Radisson Vacation Villas At Oyster Bay Philipsburg

Oyster Bay Beach Resort was excellent. Other than a mix-up upon checking in, my friends, my wife and I enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. A quite and remote resort, it is away from the city. Dawn beach was great, and you can buy "Carib" beer for $.75 at Mr. Busby's on the beach. The pool at the resort was fabulous. My wife enjoyed her 1 hour massage poolside. Jade restaurant served the best meal we had on St. Maarten, and we ate at a different place every night. Can't wait to go back.

Quick stats: 32 year old male small business owner (contractor) married one 2 year old son (which came with us this trip) well traveled  worked in the tech sector, so I have traveled extensively through south/southeast Asia, and have vacationed on cruises, all-inclusives, and  ordinary resorts. Traveled Feb. 21-28, 2004When planning our trip to St. Maarten, I wanted info about the island first. My wife and I love the Caribbean, but we were frustrated by the inability to travel off grounds of many of the resorts that we had been to. Because of safety issues, many resorts and cruises told us not to travel out of  secure areas. St. Maarten was exactly the opposite of that trend. As other reviewers have said, St. Maarten s nickname is  The friendly island , and it surely lives up to its name. We felt safe traveling around the entire island, never once questioning if it was too late to go out, or if that may be in a  bad area.The island definitely has a European feel to it  with very obvious French influence on the French side, less so on the Dutch side. In Marigot, the capital of the French side, it felt like a French seaside community. Shops were open from 9 AM, or so, closed from 2-4, or so, and opened again until 7, or so. You get the idea. The Dutch side was a little more commercial, but very fun nonetheless. Philipsburg, the Dutch capital, where the cruise ships dock, has shops that are open normal business hours and get very busy during cruise daysThe island seemed to have a very high population of the  super-rich . Hundreds of mega-yachts line the lagoon near the airport, and many of the houses high on the hills command some big money to purchase (just go the local REMAX office  there is one at Oyster Bay- and look at some prices). I think that because of the combined influence of European taste and the affluence, you have a lot of choices for great shopping, outstanding eating, and fun clubs/bars. There are the obligatory Burger Kings, KFCs, Taco Bells, Subways, etc., but there are scores of restaurants that serve local food with a very gourmet flare, with prices ranging from $10 a plate to upwards of $300 a plate.In short, if you are looking for an island that you would feel comfortable driving, walking, or scootering around on, this would be the one. Lots of beaches, great sights, super shopping, excellent food  you just have to look around a little. It is a big little island to explore.As far as Oyster Bay Beach Resort, it is probably the best on the island. It is on the far eastern side of the island, just barely south of the French border. It is indeed away from it all. You will need a car, but don t come here without intending to get one. You will be missing out on a lot of things to see and do. The resort is much smaller than most on the island, and away from the craziness and commercialism that is right next to the airport (Simpson, Pelican, and Maho bay). If you would like a bigger resort with the comforts of home  bars, restaurants, stores, boutiques, casino- all within walking distance, stay in Pelican. Otherwise, Oyster Bay is the best. Don t get me wrong, Le Planteur and Captain Oliver s, both right across the marina (both will shuttle you to and from) are excellent. The hotel has a bar, and a great convenience store on site, but nothing like the numbers down in Pelican bay area. The beach is one of the best on the island- non-commercial, and never very busy. The pool at the resort is amazing. The housekeeping staff is great, the resort staff is helpful, but never intrusive, and the amenities are perfect.St. Maarten is a must do, and if you go soon, stay at Oyster Bay.

If you are looking for seclusion and isolation, this is not the place for you. The island is like two charming European towns,side by side, with friendly people, great restaurants and fantastic shopping. It happens to be plopped down in the aquablue-crystal clear Caribbean Sea. Oyster Bay Beach Resort is situated perfectly between the Dutch and the French sides of the Island, on a picture pretty inlet with a nice little beach, and just happens to have the best outdoor grille right next door. Because the island is so accessable, there are no all-inclusive resorts. Rent a car and mingle. Go to the infamous Orient Beach-anything goes. Or just relax and enjoy!

