We didn’t rent a car as we were going on a 7 days island cruise after our stay here. We did not need to rent a car as you can walk just about everywhere you need to go. It was also very relaxing and beautiful. Bring no see um spray though if you’re the kind of person that is a magnet for biting bugs. It was a $7/pp for the 3 of us from the airport. Small deli nearby for essentials and plenty of places to eat.

We have stayed at many places in the Caribbean always looking for the awesome sunset with a pool. La Calanthe is it ! The pictures and property description are Excellent and the property is just as advertised. We spent most of our time on the large outdoor covered living area which lays between the pool deck and the home. This was our location for sunset cocktails and daily relaxing. There is plenty of shade if you do not want direct sunlight but plenty of poolside chairs if you want some sun. The property has both French and U.S. cable TV systems with music channels with outdoor speakers. The caretakers Bruno and Corrine are just steps away if you need help with something (like ordering Thai food delivery on night 1) but also give you plenty of privacy. They are not present unless you want them to be (perfect). The home is located just up the hill (5 minute drive) from what could be described as the Simpson Bay Strip. A popular location for bars and restaurants. We rented a car so we could explore well beyond Simpson Bay. Our favorite restaurant was the Sint Maarten Yacht Club which sits at the draw bridge into the lagoon. At regularly scheduled times (3pm, 4pm, 5pm, etc) you can watch the multi million dollar yachts parade in and out of the narrow lagoon entry. If you are into watching yachts, La Calanthe's infinity pool is a great spot all on its own. There is just a constant flow of mega yachts and sailboats parading in front of the home all day and night. Great relaxing view! Thanks Bruno, Corrine and Olivier, hope to be back soon !

We have stayed at many places in the Caribbean always looking for the awesome sunset with a pool. La Calanthe is it ! The pictures and property description are Excellent and the property is just as advertised. We spent most of our time on the large outdoor covered living area which lays between the pool deck and the home. This was our location for sunset cocktails and daily relaxing. There is plenty of shade if you do not want direct sunlight but plenty of poolside chairs if you want some sun. The property has both French and U.S. cable TV systems with music channels with outdoor speakers. The caretakers Bruno and Corrine are just steps away if you need help with something (like ordering Thai food delivery on night 1) but also give you plenty of privacy. They are not present unless you want them to be (perfect). The home is located just up the hill (5 minute drive) from what could be described as the Simpson Bay Strip. A popular location for bars and restaurants. We rented a car so we could explore well beyond Simpson Bay. Our favorite restaurant was the Sint Maarten Yacht Club which sits at the draw bridge into the lagoon. At regularly scheduled times (3pm, 4pm, 5pm, etc) you can watch the multi million dollar yachts parade in and out of the narrow lagoon entry. If you are into watching yachts, La Calanthe's infinity pool is a great spot all on its own. There is just a constant flow of mega yachts and sailboats parading in front of the home all day and night. Great relaxing view! Thanks Bruno, Corrine and Olivier, hope to be back soon !

This is my 2nd time staying here and it was perfect!! Bruno and Corinne are lovely and helpful. Thank you for the chance to stay in paradise!

We absolutely loved La Calanthe! Beautiful home and property with views that are better than what you see in the pictures. Corine and Bruno, the property caretakers were also great.

Property was amazing. Views were amazing. This was our fifth time on the island and this rental exceeded our expectations. Bruno and Corrine were great. We will definitely be renting this house again.

Property was amazing. Views were amazing. This was our fifth time on the island and this rental exceeded our expectations. Bruno and Corrine were great. We will definitely be renting this house again.

Amazing sunsets. Great snorkeling directly from the house. Great caretakers Corinne and Bruno, always there to help and advise on activities!

Amazing sunsets. Great snorkeling directly from the house. Great caretakers Corinne and Bruno, always there to help and advise on activities!

We loved staying at this beautiful property. We had a front row seat to an amazing sunset each night. It's everything that you would want in a vacation rental. You can not go wrong and will be spoiled once you have stayed at this villa. We certainly enjoyed having our own private pool. The pool man kept it clean and crystal clear. Corinne did our laundry--that's a vacation in itself!! Bruno was always available and willing to help in any way. They are 2 special people. By the time we left, it's like we were leaving family.

We loved staying at this beautiful property. We had a front row seat to an amazing sunset each night. It's everything that you would want in a vacation rental. You can not go wrong and will be spoiled once you have stayed at this villa. We certainly enjoyed having our own private pool. The pool man kept it clean and crystal clear. Corinne did our laundry--that's a vacation in itself!! Bruno was always available and willing to help in any way. They are 2 special people. By the time we left, it's like we were leaving family.

