There are lots of explanation why households select to trip at an all-inclusive resort, primarily as a result of these journeys are simpler to plan and price range for appropriately as you recognize exactly what it can value. On the flip facet, others (myself included) are generally skeptical about an all-inclusive as a result of they surprise if they are going to really feel “trapped” on property or if the food and drinks can be as much as par.
In case you are questioning how the all-inclusive Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort in St. Maarten stacks up and if it’s the proper selection for you…maintain studying. I’ve stayed at a handful of all-inclusives within the Caribbean previously, corresponding to Seashores Turks & Caicos, Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Moon Palace Cancun, and the Membership Med Martinique, however this property is kind of totally different. Able to study extra?
Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort Evaluate
Editor’s Be aware: I used to be invited on a press journey and was hosted by the property with the intention to faciliate this evaluate. All opinions are my very own.
Location
Whereas St. Maarten isn’t properly often called an all-inclusive resort vacation spot in comparison with locations such because the Dominican Republic or Cancun, it does supply an analogous benefit in that it’s pretty straightforward to get to from the USA. There are 12 cities that provide direct flights to St. Maarten, together with Boston, New York/Newark, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando, Miami/FLL, and Dallas (though some could also be seasonal or supply restricted routes.)
The island of Saint Martin is split into the French facet, St. Martin, and the Dutch-side, Sint Maarten. Sint Maarten is a rustic inside the Kingdom of the Netherlands, just like Aruba and Curaçao. The opposite good factor about visiting St. Maarten is that the U.S. Greenback is universally accepted on the Dutch facet (Euros on the French facet) and English is broadly spoken.
The worldwide airport is positioned on the Dutch facet of the island, simply 5 minutes from the Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort — one other perk that we are going to talk about extra later! Along with the handy location close to the airport, making it very best for a brief keep the place you don’t need to waste time in transit, the lodge is smack dab in the midst of the Maho Seashore village, making it extremely straightforward to stroll to outlets, eating places, seashores, and the on line casino. You don’t even have to lease a automotive to depart the resort!
That is undoubtedly not a property the place you’re feeling trapped and which you could’t simply go away. In truth, I’d say it’s the reverse in that it’s good for somebody that wishes to depart the resort and get out to discover the island.
From St. Maarten, it is usually very straightforward to island hop to its neighbors corresponding to Saba, St. Barts, and Anguilla by way of ferry or a brief airplane journey.
Property Grounds
For a 420-room property, the Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort, On line casino, and Spa itself is pretty compact. After struggling injury from Hurricane Irma in 2017, the lodge was rennovated and rebuilt in 2018. What was one giant property turned two smaller resorts — the family-friendly Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort and the extra upscale, adults-only Ocean Level Resort subsequent door. This evaluate goes to deal with the Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort since that’s the place I stayed and ate. Nonetheless, I toured the Ocean Level Resort and that may undoubtedly be my desire for an grownup getaway.
The Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort consists of 1 giant lodge tower, with two wings that both look out on the pool and ocean, or have an island view, which faces both the luxurious inland setting or the village and on line casino. The pool is the central focus of the property grounds, with a small grassy space for occasions or hammocks, and a sandy space that overlooks the ocean.
Maho Seashore
I’d hesitate in calling the Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort a beachfront property, however somewhat, it’s seashore adjoining. If you wish to sit by yourself hotel-supplied seashore lounge chair and arise and stroll straight right down to the water to swim, this isn’t the spot for you. The “seashore” space is a sandy spot close to the pool and eating places that overlooks the Caribbean, however rests above the water line on high of a protecting storm barrier.
Nonetheless, when you stroll only a minute or two to the left, you’ll be able to simply get to the well-known Maho Seashore. This seashore is comparatively small, and you’ll need to convey your towel with you, however that is the place you’ll be able to swim within the ocean.
In fact, the primary draw at Maho Seashore isn’t really the attractive blue Caribbean water, however the truth that it’s instantly throughout the road from the runways on the airport. It’s a extremely popular spot for vacationers visiting the island to hang around for a bit and watch the planes take off and land.
