Grande Case, St. Martin

We just returned from St Martin and fell in love with the French side. We usually stay at the Maho on the Dutch side but never liked the feeling of being so close to casinos and night life. The French side is completely different. We spent 4 nights in Grand Case and it felt like a small French village in Brittany or Normandy - but on the coast of a gorgeous turquoise blue sea.

We stayed at the Grand Case Beach Resort and it was comfortable but not luxurious. It isn't on Grand Case beach but on the Petit Plage beach which is a pretty little beach just north of Grand Case. We often walked the road through town to access the large beach for our 'power' beach walks. The resort is a good size with a cluster of buildings containing standard type rooms up to 2 bedroom suites. Our room, and I assume all of the rooms, have small kitchens. There is a restaurant, not run by the hotel, that is handy but not great. They service the beach via little flags set up by the beach chairs. Breakfast at the restaurant is included but it is only OJ, a hot drink, and a basket of breads. Because of renovations, the restaurant was closed for dinner so I can't comment on that. But, there is food aplenty in town.

Here is a look at the Grand Case Beach Resort




I love the town! It is the gourmet center of the Caribbean. The 'shabby chic' main street of town is full of enticing eateries ranging from outdoor barbeques (where I had perfect fresh grilled lobster) to upscale boutique style restaurants (where I had an incredible molten chocolate cake with fresh mango).

On our last day we toured an intriguing hotel set up above Grand Case called the Hotel L'Esplanade. It is perfect (but expensive)! I fell in love with the view and decor. There are 4 categories of rooms, each with kitchens: deluxe studios, deluxe lofts, oversized lofts, and 1 bedroom suites. The studio and 1 BR suites are all on one level. The lofts have upper level bedrooms. The deluxe studio has a sort of loft bedroom area; the oversized loft has a complete second floor bedroom with a small balcony. All rooms have wonderful main floor balconies with and views of the sea. There is a nice swimming pool area and gorgeous and relaxing outdoor spaces. There is only a small pool bar type restaurant, but the walk into town and all the great food is short and perfect for working up an appetite. Here is a look at the Hotel L'Esplanade:




We enjoyed our stay so much that Reid quoted a few phrases from the signs and literature to write this inviting description:

Come experience Grand Case, French St. Martin, West Indies. This quaint, undiscovered seaside village is situated on the less-frequented side of the popular tourist destination called St. Maarten. Here the Dutch and the French have peacefully coexisted for centuries and the French beckon those seeking escape from the hectic pace of the over-scheduled planner. Experience the "art d'etre" (art of being) in this sun-soaked tropical French paradise, where the sea and the sky are infinitely blue and the golden sands merge with the skyline to create a stunning setting. The visual is rendered complete with the array of a veritable kaleidoscope of Caribbean colours decorating the local art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and residences. You will most definitely want to capture a photo or secure a painting to remind you of such an experience. In addition to the sensory pleasures of sight, and the feel of the azure coloured water soaking your skin as you float lazily on "le petite plage," is the culinary pleasure that awaits you. The village of Grand Case offers a unique blend of French sophistication and Caribbean casual. Its famed restaurant row marries the French art of fine dining with the Caribbean "joie de vivre." Yes, you will want to discover the secret that awaits you in St. Maarten on the French-side and we have not even mentioned the shopping treasure that awaits you in the nearby French village of Marigot - truly a genuine French experience on its own.