exactly what we were looking for

Guest: Ben&Deb (Ben and Deb Gallager)
Date of Stay: 01/21/12 Review Submitted: 02/01/12

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to again express my gratitude for your accommodating Deb and me last week.  We came to you in a crisis situation and you provided exactly what we were looking for, and at just the right time.  We both very much enjoyed our stay and appreciate your guidance on where to go and what to do while in the area.  The unit is beautiful, and it suited our needs perfectly. Best to you both!  We do hope to see you again during our next visit.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Stunning island

Guest: cmacedo (Montreal, QC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 07/29/11 Review Submitted: 08/15/11

My visit to Saint Martin was my most memorable vacation, absolutely stunning island. The condo was well furbished and clean, we love to cook and had plenty of cooking utensils available. The condo allows acces to Orient beach by a small 2 minute walk, perfectly located. The condo had various books and information magazines available to us, we had abundant information to plan our week long trip, including information about various beaches, thus allowing us to visit 5 other beaches, including pinel island an absolute must. On those rainy nights, the condo had dvds so we were allways kept busy. We would certainly rent from Gloria and Nick again, which may be sooner than later !

Owner response:And we look forward to having you!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, age 55+, girls getaway, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Great location, great rental, great fun!

Guest: Jeff (United States)
Date of Stay: 06/06/11 Review Submitted: 06/21/11

We just spent 10 days in this rental and it was everything promised and more. Gloria and Nick were great hosts, very helpful (including arranging a very early cab ride for us back to the airport for our departure). Orient Bay is a nice beach - but I'd also point visitors to Plum Bay and Dawn Beach. You're close to Grand Case (had a great meal at La Villa), and really, almost anyplace on the island. Also highly recommend Latorie Farm at Pic Paradise - a wonderful hike in the rainforest and delicious food in their 'treehouse' restaurant afterwards. The apartment is fine for 3, would be a stretch for 4. The 'welcome' basket was much appreciated, as was Gloria's prompt response to our questions about St. Martin. Highly recommended.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, sightseeing, age 55+.

Marvelous time!

Guest: Isabel (USA)
Date of Stay: 05/22/11 Review Submitted: 06/01/11

Nick & Gloria! We had a marvelous time. Your apartment was beautiful and had all the necessities we needed to make our vacation more comfortable and affordable. We really appreciated the gift basket of snacks! The pool was great and the beach beautiful! Hope to see you both next year :)

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Guest: BobLydia (thunder bay,ontario,canada)
Date of Stay: 03/29/11 Review Submitted: 05/30/11

My wife and I stayed at Nick and Gloria's for the month of April We stayed in two different units.Both were immaculate and very homey.The welcome baskets were a nice extra touch that will make you rember the thoughtfulness of the owners. It was great to have the owners onsite to answer any question that arose.Nick and Gloria always were there to provide excellent advise on the island.They were pleasant to deal with. Mt Vernon is a large complex with many absentee owners.Everyone did not have an experence as great as ours. The units were a good value and we would highly recommend staying at any of the units managed by Nick and Gloria.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children.

Excellent Value

Guest: Perdita & Eddie (Chapel Hill, NC, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/20/11 Review Submitted: 05/06/11

Mont Vernon was a hotel/resort some years ago, with about 400 units. Now they are owned apartments along a steep hill overlooking the north end of Orient Beach. We enjoyed our stay here, and feel that it is an excellent value. During our 9 days on St. Martin we spoke to numerous people about our and their accommodations -- by comparison we had a good place at a better than average price. The unit is clean, well-maintained, and it has a good studio kitchen. The king-sized bed is comfortable and we slept well. The unit air-conditioner works quickly and well. The bathroom shower has good pressure. The TV (why do you want a TV on St. Martin?) gets about 6 channels, half of them French, but the TV itself is nice). The morning light is pretty, and the patio is great to sit on for a morning nibble. We walked by the pool on the way to the beach at night, but had no use for it otherwise. Why would you when Orient Beach is another 50 feet away? The managers, Nick and Gloria, were polite and available when we needed them. The parking lot is a short walk downhill from the unit, with multiple steps. As noted by the owners (in their description) and in reviews, this is not a unit for someone with access issues. The location is proximate to 2 dinner restaurants and a small French Bakery, before you ever get out to a main road (I strongly recommend you have a car). Not that anything is very far away on St. Martin (it's only 37 square miles total), but this site is close to some grocery shopping and is a nice couple of miles jaunt to both Grand Case and Orient Beach. I would certainly stay here or at any of the other units under management by Gloria and Nick again.

Recommended for:

Location, Location, Location

Guest: Rich and Joan (Syosset, New York)
Date of Stay: 02/26/11 Review Submitted: 03/07/11

We just came back from a great week in St. Maarten. This is a nice and very reasonable priced studio with access to some great beaches. If you are looking to get away from the over-development on the Dutch side and be on your own, stay here. You have access to Orient Beach, Anse Marcel and Pinel Island - three great beach spots. The studio was nicely furnished with a comfortable king size bed (l slept great). The owners are nice people that try to make your stay enjoyable. They were kind enough to provide a gift basket with wine and cheese, and coffee as well. You absolutely need a car - parking can be challenging as Mount Vernon is built on a hill over-looking Orient Beach - so you better be able to get around. Here are some other tips: - Go to Mr. Busbys for a good lunch and a swim at their beach (Dawn Beach). - The lolos are good for some local inexpensive ribs and chicken in Grand Case (they were doing a brisk business). - there is a local bakery and enjoy with your monring coffee on the balcony. We would absolutely stay here again. Rich and Joan

Recommended for:Pet owners, age 55+.

