A local rental car provider acquired a fleet of brand-new Volkswagen and Toyota automobiles and offers them now for very attractive rates. The best: no deposit or credit card needed! 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF SMART CAR RENTAL TO FIND THE LATEST DEALS >>> 

Smart Car Rental decided to make a splash with their changed strategy. Industry veteran Darren Quinn, general manager of Smart Car Rental, explains: "We decided to bring back a bit of excitement into renting a car. Instead of basic Korean vehicles, we can now offer a nicer driving experience with our fleet of upscale Volkswagen models. All this at the same or lower rates."

Check out the company's winter season offerings below and make a reservation early; at this point, there is only a limited number of cars available, and they are booked fast. These are offers you won't find on the booking portals.

SMART CAR RENTAL is a fresh new name among St. Maarten's very competitive rental car providers. The operation is run by Darren Quinn - an industry veteran with decades of experience.

A rental car is a rental car? Not so! Here in bullet points where Smart Car Rental is different:

• If payment by credit card, no hold on the credit card for a deposit;
• No cash deposit needed
• VIP greet & meet right at the airport for arriving visitors. You get the car right there! No time-consuming transfer to the main office.

Many more SERIOUS advantages over other providers listed further down on the page;

"Time has come to use my experience to service my very own clients," says Darren. "I selected a fleet of new vehicles, which are well suited for comfortable, reliable transportation around our island. And I made sure that I keep the rates low to compete with the big guys."
"When you operate a major rental car franchise, the bottom line comes first; the numbers have to look right to the corporate been-counters. And the customer's welfare is a secondary concern. They need to be treated right so you can upsell to them, not because you genuinely care.
"But I realized that I actually love this industry! And only by running my own shop, by being independent, can I offer a service where the customer comes first."

He points out the advantages of a start-up operation: the fleet of vehicles is mostly fresh. Each client will be handled with a lot of personal attention from the company's owner himself.

SMART added a few unusual service aspects.

• Car return times are flexible. Modest overtime will not be charged extra.
• In case of a mishap, the insurance deductible will be applied to the repair cost.
• Only the actual repair cost will be charged, not the inflated quotations of an official car dealership.
• If the customer is willing to accept a not-so-new vehicle as a rental, minor scratches and damages won't be charged at all.
• No credit card needed! Modest cash deposits are accepted.
• If payment by credit card, the deposit will not be blocked from the card balance.

The clear message is: Smart Car Rental will not 'nickel and dime' the customer!

The main office of SMART CAR RENTAL is conveniently located in Cole Bay, close to the Tropicana Casino.

Even better: For cars reserved at the airport, clients will benefit from a personal VIP 'meet & greet' right at the airport. There will be no lengthy transfer to a primary office, where there is another waiting line. All paperwork will be handled directly at the airport, right at the vehicle.

SMART CAR RENTAL

FOR RESERVATION AND BEST RATES CALL:
HotLine: +1 721 544-3699 Mobile: +1 721 520-6098 and +1 721 580-7045
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Maho Village is the epicenter of entertainment and nightlife in Sint Maarten. Numerous restaurants offer culinary delights for every palate, and many bars and clubs let the party crowd enjoy the night until the morning hours.

Lounge 2.0 is an intimate, fully air-conditioned cocktail bar and game room on the ground floor of the shopping plaza, nestled between a cigar bar and an iconic souvenir shop.
The cocktail menu lists all the international favorites, but many regular guests return to Lounge 2.0 to enjoy a carefully prepared Hookah. Manager Don explains: "We only use quality ingredients, don't ignite the Hookah with toxic accelerators, and only include the liquid the guests ask us to use."

Guests enjoy their smoke or drink while listening to the beats of the in-house DJ, who mixes R&B, Dancehall and Trap.
There is a second bar in the dance and game room, serving the players of the pool billiard table and the dance floor.

Do you desire to have a private party, including celebrations that might have a romantic angle? Look for a door in the back of the room that leads to a hidden VIP room. That door will be locked. Access can be granted by ordering a whole bottle of liquor and - if possible - a reservation before.

Lounge 2.0 is the place for island residents and visitors to mingle up, party together, and enjoy a typical St. Maarten night.

