Sea View Beach Hotel

Opened in
1948, Sea View has been around for decades and it shows. Old-fashioned decor
and limited on-site features give the impression that the owners have made only
the minimum updates necessary over the years. With a small, dark entrance wedged between a cigar shop and a casino, Sea View Beach Hotel makes a less than exciting first impression. A staircase leads up to an equally dull lobby, decorated with dreary tropical decor and sofas with plastic covers. White wicker furniture and vending machines round out the space. The hotel’s rear entrance from the beach is far more appealing; it highlights the building’s cheerful yellow and orange exterior.The hotel
attracts a diverse demographic, with budget-consciousness as the common
denominator, as the hotel offers some of the cheapest room rates on the island. There’s little reason for guests to linger on-site, which makes
for a quiet atmosphere. Travelers who can do without
on-site perks may find the Sea View meets all their needs.

The hotel
is set on Frontstreet, a bustling commercial street lined with restaurants,
duty-free shops, and high-end boutiques like Cartier and Tommy Hilfiger. This
location may be a pro or con depending on your perspective. The street buzzes
with cruise ship passengers during the day, but there’s little to do after dark
as many businesses close early in the evening. The hotel building is shared
with a casino, and two others are found within a 10-minute walk.The back of
the hotel opens up onto Great Bay Beach and its picturesque boardwalk. Little
Bay Beach and Fort Amsterdam can be reached in a 20-minute walk or five-minute
drive. Princess Juliana International Airport is about a 20-minute drive away.
There are minibus stops in Philipsburg with service to most areas of the
island, but the system can be tricky for first-timers because buses don’t run
on a fixed timetable and are not clearly marked. Parking isn't available at the hotel. 

Guest rooms
at the Sea View Beach Hotel look like a standard budget room you could find anywhere
in the world, complete with tropical print bed spreads and lifeless wall art. All rooms
feature wall-mounted TVs, some of which are flat-screen, but others are older
tube-style TVs. Rooms also include basic work desks and a decent amount of closet
space. Most rooms have light wood furniture, but it’s painted white in some
rooms. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, but the signal doesn’t reach some
rooms.Generic
bathrooms feature round sinks, showers with drab curtains, and off-brand
toiletries. Hairdryers are available upon request. Some rooms open onto a long
shared terrace with views of the beach and hotel courtyard. And some have balconies
overlooking Frontstreet, while others just have windows. Guests can rent
mini-fridges and safes for additional fees. Housekeeping is provided daily. 

Sea View Beach has little in terms of features, but its main draw is its beachside location. The hotel
backs onto Great Bay Beach, which offers a wide stretch of white sand. A
pleasant boardwalk runs along the beach, and the island of Saba can be seen off
the coast. Guests can rent umbrellas and beach chairs from a third party vendor. The beach is often quite busy during the day when the cruise ships
are docked, but it’s quiet in the evening.Breakfast
is served in a small breakfast room each morning for an additional fee. The
food generally receives positive feedback from guests for its quality and
generous portion sizes. The menu includes omelets and French toast. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the lobby, and
there’s a personal computer and printer available for guests to use. Snacks and drinks are
available from vending machines in the lobby.