St. Martin At A Glance:
St. Martin is an enticing taste of France in the Caribbean…enjoy gourmet dining on the beach…world-class duty free shopping…exciting nightlife, discotheques and casinos…all water sports and alluring clothing optional white sand beaches…a superbly collection of luxurious private villas…one of our favorite islands…

Villas Caribe offers a very carefully chosen selection of the most desirable private villas on St. Martin, including some of the most luxurious villas in the entire Caribbean. Our villas here are all located in the exclusive Terres Basses (Lowlands) area of the French side, with just a few exceptions. The standard of accommodations in our St. Martin villas is very high and each property is meticulously maintained. Maid service is included and Gourmet French Chef Service is available at additional charges. Modern and fully equipped kitchens, air-conditioned bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, private swimming pools and many other amenities are all standard in our selection. We find many of these villas to be quite exceptional and we are pleased to highly recommend these properties to our most sophisticated clients.

St. Martin lies in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies and, also, lies near the top of our list for favorite islands in the Caribbean. On this highly desirable island in the French West Indies, you will discover the lifestyle and culture of France magically blended with the colors and relaxed pace of the tropics. France in the Caribbean!

While the island is half French and half Dutch, we find it is the French side that pleases us most. The majority of our villas in St. Martin are found in the exclusive Terres Basses area, which consists of 1400 acres set apart from the main part of St. Martin. The area has been divided into about 300 residential lots with a minimum of 2.5 cares over the past 10-15 years and strict zoning and deed restrictions have made Terres Basses the premier St. Martin villa location on St. Martin. Terres Basses is bordered by the blue Caribbean Sea on the north and west and Simpson Bay Lagoon on the southeast. Terres Basses is connected to the French and Dutch sides of the island by two narrow strips of land, making it very private and exclusive. The villas in the Terres Basses area are located within a few minutes of three public beaches; Long Bay Beach, Plum Bay Beach and Red Pond or Baie Rouge Beach. The exquisite La Samanna Resort Hotel is, also, conveniently located at the south end of Long Bay Beach. Anse Marcel is located along the northern coast of St. Martin. The picturesque bay, white sand beach and marina at Anse Marcel provide a perfect setting for luxury villas. Among them is Caye Blanche. This secluded and elegant villa includes seven bedrooms. Located nearby is the Privilege Sport Club and helicopter pad. To the southwest of Anse Marcel is the town of Grand Case and the island's second airport. It provides convenient inter-island service and facilities for private aircraft. To the southeast is Orient Beach, one of St. Martin's most popular beaches.

The island is a good one on which to rent a car. We are happy to arrange to have the vehicle reserved for our St. Martin rental guests’ arrival and all of our guests are met by a local representative and escorted to the villa on a complementary basis. The island has good, though narrow, roads and driving is on the right. . Guests can expect the drive from the airport to most of the villas in Terres Basses to take approximately 15-30 minutes.

Once guests have settled into their St. Martin villa, a Villas Caribe representative is available to meet with you should you require any information on the island and is on-call throughout your holiday should you need assistance.

We love St. Martin for many reasons…Each day is filled with the irresistible lure of civilized exploration. Here are the reasons we return to St. Martin again and again:

St. Martin-Airlines:

* Air France
* Air Martinique
* Air Guadeloupe
* ALM
* American Airlines
* BWIA
* KLM
* LIAT
* Lufthansa
* Windward Islands Airways

Approximate flight times:
NY to St. Martin: 3.5 hours
Miami to St. Martin: 2.5 hours
Paris to St. Martin: 8.5 hours

St. Martin Island Airport Transfers:
The Princess Juliana International Airport is located on the Dutch side of the island, around a 10-30 minute drive from the majority of the villas, which are located in the exclusive Terres Basses area of the island. Guests will need to rent a car, which we are happy to arrange and we will provide a complementary airport meeting and escort to the villa.

St. Martin Villas-Activities:
St. Martin Island offers St. Martin rental villa guests with a multitude of diverse activities to fill their tropical vacation. Beach lovers enjoy St. Martin as it is known for its spectacular beaches, which offer brilliant white sand and crystal clear waters. St. Martin affords exceptional close in snorkeling directly off its spectacular white sand beaches. St. Martin rental villa guests will find vast arrays of big game fish live in the oceans surrounding St. Martin.