Lounge 2.0
Maho Village

Sint Maarten

Phone: +1 721 522 8480
Open Tuesday - Thursday 7PM - 3AM
Friday and Saturday 5PM - 3AM

Are you planning to visit St. Maarten soon? Read this article before you book your rental car!

If you and your spouse like to travel, we might have a way for you to save hugely. Your vacation time is precious. We know this. But if you are willing to invest about 90 minutes for a sales presentation, there will be a generous reward: you can enjoy a free rental car from a reputable provider for one week. Not interested in a car? How about a sailing adventure on a luxury catamaran? Free to you and your spouse.

What's the catch?
There is none. You are not obligated to buy anything to earn your reward. The organization behind this promotion is very confident and excited about their product: an affordable membership plan to access discounted travel. They will reward you generously for your attention to their presentation, and this is why they expect that you come at least with an open mind.

There are some strict parameters to qualify for this promotion:

1. You must be a citizen of the USA or Canada or Trinidad-Tobago
2. Married or co-habitation with matching ID and credit cards
3. Over 35 years of age
4. Annual household income over $60,000
5. A major credit card in your possession
   

How does it work?
Simple.

1. You tell us when you travel, and we arrange the car reservation for you. The rental car will be a Hyundai i10 or similar.
2. You will receive an official voucher from us.
3. The rental car provider will meet you at the airport. You will fill out a standard rental agreement.
4. We will make an appointment for you to attend the presentation. One of our representatives will greet and guide you or even drive you to your 'meeting'.
5. Once you completed the presentation, your voucher will be validated. Again: you don't have to buy anything to get the voucher validated!
   You return the car at the end of your stay. No money is due.

Exceptions:

1. If you choose to upgrade to a more expensive vehicle, you will pay the difference.
2. If you choose optional insurance packages, you will be charged for these.
3. If you damage the car, you are responsible.
4. If you changed your mind about attending a presentation, only the published standard rate for the rental car will be charged.

Main Location in Cole Bay

The Health Care Laboratory's main location is in the Orange Grove shopping center, located on Union Road.

Address:

Union Road
Orange Grove Mall, Unit 12 – 13
Cole Bay
Sint Maarten

Covid-19 testing for travelers is available Monday to Friday from 11 AM to 1 PM

Call +1 721 585-9111 for an appointment

Cost: PCR Test = $100.00

Antigen Test = $75.00

Philipsburg Location

Right next to the Jump Up Casino at the so-called 'head of town' is another Health Care Laboratory, Covid-19 testing facility.

Address:
1 Emma Plein
Philipsburg
Sint Maarten

Covid-19 testing for travelers is available Monday to Friday from 11 AM to 1 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM

Call +1 721 585-9111 for an appointment

Cost: PCR Test = $100.00

Antigen Test = $75.00

Pelican — Simpson Bay Location

If you are staying in one of the resorts in the Pelican or Simpson Bay region, our location right next to the Hollywood Casino might be the most convenient choice for you to get tested for Covid-19.

Address:

Hollywood Casino
37 Billy Folly Rd.
Simpson Bay
Sint Maarten

Covid-19 testing for travelers is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 5 PM to 7 PM.
Call +1 721 585-9111 for an appointment.

Only Antigen Test = $75.00

Airport Location

No matter if you are coming or going, our airport location is open 7 days per week. No map below, because you should know where the Princess Juliana International Airport is ;-)

Covid-19 testing for travelers is available 7 days per week from 11 AM to 3 PM

Call +1 721 585-9111 for an appointment

Antigen Test = $110.00

Questions? Send email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Magic of the Caribbean is the region's most popular discount card for vacationers and residents. MOTC is now an official partner of St-Maarten.com. Together, we will bring you the most up-to-date island information, bundled with the best deals available.

Our partners are all carefully vetted and have proven over time to offer splendid service and value. Check out the excursion providers, restaurants, and jewelers who are part of the long list of elite companies participating with Magic of the Caribbean (and who might be listed on St-Maarten.com as well).

CLICK HERE to find out how to get the discount card and to see a list of participating companies >>>

Where to go for a tasty breakfast and lunch at very reasonable prices and the island's best lobster dishes at night? This would be the Courtside Cafe & Lobster House, a restaurant with a well-developed dual personality.

