Sensational St. Maarten Savings package extended to Dec. 31, SAVE UP TO $1,700 ON Select Hotels! (Offer Includes $50 “SXM Bucks” Spending Money Per Day).

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten (Nov. 30, 2009) – As a result of the overwhelming positive consumer response, the island-wide SensAAtional St. MAArten Savings winter promotion has been extended with the booking deadline now Dec. 31, 2009.  This will allow travelers to take advantage of discounts of up to 25% off nightly room rates at select hotels, plus $50 per day credit, per room booked, in the form of  “SXM Bucks” to be used at participating restaurants, casinos, car rentals, shops, spas and attractions, resulting in up to $1,700 in savings on a one-week vacation.

Offer valid on bookings made by Dec. 31, 2009 for a minimum of four nights, for travel Dec. 1, 2009 through April 15, 2010.

“In the current economic climate, travelers are looking for added-value when planning their next vacation,” said Frans Richardson, Commissioner of Tourism & Economic Affairs, Aviation and Sports for St. Maarten. “With SXM bucks, visitors have the ability to earn money during their stay so that they can enjoy many of the island local establishments.”

SensAAtional St. MAArten Savings participating hotels include Belair Beach Hotel, Coral Beach Club, Oyster Bay Beach Resort, Princess Heights, Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa and Wyndham Sapphire Beach Resort.  Horizon View Beach Hotel, Joshua Rose Guest House and Turquoise Shell Inn are participating in the promotion with up to 25% off rates only.

For more information about the SensAAtional St. MAArten Savings, “SXM Bucks,” and participating hotels read the full article OR visit St. Maarten Official Site.

St. Maarten continues to assist travelers during these hard economic times by making it more affordable to vacation on the Dutch side of the island with the launch of a SensAAtional St. MAArten Savings winter promotion affording discounts up to 25% off nightly room rates at select hotels, plus $50 per day credit, per room booked, in the form of  “SXM Bucks” to be used at participating restaurants, casinos, car rentals, shops, spas and attractions, resulting in up to $1,700 in savings on a one-week vacation.

Offer valid on bookings made by Nov. 30, 2009 for a minimum of four nights, for travel Dec. 1, 2009 through April 15, 2010.

“In the current economic climate, travelers are looking for added-value when planning their next vacation,” said Frans Richardson, Commissioner of Tourism & Economic Affairs, Aviation and Sports for St. Maarten. “With SXM bucks, visitors have the ability to earn money during their stay so that they can enjoy many of the island local establishments.”

SensAAtional St. MAArten Savings participating hotels include Belair Beach Hotel, Coral Beach Club, Oyster Bay Beach Resort, Princess Heights, Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa and Wyndham Sapphire Beach Resort.  Horizon View Beach Hotel, Joshua Rose Guest House and Turquoise Shell Inn are participating in the promotion with up to 25% off rates only.

Guests will receive the $50 “SXM Bucks” upon arrival based on the number of days they are staying.  “SXM Bucks” can be redeemed up to one year from date of issue.  The variety of booking discounts are valid at select hotels for travel through Dec. 1, 2009 through April 15, 2010.  Certain restrictions apply.

The $50 “SXM Bucks” per day spending credit can be used at the following retailers:

• Restaurants: Antoine’s, Pineapple Pete, Ric’s Place, Saratoga, Beau Beau’s, Fusion, Infinity, Islan Flava, The Tides Restaurant, La Cucina, Molasses and Sopranos Restaurant
• Shops: AMA Jewelers, Ballerina Jewelers, Bedazzled Jewelers, Caribbean Gems, Diamonds International, Lucky Too Gift Shop, Lucky Too Jewelers, Shipwreck Shops, St. Maarten Guavaberry, Effy Collection and Tanzanite International
• Casinos:  Casino Royale, Diamond Casino, Golden Casino
• Spas: Good Life Spa, Indulgence by the Sea, The Spa and Vitality Oasis Spa
• Attractions:  Aqua Mania Adventures, Exquisite Water Sports, Xaro Tours, Atlantis Adventures and 12 Metre Challenge
• Car Rentals:  Best Deal, Hertz, U-Save, Value, Avis and Rolex

For more information about the SensAAtional St. MAArten Savings, “SXM Bucks,” and participating hotels visit St. Maarten Official site.

A few weeks ago I was having dinner at Saratoga at the Simpson Bay Yacht Club Marina and I must say; If you are looking for fine dining in St Maarten, Saratoga is definitely the place to be! It has entered my top three restaurants of St Maarten for sure.

The outside of the building got me thinking of Spain a bit and the inside as a warm place for a good evening.

You can either choose to sit indoors where the lovely design makes you feel as if you are eating in a normal living room or you can sit outdoors on their veranda with a beautiful view over the marina. We enjoyed the little breeze as we were sitting outside on the veranda.

The staff was very friendly, quick and professional.

The quality of the food was excellent. We could basically taste the care and attention the owner and Chef Mr. John Jackson and his crew put in the preparation of our dinner.

We were especially impressed by the seafood, I was impressed by the salmon I had as my main course in particular; excellent!

Since we where on of the last guests in the restaurant Mr. Jackson had some time to join us for a while and talk about his restaurant, his food, St Maarten and working in St Maarten.
The perfect end of a pleasant and tasteful evening.

Located in on the waterside at the Simpson Bay Yacht Club Marina, Saratoga can’t be missed on your quest for culinary peaks on St. Maarten.