best time to visit:
Spring
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St. Martin — or Sint Maarten as its southern, Dutch half is known — is one of the most distinctive islands in the Caribbean: two nations sharing 37 square miles, each with its own character, its own cuisine, and its own atmosphere. The French side (Saint-Martin) is quieter, more elegant, and culinarily serious. The Dutch side (Sint Maarten) is livelier, more commercial, and home to Princess Juliana International Airport — the arrival point for most visitors, including those continuing on to St. Barths. For Complete Concierge clients, St. Martin is both an exceptional destination in its own right and a gateway island for the northern Caribbean.
Grand Case is the culinary capital of the Caribbean — a small village whose main street contains a concentration of French-Creole restaurants that rivals almost anything in the region. The concept of “Lolos” — open-air barbecue spots serving grilled seafood and local specialities — sits alongside proper French restaurants with serious wine lists. Every Complete Concierge client visiting St. Martin should have at least one dinner in Grand Case.
The French side's most famous beach — a long arc of pale sand with a beach club culture that has a genuinely Riviera feel. The water is calm and turquoise, the restaurants are excellent, and the atmosphere is sophisticated without being formal.
The southwestern peninsula of the French side is home to St. Martin's finest private villa estates — large properties with panoramic Caribbean views, private pools, and full staff. La Samanna, a Belmond property, occupies the finest position on Terres Basses with direct beach access and one of the island's most respected restaurants.
Philipsburg, the Dutch capital, is the commercial hub of Sint Maarten — duty-free shopping, cruise ship arrivals, and the famous Maho Beach, where aircraft from Princess Juliana International pass at remarkably low altitude directly over sunbathers. The Dutch side's Simpson Bay Lagoon is one of the Caribbean's premier superyacht anchorages, with extensive marina facilities and a strong charter base.
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side receives private jet arrivals from across the Americas and Europe. It is also the primary connection point for clients continuing by helicopter (15 minutes) or ferry to St. Barths. Complete Concierge coordinates all arrival handling, ground transport, and onward connections from SXM.
December through April is the peak season — dry, sunny, and with the best conditions across both sides of the island. The island sits within the hurricane belt and the summer months carry some risk, though St. Martin's infrastructure is more resilient than many smaller Caribbean islands. The Heineken Regatta in early March is one of the Caribbean's most celebrated sailing events and draws a significant private aviation audience.
Complete Concierge arranges private jet charter to Princess Juliana International (SXM) with full handling coordination. We arrange villa and hotel accommodations on both sides of the island, restaurant reservations in Grand Case, yacht charters from Simpson Bay Lagoon, and onward connections to St. Barths, Anguilla, and other nearby islands.
The French side is generally preferred by Complete Concierge clients for its cuisine, quieter atmosphere, and finer villa market. The Dutch side is useful for arrivals at SXM and has the strongest marina and superyacht infrastructure. Many clients use the Dutch side for arrival and the French side as their base.
St. Barths is approximately 20km from St. Martin — 15 minutes by helicopter or 60-75 minutes by high-speed ferry from Marigot or Oyster Pond. Complete Concierge coordinates all transfers between the two islands seamlessly.