First beach stay
Orient Beach Hotel or Grand Case Beach Club are easy choices for beach, restaurants and simple logistics.
Hotels
Hotels in Saint Martin
Compare the hotel pages already available on the guide: beach hotels, resorts, boutique stays, family-friendly properties, luxury escapes and practical bases for exploring the island.
The best hotel mostly depends on area: Orient Bay for easy beach life, Grand Case for dining, Maho and Simpson Bay for nightlife, Terres Basses for quiet luxury, Dawn Beach for a larger resort setting.
Which hotel should you choose?
Luxury and calm
La Samanna remains the most exclusive address, with Baie Longue, villas, suites and high-end service.
Families and resorts
Sonesta Maho, JW Marriott and Simpson Bay Resort offer more services, pools, dining and capacity.
Dining focus
Hotel L Esplanade and Grand Case Beach Club make Grand Case dinners easier without driving much at night.
All hotel pages
List of hotels in Saint Martin and Sint Maarten: compare resorts, boutique hotels, beach stays, areas, budgets, highlights and detailed hotel pages.
Exclusive luxury
Baie Longue / Terres Basses
Luxury
5 Stars
La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel
La Samanna in Saint Martin: full hotel guide to the Belmond resort on Baie Longue, rooms, suites, villas, beach, restaurants, spa, highlights and booking tips.
Type : 5-star luxury resort
Capacity : 25 rooms + 51 suites + 8 villas
Best for : Honeymoon, discreet luxury, quiet beach, full service.
Good to know : Very high budget and little walkable neighborhood life.
Beach
Pool
Spa
Families
Parking
Large luxury resort
Dawn Beach / Oyster Pond
Luxury
5 Stars
JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa
JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa: full guide to the 5-star Dawn Beach resort, rooms, restaurants, spa, pool, beach and practical booking tips.
Type : 5-star luxury resort
Capacity : 200 rooms
Best for : International comfort, spa, families, resort stay on Dawn Beach.
Good to know : Dawn Beach is farther from the lively areas.
Beach
Pool
Spa
Families
Parking
Lively all-inclusive
Maho Bay / Maho Village
High
4 Stars
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa: full guide to the Maho all-inclusive resort, rooms, restaurants, pool, kids club, casino, spa and practical tips.
Type : Family all-inclusive resort
Capacity : 420 rooms
Best for : Families, groups, casino, entertainment, airport proximity.
Good to know : Large property, less local atmosphere.
Beach
Pool
Spa
Families
Parking
Boutique beach stay
Grand Case / Petite Plage
High
4 Stars
Grand Case Beach Club
Grand Case Beach Club in Saint Martin: full hotel guide to the Petite Plage property, kitchen-equipped rooms, two beaches, Sunset Cafe, pool, watersports and tips.
Type : Boutique beachfront resort
Capacity : 74 rooms
Best for : Couples, independent families, beach, sunset and Grand Case dining.
Good to know : Limited availability in peak season.
Beach
Pool
Families
Parking
Lagoon hotel
Baie Nettle / Lagon
High
4 Stars
Hommage Hotel & Residences
Hommage Hotel & Residences in Saint Martin: full hotel guide to the Baie Nettle property, rooms, pool, Boho Beach Club, watersports, location and practical tips.
Type : 4-star hotel residence
Capacity : 148 rooms
Best for : Mobile travelers, pool, access to Marigot, Terres Basses and airport.
Good to know : More practical than pure beachfront.
Beach
Pool
Families
Parking
Marina resort
Simpson Bay / Pelican Key
High
4 Stars
Simpson Bay Resort, Marina & Spa
Simpson Bay Resort, Marina & Spa in Sint Maarten: full hotel guide with beach, marina, pools, restaurants, spa, Pelican Key location and practical tips for staying in Simpson Bay.
Type : Beach and marina resort
Capacity : See hotel page
Best for : Families, groups, nightlife, marina, boat trips.
Good to know : Busier area than Grand Case or Orient Bay.
Beach
Pool
Spa
Families
Parking
Beach boutique hotel
Orient Bay
High
4 Stars
Orient Beach Hotel
Orient Beach Hotel in Saint Martin: full guide to this beachfront boutique hotel on Orient Bay, 35 junior suites, pool, breakfast, beach, parking and practical tips.
Type : Beach boutique hotel
Capacity : 35 suites
Best for : First stay, beach and restaurants on foot, easy logistics.
Good to know : Orient Bay is lively and wind-exposed.
Beach
Pool
Families
Parking
Hillside charm
Grand Case / Stick Hill
High
4 Stars
Hotel L'Esplanade
Hotel L'Esplanade in Grand Case: full guide to this 24-room boutique resort with sea views, terraces, full kitchens, heated pool, Ti Spa, yoga and practical tips.
Type : Hillside boutique resort
Capacity : 24 rooms
Best for : Dining, sea views, calm, kitchen suites, spa and yoga.
Good to know : Not directly on the beach, uphill walk back from the boulevard.
Pool
Spa
Families
Parking
Tips for comparing hotels
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Look at the area before the star rating: a beautiful isolated property may require driving for every dinner.
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Check whether the beach is direct, walkable or only nearby by car.
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Compare included services: breakfast, beach chairs, parking, kitchen, all-inclusive, spa or kids club.
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In peak season, book small Grand Case and Orient Bay properties early.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hotel for a first stay in Saint Martin?
For an easy first stay, Orient Beach Hotel, Grand Case Beach Club and Simpson Bay Resort are good starting points depending on whether you prefer French-side beach life, dining or nightlife.
Should I stay on the French or Dutch side?
The French side is stronger for beaches, restaurants and village atmosphere. The Dutch side is more practical for the airport, casinos, bars and larger resorts.
Can I stay without a car?
Yes in Orient Bay, Grand Case, Maho or Simpson Bay if you stay within the area. A car is still recommended to explore several beaches.