Amazing villa, by the ocean, in a nice area, near the airport, stores, restaurants and beaches. It has an amazing pool, a small private beach and even a dock! The exterior is well conceived with many different spots where to relax by the ocean. There is 3 bedrooms. It was clean. Bruno was very helpful and answered our questions about the villa and the island. Only possible improvement: the BBQ shows its age, but we managed to cook some great steaks and the fresh fish we caught. Overall, a highly recommended place!

Amazing villa, by the ocean, in a nice area, near the airport, stores, restaurants and beaches. It has an amazing pool, a small private beach and even a dock! The exterior is well conceived with many different spots where to relax by the ocean. There is 3 bedrooms. It was clean. Bruno was very helpful and answered our questions about the villa and the island. Only possible improvement: the BBQ shows its age, but we managed to cook some great steaks and the fresh fish we caught. Overall, a highly recommended place!

We absolutely loved our time here. The view and outdoor living space were breathtaking; we could have just sat on the porch for the whole week. We didn't, because there was so much else to do - from snorkeling right in front of the house to wandering from one French bakery to the next. Our kids, ages 8 & 10, loved the many activities available on the island. And we parents enjoyed sipping wine on the terrace and taking in the spectacular view. While we have traveled extensively through the Caribbean we had never been to St. Maarten before and it is now our favorite island! It offers both amazing beaches and a European feel in town. We will definitely be back. Bruno and Corinne, the property caretakers, could not have been more hospitable or lovely. Corinne even did our laundry for us! Thank you for allowing us to stay on your beautiful property and we hope to return soon!

if you're thinking twice...DONT....trust me, you will not be disappointed. PROS: The view was absolutely breathtaking. The house was beautiful, everything was so unique. The master bedroom has a twin bed, which was very comfortable for our 12 year old. Each room has air conditioning. The market surprisingly had a lot of the foods and snacks that we love and it's about 5 minutes away. There are also some absolutely delicious restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner that are less than 5 minutes away, driving. Bruno and Corrine are such hard workers and were such a delight. My travel party included my 12 year old, husband, 2 of our best friends and my mom. It was just perfect. Bring your own snorkel gear as there is a ladder that leads to the sea and there is plenty to see. You will catch cruise ships coming and going. At night, the stars look amazing. Lizards and Iguanas for your viewing pleasure throughout the property. CONS: Mosquitoes were quite prevalent. We spent a lot of money purchasing mosquito repellent but I guess the mosquitoes loved me. I was bit at least 40 times. Thankfully, my daughter didn't get bit, probably because she stayed in the pool. My husband only got bit a few times. SUMMARY: All in all, I would stay here again, no question. La Calanthe is very Tranquil, peaceful, clean and absolutely stunning. I recommend a rental car. We've traveled to many places and often do not rent cars and rely on cabs, however, if we had taken a cab everywhere, we would have spent a ridiculous amount of money. Seriously, if you don't rent a car, you should probably plan on staying in your home or resort. The directions to get around are very easy, Surprisingly. Very Private! I can't wait to go back.

Excellent place to stay. Very private and well maintained. Go to the market, buy some steaks and use the outside grill, topped off the night sitting poolside with a nice Cuban cigar and some Knob Creek. Amazing swimming and snorkeling in the sea. Rent a car to get around and explore the island. We were there for 10 days and that was just right. Temps were 85-95 everyday and mostly cloudy/breezy which made the humidity almost negligible. The pool was great also (about the same temp as the sea). Bruno and Corrine were also very nice and accommodating. We will definitely stay here again.

Excellent place to stay. Very private and well maintained. Go to the market, buy some steaks and use the outside grill, topped off the night sitting poolside with a nice Cuban cigar and some Knob Creek. Amazing swimming and snorkeling in the sea. Rent a car to get around and explore the island. We were there for 10 days and that was just right. Temps were 85-95 everyday and mostly cloudy/breezy which made the humidity almost negligible. The pool was great also (about the same temp as the sea). Bruno and Corrine were also very nice and accommodating. We will definitely stay here again.

