A poached egg changed everything. On my first FAM trip, I learned that St. Maarten's warmth runs deeper than its Caribbean beaches.
When VoX International and the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau invited me on what would become my very first FAM trip, I knew this was my chance to experience the island as a travel advisor, not just a visitor. I wanted to understand firsthand what makes St. Maarten and St. Martin such a unique Caribbean destination, to see the accommodations, taste the food, and feel the culture for myself.
I'll admit I arrived with preconceived ideas. Knowing the island is divided between a Dutch side (St. Maarten) and a French side (St. Martin), I expected the cultural differences to be obvious. I imagined I would feel deeply immersed in Dutch Caribbean culture on one side and something distinctly French on the other. That wasn't really my experience. The island felt much more culturally blended than I had anticipated. It was a good reminder of how easy it is to form an impression of a destination before you've actually been there, and exactly why experiencing it firsthand matters so much.
The Friendly Island Lives Up to Its Name
St. Maarten calls itself "The Friendly Island," and after this trip, I genuinely understand why. The warmth wasn't performative. It showed up in small moments: asking a stranger to take a group photo, the customer service we encountered throughout the island, watching how locals interacted with visitors. One moment particularly impressed me. During a hotel tour, I watched the General Manager greet guests along the way, many of them by name. Such a small detail, but it said everything about the hospitality culture here.
And the food. When people say St. Maarten and St. Martin are known for gastronomy, I now know exactly what they mean. We experienced traditional local flavours, including Johnny cakes, codfish fritters, and bush tea, alongside incredible French cuisine. Somehow, a poached egg became one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. I'm serious. A poached egg! It happened on the French side, and I'm still thinking about it.
Insider Discoveries Worth Sharing
I came home with tips I'm excited to share with clients. One of my favourite experiences was at Nectar, a local skincare company, where we had the opportunity to make our own lotion using one of their signature ingredients. It made for such a fun afternoon, and I immediately thought it would be perfect for a mother-daughter activity or something different to add to a girls' trip.
Of course, watching planes land over Maho Beach is iconic. My advice: check the flight schedule before you go so you can time your visit around some of the larger incoming aircraft. And be prepared for the jet blast. Secure your belongings and pay attention to where you're standing. It's incredibly powerful. I would also highly recommend spending time in Grand Case on the French side, whether you stay there or visit for an afternoon and evening. It's known for its culinary scene, and enjoying a beautiful meal with that Caribbean backdrop is an experience in itself.
A Destination That Rewards the Curious
This trip reinforced something important for me: sometimes the resort shouldn't be the destination. St. Maarten and St. Martin do have all-inclusive resorts, but if you travelled here and never left your property, I think you'd be missing one of the best parts of the experience. The restaurants, beaches, culture, excursions, and different personalities of the French and Dutch sides are all part of what makes this place special.
Foodies would absolutely love it here. I also think it would make a fantastic couples' getaway or girls' trip because you can balance beautiful beaches and relaxation with great restaurants, excursions, and exploring. If your idea of the perfect vacation is checking into an all-inclusive and staying on property for an entire week, there may be other Caribbean destinations I'd recommend first. St. Maarten and St. Martin really reward the traveller who wants to get out and experience the destination.
What I understand much better now is how many different ways there are to experience this island. You can stay at an all-inclusive resort, boutique hotel, villa, or vacation rental, and each creates a very different type of vacation. That's what makes this destination so interesting to me. I don't have to recommend the same St. Maarten or St. Martin vacation to everyone. It's about finding the best fit for how each client wants to travel. And now, having experienced it firsthand, I have the context to help them do exactly that.
