Esmeralda Resort - St. Martin/St. Maarten

Perched on a verdant hillside overlooking Orient Bay yet still within walking distance of the beautiful beach, Esmeralda Resort has as many swimming pools as it does villas - 18. Originally conceived as a site for a single private home, the resort evolved into a private club for discerning home owners before blossoming into the full-scale resort that it is today.

Scattered about the flowering grounds of this decidedly French resort are 18 villas - each with its own pool - housing as many as four units each. Each air-conditioned, Spanish mission-style unit features a fully equipped kitchenette, a spacious living area with a sofa and chairs, color cable television, Spanish tile floors and a private terrace. Each unit has a separate entrance. The accommodations are separated by doors that can be opened or closed to accommodate all manners of living arrangements.

Coco Beach, a casual bar and grill, is on the beach, where the French flavor extends from topless to total nudity (at the far end of the beach). You'll also find the usual motorized and non-motorized water toys here. A more formal restaurant, L'Astrolabe, is connected to the property and serves breakfast and dinner. Guests of the resort enjoy signing privileges at several local beach bars throughout the day.