Simpson Bay, Saint Martin
Simpson Bay Suites
📍 Billy Folly Road, Simpson Bay
Your stay — Simpson Bay Suites
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The Property — Simpson Bay Suites
Simpson Bay Suites sits just off the main Airport Road in Simpson Bay, something between a low-key hotel and a serviced apartment block. The lobby feels like a well-run, slightly corporate holiday let – clean, functional, with a small reception desk and a few waiting chairs. The selling point is location: you’re a three-minute walk from the beach and a five-minute walk from the strip of bars and restaurants that makes this area the island’s nightlife hub. It suits couples and small groups who want an affordable, no-fuss base for a few nights, not a resort experience.
Chronicles of Simpson Bay
Simpson Bay was originally a salt-panning and fishing village on the Dutch side of St Maarten. The construction of the airport in the 1940s and the rise of tourism in the 1960s transformed it into the island’s main leisure strip – marinas, casinos, and the Simpson Bay Lagoon draw yachts and party crowds. The area was badly hit by Hurricane Irma in 2017, but has largely rebuilt with a mix of new hotels, shops, and improved infrastructure. Contemporary Simpson Bay is proudly commercial, with a buzzing bar-and-club scene that coexists with residential neighbourhoods and working boatyards.
Best Time to Visit
Full Simpson Bay guide →Best months
April and May – the trade winds are steady, rain is low, and the worst of the winter crowds have gone. December also delivers fine weather and a festive buzz without the hurricane risk.
Peak / festival surge
January to March is high season – Christmas, New Year, and the St Maarten Heineken Regatta (March) drive hotel rates up by 30-50%. The island is busy with snowbirds and yachties, and Simpson Bay restaurants can fill up.
Budget shoulder season
Late May to June and November – substantially lower room rates (20-30% off peak), quieter beaches, and still good weather. Risk of afternoon showers in November, but they pass quickly.
Weather & packing
The climate is tropical with a dry season from December to April; July is hot and humid with a higher chance of short, heavy showers. Pack a light waterproof jacket or poncho – not an umbrella, as high winds from passing squalls make them useless.
Live City Briefing — Simpson Bay
- The main road through Simpson Bay (Airport Road) is undergoing resurfacing through late 2026 – expect minor delays near the roundabout, especially at peak traffic times.
- Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) completed its terminal expansion in early 2026, adding three new gates and a larger arrivals hall, reducing queue times.
- The annual St Maarten Carnival has moved to April for 2027, shifting from the usual July slot – a response to hotel feedback about spreading events across the calendar.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Simpson Bay Suites, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 2 or 3 facing away from Billy Folly Road – these are high enough to cut street-level noise but still within easy stair access if the lift is slow.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or rear service entrance – expect foot traffic and early-morning kitchen or delivery noise. Also avoid rooms directly above the bar or pool.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floors with a sea-facing orientation offer partial views of Simpson Bay Lagoon or the marina, but the property is set back from the water – don't expect panoramic ocean vistas.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are generally quieter, especially rooms not facing Billy Folly Road.
🔊 Noise notes
Billy Folly Road is a main strip in Simpson Bay, so traffic noise peaks during late afternoon and evening. The hotel’s bar and pool area are likely active until around 11pm, especially in high season.
Insider tips
Park on the side of the lot away from the main road to reduce vehicle heat and noise. Ask for a room with a small kitchenette if you want to save on meals – Simpson Bay has good supermarkets within a 5-minute walk.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Simpson Bay Suites
Free basic Wi-Fi (approx 10 Mbps) for all guests; no password required but speed drops during peak evening hours
No lift — all rooms on first floor accessible only by stairs
No complimentary digital newspaper; reception has a few physical copies of The Daily Herald on weekends only
Check-in from 15:00 to 22:00; early bag-drop allowed if room ready; late check-out until 12:00 costs $50 USD, subject to availability
Free luggage storage for day-of-arrival and departure, but no secure overnight facility
No step-free entry; main entrance has two steps and no ramp; wheelchair access not possible
Free on-site open parking for up to 8 cars; no reserved spots, EV charging, or valet; overflow can use Simpson Bay Public Lot (free, 2-min walk)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no tourist tax in Sint Maarten)
Deposit & card hold: First night's deposit required at booking; $100 USD incidental hold per stay at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Abundant Grace Community Church (585 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Mary Star of the Sea Church (711 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Kerk van Jezus Christus van de Heiligen der Laatste Dagen (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Puerta Del Sol Plaza — 419 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Windward Islands Bank — 774 m · ~10 min walk
The Druggist — 923 m · ~12 min walk
Island Seafood Supermarket — 728 m · ~9 min walk
Anguilla-St. Maarten Ferry Terminal — 3.0 km · ~38 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Netherlands Antillean Guilder, ANG (though US dollars are widely accepted)
ATMs are the most reliable option; avoid currency exchange at the airport or tourist bureaux due to poor rates.
Major credit and debit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops, but smaller stalls and taxis prefer cash.
10-15% at restaurants if service charge is not included; round up taxi fares; a few USD for hotel staff is common.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small filter coffee from a bakery or snack van – around ANG 3.00-4.00 (about $1.70-2.20).