'Best kept secret' is a term that should not be used in marketing, as hardly any business intends to stay secret. This article shall ascertain that the Courtside Cafe & Lobster House finds the fame it deserves.

Located at the Country Club of the Port de Plaisance resort complex, the Courtside Cafe is located between the recently renovated tennis courts, the Olympic sized swimming pool, and the elegant gym. It serves as a social hub for the club members but is open to the public. Here is a location for visitors to mingle with the island's professional class while being a bit away from the standard tourist locations.

How to Find the Courtside Cafe and Lobster House

The glamorous Princess Casino is at the center of Port de Plaisance in Cole Bay, which is also home to a large mega-yacht marina and several restaurants. The Country Club is a combination of gym, spa, wellness, and tennis.
To get to the special parking for the Courtside Cafe, drive through the entrance gate and follow the road. Pass the first intersection, and you will see a banner mounted on the fence of the tennis courts indicating the Lobster House. Turn right into the parking zone and follow the walkway into the tennis area.

What Dishes to Find on the Menu of the Courtside Cafe and Lobster House

Now, please take the time to inspect the menus of both the Courtside Cafe and the Lobster House. Breakfast and lunch are designed to appeal to guests with an interest in healthy nutrition.

The Lobster House will amaze you with the best deal on lobster to be found on St. Maarten. Manager Andre Mungo explains: "We have a special relationship with some fishermen from Saba and Statia, who give us preferred deliveries. That's why we can offer lobster dishes at least twentyfive percent cheaper than other restaurants!"

Breakfast and Lunch Menu Courtside Cafe

Dinner Menu The Lobster House

+1 721-581-0206

St. Maarten/St-Martin is not only blessed with an abundance of beaches but also the requisite beach bars. From a simple cooler with an umbrella to a 5-star dining establishment, it all can be found on our beaches.

Recently, Simpson Bay saw the opening of Roxxy Beach - a beach bar and restaurant, clearly inspired by a famous set-up in St. Barths, with prices to match the original.

While it is fabulous that Simpson Bay is transforming itself to cater to the paparazzi-set, it is equally encouraging to see a charming, low key beach bar like the Guayabera Beach Club to compete in the same neighborhood.

The big surprise is that Guayabera is within easy walking distance of all the action in Simpson Bay and yet feels like a world apart. Nestled between a luxury condo building and the remaining cottages of the former fishing village, this beach club has everything to take you back to a simpler time on our overly developed Caribbean island.

Once you enter, you'll first see rows of sun lounges - free to use for guests. To the right is the fully stocked bar, to the left restaurant seating. There are more tables closer to the water's edge. The food menu is compact, on the advanced side of Caribbean cuisine and offers something for everyone's palate (even burgers for the ones who must have it). We tried the Grilled Chicken with Mango Chutney, which tasted delicious, was a full meal and a great value at $12.

The setting at night is romantic, with a view towards the anchored yachts and the resorts of Pelican. The relaxed ambiance brings back memories of Calmos Cafe in Grand Case (a victim of Irma). If you liked Calmos, you would like Guayabera.

Ocean swimming is not a priority for Guayabera Beach Club guests: the water is very shallow and the bottom rocky. There is a prepared path to wade out to deeper water for swimming for the ones who wish to cool off. On the other hand, at this location of Simpson Bay Beach, there is hardly ever any surf, and this might make it be an ideal place for small children to play.

To reach Guayabera while driving in Simpson Bay on Airport Road, turn into Simpson Bay Road (which is the road following the beach) at the Police station next to the bridge. Follow the road for 270 meters, and you'll find the club to your left. Park wherever you find parking, but the more popular Guayaberra becomes, the more difficult finding a spot on the road will be. There is always plenty of parking close to the Police station, and a 270-meter walk should not discourage anyone from visiting this delightful addition to the SXM Beach Bar scene.

At last, what's in the name Guayabera?

It's a somewhat formal shirt, worn in tropical Latin countries, where a jacket would be uncomfortable. The Guayabera is standard gentleman attire in Cuba, and there seems to be a consensus that the style originated there.

The anchorage at Simpson Bay beach has a new, highly unusual addition attached to a permanent mooring; there is now an old-fashioned commercial vessel visible from shore, with a multitude of colorful extensions connected to a black hull.