Several different companies on St. Martin offer guided fishing excursions with a focus on big game fish like marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado, barracuda and kingfish. Glass bottom boat tours are popular as well as theme cruises where passengers are able to swim, dance and party on the deck of a huge ship. Furthermore, several companies on the island offer guided tours that lead visitors through spectacular scenery. Finally, St. Martin comes alive at night. St. Martin rental villa guests will enjoy nightlife that is extensive and varied. St. Martin Island nightlife provides a variety of entertainment options for every taste from historic dinner shows to romantic cruises to fine dining as well as nightclubs and numerous casinos.

Tennis, squash, aerobics, hiking and horseback riding are just some of the activities this island can provide. Children are delighted to find a butterfly farm in the Caribbean. Golf (although limited at course still not completely recovered from previous hurricane), surfing, swimming, sailing, tennis, horseback riding.

St. Martin Area Code:
011-590590

St. Martin ATM'S:
The island offers ATM machines at the Windward Islands Bank and they accept Cirrus, MasterCard and Visa cards. There is a machine at the airport and three in Phillipsburg.

Banks:
Banks on St. Martin are open 8:30 AM-3:00 PM from Monday-Friday.

Beaches in St. Martin:

French Side:

Baie Rouge:
An expansive cove located on the French side of St. Martin Island offering clean sand and shimmering turquoise water. Good snorkeling may be enjoyed over to the side by the rocks. At the main entrance to Baie Rouge Beach there is a concession area that rents lounges, umbrellas and serves cocktails, sodas and snacks.

Plum Bay Beach:
A small strip of sand on St. Martin that is bordered on one side by a cliff and offers a secluded area.

Baie Longue:
Off the beaten track and usually nearly deserted, it is a wonderful beach with a wide stretch of sand and a favorite of many St. Martin villa rental guests.

Grand Case Beach:
A narrow but pristine beach. Grand Case also affords wonderful gourmet restaurants and adds a charming European feel to St. Martin.

Orient Beach
The island's official nude beach but it is, also, famous for its spectacular crescent of sand that swings around a turquoise cove. Restaurants and water sports facilities are available. Orient Beach St. Martin is one of the best swimming beaches for St. Martin rental villa guests.

Dutch Side:

Cupecoy Beach
A picture postcard beach that is lined with rugged sandstone cliffs and caves.

Dawn Beach:
Excellent snorkeling in the reefs located just offshore.

Maho Beach:
Even though it is so close to the St. Martin airport, it offers a surprisingly good beach and great snorkeling. Offers sparkling white sand and rugged rocks.

Boating in St. Martin:
Glass bottom boat tours are popular as well as theme cruises where passengers are able to swim, dance and party on the deck of a huge ship.

Budgeting/St. Martin Villas:
In addition to the weekly rental rate for a villa on St. Martin, the additional costs involved include but are not limited to the following:

• Air Transportation
• Car Rentals
• Groceries & beverages:
• Tip for the maid
• Tip for chef/cook if hired

Business Hours:
The hours of operation vary between stores and parts of the island. Stores on the Dutch side are generally open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 or 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM…The European style is more evident on the French side where stores are generally open from 9:00 or 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM but tend to close between 1 and 3:00 PM.

Butler Service:
Available for $25/hr.

St. Martin Villa Cancellations:
Cancellation penalties are incurred and will vary depending upon the specific villa chosen. Upon confirmation with our company, a written cancellation policy will be issued along with the written invoice for the booking. Generally, cancellations incur a minimum of a 25% penalty on the gross weekly rental rate of the villa if cancelled up until a certain time prior to arrival.

Group 1 Villas:
25% penalty on the gross weekly rental rate of the villa & $100 administrative fee if cancelled up until 90 days prior to arrival at the villa. 60% penalty on the gross weekly rental rate of the villa if cancelled 90-30 days prior to arrival at the villa.
No refunds for cancellations made within 30 days of arrival.

Christmas/New Year’s –55% penalty on the gross weekly rental rate of the villa if cancelled up until 90 days prior to arrival. NO refunds for cancellations made within 90 days of arrival at the villa.

