Alamanda Resort

This was our first time to St. Maarten. Alamanda Resort was a good find for us. When we first got there, we really struggled to find them. Follow signs for Kakao Beach beach bar and Bikini Beach bar. It is past Bikini Beach Bar, and before Kakao Beach bar. The staff was very friendly and helpful. They even came out to find us, when we couldn't find the resort at first. They cleaned our rooms everyday. We were a little disappointed that we did not have more of a view of the ocean. The walls are paper thin. I would suggest renting a car. It really gives you a chance to see the island on your own time. We enjoyed dinners in both the village behind the Alamanda and in Grand Case. We would stay at the hotel again.

This was our third time to stay at this hotel and this time I brought guest. I was upset that my friend's experience was not the same as mine in the past. For starters, they spent the first night about to burn up due to the air was not working properly. Then I find out my friends tv was black and white. Ok--there is no excuse for a black and white tv. Then I had problems with the water in my room..... luke warm. Also the first night I went to close the window treatments and the one window panel came down with little effort and I had to try and fix the window so the sun did not come in early that morning. You would have thought the cleaning people would have fixed the window treatment, but they did a quick fix. The real problem was the new person that took Tiffany's place---this person was on personal calls every time I walked by the reception desk. Every time I went by to ask a question, she was on the phone. Then when leaving the hotel, I had requested a car for the airport and when I go to the lobby the car was not there so I ask the "personal call reception" to check on the cab and she said the lady was always on time---she was at this point 10 minutes late. I finally demanded that she call the lady---and finally 10 minutes later, we find out the cab driver had a flat---and at the point, timing was very important as we had to leave or be at risk of missing our flight. So another person from the airport said he would take us to the airport, but never mentioned the cost. Now one would think that the hotel would cover the cost of the car to the hotel---especially since this was my third stay, I had problem, and my friends had problems---but NO NO NO...I had to pay $30-----to which I only had Euros---and I offered $25 Euros---the guys said the exchange rate was one for one....as we all know the Euro is more like $1= 1.45----This was not fare. a year ago, I would recommend this hotel to everyone, but I can't recommend this hotel to anyone. I was very disappointed. And the worst........I hate say this, but after rechecking and checking---I hate to point fingers, but my favorite baseball cap was taken from the room.........and 2 twice my door was unlocked by the staff while I was in the room and announcing to the staff I was in the room, but came right on in.......watch your toes at breakfast as the lizards bite......and finally---the only staff members that were not lazy----the breakfast service. I am so sad that I will have to find a new place to stay on my next visits to St. Maarten.

Planned a surprise birthday trip for my husband - it was PERFECT! Weather was great, beach was beautiful, people were friendly and the room was perfect. The Alamanda was a great location. We could see the beach from our room. We have stayed at another hotel at Orient Bay but preferred the Alamanda and would definitely go back! Continental breakfast was a great way to start the morning.

The hotel was right next to the beach. The room itself was all right. When we first entered, it had a musty smell, and I felt disappointed. That soon went away with a bit of air. The accommodations themselves were pretty basic: a bed, a tv, two night tables, a dresser and a closet. The room lacked brightness. In order to have adequate lighting, it was necessary to open the curtains and people would look into the room as they walked by. There was enough storage space. There was also a kitchenette with a refrigerator and a microwave. If a person is looking for a "high glitz" ambiance, this would not be the place to stay. But, if you are looking for a basic, well-maintained place with a great continental breakfast and the closest location possible to the beach, then this is the place. Another very important point-if you want to rent a car, do it at the airport. I rented at the hotel and had to pay the price in euros. The agent did not communicate this to me. He kept saying dollars. When I extended the rental for another day, it was then that he said euros. I did speak to a supervisor who showed me two different contracts that the company uses: one in euros and one in dollars. The contract with the dollars can only be used on the Dutch side (that's where the airport is as well). The difference was $42. The car rental was definitely essential to our trip, as we did travel the island. A visit to Pinel Island is a must. You take the ferry from the French Cul de Sac (you cannot drive to Pinel) and it is spectacular. One last item--the shops in Philipsburg do not have deals as one would think.

Close to beach and restaurants. All rooms face in towards pool & beach.

The room itself was very nice. We had problems with the AC in that we couldn't control the temperature. It was either on or off. They never did find us a remote to work it. We enjoyed the continental breakfast in the AM. The view was great! I love being able to see the ocean from our room!

Overall, we were very happy with the Alamanda Resort. It is a short walk to the stunning Orient Beach and everyone at the Resort was helpful and friendly.

We enjoyed our time at the Alamanda (once we had found it!!), Hiccup with the room allocation for the first night [...] All areas appeared to be kept very clean with regular towel changes, beach towels supplied etc. Hotel is just across a dirt road from the superb Orient Bay beach - about a mile of soft white sand. Rooms were large (6.5m x 5m)with excellent ocean view (PROVIDED you are on first floor) plus small kitchenette and bathroom. Kitchette had limited pans/utensils. We advised of a broken toilet pan fixing, but no action was taken during our stay. The pool was well maintained and generally quiet so no fighting over sun beds. No bar or facilities other than breakfast service. Hotel is set within the Orient Bay Resort complex with a number of good restaurants, bars etc. and there are also numerous bars and restaurants on the beach. It felt a very safe area.We were not too impressed with St Martin overall, lot of poverty and little pride in their island - lots of rubbish, abandoned cars etc. Similarly Philipsburg - supposedly a duty free mecca - had little to recommend it. Would not return, journey too long.

Fantastic intimate hotel. Our room faced the ocean with a perfect view and was very clean. The next time we will bring our own MP3 music to listen to while sipping wine on the balcony. There are fantastic restaurants in the public square right behind the hotel and also a grocery store. We rented a car for the week but next time will upgrade to a car with wheels bigger than wheelbarrow wheels! There are so many potholes on the roads and some hills are quite steep. Visit Happy Bay, great secluded beach and well worth the 20 minute walk from Friar's Bay. Be sure to visit the Sunset Bar by the airport, great place for drinks, food and watching the planes come and go, real tourist draw,There is so much to see and do in St. Martin, St. Maarten , we are booking to return in February!

The location of the hotel is perfect. The beach is awesome great service on the beach from Kaoko. Food there is good. The Alamanda is in need of serious updates. The beds are as hard as rocks and the pillows hurt my neck, did not sleep well at all. The staff is great with good ideas of where to go and what to do on the island.