Residence Alizea

On the northeastern tip of St. Martin, Residence Alizea is the smallest property in a region dotted with some of French St. Martin's biggest hotels.

"Intimate" is a good way to describe this 26-room gem with a panoramic view of Orient Bay. The beach and water sports are a 10-minute hike through fields and across a road, although an ample freshwater pool is on the premises.

Each of the air-conditioned units differ from one another in size, but all feature a kitchenette set on an open-air veranda, wood furnishings, an attractive, Caribbean-style color scheme and color television.

Because the restaurant doesn't serve lunch, you'll have to visit the simple beachfront restaurants nearby, but you won't want to miss dinner at Le Restaurant du Residence Alizea. The French-Creole menu at this not-too-well-known, pink-walled gem changes daily, all the more reason to sample its
creative dishes on a nightly basis. The restaurant's soothing trade winds and two-sided view of Orient Bay are another good reason to dine here.