The Lowdown: Why Book Here?
For a fun, chill and musical vibe, ideal for couples or friend groups.
Hotel Overview (Hint: Stay Next to famous Maho Beach)
Old school R&B on the playlist. Waiters serving rum punches and Mai Tais from the swim-up bar. Bellmen skipping to bring your luggage around. Valets promptly jumping into the complimentary airport shuttle. They may well be snapshots of a stay, any stay, but its the spirit with which they’re done that makes all the difference here. There’s something uplifting and delightful about this resort in Beacon Hill near Simpson Bay.
The 124-room hotel is in the same complex as a multitude of bars, restaurants and shops and it’s a short walk to the famous Maho beach from which intrepid bathers and curious visitors pause to take selfies with incoming planes. The hotel flaunts its airport proximity with an observation deck where you can spot the glitterati on their way to St Barths.
The greatest asset though is the staff who really make the hotel – friendly but unobtrusive, helpful but not pushy – everyone seems genuinely happy to be there. Give the breakfast bartender a smoothie recipe and he’ll happily whip it up, ask for a change to your dinner reservation and the front desk will follow up, request fresh coconut water and the security guard will gladly supply recommendations. If you’re accustomed to slow and belaboured Caribbean service, this makes for a refreshing upgrade.
The Morgan Resort Spa & Village St. Maarten Background
Built in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma and opened in 2021 when pandemic-era restrictions were in full force, the hotel is relatively new. Owned by Egyptian-born, New York-based businessman Ray Sidhom, the hotel regularly hosts music events and live entertainment.
What are The Rooms like at The Morgan Resort Spa & Village?
Rooms range from runway, ocean and pool views and include accessible options, suites and a penthouse. My junior oceanfront suite features two balconies overlooking the pool, walnut wood throughout and a couch for lounging. On mornings I wake up without an alarm just the sun rises and the Caribbean Sea’s blues intensify.
The Whole Picture
Designed to resemble a white sand shoreline, the focal point here is undoubtedly the pool – the picture of Caribbean paradise. Private cabanas, coconut trees and beach chairs line the infinity pool and a jacuzzi, slide and grotto cave prove popular even as dusk approaches.
Roam the grounds and you’ll find hidden wonders like an animal rescue farm with bunnies, ducks, birds and iguanas who’ll make a raucous as you approach but quickly simmer down. Just to ensure you’re never bored there’s a volleyball net amidst a turf lawn, table and lawn games strewn throughout, a boutique store and a large tent for weddings and events. At the edge of the property a long pier leads to a rocky outcrop on which stands a gazebo.
Drinks & Dining
At SALT the restaurant adjacent to the lobby, food portions are generous and Barbados-born executive chef Derio Boyce deftly weaves Caribbean flavours with international flare.
Soulful and flavourful, each dish is well-thought with the dinner menu focusing on composed classics with a twist while the lunch menu features fun shareable plates. There’s freshly caught lobster, grilled and perfectly seasoned; lovely whole fried snapper; seared tuna, grilled octopus and an incredible dessert selection including delicious mango sorbet and innovative choices like soursop and passion fruit bavarois.
Spa
Warm, accommodating staff make you feel at home instantly. A well laid-out, intimate setting makes for a relaxing retreat for an hour-long rejuvenating deep BLU massage.
What CSL Loves
When I am told that late checkout cannot be extended elsewhere on the island, I traipse back to the Morgan for a few hours (I have an evening flight). Not only do they welcome me with open arms in their air-conditioned oasis five days after I’d checked out, valets I had hardly interacted with, hail out to me and welcome me back. For anyone who’s become jaded with travel it’s a place to restore your faith in hotels.
The Details
This original article first appeared in the FALL 2024 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.
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