Simpson Bay

from Golden Book of Sint Maarten 11th edition 2022

by media publishing international N.V.

Philipsburg

THE NEW STRIP OF ENTERTAINMENT

Until 1933, Simpson Bay Village was completely isolated. A lot has happened and developed since then. Today the Village is well and alive bustling with activity. The new strip of entertainment offers all the essential services that a visitor to the “Friendly Island,” would require in order to enjoy themselves.

Simpson Bay is also home to the mega-yacht sector of the island’s tourism oriented economy. The Simpson Bay Lagoon is one of the biggest natural assets, a natural area for marinas and other marine sector services. The Simpson Bay Lagoon caters to the Palapa Center and Marina, Simpson Bay Yacht Club, Isle de Sol Yacht Club, and the Princess Yacht Club at Port de Plaisance.

Simpson Bay Village has a lot more to offer the visitor. It has restaurants, art galleries, international fast food establishments, hotels, liquor & tobacco stores, real estate agents, casinos, doctor’s offices, brand-name stores, and much more. The beaches are just a stone’s throw away.

ESSENTIAL SERVICES

The strip also offers the services of a number of financial institutions on the island. The island’s main banks which have

their head offices in Philipsburg, have branches and ATM machines throughout the Dutch side of the island. Some of them have branches in Simpson Bay, namely Windward Islands Bank, RBC Bank., Republic Bank and First Caribbean International Bank. They provide a whole range of services for visitors.

WATERSPORTS

Diving/snorkeling, kayaking, banana boats, sport fishing, sunset trips, day trips, bike riding are just some of the things that are available in the village. There is so much to do including boat trips to the neighboring islands. You will always find something to do.

DINING/RESTAURANTS

The Simpson Bay strip caters to approximately 50 restaurants, snacks and eateries. The island is recognized as the gourmet capital of the Caribbean boasting over 350 restaurants. The strip offers some of the finest dining on the island. Dining on the strip is exquisite. You will find a variety of gastronomic possibilities such as Italian, Continental, French, Creole, Brazilian and much more.

PUERTA DEL SOL PLAZA AT SIMPSON BAY

In Sint Maarten you always find something new on your next visit. Puerta del Sol Plaza is an addition to the Simpson Bay Yacht Club. The plaza has been described as having shady courtyards with a collection of chic boutiques, hair salons/ day spa, yacht brokers, real estate agents and restaurants. Once again it is in easy walking distance to everything else.

AIRPORT

The Princess Juliana International Airport is right next to the Simpson Bay Village. The airport is ideally located just a few minutes away from the main hotels and timeshare properties located in the areas of Beacon Hill-Caravansarai, Maho Reef,

Cupecoy, Simpson Bay and Pelican.

Lee’s Roadside Grill is back with a brand new location across from the Atrium Resort in Pelican. If you’re planning a trip to St. Maarten then Lee’s Roadside Grill

is where you can find some authentic Caribbean cuisine. We serve everything from mouth-watering grilled lobster and fresh fish to BBQ ribs and chicken. All cooked on a charcoal

grill giving the food that great flavor that keeps you coming back. Our local fishermen keep us fully supplied with the best Snappers, Mahi-Mahi, Grouper, Wahoo, Tuna and of course Lobster.

We are open Tuesdays to Sundays from 12 noon to 10:30 pm, CLOSED MONDAYS.

Don’t forget “Happy Hour” 2 pm to 7 pm and 10 pm to 11

pm. Lee’s accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover Cards.

LEE’S ROADSIDE GRILL & BAR Located across the Atrium Resort in Pelican Tel: +1 721 544 4233 www.leesfish.com

Nature’s Discount 048 (waiting)

BAKER’S SUITES ST. MAARTEN’S FINEST ALL-SUITES BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Tucked away in a hillside in Simpson Bay is a gem of a boutique hotel; Baker’s Suites. This is St. Maarten’s first and only all-suites boutique hotel. Mr. Baker, aka

Anastacio Baker is the Managing Director of this familyowned hotel. Having an education in aviation, having been on the management team at our Princess Juliana International airport, having been the “Executive Director of Chamber of Commerce” he definitely had all the skills, the know-how and more to open and run a hotel.

