Tag: caribbean

Villa Vittoria on Simpson Bay beach, St. Maarten

In a prime location on the southern coastline of Dutch Sint Maarten, beautiful Villa Vittoria sits on the popular white sandy beach of Simpson Bay facing the sparkling blue water of the Caribbean Sea.

This elegant 2 level villa offers 6 bedrooms and beautiful Italianate architectural features. Wrought iron gates open into a sheltered planted patio area with a plunge pool, leading to the impressive glass-walled entrance. Large double doors open to the light-filled lobby area flanked by two staircases with ornate balustrades sweeping gracefully to the upper level.

Leading from the lobby on the ground floor, a stunning ocean view awaits you from the large open plan air-conditioned living space. On the right hand side is a well-equipped kitchen and long granite topped breakfast bar, and to the left a large dining table and in the front, facing the ocean is a spacious and comfortable lounge and TV viewing area. Glass sliding doors open out to a covered terrace just steps from the beach with comfortable seating and dining area and a large wrought iron gated partition opening to a beachfront sun deck equipped with stylish loungers.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK VILLA VITTORIA FOR YOUR NEXT VACATION

Two of the 6 king-size bedrooms are situated on the ground floor and feature marble bathrooms, one of which has a tub and one with a shower.

The elegant sweeping staircases lead to the upper level and the 4 other bedrooms that open off a hallway with an ornate balustraded atrium.

The wonderfully romantic master suite has a beautiful balcony overlooking the beach and ocean and is equipped with a widescreen TV. The luxurious white marble bathroom features a spa tub, a large open shower, double vanities, and a bidet.

Two of the remaining 3 bedrooms are interlinked and share a marble bathroom with a tub. The 6th bedroom has an en-suite marble bathroom with shower.

Villa Vittoria is perfect for families or couples traveling together and offers the ideal setting for a relaxing vacation with its fabulous beachfront location, luxurious amenities, all within walking distance of Simpson Bay, a popular area for shopping, activities, restaurants and the most vibrant nightlife on the island!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK VILLA VITTORIA FOR YOUR NEXT VACATION

PINEL ISLAND

The above video was shot on March 4, 2018

Pinel is a small island on the coast of St. Martin near Orient Bay and across from Cul de Sac. If you have never been to Pinel, trust me it is worthwhile. Pinel has three beautiful white sand beaches two of which are on the other side. The restaurants and activities are located on the first beach as you arrive to Pinel. The two other beaches on the backside of Pinel are wild and for the most part void of people. Sometimes you might come across campers but in general most people visiting Pinel stay on the main beach. If you have adventurous tendencies like me you will want to take a hike to the other side of the island. Plan on wearing good shoes as the terrain is a little rough. The best snorkeling is also located on the other side of the island. The reefs are beautiful and you will come across many different aquatic species. The water can be rough when the swell is big therefore you need to exercise caution when swimming.

 

There are two restaurants on Pinel island. The first restaurant is called Karibuni (scheduled to re-open in March 2018, snack bar and chair rentals open now) and is reputed for its lobster and fresh seafood. I personally choose to eat at Karibuni when I go to Pinel because I love seafood and lobster. The second restaurant, Yellow Beach (Open Date TBD), has a more snack menu and good grilled food. If you don’t want to eat at a restaurant, grab a picnic and head to the more wild side of the island. Trust me it is just as good of an experience just watch out for the iguana’s who might want a piece of your sandwich!

 

Traveling to Pinel is easy and fun. Every 30 minutes there is a ferry running from the pier at Cul de Sac over to Pinel. Quick tip, don’t miss the last ferry or you are on your own. Swimming is always an option! If you like to kayak or paddle board you can park your car at the Cul de Sac pier and leave from there! You can also charter a boat and head to Pinel. Chartering is a great way to experience Pinel as well as the surrounding spots like Orient Bay and Tintemarre. You have the convenience to stay a bit longer on Pinel at the end of the day. Having the Pinel beach to yourself at dusk is a truly beautiful experience. Chartering is affordable especially if you are a group or family. Island hopping is one of the many awesome activities St. Martin has to offer so don’t miss out!
If you know Pinel and love to go every time when you are on-island then you should think about staying at one of our close by villas. Villa Pinel is located minutes away from Pinel via kayak or paddleboard! We also have several villas located in the Orient Bay which are only minutes driving from the Cul de Sac pier.  

written by Harrison Reed, C.O.O. SXMSIR

 

Have you experienced Pinel Island? Tell us about it in the comments!