Martin and St Barts

January 12th, 2012

NEW!   St Martin to St Barts Ferry Service

We are delighted to announce the arrival of the Voyager 3 Dreamliner.  A beautiful new 92 foot hydrofoil that will provide first class ferry service from St Martin to St Barts.   The Dreamliner instantly becomes the top choice and our recommendation for travel between St Barts from St Martin.    The hydrofoil technology will ensure travelers a smoother and more comfortable ride between St Martin and St Barts.  Historically, ferry service from St Martin and St Barts was notorious for rough rides in basic no frills cabins.

The Dreamliner changes that.  The two level hydrofoil features a beautiful economy class that has an upper and lower observation desk as well as an interior cabin.  The interior cabin features cushioned and clothed seats that are quite comfortable.  Flat screens adorn the interior to provide entertainment for the journey if window watching is not preferred.  The ferry features an open bar.  The cabins are air conditioned as well.

For an elevated experience, the Dreamliner offers a business class area on the top deck that is fully air conditioned.  The area is for the privileged few that wish to have reclining chairs and plenty of space.  The business class is limited to 8 occupants.  A terrific start for your St Barts vacation.

The Voyager is now a terrific alternative to flying to St Barts.  The convenient schedules and the unlimited baggage allowances allows St Barts travelers to circumvent the baggage limits of 17 kgs each for flyer as imposed by the St Barts commuter airlines.

Ticket Pricing

Standard Class

Day Trip (same day round trip)          Adult $65            Child $35

Round Trip (different day return)      Adult $95            Child $40

One way                                                    Adult $60           Child  $35

Business Class

Round Trip                                              Adult, Child and Baby   $125

One way                                                    Adult, Child and Baby  $85′

* Port fees are additional $14 per person.  Children under two years are free of charge for the Standard class but port fees still must be paid for each member.

Schedule

Depart Marigot, St Martin for travel to Gustavia, St Barts (1 hour crossing time)

Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday         Departures at 9:15 AM and 6:45 PM

Depart Oyster Pond, St Martin for Travel to Gustavia, St Barts (30 minutes crossing time)

Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday  Departures at 9AM, 4:30PM and 6:45 PM

Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday        Departures at 4 PM

Depart Gustavia, St Barts for travel to Marigot, St Martin (1 hour crossing time)

Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday         Departures at 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM

Depart Gustavia, St Barts for travel to Oyster Pond, St Martin (1 hour crossing time)

Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday  Departures at 7:45AM, 11 AM and 5:30 PM

Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday        Departures at 4 PM

To book tickets call us at toll free at 1-888-704-BLUE (2583) or email us at concierge@stmartinblue.com with your pertinent travel information of number of travelers, preferred dates and time as well as class of tickets.
St Martin Blue can arrange transportation to the ferry terminals on St Martin and St Barts.

Kid Activities on St Martin

January 12th, 2012

Things to do with children on St Martin

St Martin/St Maarten is a family friendly island that has plenty to do for children.  Here are some things to consider doing:

1) St Martin Beach fun- The most popular children friendly activity is a day at the beach.  Check out the following beaches that usually provide a good place for kids:  Le Galleon Beach, Pinel Island, Plum Bay beach, Mullet Bay beach, Maho Beach, Friars Bay, Anse Marcel and Orient Beach.  Le Galleon beach in the northeast section of the island provides a beautiful and calm sanctuary for children.  Shallow and tranquil waters, Le Galleon is a bastion for small children.  For the older and more adventurous teenagers, Orient Beach is a wonderful destination with tons of watersports from kitesurfing, jet skiing, body surfing, wind surfing, parasailing and snorkeling.  The beach is lined with beach bars that provide beach chairs, umbrellas, refreshing drinks and some exceptional lunches. For our guide to St Martin beaches please click here.

2) Plane spotting on Maho Beach.  For an absolute thrill, spend some time on Maho Beach in the late afternoon as planes and jumbo jets fly into Princess Juliana Airport a mere 30 feet above your head.  Children and adults are enthralled alike.  Watch the 747 land and take off!  For a glimpse of the action, check out this YouTube video of the Air France plane landing at SXM.

3)  St Martin Zoo.  The St Martin Zoo is a pleasant early morning activity for the children.  Located in Phillipsburg, kids will enjoy seeing the wide variety of animals and be able to throw peanuts at the monkeys or hand feed the Maccaws.  Click here for more information on the St Maarten Zoo and the featured animals, reptiles and birds.

4) St Martin Butterly Farm. Located near Le Galleon Beach on the east side of the island, the butterfly farm is a great place to see and learn about butterflies.  Allow the Blue Morpho butterflies to dance around you and learn about the larval stages and influencing factors of butterfly development.  Click here for more information on the St Martin Butterfly Farm.

