If you’ve been to the French side of St Martin, you know the food (yes, there are more members of the 50 Best Restaurants in the Caribbean than any other destination). You know the ambience. You know that unmistakable brand of French Caribbean cool. 

Whether you’re at the Grand Case Beach Club, a villa in Orient Bay or one of those lovely little boutique retreats like Karibuni or the M Hotel, the French side of St Martin is a rich and layered getaway. 

That’s why it’s always been a particularly popular market with New Yorkers. 

kontiki beach in st martin
Kontiki Beach in Orient Bay.

And a new nonstop flight from New York will provide an even bigger boost. 

Beginning on Dec. 7, American Airlines is adding a weekly Saturday flight between New York-John F Kennedy International Airport and the island’s Princess Juliana International Airport. 

The flights will be operated on an Airbus A319 aircraft. 

So what’s buzzing on the French side right now?

Well, there’s the aforementioned Grand Case, the little beach town anchored by Grand Case Boulevard, home to the largest concentration of world-class restaurants on one street anywhere in the Caribbean, from favorites like Bistrot Caraibes and Auberge Gourmande to the world-renowned Le Pressoir and the local legends the Lolos. Grand Case is more than just fine food, though: you’ll find beloved resorts like the Grand Case Beach Club, tiny boutique hotels like the LTC and Love; lovely little boutiques and even a place to make your own perfume.

For another side of Saint Martin, head for Orient Bay, a community anchored by villas, small inn-style hotels, energetic beach bars and beach bistros; or try the charming Anse Marcel, with some residential resorts and the French side’s only all-inclusive, Secrets.

You can’t go to Saint Martin without visiting its capital, Marigot, which has been undergoing a renaissance of its own in recent years and is a haven for shopping, authentic Creole food and some seriously good cafes.

That’s just the beginning, though, for a destination that remains a unique, fascinating place to visit.

So all you have to do is plan your French Caribbean vacation

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