Saint Martin Vacation Rentals

Your cultural tour of St. Martin's Dutch and French sides include sun catching on Orient and Grand Case Beaches, the latter of which is a Mecca for the gourmands of this world. Creole charm oozes from the buzzing market with its stalls of traditional dishes and piquant flavors. Marigot is the French capital, established in the 18th century as a center for the sugar cane industry.

Fort Louis Marina is bright and overlooked by the eponymous 1789 fort, while old Creole houses in the backstreets exude ambiance. Not far away, the ruins of the 1772 Saint Jean Sugar Plantation are stunning, while at Hope Estate Archaeological Site you can see ruins dating from 550 BCE. St Maarten Museum in the Dutch area of Philipsburg is dedicated to retracing the island's history.

Why not charter a catamaran for the day and head to Prickly Pear Cay? Bring your snorkelling gear and prepare to plunge into the crystal clear water. Sip a rum punch on the beach and look out at Anguilla. The island is completely deserted, apart from the restaurants to which the staff commute daily. All you'll find is perfection and paradise. Linger languidly on the beach after barbecue lunches of ribs, fish, or chicken – or stop at Maunday's Bay or Mead's Bay for a cooling dip and a snorkel.

Maho Beach

Beloved of plane spotters, the turquoise waters lapping Maho Beach are directly behind the airport runway. A flight timetable is displayed on boards at the majority of the bars and restaurants. There's even a speaker emitting the air traffic control tower transmissions at Sunset Bar and Grill on this characterful, brilliant white beach.

Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit

The brainchild of international artist Nick Maley, this small non-profit museum is replete with memorabilia and movie history. Come and see Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and Alien, along with a gallery of Caribbean art.

Loterie Farm

This private nature reserve is sequestered in the island's hinterland. A glittering emerald stretching 54 acres, this family-managed green space is also home to the residence of one of the former mayors of St. Martin. Activities range from zip lining to trail hikes.

Orient Bay

This 3 kilometre white powder beach is embraced by reefs and shelves very gradually into the Atlantic. The marine park makes for unbelievable snorkelling around Caye Verte, and a nude beach joins sailing, jet skiing, and paragliding facilities to make this one of the island's best-loved beaches.