5) The St Maarten Carousel in Simpson Bay.  For the young children, spend some time at the Carousel that features a beautiful Venetian carousel, gelateria and bar.  Treat yourself to a refreshing italian gelato or sundae as the children whirl themselves dizzy.

6) Go Karting. Go fast and claim bragging rights.  St Martin provides an go cart experience at Coconut Trees go karting located near Grand Case.  The place also includes a game room for children.  Click here to learn more about St Martin go carting.

7) St Martin Paintball. For the teenagers and the parents that are young at heart. Paintball games are available in Simpson bay and in Orient Bay.

8) Glide, Hike and Lounge.  Spend a day the Loterie Farm/Hidden Forest plantation.  Hike the plantation trails through a lush tropical forest setting or zip through  the tree canopy at the Fly Zone Extreme. Afterwards dine at the award winning Hidden Forest cafe or lounge pool side at the Tree lounge.

9) Water excursions. Enjoy a day on the water with the children.  For the kids, enjoy a semi submarine ride and enjoy watching the teeming undersea life.   The kids lagoon cruise is another way to spend some fun on the water.  Or play on Aquamania’s playstation in Simpson Bay. Contact our concierge at concierge@stmartinblue.com for further information and availability of these activities.

10)  Yacht watching. Enjoy watching the yachts come in and out during the bridge openings.  The peak period is during the Christmas and New Years period.  Watch the multi million dollar yachts glide in the lagoon and dock.

St Martin Blue is a leader for family friendly St Martin vacations.  Find your perfect St Martin family villa at stmartinblue.com and contact one of our villa specialists to help plan the family vacation of a lifetime.

St Martin Island update December 2011

December 11th, 2011

St Martin News for 2012

As the high season for St Martin kicks in, visitors will find several new surprises on the island of St Martin that will please and some that may disappoint.  Here is the latest St Martin news:

1. Orient Beach type atmosphere is coming to Nettle Bay. Ground has been cleared and two beach bars are being built between the old Belle Creole property and Mati Beach in Nettle Bay.  The restaurants will provide a beach bar scene that island visitors gravitate towards.  The Shore in Grand Case is now moving to Nettle Bay and will be one of the bars to launch in the next few weeks.  The beach bars will likely be a tremendous offering and convenience for villa guests in Terres Basses.  No longer will it be necessary to travel cross island for the Orient Beach chic and entertainment.

2. Blue Mall has completed exterior construction.  The often delayed opening is scheduled for February 2012… tentatively! The luxury condos at the Blue Mall should be ready in February and St Martin Blue is excited to offer several of these luxury condos in the near future.

3. Porto Cupecoy is gaining as an attraction.  The Gourmet Marche grocery store and restaurants are a highly convenient option for villa guests staying at the Shore Pointe property as well as Terres Basses.  Porto Cupecoy just announced “Porto Cupecoy Treats All Five Senses”.  A winter event schedule that will feature film, music and food festivals from December to March 2012.

Monday Nights: French Film Festival from 7PM to 9PM that will show french films (with english subtitles) under the stays.

Wednesday Nights: Live music performances that will feature pop-rock, jazz and reggae bands.

Saturday: Farmers market from 4PM to 7PM

For the full Porto Cupecoy entertainment schedule please click here

http://www.portocupecoy.com/web/rpcu/st_maarten_events.jsp

4. St Martin restaurant closings and openings are still in flux.  Moulin Fou in Porto Cupecoy is now Aux Quatre Vents. Montrematre at the Atlantis Casino is no longer.  A new bar has opened in Maho called the Sky Bar above Bamboo Bernies.   Le Ti Provencale has moved down the street in Grand Case to a larger setting.  The old Rainbow restaurant in Grand Case is reopening with new owners.  Additional restaurant updates will be provided shortly.

5. Palm Beach on Orient Beach is our 2012 can’t miss recommendation.  Palm Beach is  located on an old Coconut Grove that gives guests an inviting welcome as they are greeted by long rows of palm trees.  The restaurant offers a french light fare that delivers a lively dance of tastes and well apportioned for day time dining.  Sit back, enjoy the tuna tartare or Foie gras as you imbibe on a chilled glass of Rose or the aperitiff of your choice.

6. St Martin/St Maarten Traffic. Traffic is still a nightmare in the Simpson Bay/Cole Bay area due to road construction.  The construction project is scheduled to end very shortly however traffic remains overwhelming in Cole Bay, Phillipsburg, and Marigot especially during the peak hours between 7-9AM and 4-7PM.  Stay away from these areas during these time periods until the roads fully reopen in Cole Bay.