Group 2 Villas:
20% penalty on the gross weekly rental rate of the villa if cancelled up until 45 days prior to arrival.
40% penalty on the gross weekly rental rate of the villa if cancelled 45-30 days prior to arrival.
65% penalty on the gross weekly rental rate of the villa if cancelled 29-8 days prior to arrival.
100% penalty on the gross weekly rental rate of the villa if cancelled 7 or less days prior to arrival.
Polices may vary for holiday/Christmas/New Year’s bookings.

Group 3 Villas:
$200 administrative fee for reservations cancelled more than 60+ days prior to arrival.
60% penalty on the gross weekly rental rate of the villa for reservations cancelled 60-31 days prior to arrival.
No refunds within 30 days of arrival.
Polices may vary for holiday/Christmas/New Year’s bookings.

**Cancellation insurance is strongly advised to cover the cost of cancellation due to any unforeseen circumstances

St. Martin Capital:
Phillipsburg on the Dutch side & Marigot on the French side.

Carnival:
St. Martin: February 7 - 13 St. Maarten: April 18 – 28

St. Martin Car Rentals:
We highly recommend that clients rent a vehicle for their stay on St. Martin. We will be happy to arrange vehicle rentals and delivery to the villa on a complementary basis for your arrival. Car rental rates are as follow based on weekly rentals:

Group A Vehicles:
Hyundai Atos - Manual or Automatic, A/C, AM-FM Radio, 5 Doors - $150/wk. during low season & $214/wk. during high season

Group B Vehicles:
Toyota Corolla or Daihatsu Charade - Automatic, A/C, AM-FM Radio, Cassette (Charade), 4 Doors, Power Steering - 240/wk. during low season & $299/wk. during high season

Group C Vehicles:
Honda Fit or Hyundai Accent 2004 - Automatic, A/C, AM-FM radio, CD player, Power Locks/Windows/Steering, Remote Entry, Dual Airbags, Traction control, ABS Brakes, Anti-Theft System, Spacious Interior, 4 Doors - $270/wk. during low season & $329/wk. during high season

Group D Vehicles:
Mercedes Benz Class C - Automatic, A/C, AM-FM Cassette Radio, Power Locks/Windows (front doors only)/Steering, ABS brakes, 4 Doors - $473/wk. during low season & $535/wk. during high season

Group D-1 Vehicles:
Jeep Wrangler SE 4x4 - Soft Top, 5 Speed Manual or Automatic, A/C, AM-FM Radio, CD Player, Power Steering - $473/wk. during low season & $535/wk. during high season.

Group E-1 Vehicles:
Ford Winstar, Kia Carnival or Hyundai H1 - Automatic, A/C, AM-FM Radio, Power Locks/Windows/Steering, 5 Doors - 7 passenger - $473/wk, during low season & $535/wk, during high season

Group E-2 Vehicles:
Mitsubishi Spacewagon DX - Automatic, A/C, AM-FM Radio, Power Locks/Windows/Steering, 4 Doors - 7 passenger - $450/wk. during low season & $510/wk. during high season

Group E-3 Vehicles:
H200 Hyundai 12 Passenger Van - Automatic, Diesel, A/C, AM-FM Radio, Power Steering, 5 Doors - $535/wk, during low season & $598/wk. during high season

Group F-2 Vehicles:
Ford Mustang Convertible LX V.6 - Automatic, A/C, AM-FM Cassette/Radio, Power Locks/Windows/Steering, Anti-Theft System, 2 Doors - $567/wk. during low season & $630/wk. during high season

Group G-1 Vehicles:
Honda CRV SUV - Automatic, A/C, AM-FM Radio, CD Player, Power Locks/Windows/Steering, Remote Entry Anti-Theft System, 5 Doors - $504/wk. during low season & $567/wk. during high season

Group G-2 Vehicles:
Lexus RX-300 4x4 - Automatic, A/C, AM-FM Cassette/Radio, CD Player, Power Locks/Windows/Steering, Sun Roof, Anti-Theft System - $788/wk. during low season & $914/wk. during high season

Children’s car seats are available for rental upon request.