If you wish to do that, there are some things to bear in mind. First, the large jets take off and land primarily between 11:00 a.m. and three:00 p.m. Second, the backwash of jets taking off within the path away from the seashore can really be harmful (you will notice indicators posted.) Even from the lodge you’ll be able to see the massive quantity of sand that’s swept throughout the seashore and into the water at each take off — together with all of the folks operating into the water to get away from the draft! In the event you do that, count on to be pelted with sand that you will want to wash off later.
It isn’t as unhealthy when the planes land or take off over the seashore, however it’s nonetheless loud. In truth, even from the lodge you’ll be able to count on to listen to the noise from planes touchdown and taking off all through the day. Fortunately they taper off by night.
Oasis Pool
The Oasis pool is the middle gathering spot on the Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort, that includes a swim-up bar and two waterslides, plus the 1,400 square-foot AquaPark with three slides for youthful kids. The pool is energetic from mid-morning till it closes within the night, particularly across the giant swim-up bar.
Bisected by an arched bridge, this lagoon fashion pool is surrounded by lounge chairs. Whereas the world can get fairly full, there all the time appeared to be a number of chairs accessible both on the pooldeck or the “seashore” space. As a result of lodge friends get pleasure from going off property to discover the island or take day journeys, you don’t have fairly the identical bitter fights for house on the pool that you just see at some resorts.
That stated, the pool space can generally get a bit too energetic, relying in your preferences. From mid-morning via mid-afternoon, a mixture of pop and rock is performed from the audio system close to the pool bar. Within the afternoon, the music combine switches over to dwell performers. For peaceable rest or quiet dialog, I’d counsel heading to the seashore space.
Whereas the waterslides are a enjoyable addition to the pool for households, I’ve a sense that youngsters over 10 may become bored with them after a number of tries and be extra thinking about snorkeling journeys or going ziplining as an alternative. Nonetheless, little children will love splashing round and climing and sliding within the little AquaPark, which is adjoining to the Oasis pool and close to the Seashore Home Youngsters Membership.
On the pool additionally, you will have the ability to get pleasure from a variety of actions from health lessons to video games and group actions.
Seashore Home Youngsters Membership & Teen Zone
Households can be pleased to know that the Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort provides each a children membership and a Teen Zone to maintain the youngsters entertained. The Seashore Home Youngsters Membership provides each a 1,000 square-foot indoor house and a pair of,500 square-foot out of doors areas with a playground adjoining to the Aqua Park. The house has been designed for kids ages 3 to 12 years outdated, with staff-led actions and character experiences.
Indoors, you will discover a slide, numerous play areas, and computer systems. There’s a each day actions schedule posted with the intention to resolve when your children need to attend. Simply remember the fact that the Youngsters Membership closes for lunch and dinner and it’s higher for short-term drop ins than full day childcare. For youthful kids or after hours childcare, the resort does additionally supply babysitting for a payment.
Teenagers can be glad to have their very own house, which is decked out with a pool desk, air hockey, fooseball, laptop video games, a basketball shot machine, and board video games. The Teen Zone is open from 3:00 to six:00 p.m. and once more from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. for teenagers ages 13 to 17 years outdated. Once more, the house isn’t that giant that they’d need to spend so much of time there however it’s a good house for when your teen is feeling bored.
Rooms & Suites
As I discussed earlier, the Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort incorporates 420 rooms and suites. All have been redone in a contemporary fashion since 2018. The rooms are spacious, embellished with up to date Caribbean furnishings and every provides a balcony and out of doors seating to benefit from the heat Caribbean air.
The rooms supply your normal facilities together with complimentary Wi-Fi, mini-fridge, flat-screen TV with US & worldwide satellite tv for pc channels, cellular gadget USB charging station, and wi-fi join music participant, in-room secure, espresso/tea maker, iron and ironing board, hair dryer and bathtub facilities.
Rooms on greater classes additionally come geared up with a mini bar that features full-size bottles of vodka, gin, and rum, together with a mini-fridge filled with bottled water, soda, and beer.
You probably have youthful children that go to mattress early, I’d counsel requesting an island view room, because the music and actions across the pool at evening will be fairly loud in a pool-facing room.
Meals & Beverage
As the biggest all-inclusive on St. Maarten, the Sonesta Majo Seashore Resort consists of breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks at any of the resort’s eating places. The drinks embody beer, wine and spirits, fruit drinks and comfortable drinks in all bars, together with the Oasis swim-up pool bar. Simply anticipated a restricted drink menu created from non-premium liquor manufacturers (with no improve choices) and a small number of home wine (until you need to purchase a bottle of premium wine.)