7. Voyager 3 has arrived. One of the best pieces of news to hit the island in recent years is the arrival of the new hydrofoil Voyager 3 that will augment and enhance the St Martin to St Barts transfers.  The Voyager 3 will feature a business class setting for luxury travelers and will speed the transit times when fully certified.  The potential transit times from Oyster Pond to Gustavia, St Barts will be 30 minutes and Marigot to Gustavia will be 1 hour.  Island visitors will have more flexibility and a luxury form of travel from St Martin to St Barts.  St Martin Blue will provide further details when available and will offer guests to book the Voyager from our concierge services.

8. Mullet Bay Demolition going well. The destroyed Mullet Bay buildings are finally being taken down.  The old resort is an active demolition site with all the buildings from the old reception hall to The Towers have been razed and the debris is being actively removed.

9. St Martin Villa News. There is a new blockbuster of a villa that was launched recently called villa Pearl.  The beautifully designed villa captures the contemporary chic that many villa visitors seek.  In a few quick months, the villa is nearly sold out for the upcoming high season.

Villa Mango in Orient Bay has undergone a substantial renovation that guests will love.  The villa has a new kitchen and living area along with stunning bathrooms.  The well priced villa has always been an Orient favorite but we expect it to be a further blockbuster with the new sleek interior and the attractive pricing.

The Shore Pointe villas are now among our most popular villas.  The exceptional location of the these villas in conjuction with the modern sleek offering are drawing raves.  The views from the Shore Pointe are unsurpassable and the beach has been returning to Cupecoy.

10. Rain, rain go away...  St Martin has experienced significantly rainful over the past few months.  The good news is that the island is exceptionally verdant and the continual rains and clouds cooled the ocean temperatures to lower the risk of tropical storm formations.  The bad news is that flooding has occurred along with rock and mud falls.  The swim through open arch embedded in a cliff between Baie Rouge and Davids hole has collapsed.  Additionally, mosquitos are making their presence known for the time being.  Make sure you get your mosquito milk ready.

That is all for now.  St Martin Blue will continue to post island updates that enhance and inform our guests.  Please feel free to contact us at reservations@stmartinblue.com

Have a happy holiday season.

The Staff at St Martin Blue

Where to Stay on St Martin St Maarten?

August 15th, 2011

Where is the best place to stay on St Martin?  Here are St Martin Blue’s picks and reviews of various areas on St Martin.

One of the most important and critical questions for newcomers to St Martin St Maarten is where to stay on the island? Vacations are rare and dear to all of us so finding the perfect location on St Martin is the basis of a successful trip planning. St Martin offers numerous areas to stay and the following review will break down the areas in terms of the strengths and weaknesses of the more popular areas on St Martin.  Our top three areas of popularity and guest satisfaction is 1. Terres Basses (French Lowlands),  2. Orient Beach and 3. Cupecoy.

The following narratives provide a general overview of each area along with their strengths and weaknesses.

1.  Terres Basses- Our top pick  is Terres Basses.  Terres Basses (aka French Lowlands) is known as the exclusive residential area on St Martin where the jet set and celebrity crowd tend to gravitate towards due to it’s exceptional privacy, spectacular villas, and heightened security.   Terres Basses is located on the southwestern end of St Martin.  The residential enclave is known for it’s security, pristine beaches, sunset views and convenient location.  Set between Cupecoy and Marigot, the area offers easy access to the shopping and restaurants of Marigot as well as the restaurants, gaming and nightlife of Cupecoy and Maho.  Terres Basses, St Martin is a gated community and the elite and most coveted St Martin villas are located in this area.  The area is exclusively residential with the exception of the La Samanna hotel, the only allowed commercial property in Terres Basses.  The Terres Basses villas all tend to be gated and set on a minimum of 2.5 acres offering a large estate for guests without fear of encroachment from others.  The area is relatively unassuming from the road until you get past the villa gates at which point the world of luxury is quickly summoned.

Villas in Terres Basses offer an ideal St Martin accommodation by offering a tranquil and manicured estate to create your own private oasis.  Away from the crowds and bustle, away from the annoyance, away from commotion, away from unnecessary stress.  Just a slice of your own personal heaven on your own accord, desires and wants.  The particular strength of Terres Basses can be surmised by four particular strengths that are unparalled on the island: 1. Views 2. Beaches 3. Security and 4. Convenience.  Due to it’s location on the southwestern aspect of St Martin, Terres Basses commands stunning ocean and sunset views.  The late afternoon and early evening sun provides an ambient goodbye to a spectacular fun filled and sun drenched day.  Kick back with a cocktail of your choice in the company of your loved one (s) and rejoice in one of life’s fine moments crowned by a beautiful sunset.

