Just 11 miles away from the international airport, and 6 miles away from Marigot, the French side main town, the Hotel Marquis is perched on top of a hill overlooking the Anse Marcel cove. With only 17 rooms and suites, Hotel Marquis offers a stress-free and relaxing environment. Temperatures average 74F in the Dry season from December to May, and an average of 81F in the Wet season from June to November. When threatened by a hurricane strike, one should expect a 2-day displacement from evacuation to safe return. A vast selection of shops, galleries and boutiques makes this port of call a hot stop for cruise-loosened shoppers. The prices are in dollars here, too, so there are no surprises at the register.

Depending on who you talk to, who is more traveled, the answer will be different. But there is no doubt that Orient Beach, St. Martin, is quite the beach. And if you’ve been to St. Martin, and were bound to the Dutch side - sorry - the spectacular beach is here, on the French side. Every local knows where this place is, so don’t be shy, but ask where Orient is and you’ll get directions. We drove from our hotel on the Dutch side and it took us through some of the strangest looking growth. Even in paradise, there’s poverty and you’ll find as we did, that the money follows the coast. We did not follow the coast and went through the island.