Rates, optional CDW Insurance, Gas & Children’s Car Seats are all subject to an additional 8% government tax. All rates are subject to change without notice.

St. Martin Casinos:
The islands 12 casinos are all located on the Dutch side and offer European style gaming.

Cellular phones:
Are available for rental through the St. Martin Telephone Company. Cellular phone rental: US$10/day, incoming calls at US$0.96/minute and calls to USA at US$2.40/minute.

Check-in/Check-out times:
Check-in time is generally after 2:00 PM and check-out time is 11:00 –12:00 noon.

Chef Service:
Chef service offers the ultimate in personalized gourmet dining and service in the privacy of your own villa. Personal chefs or cooks arrive one hour before service to create an ambiance of elegant dining. For group of six or more, a waiter is provided at no extra charge. Unique menus (available upon request) blend the best of French and Caribbean cuisine. Guests may request one, two or three meals served per day for a minimum of five days per each seven-day period.

Rates for up to six guests:
One meal per day: $200 per day
Two meals per day: $250 per day
Three meals per day: $300 per day
Additional persons are $50 per day extra.

**Please add $100 per day to the above rates for the peak holiday weeks Dec. 15-Jan. 15.

**All rates are for households of up to six persons; additional persons are $50 per day/per person extra.

The cost for groceries is additional. A 50% deposit is required to secure the reservation and full payment is due approximately 45 days prior to departure. A $1,500.00 per week grocery deposit is due upon arrival and all grocery bills will be presented to you on departure day when any balance or overpayment will be settled. Personal checks from US based banks are accepted locally but no credit cards.

Rates include:
Shopping
Food preparation
Service
Clean Up

Gourmet food/meals delivered to your private villa:
World-class cuisine may be arranged with menus that range in price from $50-$75 per person plus a 15% service charge-all groceries included.

Climate:
Warm & sunny with temperatures between 75 F and 90 F year round. During the winter, the nights are slightly cooler and so it might be a good idea to bring a cotton sweater.

St. Martin Villa Communications:
The villas all are equipped with telephones and guests will be advised of the particular phone number of the property prior to departure. Please do note, however, that none of the properties have an open international line. International calls may be made with ATT or MCI cards.

Alternatively, phone cards are available for purchase at hotels, post offices, supermarkets and some shops. All of the public phone booths across the island accept phone cards and you may call locally or internationally from the phone booths.

Currency:
One island, two governments and several currencies…On Dutch St. Maarten, the Netherlands Antilles guilder (NAF) is the official currency while on French St. Martin it is the French Franc (FF). The Euro soon will be used, however and U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere.

St. Martin Customs & Duty-Free Allowances:
U.S. Citizens duty-free allowances:
Departing citizens whose stay is in excess of 48 hours may on their return take back, free of duty, articles totaling up to US $600 (based on the retail value of the items in the country of purchase).

Duty on purchases in excess of the US $600 exemption is 10% on the next US $1000 and thereafter.

Deep-Sea Fishing/ Water Sports in St. Martin:
Vast arrays of big game fish live in the oceans surrounding St. Martin.
Several different companies on the island offer guided fishing excursions with a focus on big game fish like marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado, barracuda and kingfish.

Departure Tax:
A tax of US $20 is levied on everyone over age two departing the island for international destinations. For departures to other islands within the Netherlands Antilles, the departure tax is US $6.00.

St. Martin Villa Deposits:
A 25%-50% deposit is required to confirm a reservation for a villa in St. Martin. Reservations made within 60 days prior to arrival during the winter season and 45 days prior to arrival during the summer/low season must be paid in full. Exception: For Christmas/New Year bookings, deposits are 50% of the total rental fee and payments are frequently non-refundable.

St. Martin Dining:
The restaurants and bistros of the island continue to thrill epicureans season after season. Chefs from France set menus each season and train staff at many of the better restaurants. On no other island in the Caribbean do we dine so well. Explore St. Martin gastronomically!

Air France arrives daily from Paris with fine food, wine and champagne for this chic colony of France.

The best champagnes at the best prices we’ve seen anywhere encourages a bottle of Cristal or Dom Perignon with fresh grilled lobster on a white sand beach. Heaven!