This is D-Boat, a floating aqua-park built around a decommissioned 140-feet-long former tanker and the most exciting addition to St. Maarten's list of available water excursions.

A shuttle boat takes guests from a lagoon-side dock behind Red Diamond through the draw-bridge to D-Boat. Onboard, there are three decks to enjoy. Explore a never before seen attraction, shoot down waterslides into the ocean, jump on a floating trampoline, or swing off ropes out into the sea.

Soak up the sun and enjoy a lunch of lobster or red snapper. Cool down by sipping on a fruity frozen drink, cold beer or even a cocktail; they have a well stocked bar. D-Boat is a full-day entertainment center for all ages, guaranteeing a fun-filled day for everyone.

The waterpark attractions are exciting and look pretty daring. What about safety?
"We have CPR Certified lifeguards on duty," explains D-Boat marketing manager Martha Marsden. "This makes our aqua-park safer than any of the island's beaches."
And if you are a non-swimmer? Martha laughs and points to the bar and the DJ booth: "This is a party boat, never a dull moment. No need to jump into the water to enjoy D-Boat."

A Day on D-Boat – Simpson Bay

By: L Frye

Loads of fun on the waterpark boat!

As my friend said, “A phenomenal day.” We were invited to the soft opening of D-Boat anchored out in Simpson Bay near the bridge into the Simpson Bay Lagoon. The boat is a decommissioned 1974 refurbished 140 ft oil tanker, that's been turned into an Aqua Park; originally the boat was in Antigua.

The ship moved to St. Maarten awhile back and has been at the dock behind Lal’s where they have been busy with updating and sorting out all the “boat things” one needs to sort out, after all that is what boats are all about! Finally, they got things in order enough to head through the bridge out to their anchorage a couple weeks ago.

On the day we went out the bar, galley and toys were ready to roll and roll they did, we had a glorious time on board. There are two bar s and a professional food operation with credit cards accepted and there is WIFI!
The boat has built in slides, a rope swing, trampolines, a high diving board and all those bouncy/floaty things that send one sky-high only to splash back down in the turquoise waters.

The shuttle meeting place was at the dock behind Red Diamond with pick-up every hour. We were there with a group for the first ride out. A very nice “captain” helped us onboard and speedily took us through the bridge to the boat.

Getting onboard from shuttle to boat platform went smoothly and we quickly established a spot at one of the many tables and chair areas or we could choose to sit at the bar.

Hourly people came and went and each time the party got more fun, more exciting. Music was provided by a DJ. The music was great, not too loud and got our feet moving, the boat rocked gently and so did we.

Patrick, the barman, took our drinks orders and what drinks they were. Our fav was the margaritas in jam jars – no straws! Boy did those go down well. Prices are very fair.

When it came time to snack, we ordered from the comprehensive menu. The burger for $12.00 was very worth it. It came with a side of fresh, crispy fries and home-made chutney. We ordered medium rare with Swiss cheese, hold the pickles and ketchup! We bit into the juiciest, perfectly cooked burger and devoured the fries; a happy surprise was the freshly fried mushrooms under the cheese. The chutney also made an appearance with crisp, hot and truly delicious mozzarella cheese sticks. It really makes all the difference when the oil is fresh and the ingredients are quality.

We nibbled and drank; Patrick kept us amused between our playing on the Aqua Park and chatting at the tables and bar. We danced and joked and watch the men trying to outdo each other on the trampoline and rope swing. We spotted turtle and large fish darting from under the boat. We laughed and enjoyed the most wonderful time. Finally, the hour for our departure came and back to the dock we were swiftly taken.

A day on D-Boat guarantees a unique and fun day on the water with a great bar and really tasty snack food and the waterpark/activities for young and those who will always stay forever young.

Daily new and exciting things take place on D-Boat.
The costs are reasonable: Inquire about discounts when booking directly.
Credit Cards are accepted on board.

Aristocrats roaming Simpson Bay in search of a drink will now find dehydration relief at Thirsty Barons, but luckily, commoners are invited as well.

Traveling from the direction of the airport, Thirsty Barons Sports Bar and Grill is located right at the entrance of Simpson Bay. It occupies the upper level of the building shared with Pollos Hermanos and Beautique.

