Ooh-la-la at the Grand Case Beach Club

Inviting beach at Grand Case Beach Club (photo credit:  GCBC)

Pleasure is barefoot and time stands still. Such is the mantra at the Grand Case Beach Club in French St. Martin.   With a new user-friendly website and honeymoon packages to beat the band, the seaside hotel is a seashell away from the village of Grand Case celebrated for its many fine restaurants and galleries.  An array of resort amenities include an on-site restaurant, postcard-perfect beach, water sports, pool, boutique with an artisanal array of jewelry, clothing and souvenirs, Cybex gym, hilltop massage gazebo where Gina excels at après-sun rubdowns  and a boardwalk that stands guard over the ocean and is ideal for wedding and anniversary parties . 

Margarita Wright stocks fabulous gifts in her Ti Case Boutique ( credit: M. Reffes)

photos credit: GCBC

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photos credit: GCBC

Gina excels at an apres-sun rubdown ( photo credit: M. Reffes)

Room rates include a divine continental breakfast of pastries fresh from the oven, non-motorized water sports equipment and a bottle of vino on arrival.  For those who enjoy tennis, a grass court is lit for night play with loaner rackets available to those who did not pack their own. “Our clientele is not the all-inclusive crowd, “says Stephen Wright, general manager, “they come here not only for the comfort and appeal of the property but also for the proximity to Grand Case. In fact, our guests do quite a bit of pre-trip research about the restaurants and bars they want to try in the Village. “   

Chilling Pour Deux (Photo credit: GCBC)

Wooing the romance crowd, the "Honeymoon Magic" package includes a one day car rental, en suite floral bouquet, picnic basket pour deux, beach bag and vouchers for casino play on the Dutch side of the island where gambling is legal. Three and seven night rates are available through December 22.   The popular Fifth Night Free offer continues through December 18 with Thanksgiving weekend a blackout period.

A three-year improvement plan is in the works which will include kitchen and floor remodeling and upgrades to the lobby and patios. Although guests come from all over the world, the northeast USA remains the constant source of arrivals. “85% of our business comes from North America, “adds Stephen Wright, GM, “with the tri-state arrivals our biggest group. “  The property extends a warm welcome to travel agents who want to experience the Club along with a 10 percent commission offered for confirmed bookings.

Optimistic about the upcoming high season, GM Stephen Wright adds “we’ve hit a booking stride of late but we’re still concerned about the economy and watch the trends cautiously.  Despite the shorter booking windows, the holiday season in December is looking very good for us.”  

Beach time for Two ( credit: GCBC)

With hurricane season continuing through November, GCBC offers gratis nights should an evacuation be ordered.   If an official hurricane warning is issued, the hotel will waive the cancellation penalty and, at the guest's option, either refund the full deposit or change the reservation.   Wholesalers selling the property include Expedia, MLT Vacations and Liberty. Click or call:  www.grandcasebeachclub.com or toll free (800) 340-3016. 

 

Chew Love 

Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, the Sunset Café is one-stop-shopping for a scrumptious meal, light bite or piquant cocktail made from local rum.Chef Alex is a master in the kitchen whipping up delightful salads and a molten chocolate lava cake to-die-for.    Server extraordinaire Laurent Fanget caters to every culinary whim while recommending what he’s convinced each guest will enjoy. “ How about a café glace ?” , he tells me referring to his specialty iced coffee drink , “ a bowl of gazpacho would go very well with that  , “ he adds with his ooh-la-la French accent.

Laurent is a surfer dude at heart (credit: M. Reffes)

Server Laurent takes five ( credit: M. Reffes)

In Grand Case village, Chef Herve Sageot’s grilled lobsters at Ti Provencal are amongst the best on the island. Popular for their creative menus, the cozy eatery offers awesome views of Grand Case Bay and signature dishes from local trunkfish Creole style and creamy scallop soup with a dollop of Noilly Prat and a swirl of truffle oil to linguine with, basil, and shrimp. Exotic fish like le capitaine and la daurade grise are brought to the table and then cooked to order. 

With restaurant experience in Miami under their chef’s aprons, Sophie and Oliver welcome diners to Spicy, a new French eatery also on the strip. With a vast selection of fresh fish, the sea bass is a true taste experience

Sea Bass at SPICY is divine ( credit: M. Reffes)

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(photo credit: M. Reffes)

 

Click or Call

www.grandcasebeachclub.com

Toll free (800) 340-3016

Sunset Dining (photo credit: GCBC)

Views are picture-perfect at the Grand Case Beach Club (photo credit: M. Reffes)

Seaside Serenity ( credit: GCBC)

Going Dutch

St. Maarten Minister of Tourism Franklin Meyers announced the appointment of May-Ling Chun as director of tourism, replacing Regina LaBega, who was appointed managing director of the Princess Juliana International Airport.  Previously, Chun served as regional manager for the St. Maarten Tourist Office in New York and director of operations at the Oyster Bay Beach Resort.  She is currently owner of Innovative Marketing Creations in St. Maarten.

“We must run tourism like a business, “she said enjoying the view from the Holland House hotel on the boardwalk, “this is my first week on the job and I’m very excited about keeping our tourism product on track and making it better.  “

May- Ling Chun, Director of Tourism, St. Maarten Tourism Board ( credit: SMTB)

Make a Date

November 4 – 13: Fete de la Cuisine features Chefs from Holland and island-wide specialties at the many restaurants. www.VacationStMaarten.com.

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