Just spent a week at the Alamanda Resort in Orient Bay. It is a small hotel and very quiet but the beach is very active and that is where you will spend most of your time. We rented the Presidential suite which was very nice and faced the ocean. Probably the best view in the whole resort and the most roomiest balcony. Very clean resort although be prepared for a very hard bed.

Breakfast was a frest fruit cup, pastries and wonderful toasted bagettes plus your coffee and juice. However the room has a small kitchenette with a fridge and stove top (no oven) which you can bring in a few groceries and make sandwiches etc. to help cut costs.

The beach was spectacular although left natural with the usual looking weeds washing up on shore with high tide. They just try to bury the weeds in the sand every now and again. Great for taking nice walks up and down the beach though.

Pool was very quiet and not used too often. We would usually finish our day at the beach there to rinse off and get a nice cool swim before going to our room. Usually we were the only ones there.

Be careful as the French side uses Euros and for the life of us we could figure out the conversions they were using. It seemed everywhere had there own conversion system. It would be wise to bring Euros and $ and pay in Euros when asked for. I think we lost quite a bit when using our $.

Also need to mention early mornings be warned the nudists come up and down the beach for their morning strolls. This was not the case in the later morning and afternoons though.

All in all loved St. Maarten and would likely go back but want to see what else is out there before sticking to one island.

We have stayed at the Alamanda for many years. Our last visit on 11/19 was perfect. We always request a first floor room and always get it. Hard for my hubby to go up the stairs, for the other rooms. The staff, including Vincent, Geraldyne, Matilda, Franklin, Agnes and every one else, is a pleasure to deal with. We start with the breakfast they serve, and all have a smile on their face. Our room was spotless, and is the property. We dined every night at Bikini Beach, Spiga's, Tai Chi, LaVilla, Piazza Pascal, LePressoir, L'Estaminent, LeTastevin, Lescapade and L'Auberge Gourmande and each night when we returned, we were welcomed with a giant smile. We cannot ask for a better staff. They treat us with hugs when we arrive and I have tears, when we leave. It is a wonderful property and we cannot wait to go back.

The management at the hotel were very helpful. We were a family of 2 adults and 2 children. The delux lux rooms were quite spacious. The kids had fun in the pool and its great to be so close to the beach. Thank you Alamanda.

This hotel owns the best location on Orient Bay. The arrangement with Kakao Beach for chairs and umbrella places you on the best section of the beach. Far enough away from the nude end if you have kids with you but close enough for a short stroll if you are so inclined. Kakao has excellent food and great service with Cedric at the beach.

Improvements at the hotel include new airconditioning, hot water heater and new cable TV. There was an annoying message that kept popping up saying the cable service was going to be shut off if they didn't pay the bill in 48 hours. The expanded access to American stations was nice.

Age old problems include a shower with a short courtin that leaves the floor soaking wet combined with a worn out shower head that beats you to death. The bed was hard and averagely comfortable. It's obviously time for new mattresses to making sleeping as blissful as your relaxation on the beach.

I was surprised that when we arrived that no one welcomed us back. The next day the girl at the front did recognize us and gave us a warm welcome. Everyone else on the staff was pretty unconcerned about customer service not unpleasant mind you but not connected either.

Generally the hotel is kept nice and clean. The room service is exceptional and linens and things always fresh and clean. We found a large area of mold in our room that was finally taken care of after we brought it to the attention of front desk 3 days later.

Another plus is the village behind the hotel with the best resturant on the Island La Piment. The other resturants are good also.

Having stayed at Palm Court near by on our last visit I'd say we lean returning there on our next visit. Definitely better bed, shower, breakfast and staff. Just a little longer stroll to the beach.

We would love to visit again in the future and will follow trip adviser for improvements.

Things to love here things to loath. Still the best location.