We visited Oyster Bay 1/31/04 for a week. The resort was fabulous. I had read good reviews, and one that was so-so, so I was a little nervous. No worries! The resort was wonderful -- and we travel all over the world for business and vacations -- and this resort was just awesome. The pool is gorgeous. The room was clean and spacious. We overlooked the marina, which I recommend, as we watched the boats go in and out of the marina and pelicans diving for fish. What really blew me away was how everyone who works at the resort is so nice and helpful (unlike other experiences at St. Thomas, where people were rude). We found that everyone was great on the island. Also, we were not harassed or bothered with people selling things -- if you say no thanks, they leave you alone right away and are very respectful and nice about it. When they say St. Martin is "the friendly island," they are not joking! Oyster Bay is in a great location, as it is not as congested, but it is close to so much -- near Orient Beach and Phillipsburg, but far enough away to "be away from it all." The beach at the resort, Dawn Beach, is beautiful and more quiet than Orient Beach. Also, the beach chairs are now FREE for Oyster Bay guests (no longer $10 per day, as noted in another review). The WORKOUT ROOM at the resort is awesome, with two treadmills, and eliptical machine, bikes, free weights, and good t.v.s and air conditioning! We did RENT A CAR to explore the island, and we were happy to have it (you can rent a car at the resort for $300 for the week, just in case you want to shop around) Oyster Bay has a lot of excursions, and there are several restaurants close to the resort -- so if you have children, or just don't know if you want to drive, you won't be "stranded" with nothing to do. . . . these restaurants are also great for lunch. Overall, Oyster Bay was awesome. We loved the beach, the pool, our room, the view, and most importantly, the people. Enjoy!

November 2003 .This was our first time to St. Maarten and of course then to Oyster Bay. We had a great time and the resort was beautiful. iI is true that you do need a car if you stay here, but the view and lack of congestion is worth being out of the way. The restaurant on site was OK, although we would not recommend eating there more then once. Mr. Busbys on the beach was good along with Dingy Dock across the marina by Captain Olivers. Orient Beach is only a 10 minute drive and there are a ton of great restaurants there. The room was nice and the staff very friendly. We would recommend Oyster Bay to others.See also Radisson vacation Villas for more reviews on OBBR the name changed

Beautiful scenery, excellant 2BR condo, clean & furnished nicely.

Onsite Jade restaurant, service and food was excellent. Beach and pool excellent. We intend to go back.

Just returned from a two week stay but only one of the weeks were at the Oyster Bay resort. You definetley need a car there, but it's best to have anyways so you get to all the great beaches. The staff was wonderful, especially Marion at the front desk, so so helpful. We had a one bedroom unit that overlooked the beautiful marina with all the sailboats and catamarans. Unit large with all the needed equipment. You do have to pay for air but you need it since it was in the 90's. There infinity pool is beautiful and large so it's not crowded. Just a short walk over to Dawn beach and Mr. Bugsbys beach bar. If you like a more quiet and peaceful area this is it. Loved it. Debbie

We spent the first 4 days of our honeymoon at a full service resort on Anguilla, so St. Maarten and the timeshare was a bit of a change.The room we stayed in at Oyster Bay was fantastic. We had a one bedroom with a full kitchen. We spent about $70 on groceries when we first got there and probably saved twice as much by eating breakfast and lunch in the room. Ms. B's was great -- we both loved the snapper, but their happy hour specials are not as good as the resort's. (Make sure you try the island special drink -- guavaberry colada).The service at Oyster Bay Beach Resort could use some improvement. The maid service was good (so good that she "cleaned away" our personal towels), but trying to find out information from the Activities Desk about activities the hotel doesn't organize was impossible. Better to spend the 80 cents per min. and make the local call yourself.Construction on the hotel seems to be complete, but they're still working on the landscaping. The pool really is amazing and the beach is great. Snorkeling wasn't all that wonderful, but we did some scuba dives elsewhere on the island and saw a lot of colorful fish, sponges, and even sharks!The $50 weekly charge and the $7 per day for air conditioning was a surprise, but it was well worth it to pay for the air conditioning. You'll need a car when in St. Maarten if you want to see anything other than the resort and nearby restaurants. You can get one at the hotel, the airport, or near ferry landings.

