Bleu Emeraude

Don’t be fooled by the fancy French name -- Bleu Emeraude is easy, breezy, and completely free of pomp. The small boutique hotel has a relaxed and tranquil vibe throughout with heavy wooden room doors, a mahogany front desk, and French doors leading to the beach. The quiet lobby leads directly out onto the white sands of Grand Case Beach. The beach is open to the public and shared with nearby hotels, but the area is quiet and generally empty. With only 11 rooms, there isn’t much of a social scene, though there is a small, stylish common area with a few chairs, a small library exchange, and a wine fridge (payment operates on the honor system). Since all the rooms have full kitchens and terraces, most guests tend to stay in their rooms or head into downtown Grand Case. While the hotel is technically kid-friendly, expect to see more romantic couples and leisure travelers than families. 

The French side of St. Maarten/St. Martin is distinctly French. Visitors are greeted with “bonjour,” baguettes and croissants are the breakfast of choice, and business is conducted using the Euro. So it’s no wonder that Grand Case, the northernmost part of the French side, has some of the best Parisian-style cuisine in all of the Caribbean. The main drag, which features numerous acclaimed restaurants, as well as cafes, bars, shops, and lolos (local barbecue joints), is roughly a five-minute walk from the hotel.

Bleu Emeraude does, however, sit on a rather busy street, and rush hour can quickly turn into a bumper-to-bumper nightmare. On the bright side, this central location puts guests within fast driving distance to plenty of attractions, like Fort Louis, Marigot, and Orient Bay, as well as a grocery store for those looking to put their kitchens to good use. Keep in mind, the island tends to have quite a bit of traffic no matter where you are headed -- so be sure to add extra minutes to your estimated travel time when promptness is important.

• 25-minute drive to Princess Juliana International Airport
• One-minute walk to Grand Case Beach (property is located on the beach)
• Five-minute walk to restaurants, shops, bars, and cafes on Boulevard Grand Case
• Six-minute drive to Loterie Farm, a nature retreat with tours and zip lining
• 10-minute drive to Marigot
• 10-minute drive to Fort Louis
• 10-minute drive to the Butterfly Farm
• 12-minute drive to Orient Bay

There’s a lot to like about the spacious rooms at Bleu Emeraude in Grand Case. Ranging in size from Studio to Two-Bedroom Apartments, all rooms are stylish and chic. Rooms come with king-size beds, sleek side tables, and plenty of sitting and dining space. Colors throughout tend towards white and beige, with accent throw pillows and artwork adding pops of color in red, orange, and blue. The private terraces are a major highlight in all the rooms. Featuring spectacular Caribbean views, the terraces are spacious with lounge chairs and tables, and ground level units step out onto the beach. 

Rooms come with modern amenities: DVD players, flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks. The kitchenette is particularly nice and features a washing machine, microwave, dishwasher, and coffeemaker. The two-bedroom option is a nice upgrade for families and features two bathrooms, flat-screen TVs in each bedroom, and a larger terrace. Wi-Fi is free, but the signal is spotty in some rooms. 

Bathrooms are spacious and well-appointed. All bathrooms come with standing showers and rainfall showerheads. There is plenty of vanity space, and towels and toiletries are provided in all the bathrooms. 

As a boutique property, Bleu Emeraude offers a pared-down list of amenities compared to other hotels in Grand Case. However, the stunning white sands of Grand Case Beach and chic common area add a welcome upmarket dash. 

The property is situated beachfront to Grand Case Beach, a quiet and tranquil area set with a handful of lounge chairs and umbrellas for guests to use. A simple and free continental breakfast is offered each morning, with plenty of pastries, coffee, and fresh fruit. Guests can enjoy the breakfast in a chic common area with a few tables and chairs, or take it back to their rooms. The common area has a small library for guests, as well as a small wine fridge which guests are allowed to use on the honor system of paying.

There are no wellness options or pool at Bleu Emeraude, something three-and-a-half-pearl travelers might miss. The hotel offers a few concierge services for day trips, sight seeing, and car rentals, but the lobby hours are limited. Free parking is available both indoors and outdoors, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, though it can be spotty in the rooms.