Chez Martine - St. Martin/St. Maarten

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I thought it was dreadful! Visited: April 2007 Posted by islandtraveler Chez Martine is not a value. Breakfast consisted of coffee, juice, pastry, and bread with butter and jelly. There was no cheese or meat - as indicated in other reviews. So, don't be expecting it! Whomever cleans Chez Martine does an excellent job. It was clean. I had to keep reminding us of this in view of the bad accommodations. Everything else was pretty shabby. The bed(s) looked, felt and sounded like they were from a flop-house. The dark bedspread was a scary thing. There was a single bed in the room as well, which we used to keep our suitcases off the floor. The towels were stained and fraying, and there were no washcloths (thankfully, we travel with one). Also, the cracked toilet was patched up and the seat was worn. There was only one light in the bathroom lit, making it dim. The shower curtain was clean and cute. In addition, there was no clock in the room and no phone. If you have to get up early for a flight or anything, it is difficult. The lighting was bad. It was almost impossible to read at night. Also, there was no chair in the room, just a little bench seat under the desk, but only one person could sit. I spent a lot of time standing. There was no door latch, either. The only way to keep the door shut was to lock it with the key. There was no "turn thing" to lock it, you needed the key. If one person went "out", the other person was locked "in" (and one was either locked in or out and had to wait for the other to return as there was only one key). If you shut the door, but didn't lock it-the wind pulled it open and it crashed into the building. Also, there was a strange green curtain, like a sheet or shower curtain-just one big piece of fabric on the window, which added to the gloom of the room. There was an open-air, noisy bar or music place directly across the tiny street, so the loud music, shrieking laughter and voices could be heard far into the morning hours, making it impossible to sleep. Then, around 6:00 am, the street traffic picks up-so you can't "sleep in". Most cars andtrucks sounded like they were rumbling into our room! The water was not always hot, either. The AC worked well, thankfully. The people operating the restaurant were very helpful and pleasant. The restaurant exchanges Euros for US dollars on a one to one basis-odd the hotel zaps you the full Euro amount! I would never suggest anyone stay here! However, the restaurant and the pleasant accommodating folks who own it and work there are definitely worth stopping in for a drink or dinner! 8 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Once again, it was an exceptional value. Visited: March 2006 Posted by jmfastball This was my fourth stay at Chez Martine. The management has changed since my last stay, but the hotel offered the same exceptional cleanliness, qaulity and value as in my previous stays. This is not a five-star hotel. It is also not priced like one. The rooms are small, but large and equipped enough to provide plenty of space for two people. They are also very clean. And the location is superb, being in the heart of quiet Grand Case. It is near exceptional restaurants, and is located right on the beach. This hotel is everyone's idea of a classic Caribbean escape. 5 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This is a great value in Paradise! Visited: October 2005 Posted by tpbrausen My wife and I enjoyed five nights at Chez Martine in Grand Case in October, 2005. The accommodations were nice, and the service was outstanding. Rudy, the proprietor-manager, works very hard to make his establishment first rate. The beach was beautiful and clean in Grand Case, and the hotel was right on the beach, with a gorgeous view from the dining room and the suite, if you get it. The restaurant was outstanding, with great food, a gorgeous view, a nice wine list and good prices compared to the other bay front dinner establishments. The food was delicious, and beautifully presented. My wife said the lobster was the best she had ever had. No one will be disappointed there. The rooms were few (only six) and nice sized, with mini-fridge, AC, and comfortable beds, though there wasn't always water as hot as you might like it. However, it felt great when we were sunburned! There were a couple of spots where the maintenance has been deferred, but management is working constantly to improve the place. Included in the cost of the room was a nice breakfast served in the dining room overlooking the bay. The breakfast included orange juice, croissants, bread, cheese, meat, jams, and coffee. It was more than enough to start a day. It was not a luxury resort (though the restaurant was worthy of one), but it was nice, well-located, and priced fairly. It was a great value in paradise! We hope to return. 