I've stayed at Great Bay in 2003 and liked it a lot...it was my first visit and I didn't know what to expect. I know now that I do not like AI's in St. Maarten because there is soooooo much to see....but for the first visit an AI isn't soo bad as long as you travel around and see the island for it's beauty. Great Bay had been recently reovated...it looks great from the outside...but I'm not sure how it is not in terms of hospitality. Sonesta Maho is another option, I know a lot of Canadians who love it......I was in SXM the week of Dec. 9-16 and met a lot of people who stayed there and loved it. So that can be another option for you...I don't know what the price difference is, but leaving from Toronto (not sure where in Canada you are) Maho has a competitive rate depending on when your travelling of course. Maho is also close to one of my favourite beaches....(5-7 min. walk) Mullet Bay. Feel free to ask more questions if you like =)

thanks for the info...what are the waters like in St. Maarten...we love swimming in the ocean...are there large waves? Anyone raving about any hotels here??? We would love the info.

Thanks

thanks for the info...what are the waters like in St. Maarten...we love swimming in the ocean...are there large waves? Anyone raving about any hotels here??? We would love the info.

Thanks

No prob. sorry it took me soo long...just realized I didn't reply to this one......Depends which beach and depends on the winds that day. I find that Orient beach is always windy....not always a bad thing though..and the waves are not that bad when I was there last it was swimable. Mullet Bay (which is my favourite) is mostly always calm. I LOVE it for swimming especially. I love Cupecoy as well, but it's always unpredicable because sometimes the beach is wiped away.....usually by April is back. Hotels?