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 We can't stay away! Visited: February 2007 |
| Posted by scubadav |
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My wife and I are planning our seventh visit to the Gate House on Saba. The hotel is charming with bright, airy rooms, each with a small vase of fresh flowers. There are spectacular views from a number of different vantage points on the property.
But the true soul of the Gate House can be found in the owners, Lyliane and Michel. They are perfect hosts, making you feel welcome from the time you arrive to your departure. It's as if you're guests in their home.
They'll help you connect with whatever local services you need (taxi, restaurants, lace sellers, dive operations, etc.) to get the most enjoyment out of Saba.
They have created a casual, relaxed atmosphere where they are also attentive to your needs. Returning guests will find that Michel and Lyliane remember your likes and dislikes, your guest "personality," and try to customize your stay a little bit more each time.
Michel's meals are delicious. They're creative and simple, but elegantly presented. Lyliane's love of wine is matched by her enjoyment in sharing that with her guests. She always finds just the right wine to fit the food, your preferences and your pocketbook. The true French enjoyment of food and wine, without pretention, is evident with the Jobs.
We find it difficult not to return every year. We're now starting to bring family and friends with us! |
| 2 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
| This is a fantastic place for travelers with a healthy lifestyle. Visited: July 2006 |
| Posted by thomas |
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We spent a week on Saba during July, and had the best time of our holiday. We also visited four other islands, but nowhere we felt as welcome as on Saba.
El Momo was like a true home, and the food there was just amazing. Anjelica cooked amazing vegan dinners twice, which still make us dream about it.
Unfortunately, there were not many vegan choices on the island restaurants. We had good experience with Brigadoon who has fresh hummus. In general, we were a bit disappointed with the restaurants as they all had similar choices of fish, steaks, and a bit too much American-oriented food. It was really hard to find fresh vegetable dishes.
We had the "sky" room - which I highly recommend. It had a truly unique ocean view and total privacy. Out of all the hiking trails, we liked the Sandy Cruz the best. We also recommend the tidal pools.
We will return to El Momo for sure, and will send lots of good friends. |
| 6 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
 This is all that is really needed for peace, comfort and relaxation. Visited: October 2005 |
| Posted by rdpinder |
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El Momo is simple, clean and comfortable. It is an eco-lodge on the edge of town. It is for those who are comfortable being immersed in nature with all of its beauty, scents and living creatures - sans TV, radio or telephone. Flowers, snails and lizards entertain. A brisk morning shower and simple breakfast offerings get your day started right.
I stayed at El Momo in 2005 to dive with Saba Deep Dive Shop. I plan on staying here again when I return to enjoy more dives in 2006.
If you're looking for a "Holiday Inn" type experience, you'd best try someplace else. |
| 6 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
| It was a great place to get away from it all - and I mean all! Visited: October 2005 |
| Posted by jeffreysnewton |
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As I agree with the other reviews, I just wanted to share a personal experience there that pretty much sums it up for me.
As we were waiting for our lunch, apologies were made for the slight delay in the salad,...., because it was still being hand-picked from the garden! It doesn't get any better than this.
I highly recommend this place! |
| 2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| The Gate House is an extraordinary place! Visited: February 2006 |
| Posted by seaeagle05 |
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My wife and I recently stayed at the Gate House for seven days on our three-week vacation to the Caribbean.
The Gate House is a bed and breakfast, as are the majority of lodgings on the island. The owners, Michel and Lyliane Job, are from France and have lived in the States for over 20 years before coming to Saba.
From the moment we arrived, to the day we left, we felt welcome and were graciously attended to. They are great hosts with Lyliane doing the greeting, serving (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and general customer contact, and Michel doing the cooking.
And what a cook he is! All food is fresh and prepared by hand. His southern lobster, prepared a number of ways, is outstanding, their wine selection is second to none, and his desserts are to die for!
Also, the rooms are quiet, spacious and very comfortable.
Saba is located about 23 miles south of St. Maarten, and is reached either by plane or boat. It is a small and very laid-back island with virtually no crime. The main attraction is scuba diving, which is great. The Gate House works with the dive shops on the island, primarily Saba Deep.
There are several good restaurants on the island if you want a change from the wonderful meals at the Gate House. Hiking is also a big attraction with numerous trails including one to the top of Mount Scenery, the volcano that formed Saba.
Saba is definitely a place to relax and smell the flowers that are in great abundance. The scenery is wonderful, going from somewhat arid areas at the lower levels to a rain forest in the upper areas. |
| 2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| No question, this was our favorite - hands down! Visited: March 2006 |
| Posted by jacki_so |
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Our stay at The Gate House was without question our favorite vacation. The hosts, Lilian and Michel, were everything and more than we could have asked for in making us feel comfortable and welcomed. They also informed us about the island of Saba.
The restaurant served better Fench cuisine than you can even imagine. And the vacation would not be complete if you did not order a piece of the "Death by Chocolate".
We would not consider staying anywhere else when we return to Saba. |
| 3 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| This was the perfect ending to our honeymoon. Visited: December 2005 |
| Posted by knoleary |
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We spent a wonderful five days at the Gate House on the second leg of our honeymoon in the Caribbean.