Walking up the stairs that are decorated with historic photos of St-Martin, you'll encounter a modern restaurant that prides itself on the quality of their meals served. Although they would be categorized as a steakhouse, Thirsty Barons is an all-encompassing destination that overlooks the lagoon and the end of the airport runway.

Just past the restaurant is lounge seating, high top tables, stadium VIP seating and, of course, elegant bar chairs. With over fifteen TVs on display, you can pretty well watch whatever sport you choose and depending on where you sit; more than one TV at once.

Of course, if you are hungry, you aren’t limited to steakhouse dining and prices. They offer a plethora of options, including typical bar food like mozzarella sticks and burgers, but with a twist. The Barons burger is to-die for, with a Johnny cake as the bun and top-notch angus beef.

The concept of a sports bar has been pushed up a few levels with Thirsty Barons; by offering a food menu on the fine side of steakhouse dining, in an urban and air-conditioned environment, this restaurant/bar fills a valuable niche in the island's nightlife scene. There is only so much 'sand-between-the-toes’ beach bar nightlife the average person enjoys. Sometimes, air conditioning and city attire are a welcomed change for island residents and visitors alike. And non-smokers rejoice: inside this food mecca it is smoke-free.

The island of St. Maarten has an amazing variety of activities to take part in; kayak tours, power and sailing boat rides, ATVs that go around the island, and much more. One thing that is hard to find, however, is an eco-friendly tour. While these are popular all around the world, SXM is behind the times. That will soon change with the opening of Reef-It Snorkel Park.

“We saw a niche in the market that we thought could be well used, especially after Irma it would be good to work with the reefs and the St. Maarten Nature Foundation,” says Steve Hammond, owner of Reef-It.

Since the devastation of Irma destroyed Eco-Snorkeling on Pinel, Reef-It will be the only ocean based eco-tour on the island. Located on the Dutch Side on Dock Maarten, this company provides a shore entry guided snorkel tour. The company chose that site as a protected and calm area great for beginners or experienced snorkelers.

The tour will follow a path along the shore where the company has placed informational signs about the fish you will see painted by local artist Carla Templeton. The existing rocks provide shelter for marine-life and amazing amount of variety is already easy to find. The guests who were lucky enough to be part of pre-opening tour trials have spotted grunts, blue tangs, butterfly fish, and even a green moray eel.

In an effort to help promote new coral growth and entice marine-life into the area the team at Reef-It has place Coral Balls all around the tour path. These pieces of concrete are specifically designed to create places for fish to live and hide from predators. The concrete is mixed with a special formula that helps ensure that coral growth will be compatible with the structure. In the future the crew hopes that the Nature Foundation will be able to use the Reef Balls as part of the Coral Reef Restoration Program. In other areas, these structures are used for promotion of growth by placing small clippings of corals on the concrete where it will grow into its own mother coral, or letting coral grow on its own in time. For more information about the program on SXM you can visit the St. Maarten Nature Foundation’s website or visit St-Maarten.com to find our previous article on Coral Restoration.

These pieces of concrete are already doing their job and providing shelter for marine life in the area. “I was overwhelmed myself of how many fish have come in such a short amount of time, the reef balls have only been in the water one month,” says Hammond.

As well as hoping to work with them on coral restoration Reef-It will be donating to the foundation’s fund with each guest that joins the tour. “Part of the proceeds that we make from the tours will go to the Nature Foundation so they can continue working on the rebuilding. We will also be selling their re-usable bags, t-shirts, and other things.”

The team is also dedicated to making the tour as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible. “We have the Nature Foundation flyer so we will focus on talking about the Reduce & Reuse project to the guests. We will tell them about the sunscreen, that it has to be coral safe. Also that if you see plastic along the way to pick it up,” says Operations Manager Aukje Van Kuiken who worked with Kids at Sea before joining Reef-It.

For Hammond, offering a new tour for St. Maarten/St-Martin is great, but the most important thing is to inform the public about the importance of recycling.

“This needs to be educational, it (recycling and reducing waste) has never been in the culture for the island. The way to start this properly is to start in the schools. We want to get local children from the schools out here doing this so they can be educated to take that home with them. That is our main objective we want to get involved in.”

Follow updates about the opening date for Reef-It on their Facebook page and look for upcoming projects that will include more locations and a boat tour around the island!