What a wonderful time we had at La Calanthe! The views and the sounds of the waves crashing on the rocks, are intoxicating, making everything you need for a relaxing stay. The great couple, Corinne and Bruno, who attend to the house, are very attentive and are there for you to make your stay even more comfortable, if you have any questions about the island, etc. If you want to venture out, you definitely need to rent a car. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, attractions, and beautiful beaches to see. All in all, this is a wonderful vacation spot, especially if you are accompanied by beautiful, dear, travel companions! Thank You for your Generosity and Hospitality Olivier, Corinne and Bruno!

What a wonderful time we had at La Calanthe! The views and the sounds of the waves crashing on the rocks, are intoxicating, making everything you need for a relaxing stay. The great couple, Corinne and Bruno, who attend to the house, are very attentive and are there for you to make your stay even more comfortable, if you have any questions about the island, etc. If you want to venture out, you definitely need to rent a car. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, attractions, and beautiful beaches to see. All in all, this is a wonderful vacation spot, especially if you are accompanied by beautiful, dear, travel companions! Thank You for your Generosity and Hospitality Olivier, Corinne and Bruno!

We were two families sharing this exceptional villa. Our daughter’s had graduated from College this spring so we wanted to offer them an exotic vacation before entering the work force. The villa was very well designed with spectacular views from many different lounging locations. The pool was in excellent shape with crystal clear water and the landscape was beautifully maintained with many tropical plants and flowers all around. We snorkeled daily in front of the villa descending from a ladder into the Caribbean Sea seeing many different species of fish as well as iguanas lounging on the lava coast line. All the furniture, lighting and appliances worked and very well maintained. The live-in custodians, Corinne and Bruno really make the villa hospitable with fresh towels and minor cleanup every couple days and always available for local questions. This villa is unique and very well maintained exceeding my expectations from the pictures and description on VRBO. The only drawback were the many mosquitos due to the abundant plant life which effect the lady’s more than the men. I would recommend this villa to anyone who wants a unique villa with spectacular views.

We were two families sharing this exceptional villa. Our daughter’s had graduated from College this spring so we wanted to offer them an exotic vacation before entering the work force. The villa was very well designed with spectacular views from many different lounging locations. The pool was in excellent shape with crystal clear water and the landscape was beautifully maintained with many tropical plants and flowers all around. We snorkeled daily in front of the villa descending from a ladder into the Caribbean Sea seeing many different species of fish as well as iguanas lounging on the lava coast line. All the furniture, lighting and appliances worked and very well maintained. The live-in custodians, Corinne and Bruno really make the villa hospitable with fresh towels and minor cleanup every couple days and always available for local questions. This villa is unique and very well maintained exceeding my expectations from the pictures and description on VRBO. The only drawback were the many mosquitos due to the abundant plant life which effect the lady’s more than the men. I would recommend this villa to anyone who wants a unique villa with spectacular views.

My husband and I stayed here March 2014 for a week and it was the best vacation we have ever had. This was our second time in St Maarten and this house was the best place to stay. Do not hesitate to rent this house because you will be very, very happy. It is very safe, convenient and private. This house sits right on the beautiful ocean and you actually have a small private beach area with chairs and access to swim out front of the house in the ocean. The pool is wonderful and the ocean view cannot get any better. We got up around 6am every day and drank coffee by the pool and watched cruise ships pass by. Corinne and Bruno are very friendly and were very helpful anytime we needed anything. They are located on the property but it does not interfere with your privacy. We rented a car for the week and visited the different beaches on the island and explored. Our favorite places to eat are Pineapple Pete's, Buccaneer's Beach Bar and there is a Casino around the corner with an Italian restaurant that was very good. If you are planning a trip to St Maarten, you should definitely look into renting this house, you will be very satisfied-I promise!! We are staying here again in March 2015.