Documents for Arrival onto St. Martin:
Every person entering St. Martin should be in possession of a valid passport and a valid return ticket. A visitor who is a citizen of the United States of American maybe admitted with just proof of citizenship by means of an original birth certificate with a raised seal and a photo I.D.

Dress:
Light cotton dresses and light jackets and ties for formal wear and typical tropical wear during the day.

Driving:
Driving is on the right.

Electricity:
220 volts/60 cycles on the French side, adapters are necessary for visitors from North America.

Fax Machine Rentals:
Fax machines are available for rental at approximately US $100 per week and are subject to change.

Golf:
St. Martin does feature golf opportunities, however, due to a hurricane, St. Martin's golf courses are still recovering. Guests choosing their Caribbean villa rental vacation should bear this in mind when choosing St. Martin as their destination.

Mullet Bay
Phone: 545.2801 or 545.3069.
St. Martin only offers one golf course; Mullet Bay. It is an 18-hole ocean-view course but is not of championship quality.

St. Martin Government & Standard Of Living:
St. Martin, which is part of the French West Indies, shared the 37 square mile island with St Maarten, which is part of the Netherlands Antilles. Although there are markers at the border, travel between the two parts of the island is effortless and unrestricted. The capital city on the French side of the island is charming Marigot, a very cosmopolitan city with some of the finest restaurants and shopping in the entire Caribbean. On the Dutch side, Phillipsburg is the capital and you will find more shopping, restaurants, casino gambling and the island’s airport (Juliana International).

Politically, St. Martin is a French overseas department, which means that the people are French citizens and governed under French law.

Dutch St. Maarten, along with other Dutch territories, is part of a semi autonomous entity known as the Netherlands Antilles. The Netherlands Antilles has its own Prime Minister and functions with its own government under Dutch law and guidance.

Although French and Dutch are the official languages on the island, almost everyone speaks English as well and American dollars are widely accepted.

Grocery Shopping:
Visitors will find the supermarkets in St. Martin are well stocked and offering a staggering array of exotic and distinguished specialty foods for the good life.

History:
The island’s first inhabitants were the Arawak and Carib Indians. Columbus discovered the island on his second voyage to the New World in 1493 but made no attempt to establish any type of settlement. In 1648, the French and Dutch signed an agreement to share the island and this agreement is still in place today. Indeed, the island is the smallest to be shared by two countries.

During World War II, the US Marines built an airport on the Dutch side of the island to counter German U-Boat attacks on Allied tankers. The first tourists arrived in 1947 and today more than 1.5 million visitors per year come to enjoy the island’s charms.

Horseback Riding:
Several companies on the island offer guided tours that lead visitors through spectacular scenery.

Internet Cafes/Connections/St. Martin Villa Communications:
On the Dutch side, ISPs.NetworklDLN.V has been providing Internet Access and offers visitor-roaming accounts on a weekly basis. They, also, operate a cyber café and are affiliated with eight other cyber-café locations elsewhere on the island including: three in Philipsburg, one in Mahoe and one in Marigot. Contact NetworkkDL at 599.544.4815/3188. To connect your laptop on the French side you will need an adapter which may be purchased from Home n’ Tool near Marigot or on the Dutch side at Radio Shack.

Language:
Dutch is the official language on the Dutch side and French on the French side. English, however, is widely spoken.

Local Hazards:
Black Sea Urchins

Location:
150 miles southeast of Puerto Rico.

Marriage & Weddings:
We are able to provide a service on island that provides complete planning services for an unforgettable villa wedding. They are able to handle all of the reception details including food, beverage, service, minister, flowers and bands. Sample menus available upon request.

Nightlife:
Evenings can be exciting and vibrant on St. Martin with the excitement of Euro-style discothèques and the casinos on the Dutch side. Or perhaps stargazing from your pool terrace will more than suffice.

St. Martin is French, sexy, young and exciting. No other island offers so many temptations to lure you from the luxury of your own private villa from your own private swimming pool. How much or how little you do is entirely up to you.

Population:
Dutch St. Maarten: 39,000.
French St. Martin: 35,000.

St. Martin Villa Pre-stocking:
The villas on the island are generally pre-stocked with some complementary arrival items such as coffee, bread, eggs and milk. If additional items are desired, kindly advise our staff ahead of time and we would be happy to make those arrangements (but you will be charged locally for the items etc.).

