A high-end, relaxed space for everyone, just steps to beach & pools. Perfectly-sized share for a friends/family vacation - 1800 sq ft with 3 king bedrooms (and 2 couches for additional sleeping arrangements).
Each bedroom has a luxurious king-sized bed, flat-screen TV, a quiet, large ceiling fan to compliment the condo's air conditioning, and each is fully furnished with linens and blackout curtains. Both full bathrooms are beautifully appointed with walk-in shower or shower/tub, towels, hair dryer and personal care items. The primary bedroom's bathroom is en suite and this room has a balcony with two chairs and small table to watch the ocean and beautiful skies as you sip coffee or a cocktail. (If you wake early, you can track the sunrise which gives the resort its name.)
The full kitchen has a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker (with start up supplies), toaster, stovetop and oven. The living room with 2 couches and a large chair also has a large flat-screen TV and balcony with a table and two chairs. The dining room, nestled between the kitchen and living room has a large round table with seating for 6 with additional bar stool seating at the raised kitchen counter. Not to be overlooked is the laundry room with full size washer and dryer which makes vacation packing even easier - you'll always have clean clothes ready for the next adventure! The condo's overall decor is upscale island, peaceful colors, comfortable seating, and a lot of storage (including a safe for your valuables).
Meals are easy: your full kitchen can be stocked by pre-ordering groceries (let us know) OR delivery pizza from Mama’s OR take a 5 minute drive across the border to L’Oasis for excellent French food with live music OR dine at one of the resort's restaurants. Dawn Beach Club (DBC) shares space with the exceptional JW Marriott hotel so your resort-based options are wide & excellent, including gourmet restaurants, shops, casual dining and an onsite spa.
Also exceptional is the DBC staff - friendly, helpful, always available to make your vacation extraordinary. Please plan to tip the cleaning staff generously at the end of your stay; they empty trash daily, bring towels and do a thorough cleaning one day a week. If you want full daily cleaning, let us know and it can be set up with the concierge. (Your fee would be $300 for this upgrade.)
DBC is right in the middle of the island's eastern coast, just minutes from the French border. (Open borders across the island.) People are friendly everywhere on the island. Driving is easy (right side of the road) though you need a casual attitude about street signs - our main advice is if you get lost, head toward the water - it will then be easy to get yourself oriented. The island is less than 10 miles wide so getting lost is only temporary. See the simplified map in our photos.
There are popular shopping areas in Phillipsburg down by the water; the cruise ship schedule is published in the local paper (look for the ladies selling it on the major roads into P'burg; it's informative about island activities and a fun read). Parking is definitely worse on these days, but the people-watching is awesome. Other shopping/activities highlights are in Simpson Bay (also on the Dutch side) and Orient Bay, Marigot and Grand Case on the French, the last is also a "must do" for fine French dining.
In general, the island is excellent for just wandering around, stopping a beaches for a swim or bakeries for wonderful sweets & breads. We found the laidback beach at Friar's Bay on the west side of the island (watch for cows on the side of the road!) and happened upon Galion Beach (just north of DBC) this same accidental way. At Galion, we loved watching wind surfers and splashing about in the quiet bay water with local folks at this easy-going spot.
The local grocery stores are excellent or try the big Carrefour in P'burg for your weekly shop if you don't pre-order. By the way, the prices ring up in Dutch guilders but the charge is in "your" currency; it's a little surprising the first time but no worries. We didn't find the prices off-putting though, because it is an island, of course they are higher. The brands are very recognizable if you're East Coast Americans like we are - it was like shopping for food in NJ/NY area - with lots of European & Caribbean brands to try as well.
If you're a diver, we personally recommend Ocean Explorer's on Kim Sha Beach (Simpson Bay); they are exceptional for all levels of skill. If you like to watch both the big and mega yachts navigate a very narrow inlet or see very young sailors learning the basics, head over to the Yacht Club just over the bridge but don't get put off by parking there. It's tiny so you may have to go find a street spot and walk in. You can even catch a first run movie at the Cinema in Simpson Bay in case it rains and you've just gotta get out. :)
These a few of our favorite places & stories, but you'll find your own, easily, on this small, vibrant island.