Where to start??? First off, after being blessed to visit 19 different islands in the Caribbean, and having been to Sint Maarten 3 times prior (on cruises) this was maybe the best vacation we've ever had, just not long enough!! Olivier (owner) was so accommodating to work with in booking our trip. Corinne and Bruno the onsite caretakers were a joy. They live in a bungalow on property but there is total privacy. They were very attentive when you needed some help, and yet left you alone to enjoy the incredible privacy. We miss them already. Pelikan Key is 10 mins from the airport and you get to watch planes come in for landings and they take off and fly right over head which is awesome! Shopping and grocery stores were less than a 10 minute drive. The view from La Calanthe is spectacular! The pool is directly on the water! The sunsets were fantastic! The privacy. Wow! Just what we wanted. To sum it up best: We brought too many clothes! Enough said! There is a small private beach sitting area with chaise lounges and a palm tree to enjoy coffee or an evening cocktail. If you want a “walkable” beach, you can take a 10 min walk down the road to a section of beach near La Vista resort, or take a quick trip to Simpson bay (2 mins by car) Baie Rouges, Baie Nettles, Mullet Bay, or Philipsburg (15 mins or so). Getting around is so easy and usually quick. On clear days you can see the island of Saba to the South. Very cool. The house is well maintained with beautiful furniture. It’s open air so you walk freely into and out of the main living room onto the very expansive tiled deck with plenty of seating, sun, shade and space, not to mention the pool which is fabulous! Water was as warm as can be and crystal clear! Two great floating mattresses were used every day! The hammock was incredible to laze away in. The outdoor living area had several seating areas, a bar, and two AWESOME stereo speakers that rock. The bedrooms were clean and bright and are A/C. The main house is open air but you get used to it very quickly. The kitchen was well equipped with plenty of dish/silver ware. Brand new Samsung fridge with water and ice was great. The outdoor gas grill was used almost daily and worked great. All in all, we are so blessed to have stayed at La Calanthe and God willing we’ll be back again next year! Olivier, Corinne & Bruno – thank you for your generosity and hospitality. God bless you, John & Linda

To keep things concise, here's a point form breakdown of our experience at La Calanthe in July, 2014: Convenience - A very short drive from the airport, Marigot and Philipsburg! Very conveniently located near two grocery stores and a few decent restaurants. Kim Sha beach is less than 10 minutes by foot but we opted to rent a car from AAA and visit other more beautiful beaches instead. A great location! Safety - Gated and with Coco and Bruno right next door with their sweet dog Chanel, we always felt safe. We always locked up at night just as Coco and Bruno asked. There are lots of gated homes with guard dogs in this neighbourhood so it felt very safe. We did walk the road to Simpson Bay a couple of times but only did so during daylight. Water - Pool was awesome. Huge deck with a variety of loungers etc. Ocean was great for snorkelling and easy to access from the ladder. Watch the currents on windy days as they can become very strong if you're not a solid swimmer. Kitchen - All the amenities we needed as well as a BBQ outside. Oven takes a long time to heat up so try to use the BBQ for all meals. Rooms and Baths - Lovely and clean. Nice linens and frequent changing of towels. Lots of room to spread out in common areas although we rarely stayed indoors except to sleep! Tips - Rent a car as there is so much to see and do on this island and everything is so close relative to what we're used to in Canada! If you like to snorkel check out Little Bay on the Dutch side and Baie Rouge on the French side. Downfalls - Nothing really other than the mosquitos which were quite active during our stay, day and night, inside and outside. There are no screens on the windows or the porch and there is some lush vegetation on-site, so the bugs were a bit of a nuisance. We kept the bedroom and bathroom doors closed all day (a/c on at night only) and used lots of repellant with DEET. We did get many bites regardless but hopefully it's just a result of the rainy season. All in all an impeccable experience. And what a view! Highly recommended for LGBT families as well, given how comfortable we were made to feel.

Where to start??? First off, after being blessed to visit 19 different islands in the Caribbean, and having been to Sint Maarten 3 times prior (on cruises) this was maybe the best vacation we've ever had, just not long enough!! Olivier (owner) was so accommodating to work with in booking our trip. Corinne and Bruno the onsite caretakers were a joy. They live in a bungalow on property but there is total privacy. They were very attentive when you needed some help, and yet left you alone to enjoy the incredible privacy. We miss them already. Pelikan Key is 10 mins from the airport and you get to watch planes come in for landings and they take off and fly right over head which is awesome! Shopping and grocery stores were less than a 10 minute drive. The view from La Calanthe is spectacular! The pool is directly on the water! The sunsets were fantastic! The privacy. Wow! Just what we wanted. To sum it up best: We brought too many clothes! Enough said! There is a small private beach sitting area with chaise lounges and a palm tree to enjoy coffee or an evening cocktail. If you want a “walkable” beach, you can take a 10 min walk down the road to a section of beach near La Vista resort, or take a quick trip to Simpson bay (2 mins by car) Baie Rouges, Baie Nettles, Mullet Bay, or Philipsburg (15 mins or so). Getting around is so easy and usually quick. On clear days you can see the island of Saba to the South. Very cool. The house is well maintained with beautiful furniture. It’s open air so you walk freely into and out of the main living room onto the very expansive tiled deck with plenty of seating, sun, shade and space, not to mention the pool which is fabulous! Water was as warm as can be and crystal clear! Two great floating mattresses were used every day! The hammock was incredible to laze away in. The outdoor living area had several seating areas, a bar, and two AWESOME stereo speakers that rock. The bedrooms were clean and bright and are A/C. The main house is open air but you get used to it very quickly. The kitchen was well equipped with plenty of dish/silver ware. Brand new Samsung fridge with water and ice was great. The outdoor gas grill was used almost daily and worked great. All in all, we are so blessed to have stayed at La Calanthe and God willing we’ll be back again next year! Olivier, Corinne & Bruno – thank you for your generosity and hospitality. God bless you, John & Linda

