4 day sojourn in Saint Martin

Saint Martin was not on our radar until recently, when we were in desperate need for an escape from New York winter and decided on a trip to the Caribbean. If Saint Martin isn't already on your travel bucketlist, save this guide and start planning your trip asap because it was the most magical place!!

Saint Martin is the world's smallest island divided between two nations, with the northern French part (Saint Martin - where we stayed) and the southern Dutch part (Sint Maarten - where SXM airport is located). Filled with French and Creole food, beaches with unbelievably turquoise water, and vibrant local culture, the northern side of the island is a must visit.

Our guide to 4 days in Saint Martin: where to stay, eat, and explore + the very best beaches to lounge at all day long. (Save our map with all locations pinned here. )

Where to stay:

La Samanna, a Belmond Hotel: the architecture feels more like the Mediterranean than the Caribbean, with it's white-washed Cycladic-esque structures on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Yet the tropical landscaping and surroundings keep this resort grounded exactly where it is: on the most beautiful stretch of beach in Saint Martin. The rooms are retro-chic, the onsite restaurant L'Oursin is helmed by a two Michelin-star chef, and the infinity pool has a view that makes it impossible to leave. Since this is a Belmond property it's definitely a splurge- but if you don't stay at one of the villas or rooms onsite you can still make a reservation for lunch or dinner, or book a day pass for loungers with service on the beach.

La Samanna, Belmond Resort

Le Martin Boutique Hôtel: the chicest little hotel on the island! With only seven rooms onsite, it is little- this is a hotel for the design-focused traveler that is looking to get out and explore Saint Martin. Complimentary breakfast is served daily and while there is no dinner restaurant onsite, the hotel is located in Cul-de-Sac and is not far from the nearby Orient Bay and is only a 10 minute drive to Boulevard de Grande Case, the restaurant row of Saint Martin. This hotel is perfect for a nature & wellness escape, with a masseuse and yoga instructor onsite and access to Pinel Island cove. You can take the path down from the hotel to rent kayaks and paddleboards and explore Ilet Pinel out on the beautiful bay.

Le Martin Boutique Hôtel

Love Boutique-Hôtel: this hotel is such a hidden gem, an amazing little oceanfront property with very affordable rates considering you are STEPS from the sand. Located in Grand Case on Boulevard de Grande Case, you are in the heart of what is widely considered the best dining scene in the Carribean. The nearby French restaurants have a mix of classic and Creole influence, and the lolo's (local bbq spots!) are unmatched. We stayed at this hotel during our trip and loved the location and accomodations. We could have spent our entire vacation in Grand Case between all the great food and the direct access to Grand Case beach. Stay here if you are a foodie and like to immerse yourself in the local culture. Each room has a patio with a thatched roof overlooking the mountains or the ocean. The rooms are simply and tastefully designed with ebony wood furniture and a stone shower. The boutique hotel also has a boat you can charter for the day or for a sunset cruise.

Love Boutique-Hôtel

Where to eat:

Since we stayed in Grand Case, this list focuses mostly on restauraunts in that area- but because this is the best concentration of restaurants on the island you'll want to make a few reservations here regardless of where you're staying.

Breakfast/Lunch:

• Sunset Cafe: part of the Grand Case Beach club. Dine over the ocean on the seafood-focused French menu.

• Rainbow Cafe: This spot is so fun and has it all! The multi-level space is filled with woven sea-grass pendants and disco balls, right on the beachfront of Grand Case. We had an amazing brunch on the rooftop terrace (the Salmon Benedict and the pancakes with berries and black sesame marscapone cream were so good!), they also serve lunch and dinner, have lounge chairs to rent on the beach, and they host DJ's for parties every Saturday and Sunday.

• Mood SXM: Great little cafe for an acai bowl, smoothie, or poke bowl.

Dinner:

• Le Cottage: The best meal we had!! Classic French with Carribean flavors, and their Sommelier does excellent pairings. The sea scallop tartare with local passion fruit + the sea scallop carpaccio with lemon caviar and crispy smoked salmon was the kind of dish that you never forget, so unique and delicious. The duo le canard was also fantastic.

• Restaurant L'Auberge Gourmande: one of the oldest typical French Creole House's on the island. The space is in a sunny yellow restored Créole cottage with a charming shuttered front terrace for dinner alfresco. This place is so cozy and romantic. I tried the Jasmine Curry Risotto (perfection) and want to go back for the rest of the menu!

• La Villa: Classic French restaurant with amazing food & the best service! The owners, chef and staff make a dinner here such a great experience.

• JAVA: Gorgeous beachfront restaurant and cocktail bar. We had espresso martinis and pornstar matinis at sunset overlooking the water. Highly recommend!

• L'Oursin & Laplaj: The restaurants at La Samanna, Belmond do not dissapoint. Go for fresh seafood for lunch at Laplaj or dinner at L'Oursin helmed by their two-michelin star chef.

• Alizé: Carribean inspired cuisine and cocktails in the marina town of Marigot. For a chic spot in a local area- stop by for tapas before sunset.

& Don't forget to visit some of the local Lolo's as well! We tried Lolo's Rib Shack and Cynthia's Talk of the Town in Grand Case, yummy bbq ribs and creole shrimp and pina coladas. The perfect casual beachside lunch after a day on the water, and a great way to support the local businesses and community.

Where to lounge on the beach:

• Grand Case Beach: Gorgeous beach with calm water, perfect for swimming. There are both public and private areas, and plenty of beach clubs with loungers (rent them at Rainbow Cafe if you're not staying at a resort here). Perfect for a full beach day since there are so many ocean-front spots for food & drinks. We stayed on Grand Case beach and spent every morning and evening here.

• Baie Longue, private section of La Samanna, Belmond: The most beautiful beach on the island! Located on the most western shore in the Terres Basses area, this secluded golden sand beach is surrounded by stunning cliffsides dotted with luxury villas. Email the concierge at La Samanna ahead of your visit and inquire about the availability of day passes if you are not staying at the hotel. Day passes come with chic lounge chairs, umbrellas, water + house-made iced tea, and beachside service.

• Anse Marcel: This beach is accessed through the prettiest mountain drive. A secluded, calm cove with a white sand beach, resort, and beach club for grabbing lunch or drinks. This was the quietest public beach we visited, perfect for a relaxing day in a stunning corner of the island.

Four day itinerary:

Day one:

• Breakfast at Sunset Cafe
• Beach day at Grand Case
• Lunch at a Lolo on the beach
• Dinner & drinks at JAVA

Day two:

• Breakfast at Rainbow Cafe
• Beach club & lunch @ La Samanna (optional: add on spa treatment)
• Dinner at Le Cottage
• Beach night walk

Day three:

• Acai at Mood SXM
• Anse Marcel beach and Anse Marcel Beach Restaurant for lunch
• Sunset boat charter from Love Boutique Hotel or Rainbow Cafe
• Dinner at L'Auberge Gourmande

Day four:

• Breakfast in your hotel on the terrace
• Lunch at Alizé in Marigot
• Drive back to airport

More to do & where we'll go on our next trip:

• Explore Pinel Island
• Ferry to Saint Barts for a day trip (45 minute ferry ride)
• Marigot Bay Market
• Le Pressoir, another Grand Case restaurant with incredible reviews as well as a rum & cigar bar

(Save our map with all locations pinned and day-by-day itererary + travel tips on Mindtrip here.)