Philipsburg

Nestled perfectly on a thin stretch of land between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond, lies the capital of Dutch Sint Maarten, Philipsburg. This now lively town was founded in 1763 by a Scottish captain in the navy, John Philips. Since then, this busy town has stood centre stage when it comes to international trading.

Day trippers and cruise passengers can easily spend a whole day strolling up and down the two main streets in Philipsburg; Front Street and Back Street. It’s here where one can find duty-free shops offering everything from Italian designer brand leather bags and shoes, to native crafts made by locals. Philipsburg is a shopping paradise for anyone looking for stock up on duty-free items and gifts. If the retail therapy all proves to be a bit too much to handle, you can always call into one of the many cafes for a well-deserved refreshment.

The streets of Philipsburg are also a great place to spot some fine examples of traditional West Indian architecture. The characteristic pastel-coloured houses with picture perfect verandas are something of an attraction in this area and make a wonderful photo. The Courthouse is another star attraction situated on Front Street – you simply can’t miss the large white wooden structure topped with a cupola. The landmark was built in 1793 and now serves at St Maarten’s courthouse.

Looking for adult only accommodation? Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa is situated at the far western end of the beach and offers a tranquil adults only environment with lots of entertainment options.