3 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We wish we could have stayed longer. Visited: July 2005 Posted by mzznlink It was our first trip to St. Martin, staying one week at Divi Little Bay (Dutch side) and another week at Cottages de Lonvilliers (French side). In order to get the flight we wanted, we needed to stay an extra night at the end of our trip. We read about Chez Martin from Trip Advisor and booked one night for $85.00. When we arrived, Rudy greeted us and took us up to our room. He asked how many would be staying, and we told him three (including our 12-year-old daughter). Instead of a regular room, he gave us the 'suite' for the same price. Our daughter loved the bunk beds in her own separate room, while we enjoyed the large master bedroom; complete with the best ocean view we have ever experienced. The room had a small refrigerator and dinner ware. The only negative part was that it was extremely hot that day, and it took until well after dark before the A/C had cooled the room off. But what do you expect on a sunny July day in St. Martin? While Chez Martin had a restaurant downstairs, we tried a different restaurant down the street that our daughter's godparents had recommended. All in all, our only real gripe was that we didn't have a few more days to fully enjoy Grand Case. You can be sure that on our next trip, we won't make the same mistake. 3 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This is a gem worth returning to. Visited: May 2005 Posted by gbhendell The manager, Rudy, makes the experience. He is incredibly accommodating and professional. The property is a modestly beautiful one and it is clear that the restaurant is by far the principal money-maker. Still, I would return here in a second. From the excellent continental breakfast overlooking the beach to the great location in Grand Case - this is a winner. 4 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This was a gem worth returning to. Visited: May 2005 Posted by gbhendell The manager, Rudy, made our experience. He was incredibly accommodating and professional. The property was a modestly beautiful one and it was clear that the restaurant was by far the principal money-maker. Still, I would return here in a second. From the excellent continental breakfast overlooking the beach to the great location in Grand Case - this was a winner. 2 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? I had a great stay Visited: May 2005 Posted by sevans27 I had a really great time here. Ruby, the manager, was very helpful throughout the stay. The food, weather, beach and room were all excellent. Also, we used Wally Car Rental, and they were very helpful and offered great prices. We will look to go again next year for sure. 2 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? I was very pleased with everything - with one exception. Visited: February 2005 Posted by sebrew I was very pleased with my accommodations, the fine restaurant, and Mr. Richardson and his cohorts. My only disappointment was not having a better beach here (it was very narrow). Also, the use of part of it under the restaurant terrace by some local "shady" characters gave me the impression that something illegal might be taking place. 2 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This was a very pleasant and satisfactory place, with friendly staff. Visited: February 2005 Posted by los_godardos We stayed seven nights beginning February 2005 in the room #5 (upstairs). It was a large and clear room with an extra large bed and a fridge. There was also a private bathroom (shower and two lavatories) and a separate toilet. It was all very clean and practical. This room shared a large balcony with three other rooms. The balcony for each room had a table and two seats from where you would have a view on the seaside. The access to the beach was easy and quick. The manage, Rudy, was very kind and helpful. He welcomed guests courteously and seemed to take care of them with discretion. The breakfast was nice every day (French bread, croissants, butter, several jams, cheese and ham, homemade coffee, good teas, milk, orange juice). It was served in the restaurant over the beach, with waves under your eyes. We ate at Chez Martine only once (our last evening), but it was great! Each course was perfect (for eyes and taste) from starters to desserts. And the price was not as high as others for a wonderful dinner. We were very satisfied with our stay at Chez Martine, and recommend it. 2 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Where is my review? Visited: May 2004 Posted by sylvianel Dear Sirs: I emailed you a review on Chez Martine TEN days ago, and I am surprised to see that ten days later, this review has not been posted on your web site? Best regards, 0 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? My stay went from bad to worse. Visited: May 2004 Posted by sylvianel I was told in January that Chez Martine had changed management,once again, and that the rooms were being fixed and even breakfast was better. Oh boy, oh boy! I took a plane ticket and made a one