The Radisson Blu Resort, Marina & Spa St. Martin recently received a $10 million renovation
The Caribbean island of St. Martin is divided into two territories, one a sovereignty of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the other under the jurisdiction of France. While the Dutch side of the island has a larger population and is more oriented toward nightlife and casinos, the French side has a decidedly quieter, more relaxed resort town feel.
Sitting pretty on the French end is the recently revamped Radisson Blu Resort, Marina & Spa St. Martin—an 18-acre jewel of a hotel with 1,600-feet of pristinely kept shoreline. From the Princess Juliana International Airport, the resort is just a 20-minute water taxi ride away. The taxi docks at the Anse Marcel Marina, and the resort is tucked into a secluded cove of Anse Marcel’s National Nature Reserve.
What to expect? Think understated Caribbean luxury and top-notch service, Nespresso machines and a rainbow of coffee capsules in each spacious and meticulously maintained room, and lighting fast concierge service. A quarter of the more than 250 units are suites—plus there’s a spa, two eateries, and plenty of verdant garden space. Here’s how to make the most of your stay at the hotel, and the island.
Dining Sur la Plage
At the hotel’s C Le Restaurant, guests can reserve a table near the water and watch the sun dip into the sea. Favorite dishes include a silky foie gras terrine, made in the style of Landes in the South of France, and a simply grilled red snapper. Save room for the roasted mango soufflé with buttery almond milk ice cream. And rise early for house-made croissants and pain au chocolate (straight from the oven) at Radisson Blu’s Le Marché.
Leisurely Pursuits
The on-property Le Spa does excellent outdoor treatments, such as a deep tissue massage in a private cabana. Indoors, the invigorating green tea and ginger seed body scrub is made even more blissful by the spa’s serene, candlelit atmosphere. Getting back to those private cabanas, that's how we prefer to spend the afternoon. All you need is some ice cold Badoit, local rum, and plenty of sunscreen. There's a picture-perfect infinity pool at your feet, but you can also go a few steps further and enjoy the beach. Keep your eyes peeled for Gaston, the resort's seven-foot orange iguana.
Day Tripping
Take a short catamaran trip to the tiny island of Pinel, where there’s no wi-fi, cell-phone reception, or modern distractions of any kind. There are three restaurants on the island, but we recommend Yellow Beach. The owners live in St. Martin and boat in fresh seafood each morning. Grand Case is the dining capital of the Caribbean, and for good reason. You'll find dozens of restaurants packed in along the busy streets. Ideally, you'd come back several times, but if here for just one meal, dine at it Le Tastevin and order the magret de canard. Marigot is the center of the French side of the island (save the touristy Dutch side for another trip). Climb to the top of Fort St. Louis on a clear day and you can capture a panoramic view of the entire island. There's plenty of local shopping in the area and lunch at the open air Tropicana bistro is a must.
