Sugary-white beaches, glassy calm bays, crashing surf and magnificent sunsets are awaiting you at the island paradise of St. Maarten. Royal Palm Beach is conveniently located to watersports, casinos, shopping, and more! http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/St_Martin/royalpalmbeachresort/hotel/1116/37/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:43:46 EST The smallest island in the world (only 37 square miles) ever to have been partitioned between two different nations, St. Martin/St. Maarten has been shared by the French and the Dutch in a spirit of neighborly cooperation and mutual friendship for almost 350 years. The border is almost imperceptible and people cross back and forth without ever realizing they are entering a new country. The only marker is a monument between Union Road and Bellevue, testifying to centuries of peaceful cohabitation and the treaty that made the arrangement possible. All the same, each side has managed to retain much of the distinctiveness of its own national culture. With big casinos and great shopping on the Dutch side and superb restaurants and secluded beaches on the French side, it's the best of both worlds. AMENITIES: Beaches: St. Maarten is blessed with 37 beaches--one for each of the island's 37 square miles. Busy bays are venues for watersports, swimming, and snorkeling, while secluded coves offer private retreats. The dress code ranges from modest (on the Dutch side of the island) to nudist (on the French side). Half-day or full-day sailing excursions to undeveloped beaches nearby are also available. Casinos: French St. Martin does not have any casinos; however, just a short ride away, are eight casinos on the Dutch side. Most hotels provide round-trip transportation to the casinos. Culture: The cultural diversity of St. Maarten springs from its historical role as a crossroads for visitors to the New World. Dutch, French and British traders brought European traditions, while Afro-Caribbean people brought the language and culture of West Africa. Today the range of influences is reflected in the number of languages spoken. Dutch is the official language, but English is taught in schools and spoken everywhere, while other common languages are Spanish and Papiamento, the dialect of the Netherlands Antilles. St. Maarten's premier cultural event is its annual Carnivals. Two carnivals are held on the island each year - the one on the French side takes place during Lent, keeping the tradition of the French Creole Mas, while the other, the largest of the two, is celebrated on the Dutch side over a period of 17 days and nights with its main parade scheduled to coincide with the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, Beatrix. The high energy celebrations include parades, calypso competitions, reggae shows, and an endless array of stands serving traditional island food. The finale for carnival is the burning of King Momo, a straw figure who is the manifested spirit of carnival. Legend has it that by burning King Momo, the villages sins and bad luck are burned away, leaving the island pure and filled with hope for good things to come. Nightlife: Fueled by a healthy tourist industry, an international reputation, and a duty-free fervor that never seems to end, night on St. Maarten is a time when things are just beginning. Much of the nightlife is concentrated at the big resorts, which combine night clubs, restaurants, and late-night shopping. Many hotels organize beachside barbeques, with dancing to the music of a steel drum band (you don't usually have to be a hotel guest to join in). The island's discos attract an international crowd, all dancing to the latest club hits. The best Caribbean music on the island can be found at the island's many live-music clubs, where one is as likely to find as many locals as visitors. Outdoor Recreation: St. Maarten's dependable trade winds free the island from oppressive heat or prolonged leaden skies, and its temperate climate is consistently graced by the sun, making it a perfect outdoor recreation destination. Biking: The main road which circles the island offers an excellent introductory tour. It's a vigorous workout (35 miles/56 km for the whole circuit), combining stunning views of the coastline with peaceful stretches in the unspoiled hillsides. Mountain biking is best pursued along the trails surrounding Paradise Peak, the highest point on the island (1400 ft/420 m). The road around Simpson Bay Lagoon is just right for a more relaxed ride. Boating: St. Maarten is one of the Caribbean's leading sailing venues, playing host each year to the Heineken Regatta and offering plenty of stunning anchorages. Fully-equipped marinas welcome visiting boats and rent everything from speedboats to canoes. Day trips can also be arranged for deep-sea fishing or for visits to secluded nearby islands. St. Maarten is one of the few places in the world where the average person can sail on a world-class racing boat. Aspiring sailors serve as crew aboard the U.S. Stars and Stripes, which raced in 1987, or the Canadian contenders Canada II, True North, and True North IV, as these high-performance boats are put through their paces on a shortened America's Cup course. Previous sailing experience is not necessary, only a sense of adventure Diving: The rich coral reefs right off the coast offer a wide variety of underwater sights. The island has numerous dive shops, all of which can provide scuba equipment and lessons. In addition