A note from the Ownership
We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you here at Le Petit Hotel. We will be delighted if you choose to stay with us.
The whole team here is dedicated to making sure that your stay is as enjoyable and memorable as possible, so once with us, please do not hesitate to let us know if there is anything at all that we can do for you.
After getting settled in your room, please come and have a chat with us in the office; we can answer any questions you may have, give you advice on restaurants and make dinner and activity reservations for you.
You will find some of our favorite activities at the activity desk in the lobby. We are confident that you will have a well deserved, restful and relaxing time here with us!
Warmest Regards, Kristin & Marc Petrelluzzi
EntryRequirements
U.S. citizens need a valid passport or birth certificate with raised seal and photo identification and a return/continuing ticket. As of December 31, 2006 a valid passport will be required, so we suggest you go ahead and get one since you’ll need one anyway if you decide to visit the neighboring islands.
Canadian citizens need a valid passport and a return/continuing ticket.
European community citizens need a valid passport and a return/continuing ticket.
For a list of countries that require a visa for entry please visit the St. Maarten Office of Tourism’s website. www.st-maarten.com/requirements.htm
Customs
St. Maarten is the only completely duty-free port in the Caribbean. No vaccination certificates are required unless arriving from an area experiencing an epidemic.
Airlines From the United States
- American Airlines direct from New York, Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico, with connecting flights from numerous cities throughout the U.S.www.aa.com
- US Airways direct from Philadelphia and Charlotte, with connecting flights from numerous cities throughout the U.S. www.usairways.com
- United Airlines direct from Chicago, with connecting flights from numerous cities throughout the U.S. www.united.com
- Continental direct from Newark, with connecting flights from numerous cities throughout the U.S. www.continental.com
- Delta Airlines direct from Atlanta, with connecting flights from numerous cities throughout the U.S. www.delta.com
- Northwest direct from Detroit and Minneapolis, with connecting flights from numerous cities throughout the U.S. www.nwa.com
- Spirit Airlines direct from Ft. Lauderdale, with connecting flights from numerous cities throughout the U.S. www.spiritair.com
- GWV direct from Boston. www.gwvvacations.com
- In addition there are numerous charter flights available.
From Canada
- Air Transat from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary,Halifax.www.airtransat.com
- Air Canada direct from Toronto. www.aircanada.com
- Conquest from Toronto. www.conquestvacations.com
- Signature Vacations from Toronto. www.signaturevacations.com
From Europe
- KLM direct from Amsterdam with connecting flights from numerous cities thoughout Europe. www.klm.com
- Air France direct from Paris, with connecting fllights from numerous cities throughout Europe. www.airfrance.com
Within the Caribbean
- Dutch Antilles Express from Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire. www.flydae.com
- LIAT from Antigua, Anguilla, St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, San Juan and Tortola. www.liat.com
- Caribbean Star from Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tobago, Trinidad, Tortola and San Juan.
- American Eagle from San Juan. www.flycaribbeanstar.com
- Winward Islands Airways (WINAIR) from, St. Kitts/Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, Anguilla, St. Barth’s, Dominica and Tortola. www.fly-winair.com
Currency
The Netherlands Antilles Florin (NAF/Fls), a.k.a. Guilder, is the official currency of Dutch St. Maarten. The exchange rate is 1.79 to the US$. The Euro is the official currency of French St. Martin. The exchange rate fluctuates, but it runs around .70 to the US$. You may run across some places that will accept one to one if you pay cash. The US$ is accepted throughout the island.
Languages
French is the official language of St. Martin and Dutch is the official language of St. Maarten. English is widely spoken on both sides of the island. You’ll hear all sorts of different languages spoken on the island – Papiamento, Spanish, Portuguese, German and Italian to name a few.
Electricity
The electricity is mostly 220-volt on the French side, 110-volt on the Dutch side.
Climate
The climate on St. Martin/St. Maarten varies little from summer to winter. The average year round temperature on the island is 83 degrees Fahrenheit or 30 degrees Celsius. The temperature of the ocean rarely drops below 77 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 degrees Celsius. Light trade winds prevail throughout the year, making even the warmest summertime temperatures comfortable. The average yearly rainfall is 45 inches or 114 centimeters. On the days when it does rain, it is usually in bursts, which pass quickly.
Time Zone
St. Martin/St. Maarten is on Atlantic Standard Time year-round. During the spring and summer it is the same time as on the eastern coast of the U.S., during fall and winter it is one hour later on the island.