A roti or sandwich from a local takeaway – roughly ANG 12.00-18.00 ($6.50-10.00).
A simple main at a casual eatery – around ANG 20.00-30.00 ($11-17).
Food trucks and stalls on the main road in Simpson Bay serve BBQ ribs, fried snapper and roti; look for clusters near the roundabout.
Super U and Carrefour are the main budget supermarket chains in this area.
No notable cheap clothing shopping in Simpson Bay; head to Philipsburg's market for bargain souvenirs and basics.
Local minibus (route 7/8) runs along the main road – fare about ANG 2.50 ($1.40). From the airport, take the same minibus or shared taxi (around ANG 10.00).
Buy drinks and snacks at Super U instead of hotel minibars. Use minibuses rather than taxis for short hops. Eat at food trucks or bakeries for inexpensive meals.
Emergency Contacts
Simpson BayDial 911 for all emergencies on the Dutch side, or 17 from a local landline. For the French side, dial 112. Simpson Bay is on the Dutch side. The main hospital is St. Maarten Medical Center in Cay Hill, +1-721-543-1111. Keep your hotel's front desk number handy — they can often arrange transport faster than an ambulance.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Simpson Bay, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Simpson Bay Suites
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Windward Islands Bank — 774 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · The Druggist — 923 m · ~12 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
The Horny Toad Guest House → Simpson Bay Beach / Maho / Philipsburg
💡 Walk to the main road (Airport Road) and wave down any minibus with a yellow licence plate and route sign. For Maho or the beach, look for 'Maho' or 'Simpson Bay' on the windscreen. They run until late but service thins after 8 PM.
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) → Simpson Bay (near The Horny Toad)
💡 Catch a minibus heading toward Marigot from the airport stand; tell the driver Simpson Bay. They’re essentially shared taxis, and you can flag them from the roadside. Exact change helps.
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) → The Horny Toad Guest House
💡 Negotiate the fare before you get in; official taxi stands have fixed rates posted. The short ride means no need for a pre-booked car.
The Horny Toad Guest House → Simpson Bay Village / Maho / Kim Sha Beach
💡 Ask the guesthouse to call a taxi for you—they’ll get a reliable driver. A ride to Maho Village costs about $12; to Kim Sha Beach is $8. Always confirm the price before the ride.
About Simpson Bay
Wikipedia ↗
Simpson Bay Lagoon (also spelt Simson Bay Lagoon, or referred to simply as The Great Pond) is one of the largest inland lagoons in the West Indies of the Caribbean. It is located on the island of Saint Martin. The border between the French and Dutch halves of the island runs across the centre of the...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Simpson Bay Suites?
Request a room on floors 2 or 3 facing away from Billy Folly Road – these are high enough to cut street-level noise but still within easy stair access if the lift is slow.
Which rooms should I avoid at Simpson Bay Suites?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or rear service entrance – expect foot traffic and early-morning kitchen or delivery noise. Also avoid rooms directly above the bar or pool.
Is Simpson Bay Suites noisy?
Billy Folly Road is a main strip in Simpson Bay, so traffic noise peaks during late afternoon and evening. The hotel’s bar and pool area are likely active until around 11pm, especially in high season.
Which rooms have the best views at Simpson Bay Suites?
Rooms on the upper floors with a sea-facing orientation offer partial views of Simpson Bay Lagoon or the marina, but the property is set back from the water – don't expect panoramic ocean vistas.
What are insider tips for staying at Simpson Bay Suites?
Park on the side of the lot away from the main road to reduce vehicle heat and noise. Ask for a room with a small kitchenette if you want to save on meals – Simpson Bay has good supermarkets within a 5-minute walk.
What time is check-in at Simpson Bay Suites?
Check-in at Simpson Bay Suites is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Simpson Bay Suites have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (approx 10 Mbps) for all guests; no password required but speed drops during peak evening hours
Is there a city or tourist tax at Simpson Bay Suites?
None (no tourist tax in Sint Maarten)
Where can I eat cheaply near Simpson Bay Suites?
A roti or sandwich from a local takeaway – roughly ANG 12.00-18.00 ($6.50-10.00).
What is the cheapest way to get around from Simpson Bay Suites?
Local minibus (route 7/8) runs along the main road – fare about ANG 2.50 ($1.40). From the airport, take the same minibus or shared taxi (around ANG 10.00).
When is the best time to visit Simpson Bay?
April and May – the trade winds are steady, rain is low, and the worst of the winter crowds have gone. December also delivers fine weather and a festive buzz without the hurricane risk.
Top Attractions in Simpson Bay
💡 Arrive by 8pm to grab a table on the terrace — the indoor slots are loud. The band plays until around midnight.
💡 Go at dusk when the lights come on the moored yachts. Grab a coconut water from the truck near the roundabout.
💡 Weekday afternoons are dead calm — good for paddleboarding without crowds. Sunset views over the lagoon are solid.
💡 Time it for bridge openings (check marine traffic online). Best light is late afternoon when the lagoon glows gold.
💡 Arrive before 10am for a decent spot near the rocks. The beach bar sells cold beer and grilled fish for under $10.