week reservation. My room, # 5 was hot as heck:The AC was not working. After unpacking, I stepped into the shower. As I was on my knees, picking up my sponge, the whole shower came out of the wall, fell on my head and hit me right above the forehead. I saw stars! A while later, I started vomiting and I suffering a terrible headache for two days. I finally found the manager in the evening and told him I had been badly hurt by the falling shower (I was told later I had suffered a trauma). I also told him the AC was out. He moved me to the "suite". The "suite" was just a larger room with a bath tub. The shower was broken and the handle stayed in my hand. I couldn't shower that evening, I couldn't shower the following morning, and by noon,the manager had still not repaired the shower as he hadn't been there all morning. There was also a bonus in the "suite" - roaches. And not small ones. The hotel advertised beach chairs on your web site, but when I asked the manager:"Could you please put a chair on the beach for me?", he got mad. He told me "No!". He added: "You don't understand, I have a problem with my chairs being stolen". I then told him it was not my problem and that neither hotel to his left and right were having their chairs stolen. I also told him that I could not carry a chair to the beach as I do have a disabled back with a slipped disk. As for breakfast being better? The old breakfast was just fine. At least we had cheese, and a big breakfast cup for coffee or tea. Now,you get a small coffee cup for breakfast. I didn't even try the restaurant in the evening and took my meals out. This was my last stay to Chez Martine, that same hotel got four stars from me in 2001. The only star today is for Lucinda, the maid, who works so very hard to keep the place clean and is always so gentle. Thank you Lucinda, you made my stay in hell more bearable! 1 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Loved it Visited: March 2004 Posted by form_stmartin A little video during breakfast and view from the dining area. http://www.corporateroots.com/public/chezmartine/ 0 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This was exactly what we wanted. Visited: December 2003 Posted by phillip_dube The four nights we stayed at Chez Martine over Christmas 2003 were perfect. The room -- consisting of two beds, a refrigerator, a bedside table and lamp, an air conditioner, an amoire and a dresser (no phone, television or clock)-- was rather spartan, but all that someone in Grand Case should need. The room and attached bathroom were clean and showed little signs of Caribbean-wear. Moreover, the price was right and allowed ample budget for dining at the great restaurants in town. Also, the ocean view from the balcony and the fact that the lapping waters were only feet away added to the hotel's charm. We will recommend it to all our friends. We ate at Chez Martine's restaurant one night and were delightfully surprised. The French-inspired food, perfectly cooked and extremely tasty, was a nice change from the heavier French fare generally found in Grand Case (which definitely has its place, too). We will certainly eat at the restaurant again when we return -- and we will certainly return. 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Chez Martine Closed Visited: November 2003 Posted by gskelly2 Bad news! We arrived at Chez Martine Saturday afternoon November 22,2003 to find the place locked. The owner had sold it the week before and left for France Thursday. We got the last room at La California several doors down and it was great. Glen 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? It's the same - but different. Visited: July 2003 Posted by cmashley This was our second stay at Chez Martine, our first was in 2001 with the previous owners. Chez Martine remains a favorite, but I'll be sure to brush up on my French before I return. Communication was difficult, to say the least. The rooms have been redone, very clean and comfortable. The views were beautiful views, air conditioning was good and there was no phone, what could be better? Be sure to verify your reservation prior to arrival. Ours had been misplaced, but the room was available thanks to it being off-season. If you choose not to stay at Chez Martine, at least stay in Grand Case. It is the jewel of the island. 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This was a charming beachfront experience. Visited: May 2003 Posted by melyssawheeler I stayed at Chez Martine for one evening after my time share unit was up. I wish it had been a longer stay. Chez Martine was a charming five-unit home located steps from the beach. The rooms were very clean, and breakfast was included. The one owner did not speak any English, but was very patient while I tried to speak French. The other gentleman could speak some English. Both were very accommodating and friendly. On my last day, eating a lovely French petit dejeuner with an amazing view of the calming Caribbean, made me never want to leave. The beach was quiet and calm with a beautiful view of surrounding mountains and a few planes flying into the local airport. The restaurant was not open, so we had the choice of some wonderful cuisine along the streets of Grand Case. If you are looking for a casual hotel within an amazing setting for an unbelievable price, Chez Martine is the place for you. I hope to return again soon. 