After a whirlwind tour of New York City, we hopped on a plane and headed to the island of St. Martin. Ready to dip our toes in the water, eat lots of seafood and relax, island style, we checked-in to the Grand Case Beach Resort. We opted for a condo-style resort so we could have our own kitchen and shop at the market, while also enjoying the option of our hotel’s breakfast and restaurant. After all, Grand Case has a strip of restaurants that is well known for its incredible French cuisine and Caribbean and Creole fusion.
Island adventures in eating, sight seeing and relaxing!
We indulged in everything friends and family could recommend, which included a trip to Loterie Farm. By day it’s a park with a private swimming area and hangout, with zip-lining and rain forest tours overhead… by night it’s a posh club or romantic place to tuck away in a private cabana.
Imagine this place by night, lit moodily with twinkling light – the sound of waterfalls blending with the calls of the creatures in the forest and bats swooping silently overhead. We were invited to tour this place all by ourselves when all was quiet.
That evening we ate in the tree top lounge. The food was lovely and you could see the bats sweeping by outside.
Relaxing high in the trees.
Exploring the islands nearby; we took a catamaran trip to Anguilla, on rolling waves and jumped into the clear blue waters to snorkel with sea turtles and cavort on the beach.
Gorgeous sea life was so close you could touch it. I loved swimming over the grazing sea turtles, watching them gracefully dip and bob through the water.
For two days we rented a car to explore more of the small island. Totally do-able. You can drive the entire island in an hour. We stopped at romantic lookouts, quiet cafes and drank coffees in the morning, mimosas at lunch and in the evening we walked or took taxis to enjoy the nightlife, while ensuring our safe return to the hotel.
Grand Case is brimming with great places to eat and drink; it’s known for its restaurant mile.
We particularly liked the Zen’it Beach-Grand Case beer garden and cafe. The owners were friendly and it was a super place to relax in the afternoon and into evening. It was very quirky and laid back.
Sharing drinks with new friends. We were surprised to see quite a few other LGBTQ couples. These New Yorkers were travelling together and they are now newlyweds themselves!
On our journey we were on the lookout for some good local ‘fast food’. Allia had fish escovitch and I had jerk. Of course.
Playing with her food.
Out on the catamaran.
Evening cocktails with mint and fresh tropical fruits.
My beautiful new wife, looking out from Sunset Cafe.
Lobster bibbed and ready to go.
Lolo’s served authentic, piled-high food at very reasonable prices, with all the carb combinations you can imagine: spaghetti, rice, potatoes … all as the sides to your meats… with salad and veggies. This was the place to go if you were hungry and felt like sharing flavourful, simple food.
Lolo’s and Chez Coco are almost indistinguishable from one another, save for the aisle that runs between their outdoor tables. These beachfront open air restaurants were one of our favourite finds. All the dishes were served heaping and hot. Total comfort food.
Bbq and smoke at Lolo’s in Grand Case. They would call out and chat you up like an old friend as you walked by. How can you not stop in for a bite?
Jerk chicken and rice.
I think 3 Euros for two mangoes is a hefty price. But Allia was charmed by the kerchief’d old lady selling them roadside. And they were the BEST mango I’d ever tasted.
Wrecks in the harbour.
Street graffiti pays tribute to the islands French culture. The island is divided between France and the Netherlands.
Zip lining through the canopy.
At Maho Beach, despite the warnings that ‘death may result’… people wait to stand beneath the flight path of incoming and departing planes. We watched from a safe distance, Heinekens in hand.
Beautiful beaches on the island of Anguilla.
Snorkeling right off the rocks at our hotel.
During low season, we had this relaxing beach cafe all to ourselves in the early morning.
Calmos was a wonderful place to enjoy live music and feet-in-the-sand salsa dancing at night.
Our friendly, neighbourhood iguana.
Grand Case Beach Club’s waterfront.
Accommodations. Simple and clean. Air conditioning is a must. The weather was breezy but tropical.
Passing ships at the Grand Case Beach Club.
What we happily referred to as “Our Beach.”
Striking a pose between the sports and water desk, and the cafe at our hotel.
Love. Love. Love.
Lazy afternoons… with cocktails.
Strolling the board walk.
Curried shrimp and rice. Making plans for the rest of the day, while eating = our favourite pass time.
Chicken and shrimp and fish… oh my.
Bye bye, Grand Case Beach Club.
Aurevoir, St. Martin. We will miss you. Thanks for the memories and the most relaxing end to our honeymoon!