The creation of Baker’s Suites was a family idea, involving Baker’s father, mother and brother. The time was right as they had the option to purchase the property which they were leasing for their car rental.

Baker’s Suites originally started out with 10 units. Three more suites have recently been added and not yet open due to COVID-19. Baker has done quite well despite COVID-19. He believes it is due to a few different things “we cater to different classes, different types of needs. Each unit has its own kitchenette, king sized bed(s) (according to room) and its own private balcony (or balconies).

Another reason that Baker’s Suites continues to be doing well, considering the circumstances, is that their location is very convenient for its guests; you may not even really need a car as the hotel is surrounded by all kinds of sought-after daytime and night-time activities; beach activities, restaurants, clubs, grocery stores, shops, spas, banks, pharmacy, and lots more available in walking distance. The hotel also has its own minimarket on premises, an Indian restaurant and a car rental!

Baker says “In most of our rates breakfast is included; we have been in a great working relationship for the past 2 years with Pelican Bistro which is a short walk nearby”.

Although Baker’s Suites has only 13 rooms “we market and behave like we have 75 rooms” and these rooms are clean, neat, pleasantly decorated and have everything you need

Baker even mentioned a special surprise anniversary of a local couple that stayed at Baker’s Suites. Their request was last minute, but thankfully they had decor and lots of fine details ready for such events. This particular story stuck with him, he is very happy with such moments as the guests were so happy and it really made their anniversary celebration something to remember!

such as Wifi, full kitchenette and closet, but most of all, these rooms are cosy; they feel like home. Baker’s Suites is also a very secure hotel, including full CCTV and security guard(s).

Baker has always been known as a detailed person and you can see his personality reflected throughout the hotel. Another reason for the hotel’s success “Our friendliness and cleanliness is on point”, we are Caribbean Hospitality Certified, and to obtain that award certain criteria has to be met.

The hotel offers its suites in 3 different themes: Hibiscus - Standard room

Serene - Largest rooms and located more at the back Sunset - Large with a sunset view and each suite having 4 balconies

The newest addition, the Ocean View is almost ready, and of course Baker is making sure every last detail is covered.

His family is still involved in the business “My brother Renaldo Baker is in charge of the Car rental, my father is the designer/ captain and my mom takes care of the books”, it’s no wonder that Baker’s Suites has a warm, familiar, inviting, at-home type of atmosphere.

Quality service is definitely found here and special requests are absolutely taken seriously, for special occasions or events, like anniversaries, birthdays etc. Baker’s Suites is happy to help you out and make that occasion extra special; the theme of the room can be changed, décor added, nice details that show you went out of your way for your loved one(s). They love catering to surprises and life events, all you need to do is let them know ahead of time “we enjoy catering to those ‘extras’ that keep our guests happy” says Baker. Baker’s Suites is doing well and that’s in part due to our very own locals “St. Maarteners are our second largest client after U.S. citizens” Baker thinks this is due to a combination of

factors; St. Maarteners are proud to support a local business of “one of their own”. And although Baker’s Suites is a smaller hotel, you still get that ‘different’ feeling, like you are on vacation away from SXM. It’s also very convenient that basically everything is just around the corner, within walking distance. Baker’s Suites also has competitive rates on island!

If you are looking to not just relax during your vacation, the Activities Desk is happy to accommodate you and make sure you get the ‘SXM experience’, “We encourage everything as we are proud of our island”, with a beach within eyesight there are already many activities to try out nearby.

What’s next for Baker’s Suites? They are continuously expanding in various ways “COVID-19 shifted our plans tremendously; we have to adjust. When it is calm, it is easy, when life gets rough that is when you need to adapt”.

Adapting is easy at Baker’s Suites; Delightfully New. Wonderfully Attentive. Quality Driven, and Simply Caribbean! This is the place you’ll want to return to again and again, but don’t take our word for it, visit them online: www. bakerssuites.com. You can also call: (721)544-0095. Like them on Facebook and check them out on Instagram.