Grand Case Beach Club

At the end of a quiet dirt road, Grand Case Beach Club is nearly hidden behind the fence surrounding the property, giving it an almost exclusive vibe. Throughout the moderately sized hotel, there are plenty of nooks and crannies for guests escape to relax in peace, from the wooden sunbathing terrace to the small stone deck overlooking Petit Plage. White wood rocking chairs and flower paintings look chic. Key cards are needed to access many places in the hotel including the rooftop pool and stone patio. Rooms are situated away from the main hub of the hotel where most of the socializing takes place.

While the hotel is sandwiched between Grand Case Beach and Petit Plage, the more popular beach is Petit Plage, where beach service is offered by the hotel and there are plenty of lounge chairs on offer. While busy, Petit Plage isn’t often overrun. The open-air restaurant, Sunset Cafe, is busy throughout the day and into the evening. A small bar with a handful of bar stools is situated at the front of the restaurant. The hotel features mixers for guests on the rooftop stone patio with local artists, cocktails, and passed snacks. Most of the guests here are international couples on vacation, with the occasional family with older kids as well.

Situated on a quiet hillside overlooking the Caribbean, Grand Case Beach Club provides stunning sunset views and is an easy walk to two beaches: Grand Case Beach and Petit Plage. The hotel is a 10-minute walk down a quiet dirt road to the restaurants, shops, and bars of Grand Case. Travelers should note that although the road isn’t well-lit there are plenty of pedestrians and bicyclists, and the area is generally safe. Further afield, the well-known Orient Bay Beach is a 12-minute drive from the hotel, and has a high concentration of beachfront restaurants and bars. The French Capital, Marigot, is a 17-minute drive from the hotel, while the small cruise town on the Dutch Side, Philipsburg, is a 30-minute drive away. L’Esperance Airport is a two-minute drive from Grand Case Beach Club, but those going to the larger Princess Juliana International Airport should allow at least 35 minutes for travel. Traffic across the island of St. Martin can be irregular, and travelers should allow extra time for drawbridges and rush hour traffic.

There’s a lot to like about the rooms at Grand Case Beach Club, which are bright, airy, and spacious. Rattan and wicker give a tropical vibe to the furnishings and colorful artwork and throw pillows add cheer. There are seven categories of rooms, which range in size from a studio to two-bedrooms, and all feature garden or ocean views. Many rooms comes with a walkout terrace to the gardens or balconies with stunning views of Grand Case Bay. All rooms come with a full kitchen and guests can expect a full-size fridge and freezer, stovetop and oven, microwave, and a coffeemaker. There are plenty of modern amenities including flat-screen TVs and stereo systems. The welcome wine and fresh flowers are nice extras.

Bathrooms are spacious and contemporary with beige stone tile walls and wooden shelves. All bathrooms feature either standing showers or shower/tub combos. The bathrooms come with toiletries, magnifying mirrors, and hairdryers.

Grand Case Beach Club has plenty of outstanding features to keep everyone happy. The highlight of the hotel are the two beaches: Grand Case Beach and Petit Plage. The white sands of Grand Case Beach start at the hotel and extend with plenty of space for guests to sunbathe and socialize. Petit Plage is a more private (and smaller) beach adjacent to the hotel, featuring plenty of white lounge chairs with blue and white striped cushions. Beach service is available for guests at Petit Plage. Free paddle boards and kayaks are available to borrow.

The rooftop zero-entry infinity pool grants spectacular views of Grand Case Bay. The spacious wooden pool deck features brown wicker lounge chairs with beige cushions and a few brown wicker tables. Located below the pool terrace is the open-air Sunset Cafe, aptly named for the stunning sunset views granted to dinner guests. The restaurant serves a free (though a bit sparse) continental breakfast of pastries, coffee, and cereal. A la carte options are also available for an extra fee. Casual grill fare if offered for lunch, such as seafood, sandwiches, and salads.

A particularly nice feature is the handful of common areas hidden in the twists and turns of the hotel’s sunbathing terrace, a narrow wooden walkway overlooking the Caribbean, and circling the hotel. The space provides privacy and a few small enclaves with lounge chairs for guests to sunbathe and hang out. A spacious stone patio is also on offer adjacent to the pool terrace. There aren’t many chairs but there are a few wooden viewing decks.

The small fitness center has a few pieces of modern cardio equipment, free weights, and flat-screen TVs. Guests should note that there is a daily fee for use of the space. A small business center with a few computers and tables is available in the lobby. Plenty of free parking is on offer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.