There are seven eating places on the Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort, together with the Maho Cafe within the foyer that serves up espresso, pastries, and snacks. The eating places on the Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort are additionally open to friends of the Ocean Level Resort, however not vice versa. The eating places at Sonesta Maho seashore embody:
- Ocean Terrace: This buffet restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You will see freshly made smoothies and omelette stations at breakfast, together with a mixture of fruit, salads, breads, and cold and hot entrees. There’s loads of indoor and out of doors seating so it was by no means onerous to get a desk once I visited in April. One factor I really like is the child’s buffet, which is decrease to supply easy accessibility for small legs and arms.
- La Fontana: This has probably the most “superb eating” vibe of all of the eating places, with a lovely setting overlooking the water. Open for dinner, you will discover a mixture of salads, soups, entrees, and desserts just like the all the time standard rooster parmigiana.
- The Palms Seashore Grill, Restaurant + Bar: I by no means had an opportunity to do this one out for lunch, nevertheless it provides al fresco eating with views of the ocean.
- Cantina Paradiso: Within the night, the Palms Seashore Grill transforms into Cantina Paradiso with contemporary Mexican-inspired fare together with a full appetizer buffet with a nacho bar and ceviche. The meat cooked on a scorching stone is the dish to strive!
- Jing’s Kitchen: This Asian restaurant is positioned simply steps from the lodge in Maho Village and is open for dinner with a variety of tasty choices.
- Pizzeria Napoli: For an off-the-cuff meal, these handmade pizzas are made in a standard pizza oven and is open all day for hungry friends.
- The Village Tavern: In case you are craving pub-style meals for dinner or late-night snacks, the Tavern is positioned in Maho Village and is open till 1:00 a.m. providing dwell leisure and karaoke nights.
There’s additionally a small open air grill by the pool providing scorching canines and burgers for a fast chew. Within the foyer additionally, you will discover a small bar with a number of on line casino video games. However for night leisure, most individuals will head to the on line casino throughout the road or one of many close by bars in Maho Village.
I’m a little bit of a foodie so for me the meals on the Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort was superb, however not overwhelming. It was about what I’d count on from an all-inclusive. Smallish parts, normal dishes, plentiful choices, and nothing significantly “native”. However you will discover one thing for everybody and sufficient choices to not get bored over the course of your keep.
In case you are searching for a real native meals expertise, contemplate taking a Johnny Cake making class at TJ’s Cassava Coal Pot restaurant. Locals eat johnny desserts for breakfast and generally even lunch and dinner, served both with one thing candy like butter or jam, or savory like salt fish and greens. Both that, or head to the French facet of the island for some distinctive eating experiences.
Further Facilities
The Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort provides a Serenity Spa, which is open to friends from each resorts. Simply remember the fact that there are solely 5 therapy rooms, so I’d counsel reserving your appointments earlier than you arrive. The lodge additionally has a 24-hour health room (though not as giant on the one on the Ocean Level Resort) and provides actions corresponding to morning yoga or pilates close to the seashore.
If you wish to discover this stunning island, and I extremely advocate that you just get off property and see extra of St. Maarten, the lodge has a devoted tour desk that may allow you to organize actions corresponding to snorkeling, scuba, sundown dinner cruises, non-public excursions, ATV and dune buggy excursions, distillery excursions, non-public charters and extra for a further cost.
So is the Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort Proper For You?
The reply to that query actually will depend on what you’re searching for and what you prioritize. Here’s what I see as the professionals and cons:
Professionals:
- Simple to get to and subsequently nice for a brief getaway
- Nice for folks trying to discover the island and never simply keep on the resort
- Excellent for a “enjoyable” getaway for {couples} and households with younger kids
- Priced as a mid-market lodge with service/facilities to match
Cons:
- Loud and energetic, making it not very best if all you need is quiet and rest
- Not excessive service, but additionally not marketed as a luxurious property with these expectations for poolside chair service, and so forth.
- Not very best for true seashore seekers
- Good providers for households however not absolutely family-oriented
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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising government and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged skilled in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Experts journey podcast.