St. Martin Villas-Restaurants:

Brassiere de la Gare:
Phone: 590-8720-64
Located on the water in Marina Royale in Marigot, it is a wonderful spot for good, reasonably priced food and an excellent spot for people watching.

Tropicana:
Dinner only.
Phone: 590-8752.88
Located in the Marina, it is a small and charming bistro that offers many seafood entrees.

Maison Sur Le Port:
Open for lunch & dinner.
Phone: 590-8756.38
Located in the harbor area, it offers French cooking with a good selection of fresh fish entrees.

Rainbow Café:
Reservations are a must.
Phone: 590-8755.80
Located on the water near Grand Case it is certainly one of the best restaurants on the island. The food is French and very expensive but well worth it-especially if you are celebrating a special occasion.

Il Nettuno:
Phone: 590-8777.38.
Located on the water in Grand Case, an excellent Italian restaurant.

Laylas:
Lunch only.
An outdoor beach bar/restaurant located on the main road in Nettle Baie. It offers a wonderful menu with everything from specialty salads to lobster to pasta dishes.

Sunset Beach Bar:
A great beach bar located at the end of the airport runway on Maho Beach it offers grilled sandwiches and $2.00 beers as well as the opportunity to watch planes land from its deck.

St. Martin Villas-Security Deposits:
No security deposits are required for the villas on the island.

Shopping:
St. Martin is truly a shopping mecca, offering some of the very best shopping in the entire Caribbean. Both Marigot and Phillipsburg offer an enticing array of shops and boutiques offers truly some of the very best shopping in the entire Caribbean. As a duty-free port, shoppers will find excellent bargains on a wide variety of luxury items including jewelry, cameras, perfume, designer clothing, works of art, wine and champagnes and more. Visitors will enjoy such upscale shops as Cartier and Hermes.

Snorkeling & Diving:
St. Martin offers exceptional close in snorkeling directly off its spectacular white sand beaches.

Villas in St. Martin-Staff:
The villas on both the Dutch and French side include the services of a maid six days per week. Most of the villas also have a caretaker for the property that lives in a separate and very private cottage on the grounds apart from the main villa. Staff is available for additional fees.

Sports:
Cycling, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Sports Fishing, Diving, Parasailing, Sailing, Tennis, and Windsurfing are all available on the island.

Telephones:
The St. Martin Rental villas all are equipped with telephones and guests will be advised of the particular phone number of the property prior to departure. Please do note, however, that none of the St. Martin villa rentals have an open international line. International calls may be made with ATT or MCI cards. If St. Martin rental villas clients would like to have an international line opened, a $2000 payment is required and this security deposit is held for a minimum of four months from the date of departure from the St. Martin rental villa. Alternatively, phone cards are available for purchase at hotels, post offices, supermarkets and some shops. All of the public phone booths across the island accept phone cards and you may call locally or internationally from the phone booths.

Telephone Deposits:
The majority of the villas have an overseas debar placed on the telephone lines. If clients require the debar lifted, an additional telephone deposit ($2,000.00) must be collected for any overseas phone calls made at the property and at least 2 weeks notice in writing must be given. The deposit is refunded approximately 4 months after departure.

Tennis:
The majority of the large hotels and resorts on the island have tennis courts that may be booked even if you are not a guest.

The following St. Martin rental villas feature private tennis courts:

* Escapade
* Little Jazz Bird
* La Tropezziene
* Marine Terrace
* La Lousiane
* Villa Cascades
* Le Chateau Des Palmiers

Time Zone:
St. Martin falls in the Atlantic Time zone, which is one hour ahead of US Standard time. The island does not observe daylight savings time.

Tipping of the staff:
It is appropriate to tip the maid at the villa as you would at a hotel-$3-$4 per person/per day.

Topography:
Mountainous

Tourist Board Contact Information:
USA/New York Office: 800.786.2278

Water:
The water on the island is pure and safe to drink from the tap.

Water Sports:
Whether a novice or an expert, you can pursue any water sport that you desire. Deep-sea fishing, diving and snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, parasailing, jet skiing and more are easily accessible.