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? A great Caribbean hotel - quiet and comfortable. Visited: May 2003 Posted by d_p_jones I read the reviews posted by former residents before booking my wife and me in for a long weekend. And we were pleased to find out how accurate they were! When you have been around the Caribbean, you appreciate hotels that are clean, air-conditioned and comfortable, and Chez Martine was all of this. Jean-Michel and Serge were really nice people. It was just a pity that the restaurant was closed for repair, (the menu looked so good!). Yes, the hotel was on the beach, and the beach was good, nice sand, with nice water. But for white folks, beware - there was no shade, which was mostly the case in St. Martin. Cool Cool, who helped out at Chez Martine, will help you out here and set you up with a parasol and one of the hotel's sun beds, which were freely available. All you have to do is ask! Grand Case village was very relaxed and we had a great time with the locals - eating, drinking and listening to live music! There were lots of restaurants, and lively bars. And it was French so none of it was 'in your face', which we liked. Do go there and enjoy! 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? The room , the food and the view were all delightful. Visited: March 2003 Posted by tewall2000 We stayed at Chez Martin for two nights and found the room was large, quiet, clean and better than we expected for the price. Our meal here was also very good . Although Jean-Michael didn't speak English, he was very accommodating. We had very little trouble communicating our needs with Serge, and felt very welcomed here. The view of the Caribbean Sea and Anguilla from the restaurant was spectacular. I would recommend a stay here and hope to make it back, at least to dinner. 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We received excellent personal service at Chez Martine. Visited: December 2002 Posted by nina_kline Jean-Michael is the recent owner, and Serge runs the operations (he has been on the island for five years, but I'm not sure whether all of that has been at Chez Martine).Lucinda is the maid (she has worked at Chez Martine for 10 years and I believe is originally from Venezuela). I didn't have the opportunity to meet their kitchen staff, but can tell you the food is amazingly good. Expect a typical French breakfast of strong coffee, baguette, butter and jam, and Laughing Cow cheese, which is included in the room charge. Jean-Michael does not speak English and Serge's English is limited. Do not expect immediate responses to your e-mails, etc., it is island time! Plan in advance. Make sure you make very specific arrival arrangements with Serge for Sundays as most everything is typically closed in Grand Case that day of the week. Shops and restaurants in the village are closed each day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you are looking for a peaceful, relaxing vacation, this is the place. There is no TV, radio, telephone and a beautiful, nearly vacant beach (Dec. 8-15). I fell asleep each night to the wind and waves and woke each morning to the church bells and roosters. If you speak any French, they will love you. Look for Cool Cool who has a chair and umbrella on the beach in the shade of Chez Martine. If you ask, he might be willing to take a walk with you over to Happy Beach. This was my first stay and I traveled solo. I felt safe and welcomed. After one week, I felt I've found a home away from home and I look forward to my next visit. 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Don't worry, be happy! Visited: November 2002 Posted by aseguinot Reading the review from August 2002 had us worried. But everything turned out to be okay. The new owners - Serge and Jean-Michel - made us feel very welcomed. Yes, they were upgrading the place, but the main work was done. The rooms were spacious and clean (thank you, Lucinda!) The air conditioning was quiet, there was no phone or TV (Thank God!). I recommend the second floor rooms with a veranda, a beautiful view and the use of a small common kitchenette. The food was first class, thanks to the genial chef Romain. But they didn't get upset if you didn't take all your meals there. They even recommended other restaurants! The service was also excellent (no smoking!). The beach was lovely (we jumped in the water every morning at 7:00 a.m.) There was also plenty to do on the Island. We spent two wonderful weeks. Make your reservations now! 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful?

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