Our arrival was delayed by one day due to lost baggage problems, so we arrived a little worse for wear. However, Lyliane and Michel were so welcoming, and the Gate House was very cosy with a home-like feeling, that we were soon able to unwind and enjoy Saba.
The bedroom was very comfortable, and there was a large balcony with wonderful views across the ocean. This was especially nice at sunset.
We also really enjoyed the open area beside the dining room where there were sofas, and books and magazines and we could enjoy a pre/post dinner drink or tea while admiring the lovely paintings and artwork.
The food was wonderful. We had dinner there practically each evening, and it was excellent!
But what made the Gate House stand out in our minds were the hosts Lyliane and Michel who did their very best to make our stay as special and memorable as possible.
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| 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| The Ecolodge Rendez-Vous provides a bit of magic in the rain forest Visited: April 2005 |
| Posted by ksfsunflrs |
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Spend a night (or even many nights) in the rainforest with a million stars overhead, and tree frogs and crickets giving a concert each night. The magic is here.
Here you will find simple cottages, comfortable beds, a hot tub and a sweatlodge, and dinner prepared by the best chef on Saba. This is the place for anyone interested in nature and conservation. The Ecolodge is family-owned and operated. Tom, Heleen, Dana and Bernt see that everyone is comfortable. |
| 2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| Here there are more stars in the sky than you can imagine. Visited: December 2004 |
| Posted by ksfsunflrs |
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This is the place to stay if you want quiet, great food, and lots of stars in the sky above your cottage. Set in the rainforest on Mt. Scenery, there are no phones or TV to distract you. However, there is a concert each night preformed by crickets and tree frogs, and dinners by candlelight in the Rainforest Restaurant prepared by Brent (best chef on the island).
The cottages are built to resemble classic construction of Saba, furniture is simple and the beds are comfortable. Each cottage has a porch complete with hammock, and there is a hot tub and sweat lodge close to all. A swiming pool is being constructed now with mosasics of turtles on the bottom.
The Ecolodge is family-owned, and all the family is involved in the daily running of the business. Tom van't Hof, famous for his work in marine parks and conservation, is the proud inn keeper. Heleen Cornet, well known for her paintings of the rainforest and other scenes on Saba, has done the decorating in the cottages as well as in the restaurant. Also, Dana and the staff make sure all the guests are comfortable in the restaurant.
The village of Windardside is just down the hill (274 steps) and there are lots of cab drivers on the island. |
| 2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| This is the best place to stay on the island! Visited: January 2005 |
| Posted by iv63_99 |
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This was the fourth time for us to stay on the island (and the third time with the Cottage Club). The experience was easy to describe: Everything was perfect!
We enjoyed our nice and clean cottage, and we did a lot of cooking in the fully equipped kitchen (we had to, we stayed four weeks!). We also spent relaxing times at the pool or in front of our cottage, and whenever we needed something, Jonathan (from the front desk) organized it.
If you are looking for a peaceful and quiet place which is not too far away from 'the center' (like Eddy's "Swinging Doors" e.g.) - this is the right place to stay. |
| 2 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
| I almost want to keep this one a secret! Visited: November 2002 |
| Posted by karen_dean |
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We've had the good fortune to stay at the Cottage Club several times, and the experience has always been extremely positive.
It's the classic case of "no worries". Dean and Sandy ensure that your needs are met - they offer to stock your fridge when you pre-supply a list.
Everything is very well maintained and clean, and the pool has a fabulous view and is uniquely nestled on the rock face. It's also just a short stroll to the center of Windwardside where there are several shops and restaurants. |
| 2 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
| One of our more enjoyable experiences. Visited: February 2003 |
| Posted by jrj72113 |
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Juliana's was a great experience. We highly recommend their Orchid Cottage - beautiful views, comfortable, and private. The owners and staff of Juliana's are delightful people and very accommodating. Everything is well maintained.
Juliana's is centrally located in Windwardside, an easy walk to restaurants and shopping. Saba is a delightful island, one of the few in the Caribbean on which we could imagine living. There are wonderful people there, and it is safe, clean, and offers great diving.
Saba and Juliana's are most definitely on our list for a return trip, the sooner the better! |
| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| Juliana’s provides an ideal base for relaxation. Visited: January 2003 |
| Posted by eseldin |
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Saba may not be the ideal vacation destination for everyone. Those of us who have already found it not-so-secretly, hope that it will stay delightfully off the beaten track for tourists who require beach, casinos, glitz and high-end amenities.
For divers, nature lovers and hikers or folks who want an ideal spot in which to give full attention to a stack of books that have been saved for such an occasion, there can be no better place.
Juliana’s Hotel, with a choice of well-appointed, very comfortable rooms, suites and detached cottages, all with spectacular views and full amenities, approximates the ideal. Being very mountainous, everything on Saba is either up or down. But Juliana’s, centrally located right in the middle of Windwardside, about 1200 feet above sea level, provides ready access to shops, banks, a small supermarket, a post office and a variety of restaurants. These, Like Saba itself, are not pretentious but provide comfort and satisfaction and local color.
