There are lots of the reason why households select to trip at an all-inclusive resort, primarily as a result of these journeys are simpler to plan and finances for appropriately as you realize exactly what it can price. On the flip facet, others (myself included) are generally skeptical about an all-inclusive as a result of they surprise if they may really feel “trapped” on property or if the food and drinks might be as much as par.
If you’re questioning how the all-inclusive Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort in St. Maarten stacks up and if it’s the proper alternative for you…maintain studying. I’ve stayed at a handful of all-inclusives within the Caribbean up to now, akin to Seashores Turks & Caicos, Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Moon Palace Cancun, and the Membership Med Martinique, however this property is sort of completely different. Able to be taught extra?
Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort Overview
Editor’s Word: I used to be invited on a press journey and was hosted by the property with a purpose to faciliate this evaluation. All opinions are my very own.
Location
Whereas St. Maarten isn’t effectively referred to as 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 US. 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, much 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 extensively spoken.
The worldwide airport is situated on the Dutch facet of the island, simply 5 minutes from the Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort — one other perk that we’ll focus on extra later! Along with the handy location close to the airport, making it supreme 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 retailers, eating places, seashores, and the on line casino. You don’t even must lease a automobile to go away the resort!
That is undoubtedly not a property the place you’re feeling trapped and that you could’t simply depart. In actual fact, I’d say it’s the reverse in that it’s good for somebody that desires to go away the resort and get out to discover the island.
From St. Maarten, additionally it is very straightforward to island hop to its neighbors akin to Saba, St. Barts, and Anguilla by way of ferry or a brief aircraft 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 evaluation goes to give attention to the Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort since that’s the place I stayed and ate. Nonetheless, I toured the Ocean Level Resort and that might undoubtedly be my choice 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 plush 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 relatively, it’s seaside adjoining. If you wish to sit by yourself hotel-supplied seaside lounge chair and arise and stroll straight all the way down to the water to swim, this isn’t the spot for you. The “seaside” 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, should you stroll only a minute or two to the left, you may simply get to the well-known Maho Seashore. This seaside is comparatively small, and you’ll need to carry your towel with you, however that is the place you may swim within the ocean.
After all, the principle draw at Maho Seashore isn’t truly the attractive blue Caribbean water, however the truth that it’s straight throughout the road from the runways on the airport. It’s a very talked-about 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 remember. First, the massive 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 seaside can truly be harmful (you will note indicators posted.) Even from the lodge you may see the massive quantity of sand that’s swept throughout the seaside and into the water at each take off — together with all of the individuals operating into the water to get away from the draft! Should you do that, count on to be pelted with sand that you’ll want to wash off later.
It isn’t as dangerous when the planes land or take off over the seaside, however it’s nonetheless loud. In actual fact, even from the lodge you may 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 vigorous from mid-morning till it closes within the night, particularly across the giant swim-up bar.
Bisected by an arched bridge, this lagoon model pool is surrounded by lounge chairs. Whereas the world can get fairly full, there all the time appeared to be a couple of chairs obtainable both on the pooldeck or the “seaside” space. As a result of lodge visitors 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 mentioned, the pool space can generally get just a little too vigorous, 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 stay performers. For peaceable rest or quiet dialog, I’d recommend heading to the seaside space.
Whereas the waterslides are a enjoyable addition to the pool for households, I’ve a sense that youngsters over 10 may get tired of them after a couple of tries and be extra considering snorkeling journeys or going ziplining as a substitute. 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 be capable to get pleasure from a variety of actions from health lessons to video games and group actions.
Seashore Home Youngsters Membership & Teen Zone
Households might be pleased to know that the Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort provides each a children membership and a Teen Zone to maintain the kids 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 youngsters ages 3 to 12 years outdated, with staff-led actions and character experiences.
Indoors, you can see a slide, numerous play areas, and computer systems. There’s a day by day actions schedule posted so that you could determine when your children need to attend. Simply needless to say 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 might 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 might 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 comprises 420 rooms and suites. All have been redone in a contemporary model since 2018. The rooms are spacious, adorned with modern 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, cell gadget USB charging station, and wi-fi join music participant, in-room protected, 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.
When you have youthful children that go to mattress early, I’d recommend 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 most important all-inclusive on St. Maarten, the Sonesta Majo Seashore Resort contains breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks at any of the resort’s eating places. The drinks embrace beer, wine and spirits, fruit drinks and mushy drinks in all bars, together with the Oasis swim-up pool bar. Simply anticipated a restricted drink menu produced 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 visitors of the Ocean Level Resort, however not vice versa. The eating places at Sonesta Maho seaside embrace:
- Ocean Terrace: This buffet restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You will see that freshly made smoothies and omelette stations at breakfast, together with a mixture of fruit, salads, breads, and cold and hot entrees. There may be loads of indoor and out of doors seating so it was by no means exhausting to get a desk after I visited in April. One factor I like is the child’s buffet, which is decrease to supply quick access for small legs and arms.
- La Fontana: This has essentially the most “wonderful eating” vibe of all of the eating places, with a ravishing setting overlooking the water. Open for dinner, you can see a mixture of salads, soups, entrees, and desserts just like the all the time common rooster parmigiana.
- The Palms Seashore Grill, Restaurant + Bar: I by no means had an opportunity to do that one out for lunch, but it surely 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 attempt!
- Jing’s Kitchen: This Asian restaurant is situated simply steps from the lodge in Maho Village and is open for dinner with a variety of tasty choices.
- Pizzeria Napoli: For an informal meal, these handmade pizzas are made in a standard pizza oven and is open all day for hungry visitors.
- The Village Tavern: If you’re craving pub-style meals for dinner or late-night snacks, the Tavern is situated in Maho Village and is open till 1:00 a.m. providing stay leisure and karaoke nights.
There may be 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 couple 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 wonderful, however not overwhelming. It was about what I’d count on from an all-inclusive. Smallish parts, normal dishes, plentiful choices, and nothing notably “native”. However you can see one thing for everybody and sufficient choices to not get bored over the course of your keep.
If you’re on the lookout for a real native meals expertise, contemplate taking a Johnny Cake making class at TJ’s Cassava Coal Pot restaurant. Locals eat johnny truffles 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.
Extra Facilities
The Sonesta Maho Seashore Resort provides a Serenity Spa, which is open to visitors from each resorts. Simply needless to say there are solely 5 remedy rooms, so I’d recommend 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 akin to morning yoga or pilates close to the seaside.
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 assist you prepare actions akin 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 is dependent upon what you’re on the lookout 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 individuals 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 vigorous, making it not supreme 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 supreme for true seaside 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 and marketing government and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged professional 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.
