Esmeralda Resort Charms at Entrance to Orient Bay’s Stunning Beaches

December 18, 2024

What better way to escape the winter doldrums than to spend some quality time in the West Indies? Saint Martin/Sint Maarten (aka SXM) is an island with two currencies, two voltages, two languages, two distinct flavours and 37 beaches.

And on the French side, spread out amongst a tropical garden setting close to Saint Martin’s Orient Bay lies the charming Esmeralda Resort, offering 46 rooms contained within 14 luxury Creole-inspired villas. Esmeralda opened in 1991 as the first resort in Orient Bay.

Each pastel-coloured villa contains its own private pool, shared with four other rooms within the villa. Tropical gardens containing colourful bougainvilleas, hibiscus, and coconut trees create a welcoming, intimate atmosphere.

The Esmeralda sets itself apart from larger, busy resorts with spacious rooms that include a compact kitchenette and a terrace with table and chairs, perfect for relaxing after a day of touring or beach-hopping.

Our superior room is located inside a lavender-painted villa close to L’Astrolabe Restaurant.

Rooms are painted white to complement terracotta floor tiles and wooden furnishings, while the bathroom has colourful turquoise tiles, a rain shower, and a drying line for swimsuits.

There’s lot of space within the closet as well as a safe and iron (ironing board upon request). The electronic shutters by the sliding glass balcony door can be activated at night for a nice dark room and sound sleep!

French perfumer Fragonard fig-scented bath and body products are contained within eco-friendly dispenser bottles made of 100% recycled plastic, both at the sink and in the shower.

A robust airco system keeps the room nice and cool, and a dip in the pool is most welcome after a walk up from the sea.

Additional resort amenities include electric adapter/USB charging hub loans, snorkeling equipment, boogie boards (there’s great wave action at the beach!), rackets and tennis balls, a car rental and activities desk, small boutique inside the reception building, laundry service, plus free parking next to your villa.

Dining

A stay here includes complimentary continental breakfast at L’Astrolabe from 7:30 to 10:30 am each morning.

[L’Astrolabe evenings by the pool]

Delicious flaky croissants, pastries, fruit and coffee can be enjoyed either poolside or inside the air-conditioned restaurant, which has earned a loyal following for Chef Patrick Guillerm’s sumptuous French cuisine with a West Indies flair. There’s a weekly surf and turf menu with live music on Mondays, a lobster night on Fridays, as well as a €64 three-course menu throughout the week.

[Smoked Wahoo Carpaccio marinated in olive oil and served with shaved beetroot]

The menu includes tantalizing options such as lobster and cognac bisque served as a cappuccino with Porcini mushrooms and foie gras ravioli, escargots in a creamy Provencal garlic and parsley sauce, Caribbean fish pot, mahi mahi with lemongrass, ginger, lime, and coconut milk, rack of lamb in an almond crust, plus a lovely selection of desserts, French wines, cocktails, beer and mocktails.

In the Area

A five-minute walk along a path from the resort soon reveals one of Saint Martin’s most beautiful sugar-white sand beaches, Orient Bay Beach. Resort guests can make use of umbrellas and sun loungers at KKO, Bikini, Kontiki, and Wai beach clubs for free (plus Coco Beach at 50% discount).

Each club has its own unique vibe. From the resort, you’ll first arrive at Coco, then KKO. Further along are Bikini, Kontiki, and Wai. Once you’ve enjoyed the beach, La Place du Village is nearby, offering a variety of restaurants, shops, and bars. It’s lovely to come here for dinner and peruse each restaurant’s offerings. We recommend Maison Mère, Le Piment (amazing pizzas), and La Favela.

[One of our favourite spots in Saint Martin: Petite Plage, near Grand Case]

From water skiing, scuba diving, sailing and snorkeling trips to deep-sea fishing, the azure waters of the Caribbean invite pure fun in the sun. Since the island is only 19 km from north to south and about the same distance from east to west, it’s easy to rent a car and see much of the island within a one-week stay.

Maho Beach, a must-see bucket-list plane-watching spot for aviation lovers, is only about a half hour drive that takes you across the island.

[KKO Beach Club at Orient Bay, complete with rainbow!]

The biggest decisions you’ll need to make while at the Esmeralda are which beach lounger to put your sun hat and towel on, and where to dine. Unplug and enjoy these stunning Caribbean beaches (though if needed, most beach clubs offer free wifi).