With its own swimming pool and the on-site Tropics restaurant - ideal for breakfast, lunch or an afternoon beverage and snack - Juliana’s provides an ideal base of operations for relaxation and for experiencing this relaxed and friendly but industrious and wholly unique community.
My wife and I have returned to Saba every year since we were married, 13 years ago. Our annual return to Saba – like a homecoming, really - is eagerly anticipated each year and the thought of nightly falling asleep to the wonderful music of invisible tree frogs or the sound of the occasional nocturnal downpour gets us through the winter season and the complexities of our professional lives.
We greatly appreciate the friendly, reliable, efficient and helpful, but non-intrusive attention that we get from the management of Juliana’s and the ease of making arrangements by e-mail. Only our affection for Juliana’s and its management would induce us to divulge the secret of Juliana’s and Saba. We will trust to the small landing strip, the lack of a natural harbor and the lack of typical tourist attractions to protect what we most value about this wonderful place. |
| 2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| Juliana’s is the most comfortable place to stay on Saba. Visited: January 2003 |
| Posted by rwalden |
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The location is perfect, the staff is the friendliest, and the view is unbeatable. Caroline, at Tropics Café, does a fantastic job with the included breakfasts, and the location is central to the other restaurants, dive shops and market. You can’t beat it for value and convenience. Thank you guys for making my stay every year the best!
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| 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| It was awesome - as usual! Visited: February 2003 |
| Posted by pioneer |
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I usually travel to Saba at least once per year. I always stay at Juliana's! The facilities are always clean, well maintained and there are no unexpected surprises!
The staff and management are quick to assist you with anything from retrieving lost luggage to making a dinner reservation and always do so with a smile and a positive attitude! They are always consistent!
Juliana's is centrally located in Windwardside, close to shopping, grocery and restaurants! The rates are reasonable, too! Try it, you'll love it and you will be back! |
| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| Juliana's is the best! Visited: January 2003 |
| Posted by rwalden |
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Juliana’s is the most comfortable place to stay on the island. The location is perfect, the staff is the friendliest and the view is unbeatable. Caroline at Tropics Café does a fantastic job with the included breakfasts, and the location is central to the other restaurants, dive shops and market. You can’t beat it for value and convenience. Thank you guys for making my stay every year the best! |
| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| Top notch service with fine wine and French cuisine. Visited: January 2003 |
| Posted by DGB43 |
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If you are planning a trip to the Caribbean, I highly recommend visiting the small island of Saba.
The Gate House is the perfect base from which to view the island. Saba, known as the unspoiled queen, is accessible by small plane or ferry from St. Maarten. You will find world class hiking and scuba diving on the mountainous island.
The Gate House is owned by Michel and Lyliane Job. Michel prepares authentic French cuisine and Lyliane is in charge of the extensive wine list, which received an award from Wine Spectator Magazine. There hospitality is top-notch. They will arrange for transportation to be waiting upon arrival.
The property is located in the Hell's Gate section of the island up in the hills, with two small pools that overlook the ocean. The property offers five guest rooms, as well as suites of different sizes. Accommodations are very basic, but are clean and reasonably priced.
Saba is a quiet, breezy island with no mosquitoes. It is the perfect place for peace and relaxation. |
| 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| It was a night to remember! Visited: June 2002 |
| Posted by jasonsmith |
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I travelled to Saba with my girlfriend this past June.
Thanks to some help from the wonderful people at Sea Saba, I was able to make some special arrangements with the folks at Queen's Gardens. They prepared a stunning suite with a welcoming bottle of wine. Then, decorated the room with flowers and covered our bed with petals while we ate dinner and I proposed.
The entire staff was absolutely amazing. The food was fantastic. The service was exceptional. The managers took our special occasion to heart and did everything they could to make it as perfect as it could be.
I could not have been happier with any aspect of our brief stay here. My new wife and I plan on returning for our one-year anniversary next November. |
| 5 users found this review helpful. 3 found this review unhelpful. |
| A clean room with a great view Visited: March 2002 |
| Posted by Plato317 |
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This is a great place to stay. It is a perfect combination of a terrific view and reasonable price.
The Cottage Club is situated in Windwardside, which has all the restaurants on the island. It is off to itself, but only a stone's throw away from downtown.
You can cook here, or walk around the corner to a restaurant. The dive center is just at the top of a little hill. This is the best place to stay in the town if you really want to "get the feel of the place" and still have some comfort. |
| 3 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
| The most wonderful, peaceful spot in the Caribbean. Visited: November 1999 |
| Posted by BCross7326 |
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The Cottage Club has become our home away from home. The owners are wonderful, it feels like living with an extended family. The warmth of the island of Saba is evident in the Cottages. It will always be our favorite spot for a perfect escape.
We intend to keep coming back as long as our cottage is available. This family run operation is a labor of love and hard work. The cottages are clean and lovely. We miss it when away and look forward to our return. |
| 2 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
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