"Orient Beach" ??

[todd]

Can anyone give us first hand info on the accomodations and amenities at Club Orient? We know they offer "clothing optional" beach and such..... but how are the restaurants (good food, pricey, etc.) and the rooms (clean, easy access to beach, large enough)? If you have been there or know of someone who's been there, would you or they return for another stay? Any other points that we've missed would be a help.

[ck]

Hi Todd,

We have not stayed at Club Orient, but we did stay in one of the nearby hotels and spent a great week on the Club O beach. They have chalets of various sizes, and they looked roomy enough. Some chalets are right on the beach, others are back a bit, but all have easy access. We ate lunch at their restaurant several times (Papayago or something like that). The food was good and the prices reasonable. There are also several other restaurants along the beach, so you will have several places within walking distance, although Club O's is the only clothing optional one.

We met several peopel on the beach who were regulars to Club O, and they all had plenty of good things to say about it. The next time we go back to Saint Martin we will stay at Club O.

Hope this helps,
CK

[jandrcpl]

hi todd, we stayed at club o 2yrs ago and enjoyed it very much ,,,, check out website ,,,, restuarant was good ,,,, lot close by ,,,, they had nice store if you want to cook in sometimes ,,,, we stayed in garden chalet ,,,, very nice ,,,, great service clean ,,,, great place ,,,, you can email us to for more info

[Tjmmass]

Hi, my wife and I have been to Club Orient several times. It is not a luxurious resort but unless you are very picky, it will serve nicely. The rooms aren't fancy but they are fairly new and are adequately furnished and have good A/Cs. The restaurant is very good. I would not call it gourmet but I have never had a bad meal there. The small store on premises has an amazingly good assortment of fruit, cheeses, wines, etc. And, every morning they offer fresh breads and croissants. Of course, the best part of Club Orient is the beach and water. I have been there three times and will defininitely go back. Good luck.

[swale44]

We have been to Club O three times in a year and a half. I agree with tjmmass on all points. I like the fact that the rooms are not hotel style, but separated leaving lots of green around them. The beach is right there. And no clothes are required!!
john

[cliffhoelz]

club Orient is the best resort i have ever stayed at. the rooms are good clean and well maintained. there are no tv's or phones so your vacations is yours to enjoy. the food is great and there is a grosery store on the resort. i give this palce 5

you will full in love with it.
cliff

[Hb]

Looking at the website, Club Orient seems to be a pretty large place. With no tvs, is there any kind of nightly entertainment at the resort?

[pattyb]

In addition to entertainment, what are the restaurants close by? Do you have to dress? What are the menus and pricing?

We usually like to do all-inclusive so we know how much we are spending, but have looked at this place over the years.

[Slack]

My wife and I were there at Club Orient a couple of years ago and greatly enjoyed it. The food and service at the restaurant are very good. We were moderately frustrated in having to ask to have the check brought to us, but we assumed it was a cultural thing in not wanting to hurry us. The beach was just voted best beach in the Carribeam by readers in Carribean Travel and LIfe. The only reason we have not gone back is there are just too many other places in the world to explore.

[Hb]

Thanks Slack.

But what was there to do at night while taking a break
Also, can you gauge the relative costs? As opposed to a Hedo, Desire, etc.?

Of course, with airfare going up, our flying days may be done...

[Chilly Canucks]

We have stayed at Club Orient and have stayed elsewhere on Orient Bay, using the CO beach during the day. While we prefer staying at the resort, sometimes you just can't get rooms - they are that busy.

Food at Papagayos is good and relatively inexpensive. Best deal is to buy some fruit and a baguette in the store every morning for breakfast (fresh fruit with a shot of cognac - hmmmmmm - what a way to start the day!) and then go out for dinner.

One of the reasons we keep going back to St. Martin is Grande Case. Its well-deserved reputation as the "Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean" means you will get to eat in a different world-class restaurant every night. It's only 10 minutes from Club Orient, but does mean you need to rent a car. But then you'll probably want to visit Marigot and Phillipsburg anyway.

Can't wait to go back - now planning for Feb/Mar '05.

[CalientesEnBaja]

I was in Orient beach for an afternoon about 15 years ago with my ex-wife. As she didn't care for nude beaches we didn't stay.

My current wife, on the other hand adores nude beaches. She thought Cap d'Agde was her perfect place in the world. I'd like to take her to St. Martin but I am having trouble finding a flight. The problem is she is a Mexican citizen (we live in Tijuana) and does not have a visa to enter the United States. With the current (stupid) rules, this means we can not make connections in US airports (Miami, San Juan, etc). I found a route from Tijuana to Mexico City, to TORONTO (!!!) to St. Martin but that is ridiculous. Anyone have any ideas?

[gpalmer]

We have stayed at the hotel on the far east side and found it nice as a textiled resort but on Orient Beach. You may wish to look at www.orientbeach.com for additional hotels.

There are several very nice restaurants right on the beach, but there is not much night life. I agree that if on St. Marten you really should visit Grand Case. La Vie en Rose is my favorite on the beach with excellent food. You can also try along the waterfront in Marigot.

I love this beach, even though most of it is going textile with all the new construction of new hotels and more people from cruise ships shuttled to this beach, but it is still a fabulous beach you really should go to at least once. Have fun.

[hedotravelers]

Club Orient sounds like a blast..is there any shade on the beach?
http://www.hedotravelers.com

[ck]

When we were there several years ago I recall there not being much in the way of tree shade due to hurricane damage. However, they do have umbrellas. At that time, if you were staying at Club O they would give you an umbrella and beach chairs. If you were staying elsewhere and just using the beach you could rent an umbrella and chairs for the day. I would assume it's still the same.

[Natcpl55]

What is the average cost, including air fare from a midwest city to Club Orient for a week? By midwest city I am thinking St. Louis or Kansas City.
Thanks,
L & C

[Lance at Go Classy]

Congratulations! This message has been chosen as the winner in the first week of our January/February contest. Please contact Lance at Go Classy Tours to clain your prize. Email him at lance@goclassy.com.

The answer to your question is that the price will vary by season. Call toll free 888 825 2779 for exact rates.

[justducky]

We've been to St. Maarten a couple times, and we've seen Orient Beach from a distance. I'm curious at to how Orient Beach compares to the Hedo's, Desire, etc. Is it simply "nudist", or are there some other activities and PDA's that are allowed there?

[Lance at Go Classy]

Club Orient has a beautiful beach and St Marteen in a sunny delightful island. Club Orient also accepts families and is run more to AANR standards. For those expecting more than sun bathing, surf, and relaxation, another resort might be more appropriate.