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Find the best place to stay — Saint Martin
Top rated rentals — Saint Martin
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Destination guide
Live the high life from Saint Martin vacation rentals
Bring your A game – Saint Martin is one of the Caribbean's most exciting and intriguing playgrounds. Because Saint Martin is an island split into 2 nations – the Dutch Sint Maarten to the south and the French Saint-Martin to the north – visiting the island is like going on 2 trips for the price of one. The island features 2 vacation's worth of activities, too – you can put on your wetsuit to go diving, or strip to your birthday suit for a seamless tan at one of the "clothing optional" beaches. You can test your stamina while hiking with your buddies – or shopping with your girlfriends. Then, make a date with Lady Luck at a casino, or a enjoy romantic dinner at one of the island's beachfront eateries. All these opportunities and more are open to you from the comfort of Saint Martin vacation rentals.
History
The northern two-thirds of Saint Martin is French, while the remaining third is Dutch. Legend has it that a Dutchman and a Frenchman met on the beach to divide the island equally among their respective countries. However, the Dutchman was plastered with gin at the time, so the Netherlands ended up with less territory. Whether this legend has any truth to it, there are many places you can visit to learn more about the island's dual heritage. Fort Saint Louis, designed to protect Embouchure Bay, offers spectacular views of Saint-Martin's capital, Marigot. There's Fort Amsterdam, Fort Saint Louis' Dutch counterpart, standing guard over Sint Maarten's Great Bay. You can also check out La Plantation Mont Vernon, a vast plantation representing the island's agricultural wealth.
Beaches
It's plane sailing at your Saint Martin vacation rental
The island of Saint Martin might be split in terms of its French and Dutch halves, but it terms of great beaches there's nothing to divide them. Perhaps the most famous of them all is Maho Beach, where the planes pass almost within a hair's breadth of sunbathers as they come into land at Princess Juliana Airport. Elsewhere, it's just a question of whether you're looking for total seclusion or a laid-back bar; either way the views and the sunshine are as good as guaranteed.
Restaurants and bars
Forget about dieting while in Saint Martin. This island has the reputation of being one of the best foodie destinations in the Caribbean, and stuffing your face until you're about to split is the only way you can do justice to its culinary wonders. But where to do this face-stuffing? Check out these restaurants:
- Bistrot Caraibes. This restaurant in Grand Case serves up French classics and has an extensive selection of wines from France, California, and Italy. Lobster is their signature dish.
- Little Bamboo. An Asian food joint on Simpson Bay, Little Bamboo specialises in sushi and rolls. You can also enjoy ribeye steak, satay, and curry dishes here as well.
- Karakter. This beach bar on Simpson Bay is a go-to for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and whatever else in between. It serves up almost anything – classic American hamburgers, vegan ratatouille, pasta Bolognese, Caribbean grilled fish, Spanish tapas, and more.
Essential info
Get to know Saint Martin before booking vacation rentals
The island of Saint Martin is on the northeastern side of the Caribbean Sea. It has a total area of 87 sq km – 53 sq km belong to the French Saint-Martin, and 34 sq km to the Dutch Sint Maarten. Saint-Martin's capital is Marigot, while Sint Maarten's is Philipsburg. Despite being smaller, Sint Maarten contains more of the island's 78,000-strong population. English and French are both official languages on the island, but an English-based creole language is more commonly used. Official currencies are the euro and the Netherlands Antillean guilder – in most cases, though, you can pay for goods and services throughout the island with the US dollar.
How many vacation rentals are available around Saint Martin?
Our 2022 vacation rental listings offer a large selection of 1,300 house rentals around Saint Martin. From 403 condo and apartment rentals to 765 villa rentals, find unique vacation rental for you to enjoy a memorable holiday or a weekend with your family and friends. The best place to stay around Saint Martin is on Vrbo.