Vacation Rentals by Owner

The resort is paradise!

Guest: cape cod (chatham ma)
Date of Stay: 12/27/11 Review Submitted: 01/07/12

We love staying at royal palm. great location! The owner Van was very personable and easy to deal with. As for the villa, it is in need of some refurbishing. We tryed to use the sleeper sofa, but the house keeping staff had to be called to clean it. The support bar broken so we couldn't use. The utencils and items in the kitchen were in desperate need of replacing. On a good note, a perfect location to the beach and lounge chairs. I will say i think Van has the best shower in the master bedroom on the island. Very powerful. the guest bathroom a trickle. Overall the villa is very nice. just some constructive thoughts, and suggestions. Bring bug repellant! they love to bite. After we figured out how to use the phone which van was nice enough to call us, it came in handy to call home and check in with everyone. We would rent again from Van. Thank you for making our trip less stressful traveling over the Holidays.

Owner response:Thanks for bringing these few items to my attention. I went down to St. Maarten earlier this year and I had the sofabed fixed. I purchased all new flatware for the kitchen as well as some other items for the kitchen. I also replaced the showerhead in the guest bathroom. Everything in the condo is now in great shape. Van

Recommended for:Families with teenagers

Van is the man!!!

Guest: carolinacutee (North Carolina, US)
Date of Stay: 04/23/11 Review Submitted: 05/11/11

Do you want all the amenities of home, while enjoying a front row view of the ocean from your bed? If the answer to this question is yes, then you MUST stay at Van’s place. “Van is the man” is the statement that was uttered constantly during our stay in his condo. I don’t know where to begin to describe this wonderful experience! Well, let start with the fact that it is an oceanfront condo and you are literally steps away from the beach. Now for those of you who may get home sick, Van has a solution for that . There is wireless internet as well a computer available so you can update your Facebook and brag to all of your friends about all the fun you are having. Are you not a technical person, Van has a solution for that as well! You have free calls back and forth from the US and Canada!!! Where else can you find that in another country? The kitchen was stocked with ample appliances, and about 3 coffee makers. In addition there are ample pots and pans, to create everything from eggs Benedict to Lobster(which you can get from a lobster shack next to the resort). You will find plenty of cork skrews, matches and candles to ensure your visit is a pleasant one. Did you forget to bring your bug repellant, well Van has a solution for that. He leaves citronella candles under the sink to be used during your stay! Finally, the most pleasant item for me as a fan that was located in the bedroom that did not have a ceiling fan! Clearly Van thought of all the things that he wanted on vacation, and ensures that he housed them in his condo for his guest. We will be back, and I can not stop telling people who wonderful our time was. Van, you are the man!!!!! :)

Recommended for:Girls getaway

Wonderful Condo in Simpson Bay!

Guest: Kathleen (Baltimore, MD)
Date of Stay: 01/01/11 Review Submitted: 01/13/11

This was an absolutely wonderful place to stay. Mr. Newman was wonderful and easy to work with and provided me with all the information we needed. The resort is right in the heart of where you want to be in Simpson Bay. The condo was wonderfully furnished and it was nice to have the creature comforts, such as the internet, cell phone, etc. The resort is beautiful and has all the amenities you could possibly need. I highly recommend this resort to anyone visiting St. Maarten/Simpson Bay area.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Very Nice Condo

Guest: kathy (Livingston, NJ USA)
Date of Stay: 11/01/10 Review Submitted: 11/18/10

This condo was very clean, comfortable with a nice new kitchen. There was plenty of room for our group of four. It was very well equipped and perfectly located on the ground floor with direct access to the beach. We would definitely stay there again if we ever return to St. Martin.

