St. Maarten/St. Martin
With myriad opportunities to maximize the romance quotient—from night after night of gourmet dining to simply strolling a beach hand in hand or discovering some other island-inspired amorous activity—you’ll have no trouble celebrating true love on St. Maarten/St. Martin.
For the Love of Food
This little landmass is regarded as the culinary hotspot of the Caribbean and while it’s easy to find a good meal anywhere on the island, the town of Grand Case is the unquestioned centerpiece of St. Martin’s foodie reputation.
In a stretch of less than a block along the town’s main street, you’ll find three incredible French dining experiences: L’Auberge Gourmande, La Villa, and Le Cottage. The vibe is a bit different at each—traditional formal white linen at L’Auberge Gourmande, tropical-fancy at La Villa, and Le Cottage feels like a neighborhood wine conclave—but the food is delectable across the board. Think duck foie gras, frog legs, escargot, French onion soup, mushroom ravioli, lamb, triggerfish, and much more.
And keep in mind that casual can be just as delicious—especially in Grand Case. The ceviche and lobster salad (and frozen la pina colada) at the beachfront Rainbow Café are tough to beat and Cynthia’s Talk of the Town is one of the island’s most popular lolos (a small local eatery, usually with an open-air barbecue grill and picnic-table seating).
A Soft Spot for Sandy Strands
Orient Beach isn’t the most secluded strand on St. Maarten/St. Martin (consider Happy Bay Beach or Pinel Island Beach for that), but it is referred to as the “St. Tropez of the Caribbean” and that alone should entice unabashed couples to plan at least one day here to dig their toes in the sand.
This stretch is about 1.2 miles long and is known for its array of available water activities, including windsurfing and parasailing, and the numerous beachfront bars and restaurants. And if you and your loved one have ever wanted to sport matching swimsuits and strut along the water’s edge, this is definitely the place to do it.