The beaches of Terres Basses are secret meccas to well healed St Martin travelers.  The beaches of Baie Longue beach, Plum Bay beach and Baie Rouge beach offer pristine and majestic conditions.  The beach conditions are quite variable since they are unprotected from outer reefs but the water quality, beach cleanliness and their quiet atmosphere are quixotic havens.  Popular nearby beaches Mullet Bay and Maho beach (airport beach) are about a 7 to 10 minute drive away.

Since Terres Basses is exclusively residential, guests will need to have a rental car at their disposal to enjoy restaurants, shopping and nightlife.  There are ample and convenient choices for guests that are staying in Terres Basses.  The new Porto Cupecoy development in Cupecoy now offers the closet and most convenient option for restaurants, groceries, gelateria and some shopping.  Cupecoy borders Terres Basses and guests can usually get to this area within 5 minutes.  The nightlife of Maho is about 10 minutes away and the airport is about 15 minutes away.  Terres Basses is far removed from the airport so airplane noise should not be an issue.  Additionally, Marigot, the capital of St Martin, is about a 15 to 20 minute drive away.  It offers good shopping options and the waterfront spice and fish market is worth visiting in the morning.

In terms of security on the island, Terres Basses is highly secure with a gated entrance into the community and each villa offering their own gates and security.

Our top luxury places to stay in Terres Basses are villa Belle Etoile, Chateau des Palmiers, Mes Amis, Le Reve and the villas at La Sammanna.

However, for the more reasonable budgets we would recommend villas Nid D’Amour, Bamboo, No Limit, Eden, La Salamandre, Eden, Ambiance and Lune de Miel as some starting options to consider.

Click here for an interactive map of villas located in Terres Basses!

2. Orient Beach-  Orient Beach is the best known on St Martin.  Popular with cruisers, It is a mandatory visit for first time guests to experience the scene and activity of the island and more importantly to say that they were there.  Orient Beach is a strip of St Tropez with a casual flair.  The mile long beach is located on the northeastern quadrant of St Martin (about 40 minutes away from the airport) and offers stunning views and soothing tradewinds.  The beach is very active and offers numerous watersports from parasailing to wave runners to snorkeling.  The beach features beach bars that offer refreshing drinks and sumptous meals.  The drinks and meals can be a bit pricey but paradise is never cheap.  There are numerous villas in this area as well as some low key French hotels such as L’Esmeralda.   While the beach is known as the activity center during the day, it does quiet down at night.  Guests can enjoy visiting Orient Beach village in the evening or venturing over to Grand Case for an exceptional array of dining.  The villas in Orient Beach tend to be simpler but do offer gorgeous views of Green Cay and the Atlantic.  Our top pick for Orient Beach is villa Sarabande.

3. Cupecoy- Cupecoy is becoming the new hot place to stay.  With the area anchored by the new Shore Pointe luxury villas, the Porto Cupecoy Plaza and Marina, and The Cliff at Cupecoy, guests have a wide offering of luxury accommodations to choose from.  Cupecoy is bordered by Terres Basses to the west and the ruins of Mullet Bay resort to the east.  The convenience of Cupecoy is a major draw for guests.  The area is about 10 minutes away from the airport and offers numerous restaurants in the area.  Cupecoy beach with it’s sandstone cliffs offer one of the most picturesque beaches in all of the Caribbean.  Beach conditions can be highly variable but when the beaches are flush with sand  it is a delightful area to let sand gravity take hold and view the sunsets.  Please note that there is some naturalism on Cupecoy beach.   Nearby Mullet Bay beach is the best bet for family friendliness and ideal year round conditions.  The area of Cupecoy will feature a brand new luxury mall called Blue Mall that is slated to open in the next year.  The mall will host luxury stores, restaurants and a large grocery store.  Once completed and launched, Cupecoy will become a premier location for guests seeking convenience, shopping and numerous beautiful beaches nearby.  As for dining, Cupecoy has become a counter heavy weight to Grand Case for in terms of fine restaurants.  Our top restaurant choices in the area are Montrematre, Moulin Fou, Temptation, and Rare. Our top accommodation pick for Cupecoy are villa Farniente and villa Mumbai at the Shore Pointe community.  Accommodations that offer a good value in Cupecoy is the Sapphire Beach Club and the Porto Cupecoy condos.

Other areas to consider:

Maho, St Maarten is located right near the airport.  The area is anchored by the Sonesta hotel and offers a convenient value for guests.  The Casino Royale and numerous restaurants offer evening entertainment options.  Guests can walk over to the Sunset Beach Bar and Grill for airplane spectating while washing down some Caribes.  See why Princess Juliana Airport is ranked as one of the most exciting airports to land at. Cheri’s cafe is a lively place with nightly entertainment for families but the entertainment can get a bit cheeky.  Maho is suitable for those that do not want to use a rental car and want it very easy.  The area has numerous timeshares as well.  The area also hosts nightclubs: Q Club and Bliss so it can be a good option for the social set.

