We have all been there: you are sitting at your desk bored out of your mind, you are daydreaming about a quick getaway, you know you want an island but you can’t decide on which island and when you finally do pick one you have no idea where to begin when it comes to choosing where to stay. A villa? A resort? An apartment? The options are endless and you are self-admittedly clueless. Well, rest assured GG’s because I have really good news: when it comes to traveling to St. Martin with ease, security and accommodating there is only one place to turn to: Sotheby’s International Realty. Offering a variety of choices, depending on how many you are traveling with and what your preferences are, Sotheby’s demonstrates a magnificent art of balancing professionalism with a personal touch when it comes to finding the perfect hosting situation for your needs. Last month I was dying for a quick getaway. I was traveling solo and I knew that I needed a place that was easy to get to, safe and most of all: convenient. I did not know exactly what I was looking for but I knew that I had to have wifi (duh), I wanted a pool but didn’t exactly want the forced restaurant dining 24/7 of a small resort and I wanted to be close to some shops and the beach (another duh.) After connecting with the right contacts (more details on who these special people are down below!) I was beyond ecstatic when I was situated in the unique Porto Cupecoy area in Dutch side St. Maarten. After discussing my wish list I was advised to stay in a luxury condo in Porto Cupecoy, a new development of 17 buildings, influenced by the architecture of the Mediterranean, which is located next to Simpson Bay Lagoon. Just a skip and a hop over the border from the lush French Saint Martin, Porto Cupecoy was more than I could have imagined. A bouquet of uber luxury buildings located in the heart of the village these condos offered a convenience and energy that could not be matched by staying elsewhere. Surrounded by people yet able to escape to the privacy of your unit Porto Cupecoy was everything and more than I could have asked for.
Less than ten minutes from the airport Porto Cupecoy was about as convenient as it gets. But what makes Porto Cupecoy so amazing is that after entering the 24/7 security protected gated entrance you are whisked into a vision that could have you lost in a daydream for hours if not days. The first confirmation that you are truly on vacation is the site of the deep water white-glove marina, which occupies over 50 boat slips, pro- viding an ambiance of gorgeous yachts accom- panied by a backdrop of the beautiful mountain- side. Taking in the view of the buildings set on either side of the marina makes you feel as if you are worlds away. Once you get beyond the nat- ural landscape of the community, the advanced amenities within are another wonderful surprise and make you feel right at home.
Inside the Porto Cupecoy community are a handful fabulous shops for the fashionistas among us and several awesome restaurants that offer entertainment, delicious, fine dining menus and fabulous hours to suit any diet! There is an adorable cafe for coffee and goodies, which also has wifi (yay!) and tucked away in the center of the condo buildings is a beautiful pool, tennis courts and a fully equipped health and fitness center. There is even a food store! ALL of this amazingness is RIGHT INSIDE the Porto Cupecoy community.
But the condo that I stayed in, Figuiera, was really what did me in. With three spacious bedrooms and dreamy, luxurious bathrooms in each the sleeping situation was only the beginning of what made this condo stand out. Fully equipped with a kitchen that had everything you would ever need, a large dining and living space, and its own washer/dryer unit this modern condo met every want of any traveler. Not only was I flabbergasted with every detail that was thought of to make the stay as comfortable as possible. From the kitchen utensils to the bathroom toiletries, the linens and even their magazine inventory was fabulous! But what truly set Figuiera aside from anything I could have imagined was the view. With a huge, beautiful terrace that was the width of the entire condo, the view was literally priceless. Overlooking the pool and the rest of the community with a distant view of the water and the island in its entirety Figuiera provided a sense of comfort with its slight visibility, especially as a solo traveler, but also a sense of privacy, a combination that can be near impossible to achieve. Between the convenience and ambiance of the Porto Cupecoy community you truly never ever have to leave once you are there!
But in the case that you want to you can get any car that fits your budget from Thrifty Car Rental and cruise around the island. And, you can walk right out of the community to a strip of totally fashionable boutiques and more restaurants. My favorite spot to visit? Literally, a quick right turn out of the community and less than two miles up the hill sits Belmond La Samanna, the super chic and posh resort overlooking the Caribbean Sea from St Martin’s westernmost tip just north of the French/Dutch border. With an amazing view my favorite night dining out was at their delicious restaurant that literally hovers over the water as you enjoy your dining experience.
Check out these sites for your rental, car and destination needs when in St. Martin!