Esmeralda Resort

After seven stays, Esmeralda Resort is still my favorite place I’ve stayed in the Caribbean. Our latest visit was December 13-20, 2025, and I’m already looking forward to going back. The villas each have a private pool, which gives you plenty of comfort and privacy, and the resort is peaceful and beautifully kept. It’s a few minutes on foot to the beach and about 7 minutes to Orient Village. Breakfast is included and is an excellent continental spread. We’ve also had fantastic dinners at L’Astrolabe, with high-quality food and a lovely experience every time. Service is top-notch and well organized under General Manager Audrey Donel. Robi and his team take wonderful care of maintenance.

We paid almost $50,000 for an extended-family stay, and the problems were so numerous I can’t list them all. There were large roaches and stray cats in the room, stained towels, and very limited amenities. We had hot-water trouble, and on one day the water stopped altogether several times during peak shower time, leaving us in the shower without any water. The pools have only a small area and no umbrellas, so they weren’t good places to hang out. The enclosure was stained and full of debris, and the grass around it hadn’t been cut. One group of rooms had an on-and-off fecal smell throughout our stay. We were promised daily beach chairs, but only after arriving were we told the chairs right in front of the hotel were booked for our entire visit. We also had to buy a pack and play because there weren’t enough cribs. An intern checked us in and was very nice and helpful, but the rest of the staff didn’t go out of their way to assist. I spent hours trying to find activities myself, despite the advertised activity service. We travel a lot, so my expectations are high, especially at this price. It feels clear that they have no plans to upgrade the hotel. Buyer beware.

As returning guests at this time of year, we continue to find the comfort and quality at Hotel Esmeralda consistent. The rooms are spotless, the staff are always welcoming, and the atmosphere makes each visit relaxing and enjoyable. We appreciate the care they put into the details and the exceptional service each time. We had another amazing stay and are looking forward to coming back.

We barely left the resort for meals this time, with the buffet breakfast still as delicious as on earlier visits and The Astrolabe serving superb five-star food with great service. We recommend the lobster dinner and raspberry napoleon for dessert. This was our fifth stay at Esmeralda Resort, and it felt like coming home to St. Martin again. Our room was roomy and comfortable, the pool behind our villa was lovely, and having a kitchenette made lunch easy. We could walk straight from the villa to the gorgeous beach. We were surprised the included continental breakfast is now a buffet. We also met a terrific couple and hope to see them next time. The only regret is that we couldn’t stay longer. We can’t wait to return and wouldn’t choose anywhere else.