Grand Case, St Martin is unofficially known as the epicurean capital of the Caribbean.  Long known for it’s string of fine restaurants, a gastronomic adventure awaits.  The area is located on the north western end of St Martin.  The quaint fishing village can appear a bit run down but don’t let that fool you.  The area has soul and the restaurants capture the quintessentially novel Caribbean and European influences.  The top accommodation picks in this area would be the Bleu Emaurade, Grand Case Beach Club, Le Petit Hotel and L’Esplanade.  Security is relatively stable in this area but proper precautions should be taken.

Happy Bay is a new and upcoming area that is drawing guests seeking magnificent views and access to a pristine and secluded beach.  Happy Bay beach is the picturesque beach most of us dream about.  It’s remoteness for non Happy Bay residents allow guests to have peace and tranquility while basking in natures perfection.  Happy Bay hosts some stunning villas such as villa Dream in Blue an villa Belle de Nuit. Although a bit secluded, the restaurants of Grand Case are a short drive away.  The community is not gated at this time.  Guests can access Happy Bay beach by private path.  The views of Happy Bay are divine with Anguilla and vast azure waters in the distance.

Simpson Bay, St Maarten is a popular spot for first timers since it offers an easy to get to and convenient location.  Simpson Bay hosts numerous timeshare resorts so the values can be quite compelling.  Located on the southern side of St Martin, guests can see the islands of Saba, St Kitts and Nevis in the distance.  The area has everything you need.  Numerous shops and restaurants are located in this area so guests can walk to restaurants, bars and shops.  However, the area is congested and suffers from significant traffic issues.  The area has more of an American influence rather than a European influence.  Commercial properties are dense in this area and the amount of concrete takes away from an idyllic setting.  Security issues have arisen in the past year but they seem to have been addressed.  The area is a good choice for guests on a budget that are seeking convenience and everything in walking distance.  If you are looking for a relaxing vacation being away from it all, then Simpson bay is not an ideal choice.

Dawn Beach/Oyster Pond. Dawn Beach has seen a recent surge in development with the addition of the Westin and Coral Beach Club at the sands edge of Dawn Beach.  The area evokes a love it or hate it response for guests.  The “love it” crowd brags about the beauty of Dawn Beach as well as the stunning Atlantic and sunrise views.  Dawn Beach is located on the eastern side of the island and offers spectacular views of St Barths in the distance.  Dawn Beach tries to strike a balance between raw beauty and refined development.  The villas in this area offer a good value but opportunistic security issues do arise from time to time in this area.  The con crowd tends to site a feeling of remoteness to Dawn Beach since it is a significant drive to other areas of the island.  Phillipsburg and Orient beach are about a 12 minute drive away.  The airport is roughly 40 minutes away.  The night life and restaurant options can be limited.

Anse Marcel is a serene village located in a picturesque cove.  The area has a beautiful marina that imparts a casual tranquility to this part of the island.  Anse Marcel is anchored by the Radison hotel.  A stunning villa in this area that is perfect for families is villa Del Mar.  The beach is sandy and the water conditions tend to be calm making the area ideal for families looking for a quiet getaway.  Anse Marcel offers some restaurants and shops but the choices are a bit limited.  Orient Beach and Grand Case are about 10 minutes away so guests can rapidly expand their palette of activities and dining choices with a short drive.  The area is ideal for guests seeking a quiet retreat with a child friendly beach.

The Allure of St Martin Villas

May 2nd, 2011

It was in 1493 that Christopher Columbus, on his second tour of the New World, passed and might have even landed on the island on Saint Martin of Tours feast day. He named the island, San Martin. Located about three hundred kilometers to the east of Puerto Rico, the island of St. Martin today has one main airport, Princess Juliana International Airport. Still, the island is divided with France claiming 60% of the land and Holland claiming 40%. The Dutch side is known for its beaches, nightlife, drink and parties, while the French end is known for shopping, nude beaches and a mixture of Caribbean, Indian and French foods.

When travelers come for getaways to St Martin, they can have the supreme island accommodation in St Martin villa rentals. These villas are private, and they come with the finest of amenities. Chauffeurs can pick the visitors up at the airport and drive them to their own villa so that they have no trouble with directions and finding their way. Then, guests will receive the keys and a tour of the rental, as well.

