Most all-inclusive resorts make the claim that their services are so good, you’ll never want to leave the property. While some are decent enough, most of these resorts lack sufficient enough excitement to justify remaining at the hotel. I mean, let’s face it, there’s only so many times you can hop in a pool or enjoy a beachside mimosa before you start thinking to yourself, “This is fun, but I was kind of hoping for something more.”
Unlike most all-inclusive resorts out there, Sonesta Resorts St. Maarten actually has the all-encompassing experience to satisfy visitors’ vacation cravings. Divided into two neighboring properties with ample views of nearby Maho Beach, Sonesta Resorts St. Maarten is more than a simple hotel – it’s a first-rate travel destination you won’t soon forget after visiting. Though a lot of hotels claim to offer unique amenities, Sonesta actually finds a way to go above and beyond, delivering a lineup of on-site experiences unlike any other in the Caribbean.
A Luxurious Hotel Nestled Next to the Iconic Maho Beach
Even if you don’t recognize the name, you’ve probably seen pictures of Maho Beach before, or at least heard about it from a friend or coworker who went on a recent cruise and managed to visit the beach during a shore excursion.
For those who might not recognize it, Maho Beach borders the landing strip of Princess Juliana International Airport, the largest airport on the island. Due to its convenient placement, visitors to Maho Beach can witness planes from all over the globe arriving or departing from Princess Juliana’s runway, passing sometimes only 30 to 100 feet above beach-goers’ heads. Standing there and feeling the blowback from the plane’s engines, you’ll find yourself suddenly swept in what feels like hurricane-level winds. (It probably sounds terrifying, but it’s not – I equate it to the first major drop you feel on a roller coaster, hair-raising winds and all.)
With both of Sonesta’s hotels providing gorgeous views of Maho Beach, along with all the planes that come and go from the airport, one can make a strong case that this is reason enough to book a stay at the property. But far from relying on its scenic outlook of Maho’s iconic landing strip alone, Sonesta goes one step further, including an eclectic mix of on-site amenities and services for guests to enjoy during their stay.
Drinks, Restaurants, and On-Property Cat Sanctuaries
Like all the best all-inclusive hotels, Sonesta has everything you can want from a Caribbean vacation hub. There’s the lavish restaurants, the lax spa, enough bars around every corner to make sure you have all the daiquiris and margaritas you could possibly drink.
While all of these amenities are unquestionably excellent, it’s some of the more niche features that make this property so unique. Perhaps most obviously, Sonesta has a heartwarming partnership with Island Cat Rescue, a hands-on cat sanctuary that re-shelters homeless kittens from St. Maarten’s streets to any guest who’d care to adopt.
Through these operations, those who stay at Sonesta can visit the sanctuary for some carefree playtime with any of Island Cat Rescue’s furry residents. In all the hotels I’ve stayed at over the years, I’ve never seen a property offer anything quite like this, helping set Sonesta even further apart from its competitors!
As most tropical-minded travelers likely know, there’s no shortage of worthwhile Caribbean hotels out there. But from the hotel’s services, delicious dining, and awe-inspiring proximity to Maho Beach, there’s nothing quite like Sonesta Resort. Whether you choose to stay at the Atlantic-facing Ocean Point or the adjacent Maho Beach Resort, I guarantee you will experience a memorable vacation you can find only along the shores of St. Maarten.
