Letting you know right now - this is a long and thorough review! Look no further than this review. I promise I will cover all the basis! ❤️☀️☕️ ❤️
The Resort:
LaPlaya is small and intimate, which is what I love. The resort was renovated after Hurricane Irma, and it’s beachy, clean, modern, and comfortable. It’s not fussy. It’s not boring. It’s just right.
The Bar and Restaurant:
Tables right on the beach, some in the sand - which is one of my favorite things, to enjoy a meal with your toes in the sand! So relaxing and fun!
I want to address other reviews that said the service was not up to par. Not true whatsoever!
The staff - whom I will address later - are all so freaking fantastic! Each one is hardworking, sweet, and when you get to know them, is to love them - even GP! (Ha!)
Come down to breakfast in the morning and have some baguette or croissant- I mean, it’s like you’re in France, so you may as well indulge!
Order some eggs or pancakes or perhaps just a cappuccino ☕️- it’s all great!
My routine was always a cappuccino made by GP at the bar and then sit and stare out to the ocean and take in the beautiful Orient Beach.
Or just sit on the bar side and enjoy a cocktail, a beer, maybe a glass of wine? It’s so quaint and pretty. The path leads right through the bar and right down to the beach.
Let’s get to the beach…
The Beach:
White sand beach that is perfectly groomed and chairs and umbrellas set up every morning. Boney, Julien, and Corto work very hard to make it all come together each day. And take it all down at the end of the day.
Here’s another thing I want to address, people complaining about the “beach closing at 4:00 or 5:00 pm.” Around this time they start to take down umbrellas and stack chairs and to end the day. The beach isn’t closing, but after working the beach all day, the team is ready for the end of their work day. And who really wants to sit on the beach until it’s dark? Not me - I’m going to get ready for happy hour and the evening out! Right? So let’s not complain about insignificant things.
The water on this side is usually pretty wavy and not conducive for swimming way out or wading in. You have to be on your toes and be ready to get in or be knocked down! I was more than once! Hahahhaa But with that being said, some people enjoy that and of course it’s the perfect spot for all kinds of water sports.
Kiting, parasailing, jet skiing, tubing, etc. is all available to rent right next door! ⚓️⛵️
Corto and Julien work really hard to take your drink and food orders all day long! So sweet and kind. Thank you very much for taking such good care of us every day!
GP was our bartender most of the time. From the moment my husband and I arrived, of course looking for a cocktail at the end of a long travel day, GP was welcoming, funny, and just what we needed!
And of course throughout day you can order your drinks brought to the beach or to your lunch table.
Down the beach are several other resorts and beach clubs. You can rent chairs there, just as you can also do at LaPlaya. There are different restaurants and beach bars.
Nude Beach:
Let’s get to it. You want to know and I’m the only one who is going to tell it to you straight!
Before the hurricane, there was a larger resort and it was very popular and people stayed there with their children. The nude part of Orient Beach is for people that like and live that lifestyle.
Although the resort was demolished and the destroyed buildings and rubble are still there, now there are a few beach clubs where you can rent chairs and be nude.
I walked the beach every day. I go topless when I’m on a beach that allows it. I did not go topless at the nude beach, and for me it was nothing.
Were there people all nude - yep! Did I care? Nope.
If you don’t want to see a bunch of old men and their private parts hanging out, I suggest you don’t go around the bend to that area. Lol There are women who are nude as well. But if you are going there thinking it’s all Chippendales men prancing around, well, think again. It’s your grandpa and your uncle who like to be nude and they don’t care! Hahahha
And did they get up out of their chairs and walk towards me as I came walking by? Yes they did! So funny! Yes, I see your little winky, and I don’t care.
Americans are so hung up, see what I did there, on genitals. Europeans don’t care and a pair of boobs is just boobs. So ladies, let your tops off and relax! It’s about damn time!
Rent a Car: If you’re spending any extended amount of time on SXM, rent a car and explore the island. We did and it was so fun! Going to the Dutch side and different bars, restaurants, and shopping! The roads are winding and narrow and traffic is crazy - but hey - it’s part of the fun!
The Rooms:
Like I mentioned previously, they are all remodeled and fresh. A nautical, modern, beachy vibe. Comfortable beds and big bathrooms with double sinks. Toilet is separate from shower and sinks, which is nice.
There is an awesome kitchenette that is cleverly hidden behind a bifold door! Has everything you need to cook - which ya crazy if you do, but we did utilize the fridge. Went grocery shopping and got some snacks and drinks for the room. So nice to be able to do this.
Nearby Restaurants:
Walk down a little path before you get to the bar/restaurant and it will lead you to this awesome village of sorts. Several really good places to dine. French, Italian, Asian - soooo good! We loved them and it was our little evening out after spending the day on the beach. Just walk over there and it was fantastic!
The Staff:
Here is why LaPlaya is where you should stay - because these people make your holiday one to remember! They care. They want to make you comfortable. And we got to know them and are so grateful.
Katy
Julien
Jade
Marie
GP
Corto
Keona
Carlos
Bernard
David
Caro
Emma
Boney
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for making us food and drinks and bringing them to us. Thank you for making the beach so perfect and adjusting the umbrellas just right. Thank you for making perfect cappuccinos and laughing and talking with us!
Jusqu'à ce que nous nous revoyions.
Michelle and Richard