Someone can drop off a rental car right at the door of the villa located anywhere on the island. The St Martin villa rentals will have some complimentary foods and beverages to welcome the guests. Full service is available 24/7. Personal concierge services with devoted attention to details are also offered. Guests can even make a grocery list and someone will stock the kitchen with favorite foods. While many fabulous restaurants offer the best of island cuisine, those with St Martin villa rentals can request a private, gourmet chef to prepare whatever cuisine they love most for the ultimate tropical dining by their own private patio or pool.

Quiet, tropical escapes, visitors can choose St Martin villa rentals instead of commercial resorts. Clear private pools, customized service and an independent schedule are what villas can provide. Security is updated and reliable. Visitors can choose from a variety of villa styles and security levels. Some villas are set in the middle of several acres of land and surrounded by security fencing for the highest level of privacy. Guests can consider their villa, their St. Martin home and stay away from tourist crowds, enjoying the mild weather, ocean breeze and the getaway of their dreams.

New St Martin Villas for 2011

January 15th, 2011

St Martin Blue announces the addition of two brand new luxury villas on St Martin that have been added to our portfolio.  The staff at St Martin Blue was privileged to have the opportunity for a sneak preview and inspection prior to launch.  We are proud to present villa La Perla Bianca (sister villa to La Perla Classic) as well as the stunning new villa Grand Bleu.

Villa La Perla Bianca

Villa La Perla Bianca on St Martin is a newly constructed one bedroom beachfront villa located in the prestigious gated community of Baie Rouge estates. Situated on an ideal plot on Baie Rouge beach, the villa offers a splendidly romantic accommodation for couples celebrating special occasions such as St Martin honeymoons, anniversary celebrations or just life’s successes and milestones.

Villa La Perla Bianca offers a unique one bedroom beachfront villa with an open living design.  The kitchen, dining and living room are featured in a open setting with collapsible glass sliding doors that allows guests an al fresca atmosphere as they lounge in the white washed interiors as they are serenaded by the gentle lapping waves.  The Phillipe Starck interiors offer a haute couture touch to an elegant and spacious villa.  The bedroom is fully enclosed with air conditioning.

One of the exemplary design details of the villa is the spacious bathroom that allows guests an indoor and outdoor shower.  The bathroom is decorated with a faux copper and oxidized copper wall covering yielding a debonair touch.

With a private pool, beach front location, professional decor and a spacious and private retreat, villa La Perla Bianca will represent the premier choice for discerning and demanding St Martin couples.

Villa Grand Bleu

The second new villa that we are introducing is villa Grand Bleu located in Terres Basses, St Martin.  Villa Grand Bleu is an instant villa star offering a highly sought after combination of a contemporary design, magnificent ocean and sunset views coupled with an ideal location that is a short walk to Plum Bay  beach.  Villa Grand Bleu provides a perfect balance of views, privacy and convenience.

The contemporary inspired villa boasts a large living room area with white leather couches and a elegant entertainment system with flat screen TV.  The modern kitchen opens to the living room.  The terraces of the villa sweep along the ocean facing side of the villa.  Villa Grand Bleu offers a spectacular outdoor pool area.  It starts at the entrance where guests will notice a clear water zen designed stream that wraps around the villa.  The water flows gently and in soothing fashion from the entrance around the villa and terrace to empty into an elevated jacuzzi.  The water continues it’s journey cascading to lap pool that then cascades to the final large pool.  The veranda of the villa is extensive and design perfectly to capture the turquoises of the ocean as well as memory emblazoning sunsets.  Other amenities the villa offers is table tennis and exercise equipment.

Each of the bedrooms of villa Grand Bleu offer king size beds and spacious suites with en suite bathrooms.  The villa is perfect for traveling couples that vie for luxury vacations with plenty of space and privacy for each couple.   Villa Grand Bleu on St Martin is currently offering introductory rates that are difficult to surpass.  Villa Grand Bleu currently represents our hottest selling villa.  Act fast if you wish to book this stunning contemporary villa that offers ample amenities and an outstanding location.

St Martin Travel Specials November 2010

November 3rd, 2010

St Martin Blue is offering exceptional deals for November and the upcoming winter Caribbean travel season.

1.  St Martin Blue is offering a fifth and seventh night free for certain villas from now until December 15th.  The gorgeous new villas at La Samanna are offering a 5th and 7th night free as well as a Jeep rental car.  Visit our St Martin Villas Specials Hot List for participating villas offering a 5th and 7th night free.

2.  St Martin Blue is offering an exclusive 25% off discount on Villa Farniente in Shore Pointe, Cupecoy for 2010 Thanksgiving week.  Complimentary rental car included.