We have been to St Marteen every year for the last four years and are going back at the end of March. We always stay at Oyster Bay and have always found the staff courteous and helpful. They actually go out of their way to help make your stay wonderful. The resort is on Dawn Beach in a perfect location. You do need a car but you need a car no matter where you stay on the island.

The views from the rooms are exceptional-better than anywhere else in the Carribean. Where else can you sit on your balcony and watch the ocean come ashore below you. The pool is the best that I have ever seen. The gentleman who designed the resort is from Chicago but lived there on site since they started working on it.

I still like the hotel rooms and to my memory, all of the suites have some kind of kitchen or kitchenette so that breakfast should not be an issue.

The grocery stores in St Marteen are like shopping in Europe-all kinds of delicacies and then there are the patisseries (bakeries) in Grand Case for breakfast sweets ....who needs anything else!

We have taken tours from the resort and been nothing but pleased. I do know that one must ask questions and not assume when booking an excursion anywhere. We do most of our own excursions now because there are so many nice beaches. Oh yes...go to the Butterfuly farm at the beginning of the week. You can go as much as you want for $10.00 for your whole stay.

The most inportant thing I can tell you about staying on any island is that you do not get good results from islanders by being rude and demanding. Too many rude Americans have already been there and acted in that superior condescending manner and the natives are offended as they should be.

I find the people of the islands to be wonderful and very helpful. Last summer I had to make emergency arrangements to get back to the States and everyone went out of their way to make it easier.

One more note...we personally like the laid back atomosphere of Busby Beach Bar ( next door to Oyster Bay ) and are very taken with the Mahi Mahi which we have several times during each visit.

For those who want the convenience of long beaches with wall to wall accomodations-stay in Florida and leave the islands to the rest of us!

If you get a chance experience Oyster Bay-it is beautiful and romantic!

We just came back from our trip to Oyster Bay. It was our first time to St. Maarten and we loved it! The resort is very nice and while the location is a bit secluded, it is only about 15 minutes from town. Definitely rent a car to get around the island, no matter where you stay.

The only negative part of the trip was the bad service (only occasionally good) at the resort. The front desk staff is very rude. The activities director was also rude. Service in their restaurant was usually slow. During the orientation, we were told to expect slow service throughout the island, so get used to it. However, it was the only place that we had bad service...it was great on the rest of the island.

We highly recommend the Rhino Rides (like jetskis), but DON'T go to Anguilla via the day trip they recommend. It was about $65 per person and a total ripoff. You had to get to the boat terminal yourself (trans. not included), then take some old ferry to the island (which is only $10 per person if you go yourself), then a taxi takes you to a remote beach and points out a few sites along the way, they serve you burgers for lunch, give you old snorkel equipment, and a 10 min. ride in a tiny glass bottom boat. We had much higher expectations for the trip due to some false advertising. At the activity desk, they had a big sign for Anguilla Day Trip and a poster of a beautiful catamarin that made three snorkel stops, open bar, etc. Not quite what we had. Complaining did no good. In the resort literature, they actually say not to request or expect monetary compensation if something is wrong.

The dinners are good at the resort, but the breakfast is horrible and a rip off $12 a person). Instead, there's a great little place on the water down by the guard booth. Great breakfast for about $4 to $6.

Overall, if you can stand the rude staff, I would highly recommend staying here. We had a great time!