Marriage
The residency law has been changed and now allows for non-residents to get married on St. Maarten. It is necessary to request permission from the Lt. Governor. Detailed information is provided on the St. Maarten Office of Tourism website. www.st-maarten.com/weddings.htm
Beaches
There are 37 beaches on the island. Orient Beach, Baie Rouge and Baie Longue belong to the 10 most Beautiful Beaches in the Caribbeans. Don’t miss Happy Bay, you’ll feel sorry to get back Home Afterwards…
Duty Free Shopping
St. Martin/St. Maarten is known as a duty-free shopper’s paradise. On the island you will find items from all over the world – precious stones and jewelry, watches, electronics, linens, wine and liquor, designer handbags and much more – all duty-free! Front Street in Philipsburg has earned the name “The Golden Mile”. Marigot is renowned for its top European fashions.
Casinos
There are 12 casinos on the Dutch side of the island; there are no casinos on the French side.
While you are in Saint-Martin, if you like to spend some time on a Tennis court, we do recommend the American Tennis Academy located at the entrance of French Cul de Sac. You will be pleased by the quality of the Facilities and the Outlet Sport Shop. A must stop for Tennis and non Tennis player.http://tennisstmartin.com/
Things to Do, Places to Go Around the Island, Here are some suggestions that we have for places you may enjoy visiting while on your vacation. This is just a brief overview of a few of our favorites; we’ll provide you with details when you get here.
The Boardwalk along the beach in Philipsburg. This is one of the newest additions on the island, part of a St. Maarten beautification program. The boardwalk extends for about a mile along the beachfront on Great Bay. It makes for a beautiful stroll and easy access to plenty of shopping and restaurants. Lots of live entertainment is featured along the boardwalk. Segway rentals are even a fun way to explore the many offerings along the boardwalk, down by the sea.
Loterie Farm in Pic Paradis. This is in the central mountainous area of the island and is the highest point of the island so the views are magnificent. It used to be a sugar plantation and now the 160 acres of rainforest have miles of trails for hiking and even canopy-style riding above the lush tropical foliage known as “The Fly Zone”. A team of French technicians installed this adventurous course of zip-lines and it’s safe for both adults and children. For smaller kids they even have the “Little Tarzan” trail. Plus they have a cafe there. www.loteriefarm.com
St. Maarten Zoological Park is just east of Phillipsburg. This is home for 80 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Plus they have gardens that exhibit beautiful plants from all around the Caribbean. There is also a playground there for the kids to enjoy. www.stmaartenpark.com
OK Corral is right here in Oyster Pond for horseback riding. During the two and a half hour ride between Oyster Pond and Orient Beach, your horse will take you along the seaside, for a swim, and for a stroll on the beach.
Butterfly Farm at Le Galion Beach. Here you will find beautiful gardens with ponds, a waterfall and hundreds of rare and exotic butterflies fluttering around to the music softly playing in the background. www.thebutterflyfarm.com
Pinel Island is just minutes off shore from French Cul-de-sac. There are two boats that run ferry service between 10 a.m. and 5 pm. Pinel Island is a small uninhabited island with a gorgeous protected white sand beach that is surrounded by shallow water. Just a short swim or walk off the beach there is a protected area for some nice snorkeling. There are a couple of restaurants that serve lunch. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent
Tintamarre Island is about 15 minutes off shore from French Cul-de-sac. This is a completely uninhabited island, not even any snack bars, restaurants, or beach chair rentals. It has a long stretch of beach with a good day anchorage just off shore making it a boater’s paradise. Here you’ll find mud that you can apply to your body and hair, let it dry, then go in the sea to wash if off – after you’ll feel silky smooth all over.
Fort St. Louis in Marigot. This historical fort was built in 1776 and offers a panoramic view of Marigot and Simpson Bay. Along the harbor at the foot of Fort Louis hill is one of St. Martin’s newest additions – Le West Indies Shopping Mall. This beautifully designed 3-story mall houses 22 stores with offering that include fashions, jewelry, cosmetics and Caribbean gifts.
Sint Maarten Museum in Phillipsburg. Here you can learn about the island’s history, from pre-historic times to the present.
The Local Market along the waterfront in Marigot. Every Wednesday and Saturday morning there is a colorful open-air display of items ranging from freshly harvested Caribbean produce to local arts & crafts and beach attire.
Plus there’s lots of activities to enjoy on the island jet skiing, wave running, windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, sport fishing, kiteboarding, kayaking, golf, sky diving . .
.For more informations upon Saint-Martin/Sint-Maarten
http://www.st-martin.org/, http://en.vacationstmaarten.com/