We could not have rented a better location in St. Maarten. Our children and grandchildren were with us as we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. All of us enjoyed this beautiful property. Pictures don't do it justice. We all hated to leave after our stay. Corinne & Bruno are the most wonderful couple. They were always ready to help with a big smile. Our next stay will be longer. One week was not enough.

La Calanthe was exactly what we were looking for in an island vacation, and everything described here was spot on! The views were phenomenal from any point on the patio and the accommodations were quite satisfactory. We enjoyed snorkeling right in front of the villa, which was a great feature! Our hosts, Corinne and Bruno (and Chanel) took great care of us and were most gracious to oblige our every question and need. The local restaurants and convenience stores were less than a 10 minute walk. We enjoyed lots of delicious meals all on the Dutch side of the island, most pointedly our French breakfast that Corinne prepared on our first morning at La Calanthe! DELICIOUS! We already booked our return trip for next year and cannot wait to come back!! Thank you Corinne & Bruno!

This was by far my best decision for vacation to date. The view from every place in the house was beautiful. The pool was great and the cliff that leads to the ocean was unbelievable. The house has everything you need. Plenty of space to spread out and not be on top of others. My group of 5 were all home at the sometime and everyone was off doing totally something different. That was nice. It was very peaceful. Kitchen was well equipped with everything you need. Also the gas grill came in handy as we used it more than the stove. Location couldn't be better. Pelican Key is a section of the island which has hotels and homes that appear to be very well taken care of. This gave us the sense of safety. My party rented cars so that we could travel the island freely. I do recommend renting cars, but not a must. We all gave the caretakers Bruno and Corrine hugs as we departed. Olivier was great to work with when reserving his property. I read ALL reviews prior to going and wanted MORE info and pictures. Trust me you wont be disappointed with this vacation rental...NO NEED TO LOOK ANY FURTHER.

This property was exactly as depicted in the pictures and description. A secluded, clean, comfortable home close to dining and shopping. Beautiful views and refreshing swimming pool. We would recommend a rental car to get a full island experience, but driving here is not for the feint of heart. Overall, we found the caretakers and people of St. Martin friendly and accommodating. It is a perfect place to watch a sunset and sip a guavaberry colada. We would love to someday return to La Calanthe.

La Calanthe Villa, located in the beautiful Pelican Key area, was certainly one of the highlights of our family’s St. Martin vacation during March 2012! The villa was perfect in every respect for our family of five (parents, 17 yo, 18 yo and 24 yo) and, undoubtedly, we will return there! This wonderful villa sits directly on the ocean and has incredible outdoor entertainment areas --- views, pool, gardens and direct access to the sea. The villa’s indoor accommodations offers first-class amenities and comfort in every room. We were also very fortunate to have become friends with our wonderful hosts, Corinne and Bruno, who focused behind-the-scenes on ensuring that our stay at La Calanthe was flawless! St. Martin fans all have their own special moments each visit and our family just cannot get enough of the island’s sunsets. Our ritual is to return from the beach, shower and then enjoy each evening’s setting sun from our villa, usually with a pinot grigio and appetizers in-hand. This vacation was no different and the daily sunsets from La Calanthe villa were just spectacular! Our 2012 St. Martin trip will be forever remembered for our family’s gatherings to watch these amazing sunsets from La Calanthe’s balcony! La Calanthe is certainly the best villa we have experienced during our eight trips to St. Martin and we will book the villa again on future trips. Please feel free to reach-out to us if you seek additional information about our La Calanthe experience.

Truly a unique place, just you, the ocean and lots of sun. We enjoyed having a private access to the sea, it's like an aquarium right below the house. Bruno and Corinne the caretakers live next door and organized a great fishing trip to dog island. No worries just fun and relaxation. BTW the house is 10min from the airport! I would recommend this place right away! S.F