to the reefs, two separate shipwreck sites are popular destinations. For a look at marine life after dark, night dives can also be arranged. Certified divers should remember to bring their licenses as well as their diving logs. Golf: The 18-hole golf course at Mullet Bay Resort is the only one on the island. It is considered one of the most challenging in the Caribbean. While resort guests have first priority, the course is open to the public who make reservations in advance. Hiking: The best way to really appreciate the island is by exploring on foot. You'll meet the local people, learn the customs and above all see the scenery, flora and fauna that you will never see from the main road. Horseback Riding: Several operators offer horseback riding excursions across the countryside of the interior and along the coast. Some rides end on the beach, with both horses and riders wading out into the cool sea. Riders of all skill levels are welcome Running: The Road Runners Club of St. Maarten invites all visitors to join in a Fun Run every Wednesday. On Sundays, there's an early bird run of two to fifteen kilometers, starting at the Pelican Resort and Casino. Additional runs are scheduled throughout the year. Skydiving: Tandem-skydiving, a new development on St. Maarten, offers visitors the chance to see the whole island in a way unlike any other: coming straight at them at 120 MPH. After only a 5-minute briefing, an experienced skydiver will accompany passengers on exhilarating, 30-second freefall from 9000 feet. Snorkeling: Snorkeling is a popular activity on many of St. Maarten's beaches. Outstanding water clarity allows excellent views of colorful fish and coral, while the warm water welcomes swimmers year-round. A number of coral reefs are within easy reach of Dawn Beach and Little Bay Beach, so snorkelers won't have far to go for a first-hand view of marine life. Tennis: Many of St. Maarten's resorts have tennis courts available for both day and night games. All are open to the public who make reservations in advance and pay an hourly fee. Watersports: Watersports have become an important part of the St. Maarten experience. Beaches and resorts around the island offer windsurfing board rentals and lessons. Jet skis are another popular option, and most people can master riding the waves after two or three tries. The calm, protected waters of Simpson Bay Lagoon are perfect for waterskiing. For a real thrill, parasailing gives adventurers the chance to lift off the beach and take in the views from the air. Don't forget kayaking, windsurfing, kiteboarding and Hobie Cat sailing. Shopping: Shopping on St. Maarten can easily become a full-time activity. As a completely duty-free port, the island offers international luxury items for as little as one half of their usual prices. Look for high-fashion clothing, elegant jewelry, and top-of-the-line electronics, perfume, crystal, and other expensive goods. Other great buys are international fashions, from Gucci to Ralph Lauren, fine leather goods, and top-of-the-line French cosmetics. Native arts and crafts are not lost among all the Euro-ware. The more popular offerings are West Indian hammocks, wood carvings, handmade jewelry, and bottles of local guavaberry liquor. Private galleries showcase the work of artists from all over the Netherlands Antilles. Many stores on St. Maarten remain open until the wee hours, alert to the sudden desire for acquisition triggered by casino winnings. Among the late-night shopping areas, Maho Bay has gained a particularly high reputation. Chic boutiques selling high fashion clothing, perfumes, and cosmetics now stay open almost as late as the surrounding nightclubs. A note about duties: Every country has its own customs requirements on goods brought back from duty-free vacations. Front Street merchants can give details on most countries' requirements. Spas: The island offers numerous spas and fitness centers for those preferring gym equipment, free weights, aerobics, stretch classes, massages, facials, steam rooms, whirlpools, saunas, manicures, pedicures and the like. Weddings: Couples planning to get married on St. Maarten must be at least 21 years old and must request a temporary tourist permit from the Lieutenant Governor. (The permit may not exceed three months.) The couple must also submit birth certificates, valid return tickets to their country of origin or another destination outside the Netherlands Antilles. Divorced persons may remarry in St. Maarten but should provide appropriate papers indicating a valid divorce certificate. (Divorced women may remarry after 306 days have passed.) All these documents must be translated into Dutch by an official translator or a notary public, in which case the notary's signature, stamp and seal must be included. Once the request has been approved, there is a 10-day waiting period before the ceremony can be performed. ACTIVITIES: DINING/RESTARUANTS: On-site Services and Amenities - Beachfront - Outdoor Pool - Fitness Center - Child Care Service - Boating Fishing - Jet-ski rentals - Water skiing - Parasailing - Windsurfing - Marina - Volleyball Courts - BBQ Area - Picnic Area - Lounge Restaurants and Snack bars - Gift Shop - Grocery - Hair Salon - Guest Laundry Facilities - Elevators - Security - Auto Rental - Shopping area - Concierge Type: Resort Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/St_Martin/royalpalmbeachresort/hotel/1116/37/ Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:43:46 EST