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Story & Photography by Barbara Penny Angelakis
Sint Maarten: The Party Island
You can call it Sint Maarten or Saint Martin, for to quote the Bard, “What’s in a name”… in this case plenty! This petite island of some 37 square miles is split by two sovereign nations into the perky Dutch side and the more laid back French side. Even though they have separate governing affiliations and diverse cultural mores, unlike the Montagues and the Capulets, there is complete accord between them.
 On this tiny land mass there is a lot to see and do on both sides, so my recent jaunt to the island was concentrated on the Dutch, or Sint Maarten side. This is the side with world-class duty free shopping along Frontstreet, especially known for good buys in gold, precious stones and watches. Parallel to Frontstreet is a paved boardwalk which runs along the beach – similar to Venice Beach in California – and is great for relaxing after the stress of choosing from such a plethora of sparkling wares. Here you can stroll, shop, eat or just sit with a tropical drink and watch the sun set over the sea… and admire your new baubles, bangles and bright shiny beads.
Sint Maartin is a party island - for the young, the old, and everyone in between - with an active day-life and glamorous nightlife. Its uncrowded beautiful white sand beaches - climbing out of a teal blue sea - call to the beach lover. Deep waters unobstructed  by barrier reef or sand bar call to the deep sea sports fisherman or sailboat enthusiast. Natural harbors and state-of-the-art marinas call to some of the worlds most elaborate and elegant privately owned yachts. There are soft sports and extreme sports, and casinos for the truly adventurous. There is even a butterfly farm where you can meet lepidopterist – and humorist - William Slayter, and his dedicated staff (Beverly Matthew was our guide) and hear his very serious and inspiring “save the world” message, while you visit with all manner of exquisitely colored papillon (French), schmeterling (German), petaloudes (Greek) from all over the world www.thebutterflyfarm.com
 My favorite sport is self-indulgent, nurturing and relaxing days spent at a Spa and in Sint Maartin there are plenty to choose from. Most resorts offer on-premises facilities plus there are many freestanding oasis of tranquility. I had two wonderful treatments; one at the Hibiscus Spa located in our hotel, The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa www.weston.com/stmaarten and the other at the Dior Spa located at, but not in, the exclusive condo property “The Cliffs”.
The Hibiscus Spa is a spacious 7000 square foot state-of-the-art facility with 13 treatment rooms and separate Sauna, Steam and Jacuzzi facilities for men and women in their respective changing areas. The large unisex interior waiting arena has ultra-comfy lounge chairs, meditative music, complimentary fresh fruit along with delicious fruit drinks and a selection of evolution® designer teas. My Hibiscus Expert facial, an 80 minute signature treatment, was administered by Maria and it was a truly wondrous experience. Never before have I had a facial that began with a thorough back, neck and arms, massage. The theory is to relax stressed muscles so that when the facial begins there is no resistance to the reforming the esthetician is doing on the face. The European skincare line Decleor is used exclusively at the Hibiscus Spa and when the facial was completed, Maria presented me with a SPASCRIPTIVE of the products that she selected for me in case I choose to purchase them for home use. Relaxing in the waiting arena afterwards, sipping a mango fruit drink and floating in the almost-asleep realm, I envisioned all my wrinkles contentedly flying away and my face restored to the firm, clear skin of years past. Of course it was wishful thinking but that’s how good the treatment was. www.westin.com/stmaarten
 The Dior Spa is a different experience altogether. This is the first Dior Spa in the world that provides the expert anti-aging treatments pioneered in the Dior Salons and Institut de Beauté, plus Balnéothérapie or Hydrotherapy (medical use of water) bath treatments. This ultra elegant spa, occupies a striking white world off the open-air lobby at “The Cliffs” in Cupecoy. The waiting room is Dior beautiful with white porcelain tile floor, white leather banquet and white CD signature-patterned walls. A simple CD is emblazoned on the front of the reception desk and white display units tantalize with the Dior beauty line of cosmetics and scents. Opposite the desk is a wall of glass that looks out over the manicured gardens and the sea beyond and offers just a hint of the steep cliffs that lead down to the beach. The other glass wall overlooks an Olympic size swimming pool and exercise room for members of the condo.
Dior Spa is a serious spa, one that offers the maximum age reversal results on face and body. Although scheduling did not allow me to experience a signature treatment I was fortunate to have Bella, an esthetician with 23 years experience, give me her standard combination massage, a mixture of Swedish/Shiatsu/Lymphatic drainage/relaxation. I could feel my body responding to Bella’s strong touch and though I tried to remain conscious and pay attention to what she was doing, I was seduced into that state of contentment that left me almost pleading “don’t stop, it can’t be over this soon” after the 80 minute massage was finished. This spa is reason enough to visit St. Maarten www.diorspa-stmaarten.com
For accommodations there are luxury hotels and resorts, condos and time shares to choose from. For a complete listing visit www.vacationstmaarten.com For an unusual experience check out the quirky but charming Mary’s Boon Beach Resort. Mary’s Boon is situated right on the beach and has a unique outdoor bar (where, occasionally, celebrated International artists perform) literally sitting on the landing strip of the airport. www.marysboon.com Princess Juliana International Airport by the way has recently undergone a $90 million renovation and expansion, turning it into a large, modern, air-conditioned facility and a welcome change from the small airless terminal it replaced.
After dark the island begins to buzz with night clubs, music bars, folkloric shows, calypso reviews, and casinos, casinos, casinos. And, of course, there is food! The entire island is known as an epicure’s delight with dozens of gourmet restaurants and hundreds of Lo Lo’s [open-air food shacks serving local favorites cooked to order] to satisfy even the most ravenous gourmand.
St. Maarten is a hot spot also for destination weddings, anniversaries, special event parties both large and small, and corporate meetings. Many of the resorts are large enough to accommodate groups and have conference facilities and meeting rooms sized to fit all requirements. Your hotel of choice can recommend an event planner or a complete listing of certified professionals is available through www.vacationstmaarten.com
So when you’re ready to party, get married, or just find a secluded beach and hang-out think Sint Maarten… it has it all!
© August 2008 LuxuryWeb Magazine. All rights reserved.
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