3.  Early Bird Booking Special.  Discounts between 5-12% for select villas for travel between January 5th, 2011 until April 15th, 2011.  Visit our St Martin Villas Specials Hot List for participating villas.  Elite villas such as La Salamandre (seen below) are offering a 10% discount for high season reservations.

4.  St Martin Blue by popular demand has extended their free rental car offer.  St Martin Blue will pay for the base cost (excluding gas, taxes and insurance) and delivery of a rental car to your private villa upon arrival for villa reservations reserved through your villa specialist at St Martin Blue.  Enjoy an exceptional value and worry free perk from your friends at St Martin Blue.  Complimentary rental car will either be a Hyundai I10 or Toyota Corolla depending on the villa type.  Rental car upgrades are available for an additional charge (price difference between upgrade and included rental car).  Visit our list of St Martin rental cars we offer.

5.  Keep updated with our last minute deals, exclusive St Martin promotions and updates by following us on Facebook or Twitter.

There has never been a better time to visit St Martin.  Enjoy lavish villas with discounted rates and cheap air fares.  Contact St Martin Blue today.

Review: Villa Cala Luna, St Martin

November 2nd, 2010

In 2008, St Martin Blue had the distinct privilege of being one of the firsts guests to stay at delightful villa Cala Luna located in Terres Basses, St Martin.  The charming two bedroom villa is located off the main road between Cupecoy and Marigot.  The privately gated and walled estate is located on roughly 1/2 acre.

As guests arrive to the villa, they are welcomed by a beautiful tropical garden and quaint path that leads from the parking area to the villa.  The flowing bougainvillea and tropical flora proffer a sensual and aromatic welcome.

The path leads to the main entrance which welcomes guests to the living area richly decorated in Florential colors.  The view of the lagoon and the Dutch lowlands is perfectly picture framed by the glass sliding pocket doors that disappear into the walls.  A Bon vivante feeling  quickly ensues as the warm comforting trade winds arriving over from the lagoon caresses arriving guests.

The main living area of Villa Cala Luna has an elegant couch that guests can enjoy watching satellite TV on the flat screen TV.  The living area has a small desk area that has Ethernet connect high speed internet.  The Wifi signal was a bit weak and intermittent for our tastes so the ethernet connection produces the reliable signal for guests intending to do some work during their holiday.  A necessary cardinal sin for some of us.

The efficient and contemporary style kitchen flows directly into the living area allowing for ease of conversation and entertaining during dinner preparation.  The dining area of the villa is located on the covered wrap around porch allowing guests an al fresca dining experience with stunning views over the lagoon and pool area.

Villa Cala Luna offers two bedrooms each with a king bed and lagoon views.  The bathrooms are decadent.  The fine attention to the details are evident by the bathrobes, linens and towels the villa owners have provided to offer a sumptous experience.  The master bedroom also features an outdoor shower as well.

The strength of the villa lies in the outdoor space.  The covered lanai extends to a refreshing pool.  The pool measures 26ft by 14ft wide with a depth of 5 feet.  The pool area overlooked the lagoon and offers sunrise views for the early birds.  The deck was gracefully amenitied with ample lounge chairs and a lovely day bed for the late afternoon and early evening hours as a peaceful retreat to lounge or nap al fresco.

Cala Luna is fully air conditioned and offers two and half bathrooms to complement the two bedroom suites.  We found the kitchen to be surprisingly well stocked and efficient and the outdoor area as a perfect retreat for a lazy day at the St Martin villa or a refreshing dip and nap after a return from the beach.

Cala Luna is an exceptional choice for a romantic couple or for close family friends looking for an exceptionally located villa that offers tranquility and comfort comparable to top hotels.

Villa Cala Luna is currently offering a seventh night free until December 15th, 2010 and is offering a 10% Early bird booking St Martin villa discount for high season travel from January 5th until April 14th, 2011.

St Martin Villas for the Holidays

November 2nd, 2010

Christmas and New Year’s holiday is the peak travel period to St Martin as families, friends and colleagues gather on the sun splashed island to enjoy a festive time for dining, sun bathing, entertainment and celebration.

St Martin Blue wishes to provide the following guidelines for guests considering traveling to St Martin and renting St Martin villas.  The top villas tend to be reserved nearly a year in advance.  The larger St Martin villas (5 bedrooms or more) are typically the first villas to be sold out.  If you wish to travel with your family and require five bedrooms or more than we highly recommend setting up your search early and reserve your choice villa at your earliest time when you can commit.  We always recommend trip insurance for advanced bookings.  Trip insurance is offered by numerous providers such as airlines at the time of purchasing your ticket, American Express and a vast supplier of trip insurance companies can be found at www.insuremytrip.com to shop the best rates.

