La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel

La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel is the most exclusive address on the French side of Saint Martin. Set above Baie Longue in the residential Terres Basses area, the resort pairs a spectacular beach with white Mediterranean-style buildings, wide sea views and a deliberately peaceful atmosphere.

This is primarily a hotel for travelers looking for a high-end stay with full service, a quiet beach and a real sense of escape. Belmond lists 25 rooms, 51 suites and 8 villas, plus restaurants, a bar, beach bar, wine cellar, spa, fitness center, tennis courts, pools, watersports and beach cabanas.

The strongest accommodation choices are the suites with terrace or balcony, the oceanfront-style cottages and the three- or four-bedroom villas with private pool. Deluxe Ocean View rooms are more compact, but still keep La Samanna's main advantage: a rare position facing Baie Longue.

Dining is one of the resort's key strengths. L'Oursin serves French and Caribbean-inspired cuisine with sea views, La Spiaggia by Laplaj brings an Italian mood in the evening, and La Cave highlights a 15,000-bottle cellar for private dinners, tastings and wine pairings.

La Samanna is not the most practical option if you want to go out on foot every night. It is best for slowing down, enjoying Baie Longue, alternating pool, beach, spa and on-property dinners, then using a rental car or taxi for Marigot, Grand Case, Maho or Simpson Bay.