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View Full Version : staying in St. Maarten



mirrodie
2006-02-18, 07:14 PM
well, I am tossing the idea around for a trip to St. maarten.

Of course, I want ot see planes but I'd like ot hit hte beahc and relax too.

so what is decent place to stay there? perhaps with a room where you can shoot from your room.

I saw that the pool of the Royal Islanders hotel is right there along the taxiway. Is that a good place to stay?

eric8669
2006-02-18, 11:15 PM
Mario,

I believe the Royal Islanders is a Time Share Resort, Another place you may want to look into is the Sonesto Beach Resort, you can get rooms that face the airport. I have recently looked into going back sometime soon. Besides planes there are alot of things you can do on the island.


Eric

LGA777
2006-02-19, 12:57 PM
I have only been once, this week last year, stayed at Maho and loved it, unable to get the good view rooms as with my steep airline employee discount you get a crappy view room during peak season and with the difference in price being several hundred per night I dealt with it. The Royal Islander has two properties, the original has rooms with views similiar to the Maho, the newer "La Terrasse" is the one with the pool and it's only little mini deck offering great close up views ! At this time last year La Terrasse did offer some rooms as regular hotel rooms, not as a time share. I do not see anything on their website, but it might be worth giving them a call, very nice property in a great location !

http://www.royalislander.com/

One of the great things about the Royal Islander and the Maho are location, not only for the airport and spotting but so much to do in a very short walking distance, many restaurants, shopping, nightlife, casino's, beachs, etc.

If you decide to go for sure I can give you some other good tips !

Cheers

Ron Peel

mirrodie
2006-02-19, 02:18 PM
thanks to you both. I jsut emailed royal islanders last night and realized you're right, its a time share, but maybe with a visit, they might try to reel me in ;) and sell me a share.

will check sonetra. THanks! DO they have a Peak and Shoulder season?

Garri767
2006-02-19, 02:27 PM
thanks to you both. I jsut emailed royal islanders last night and realized you're right, its a time share, but maybe with a visit, they might try to reel me in ;) and sell me a share.

will check sonetra. THanks! DO they have a Peak and Shoulder season?


Might?? you mean Will try to sell you a share, they will shove it down your throat lol

LGA777
2006-02-19, 04:56 PM
Mario, I believe the Sonesta (Maho) peak season runs to either April 15th or 30th. Between May and November everything their will be much cheaper, but there will also be a lot less to photograph. The KLM 744 and AF 340 which are two of the highlights do operate year round !

Ron

mirrodie
2006-02-28, 12:46 PM
well we are looking at first week of April. we'll pay out the nose but its worth it.


SO Im getting a rate at Sonesta for about 170 a night. Is that good/bad?

I already emailed the manager requesting a room with a view toward the runway and she emailed me back saying that she has nine floors and she'd take care of us.

She also told us to book the cheapest fare, so I guess that means runway views are less expensive? If so, YAY!


Also, what lenses would y'all recommend?


also, is there a time of when the heavies come in? A list of daily ops comewhere?

LGA777
2006-02-28, 05:04 PM
Mario, I think $170 is pretty good for early April, the peak times for the widebodies is afternoons, in early April AF arrives at 1335 and KLM arrives at 1515 on Thursday and Sunday only. Not sure about Corsair, I think they are once a week. Also there is an AC 763 on Saturday only at 1435 ! I hope this helps a little ?

Your gonna have a BLAST !!!

LGA777

mirrodie
2006-03-02, 07:52 PM
THanks Ron, that helps quite a bit.

hooked up with the manager. Also its nice that its going to be 4 days/3 nights, so chill at the beach in the AM, watch heavies in the afternoon and then chow down at nice.

the key is relaxing and I'm looking forward to it.

Might ever stand behind the fence for a departure. You only live once.

Eric, Josh, anyone else been there? advice to share, whether photo or R+R related is welcome.
thanks