Recommended for:Girls getaway

Perfect stay, outstanding experience

Guest: The STL 4 (St. Louis)
Date of Stay: 09/25/10 Review Submitted: 11/17/10

Everything was terrific. Owner provided us with great information before the trip. We could not have asked for a better island location; walking distance to many top restaurants, casinos, markets, and excursions. Thirty paces from back door to wonderful, calm cove with great sunset views. The amenities in the spacious unit were perfect. We will definitely stay there again when we return to St. Maarten. It has to be one of the best values on the island.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Royal Palm at Simpson Bay - Great Value

Guest: Kooknick (Roslyn, New York)
Date of Stay: 12/26/09 Review Submitted: 06/10/10

Firstly, it was a pleasure dealing with the owner of the property as he obliged all my requests before booking. The unit was very clean and completely stocked and well appointed as described. There was also tubes/rafts available for the beach. My favorite feature that it is on ground level and as soon as you open the glass door there is a small patio that we ate breakfast and indulged with some drinks before stepping out for dinner to enjoy the beautiful sunsets....and the you are just steps from the beach. The view was beautiful Caribbean waters and private beach which is well maintained. The price was very reasonable considering the location on the beach and great proximity to restaurants, shops, etc...Our friend stayed at a hotel next door and paid considerably more than we did and we were right on the beach! The pool was small but we were there for the beach. The value was tremendous for a two bedroom suite with two bathrooms considering its location ...

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car.

A Fantastic unit

Guest: LONGISLANDSHARON (Commack, N.Y.)
Date of Stay: 11/14/09 Review Submitted: 11/23/09

We just returned from a weeks stay and can't begin to tell you how nice this unit is. Ground floor, only steps to the beach. Every amenity you can think of is there, including a great pair of binoculars. They were so good, I'm buying the same brand for myself. An Ipod player is also included. There is a computer but we did not access it so I can't give any info about that. The beds are very comfy, and the bathroom quite spacious. Lovely kitchen with granite countertops and 3 stools. My only complaint would be the huge amount of mosquitoes, but I think this is the price you pay for being on the ground floor, near the foliage. I would suggest bringing your own spray or some kind of skeeter deterrent. We would definitely stay in this unit again.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Larry Mulrine (Scranton PA)
Date of Stay: 11/06/09 Review Submitted: 11/06/09

We stayed for two weeks beginning Oct 18th, 2009 and can't say enough good things about this unit and owner. The condo is just steps off the white sand beach and across the street from many of the best restaurants on the island. The unit comes complete with everything needed for a great vacation, from the MagicJack Internet Phone system to the wireless internet in the condo. With the two king size beds and two full private baths, there is enough room for family and still have the privacy you need. The facility has a nice pool, bar and restaurant. Renting, checking in and checking out could not have been easier. I would rent this unit again tomorrow. Van, the owner, was one of the most hassle free owners I've ever dealt with. Great to deal with. It was a beautiful unit in a great location. What else can be said?

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Nice Property even better location

Guest: Dave F (Wyomissing, PA)
Date of Stay: 08/01/09 Review Submitted: 08/13/09

This unit has everything you need for up to 6 people. Kitchen is outfitted much better than the average timeshare...many more plates, glasses silverware, pots & pans. 1st floor location is really convienent. Simpson Bay has many places to eat, bars to hop, grocery store-anything you need all in walking distance. Can't wait to go back.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Saint Maarten Vacation

Guest: Privy (New York, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/20/09 Review Submitted: 08/11/09

From my first contact with owner to the arrival home, it was a wonderful vacation. Everything I needed to know about the unit was sent to me before I arrived, including photos. Complex was very clean, supplied up to date and ready for our arrival. Terrific scenery, plenty of restaurants, activities such as horseback riding was exceptional. Would definitely recommend this rental complex to family and friends, and already did. Be very cautious of rental car facilities. Had a problem with Ace Rental and would not recommend them. Deal with the reputable named lke Hertz or Enterprise.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Simpson Bay - Royal Palms Condo

Guest: Sierra West (Costa Mesa, CA - USA)
Date of Stay: 03/01/08 Review Submitted: 03/18/08

The unti was nicely kept. Staff at the property is great. Great location. Would rent again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: linda17 (middleton,mass)
Date of Stay: 01/06/07 Review Submitted: 01/06/07

we first went to the royal palm 5 years ago - since we have gone on some cruises but st. martin has captured our hearts. On our cruise last year one stop was st martin - my husband felt teased! He did not want to leave! he said next year it's royal palm or nothing as we passed royal palm. i felt like i was passing my home and couldn't go in! see you in april! the macgregors

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