Warm winter sun, calm shallow bays and gourmet beach dinners
🏝️Saint-Martin
France
Updated 1 July 2026
Saint-Martin is the French half of a tiny dual-nation island it shares with Dutch Sint Maarten, and it is a lovely, low-key spot for a family week of Caribbean sun. Think warm weather all year, the calm shallow water of Orient Bay with its dedicated family section, the gourmet village of Grand-Case where beach barbecue lolos make relaxed family evenings, and short boat trips to shallow snorkelling islets like Pinel. It is a longer flight from Europe than the Canaries, and parts of the island are still recovering from the 2017 hurricane, but for French-speaking sun with genuinely gentle beaches, it is a gem.
27 to 30C
Typical daytime warmth
Dec to Apr
Driest, sunniest months
8 to 9h
Flight from mainland France
2
Nations on one small island
Live prices & availability
Stays near Saint-Martin, France
We compare Booking, Expedia, Hotels.com and more so you book at the best price. Prices update in real time.
Why it works with kids
- Warm winter sun all year, around 27 to 30C, when much of Europe is grey
- Orient Bay has a calm, shallow family section with gentle water and watersports
- Short boat trips to Pinel Island for easy, shallow snorkelling
- Grand-Case beach lolos make relaxed, affordable family dinners
Best areas to stay
- 1Orient Bay (Baie Orientale): the island's most famous beach, with a calm family section, watersports and beach clubs
- 2Grand-Case: the gourmet capital, a walkable village of restaurants and beach lolos with a calm town beach
- 3Anse Marcel: a sheltered north-coast cove with the calmest, shallowest swimming, good for babies and toddlers
- 4Baie Nettle and Marigot: budget-friendly bases near the capital, with a calm shallow lagoon on the doorstep
Our KidProof picks
Hand-picked and scored on the eight things that matter to families.
in Saint-Martin
La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel
Whitewashed Mediterranean-style rooms, suites and villas above one of the island's longest, quietest beaches. Family suites and multi-bedroom villas give parents and older kids their own space, and several villas have a private plunge pool right outside.
in Saint-Martin
Esmeralda Resort
Creole-style villas scattered through gardens, each villa built around its own private pool. Rooms open onto that pool and can be combined into two or three-bedroom units, so a family effectively gets a private pool villa a short walk from Orient Bay.
in Saint-Martin
Le Domaine Anse Marcel Beach Resort
Comfortable rooms and family rooms set in tropical gardens, most with a balcony or terrace. Connecting and larger rooms make it easy to keep a family of four together without squeezing.
in Saint-Martin
Grand Case Beach Club
Studios and one and two-bedroom apartments, all with a full kitchen and most with a sea-view balcony. Being able to cook breakfast and store milk and snacks makes a real difference with young children, and the two-bedroom units suit a family of four well.
in Saint-Martin
Alamanda Resort Orient Bay
Bright, colourful colonial-style rooms and junior suites in a low-rise building right on Orient Bay beach, most with a balcony or terrace over the gardens or sea. Junior suites give a little extra room for a family with one or two small children.
in Saint-Martin
Hotel L'Esplanade
Stylish loft and garden suites on a hillside overlooking Grand-Case bay, most with a kitchenette and a terrace with a sea view. The loft suites have a mezzanine sleeping area, which children treat as their own little den above the main room.
in Saint-Martin
Hotel La Plantation
Colonial Creole-style cottages on a hillside above Orient Bay, with rooms and suites in pastel colours set in green gardens. Suites pair a bedroom with a separate studio, a flexible layout for a family that wants a bit of separation.
in Saint-Martin
Nettle Bay Beach Club
Simple self-catering studios and one-bedroom apartments in a garden complex on the narrow strip between the calm Nettle Bay lagoon and the sea. Each has a kitchenette, so families can keep costs down and manage their own mealtimes near Marigot.
Compare our picks in Saint-Martin
| Hotel | Score | Kids club | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel | 88 | ✅ Free kids club | 780€ |
| Esmeralda Resort | 86 | — | 270€ |
| Le Domaine Anse Marcel Beach Resort | 85 | — | 290€ |
| Grand Case Beach Club | 84 | — | 260€ |
| Alamanda Resort Orient Bay | 82 | — | 220€ |
| Hotel L'Esplanade | 82 | — | 235€ |
| Hotel La Plantation | 80 | — | 185€ |
| Nettle Bay Beach Club | 78 | — | 120€ |
Browse Saint-Martin by what matters
Family things to do in Saint-Martin
Orient Bay family beach
The sheltered northern end of Orient Bay has calm, shallow water and a dedicated family section, plus watersports for older kids.
Pinel Island snorkelling
A five-minute ferry from Cul-de-Sac reaches the tiny islet of Pinel, with warm, shallow, clear water perfect for a first snorkel.
Loterie Farm nature park
A shady hillside nature park with spring-fed pools, walking trails and ziplines for older kids and teens.
Maho Beach plane spotting
On the Dutch side, planes land dramatically low over Maho Beach, a big thrill for aviation-mad kids.
Parents also ask
When is the best time to visit with kids?
December to April is the sweet spot, warm and dry with reliable winter sun. Avoid the August to October hurricane season, which is the wettest and riskiest stretch.
Which beach is best for young children?
The sheltered northern end of Orient Bay and the calm cove at Anse Marcel have the gentlest, shallowest water, while the Nettle Bay lagoon is about as still as it gets for babies and toddlers.
Do we need euros or dollars?
The French side uses the euro, though US dollars are widely accepted across the island, especially on the Dutch side. A card covers most needs.
Is the island still recovering from the 2017 hurricane?
Much has been rebuilt, but some hotels and spots are still recovering, so check that your chosen hotel is fully open and read recent reviews before booking.
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