A listing of all available holiday St Martin villas can be found on the following link:

St Martin Villas for the Holiday

Traditionally, the villas require a 14 night stay requirement for the holidays due to the peak demand.  However, softening of the economy and the inherent demand have reduced the stay requirement to 7 nights for most hillside villas if guests are only staying over Christmas or Holidays.  If guests wish to stay in St Martin over the Christmas AND New Years holiday, most villas then require a 10 night stay.  St Martin beachfront villas still require a 10 night stay.  The best path forward would be to contact our villa specialist for the best deals available and to negotiate the best villa rental rate for your party.  Our villa specialists are island and villa experts with substantial in depth knowledge of our villas as well as island recommendations and tips.

Once a villa is reserved for the holiday, our St Martin Blue concierge will work to set up all your required services, excursions, St Martin restaurant reservations, St Martin rental car and logistics of your arrival.   Restaurants, chef and spa services, and the most popular activities and excursions book up very early and it is quite important to let your agent or St Martin villa specialist know of your preferences to accommodate that dream holiday celebration away from home.

If you are interested in planning a St Martin holiday vacation contact us today.  And one special note, St Martin Blue is proud to announce our sister St Barts website www.stbartsblue.com for the finest offering of villas and services.  For a full list of available St Barths villas available for the holiday click on the following link:

St Barts Holiday Villas

Review: Villa Del Mar, St Martin

October 14th, 2010

In April 2010, St Martin Blue had the pleasure of staying and inspecting villa Del Mar for a splendid 3 day retreat.  Villa Del Mar is an impressive villa on the heights above Anse Marcel offering wonderful views of the new Radisson hotel, the marina and the quaint and peaceful cove of Anse Marcel.  Anse Marcel is a serene and sought after area on St Martin for those seeking a placid hamlet that also offers access to a calm beach, restaurants and a marina for St Martin excursions and boating.

Villa Del Mar is a popular five bedroom villa that is perfect for families.  The well planned villa offers four bedrooms all with interior access in the main house with a separate master suite in a separate building.  The air conditioned bedrooms offer three king beds, one queen bed and four built in bunk style beds that the children of our group marveled about and shrieked with joy upon laying eyes on their new playground and quarters.  A truly sensational feature of the villa.

The general layout of the hillside villa is that guests enter the gated driveway and may park their St Martin rental car at the bottom of the driveway or on the incline of the driveway (be sure to turn the wheel and apply the emergency brake).  As guests ascend the stairs they are greeted by the stone laid pool deck and kidney shaped pool along with the two building structure of the villa.

As guests enter the main house, the warmth and charm of the villa becomes quickly evident.  The villa is decorated with a fusion of multiple influences with a strong European flair accented by Moroccan, Saharan and Middle eastern influences.  The villa quickly envelopes a warmth and elegant casualness that insinuated for us to immediately put down our bags, make a celebratory frozen concoction and allow for the decompression to set in.

The main house offers a casual dining area that opens to the Provencial style kitchen that was amply supplied with every cooking gadget imaginable.

Off to the right of the kitchen area is an oversized living area that houses the formal dining area as well as the media and play area.  The villa features a DVD library that will suit all tastes.

To the left of the kitchen is the corridor that leads to the four bedrooms.  Two bedrooms on each side of the corridor each with their own en suite bathroom.  Two rooms provide ocean views while the other two bedrooms on the right side of the corridor have garden views.  The childrens bedroom is spacious and has it’s own media library and TV.  A special and secure place for the children to bond, unwind and play.

The pool terrace has covered lanai as well as a sundeck.  A bridge over the pool leads to the spectacular Renaissance inspired master suite with faux walls and oversized furniture as well as a bathroom and shower overlooking Anse Marcel.

Villa Del Mar in our estimation is an exceptionally warm and inviting villa that sets a cozy and inspired family vacation.  The owners of the villa have taken great care and insight to inspire guests to make villa Del Mar their home away from home.  A truly decadent family villa that is perfect for the large or multiple families seeking an ideal St Martin getaway.

One last note:  We offer a special thank you to the crew of Scoobifree from our group for providing one of our most sensational vacation experiences.  Scoobifree is an upscale charter and excursion outfit we have a privilege of offering through our Concierge Blue services.  We arranged a private St Martin charter on their luxury catamaran to set sail on the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.  Our group enjoyed an splendid day on the water as we set sail from Anse Marcel past Grand Case, Marigot and Terres Basses to anchor at the cove of Baie Longue in front of the gorgeous La Samanna Villas for a day of snorkeling, fine dining, swimming and delightful conversation as we emptied bottle after bottle of superb French wines.   A truly unforgettable day with exceptional service and company.  A private catamaran charter with Scoobifree is a day to be remembered and a splurge of infinite value.