I can recommend this unit without reservations

Guest: Tom & Joan (USA)
Date of Stay: 02/12/11 Review Submitted: 03/07/11

I spent a week at this property in Feb 2011. My lady friend and I found Nick and Gloria to be accommodating, delightful hosts. They made you feel as if you were an old friend. A special treat are the goody items they provide, since the nearest supermarket is a few miles away. The accommodations are neat and clean and all appliances are functional. Bathroom and kitchen are well maintained. We had our meals outside on the balcony and enjoyed the landscaping of the complex.Nick and Gloria were always quick to reply to emailed questions and were prompt in returning our security deposit. I can recommend this unit without reservations and have already done so to a friend who was intrigued by my description. I also will return soon.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

As advertised, and more....

Guest: Mike and Diane (Boston, Massachusetts USA)
Date of Stay: 02/25/11 Review Submitted: 03/07/11

My husband and I just returned from eight days in the studio condominium pictured in Nick and Gloria's ad and we were more than pleased! The photos are very accurate in depicting the amenities and charm of the apartment. There are not only all the basics that should be there for a renter, but the soothing colors and charming decor make this apartment relaxing, comfortable and a very sweet stay. Gloria has all the bases covered and helped us rent a very reasonably priced car for the week, recommended some wonderful restaurants and guided us away from over-priced venues that would have disappointed. She and Nick can answer anything you need to know to get the most enjoyment from your stay. We loved our morning view, the accessibility to the beach and all that Orient Bay has to offer. Nick and Gloria provide an excellent, safe and secure venue for a relaxing vacation. While I would not recommend this venue to anyone physically challenged by stair climbing, for all others, this is an excellent apartment in a great location with wonderful owners who will help with anything!

Owner response:Thanks Mike and Diane. Hope to see you again in a year or five.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

great price but lacking in the Excellent department.

Guest: lee (navarre)
Date of Stay: 10/23/10 Review Submitted: 03/01/11

We booked for 2 weeks. I read the reviews and was excited because it was a great price and we would be leaving during this time for a wedding on Saba. It was cheap enough to pay for the 2 weeks and still be able to afford to leave our things and make our get away. Well When we left for Saba we stayed 2 extra days because we did not want to go back.. WHle we were gone they came into our condo and changed the sheets which was fine. This should have been the only time the entered but there were several times they came in. Once when we were at the beach they turned off the air. Probably more expensive to start over than leave it on for a few hours.) Another time I came back and I had moved a cat which as I picked it up the tail was left sitting on the counter. WHen we came back there was a bottle of glue sitting there. (Like Im to glue it back) We went out and bought some new towels because the 2 we were given had that stinky Ive been sitting in the washing machine for ever wet smell. We went out and bought a fan also. Everyone is talking about how wonderful these people are and we only saw Nick once who was arguing with a guest about his accomaditions. He told us he waited for 5 hours for someone to come and let him into his condo. . THe parking was awful if you could find a place but most of the time I had to drive up and let my husband off at the door and go way down and park.He has a very bad back. We went to a hotel down the street when we returned from Saba that for 10.00 you breakfast, a beach lchair, (Which we pd 10.00 daily when we stayed @ he other place ) could run our A/C got clean fresh smelling towels and sheets daily . It also had a fridge and a HOT PLATE just like the one here. Pool area is so nasty. old wood which needs to be stained or painted. THere is another sight you can go on and read all about this place Which my husband pulled up the night before we left., here reviews are not fixed and seem to be more true to what we experienced. I do not like anyone coming in my place turning off the AC and leaving glue. Also arrived on there suggestion by cab on a sunday and had no place to get anything to eat everything was closed. that we could walk to Luckily someone took us to the store. This was an expensive mistake. We pd for 2 weeks and spent 5 nights here. buying different things to try and make it work. Oh and the charge to clean the towels and sheets figure that into the prce also.So look down the street

Owner response:We have 41 five star reviews... and this one. Please read my comments and judge for yourself who is unbiased... this disgruntled individual, or the other 41 people. This guest got a "special" and paid half the price of most apartments here. To claim that is expensive is unrealistic. Before they booked, i sent them email with a link to the terms and conditions of the rental. There was another link on the booking page and yet another in the conformation email. They could not be bothered to follow any of them. Consequently they broke the terms of the agreement by leaving the a/c on when they went out, (passing a sign on the door specifically asking them to turn it off). We did not give then a bad time. We just turned it off. When we did not see them for two days after they were due back from Saba, we let ourselves in to ensure they were not sick inside! Our listing is one of the most honest on VRBO.... the only one to clearly state the apartments are on a hill and " not really suitable for wheelchairs or people with limited mobility." But presumably they did not read that either as, when they returned from Saba, they told us they were leaving because the hill was bad for her husbands bad back. I guess they were expecting a refund for the remaining un-rentable days. In accord with the cancellation policy, which they also did not read, I did not give them one. It was then that the lady suddenly complained about smelly towels. When guests arrive we tell them to tell us immediately if their are any problems. She said nothing until they were leaving. I guess she does not listen either. I did meet this couple one night whilst walking the dogs. I was commiserating with a tourist who had rented someone else's apartment and had searched for it it for 5 hours. He was not one of our guests! The uneven deck she mentions was due for renovation. It is currently being completed. We can not be held responsible for guests who fail to read what we send them. Nor for them breaking the terms of rental, nor for the husband's bad back. We did not charge them for the broken ornament they admit in the review nor the laundry fee. They have rewarded us with this review, posted four months after the event, (it was posted on March 1st 2011).This lady has proven the adage... you can't please everyone. She even suggests VRBO feedback is biased or rigged. This is clearly a malicious posting and I trust to your intuition to determine her motives.

Recommended for: