You’ve seen the videos. Planes screaming just a few dozen feet above a crowded beach, the blast from jet engines kicking up sand, and people clinging to a chain-link fence like their lives depend on it. That’s Maho Beach. But staying at a hotel Maho Beach St Martin is a totally different beast than just visiting for an hour to snap a selfie. It’s loud. It’s high-energy. It’s basically the aviation capital of the world, wrapped in a Caribbean vacation.
If you're looking for a silent, meditative retreat where the only sound is the gentle lapping of waves, honestly, you're in the wrong place.
Most people looking for a hotel in this specific corner of Sint Maarten are eyeing the Sonesta properties. You have the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa—which is the big, family-friendly engine of the area—and then the Sonesta Ocean Point, which is the adults-only, slightly more "I have a private butler" version. There are smaller spots nearby, like the Royal Islander, but the Sonesta duo dominates the physical and social landscape of Maho.
The Reality of the "Jet Blast" Life
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the noise. Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) has a runway that starts almost exactly where the sand ends.
When a wide-body KLM or Air France jet comes in for a landing, the shadow literally swallows the resort pools. If you're staying at a hotel Maho Beach St Martin, you aren't just watching the planes; you're feeling them. The windows at the Sonesta are thick—triple-paned, actually—but they aren't magic. You will hear the roar. For aviation geeks, this is paradise. For a light sleeper who wants to nap at 2:00 PM, it’s a challenge.
But here is the thing people get wrong: the airport isn't 24/7.
The big commercial birds usually stop flying by 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM. After that, the neighborhood shifts. It turns from an aviation museum into a nightlife hub. Maho Village is right there, packed with jewelry shops, duty-free liquor, and the Casino Royale. It’s vibrant. It’s a bit kitschy. It’s very "St. Maarten."
Why location matters more than the thread count
If you stay further up the coast toward Cupecoy or over on the French side in Grand Case, you’re looking at a 30-to-40-minute drive just to see the planes. Traffic on the island is notorious. Staying directly at a hotel Maho Beach St Martin means you’re already at the finish line. You can walk from your room to the Sunset Bar & Grill—the legendary spot where they surfboards-as-flight-boards—in about three minutes.
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The Sonesta Deep Dive: Maho Beach vs. Ocean Point
The Sonesta Maho Beach Resort is the "big" one. It’s all-inclusive, which in the Caribbean can be hit or miss, but here it’s fairly consistent. It was completely rebuilt after Hurricane Irma decimated the island in 2017. Because of that, the infrastructure is actually newer than a lot of other "classic" Caribbean resorts.
The rooms are clean and modern. The food? It’s resort food. You’ll find a solid buffet, a pizza place that’s surprisingly good late at night, and a few specialty restaurants.
Then there’s Ocean Point.
It’s technically on the same grounds, but it feels like a different world. It’s built on the cliffside. You get these "swim-out" suites where you can literally slide out of bed and into a pool that overlooks the ocean. It’s more expensive. It’s much quieter (except for the planes). If you’re on a honeymoon, you go here. If you have kids who want a waterpark and a kids' club, you stay at the main resort.
The Beach Situation (It’s Not Always What You See Online)
Maho Beach is fickle.
One week it’s a wide, sandy stretch of paradise. The next week, a storm surge or a weird current pulls all the sand out to sea, leaving nothing but rocks. This is a natural phenomenon. No hotel Maho Beach St Martin can control it. If you arrive and the beach looks small, don't panic. Walk ten minutes over to Mullet Bay.
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Mullet Bay is arguably the best beach on the Dutch side. It’s wider, calmer, and has that classic turquoise water without the jet fuel smell. Most people staying in Maho spend their "real" beach days at Mullet and save Maho for the spectacle of the landings.
Navigating the Dutch vs. French Side
Sint Maarten (Dutch) and Saint Martin (French) are two very different vibes. Maho is on the Dutch side.
The Dutch side is where the action is. It’s where the cruise ships dock (in Philipsburg), where the casinos are, and where the nightlife stays open late. It feels a bit more "Americanized." You’ll find a Taco Bell and a Burger King not far from Maho.
The French side, just a short drive away, is about the food. Grand Case is the culinary capital of the Caribbean. If you stay at a hotel Maho Beach St Martin, you absolutely have to rent a car for at least two days. Drive to the French side. Eat at a lolo (a local roadside BBQ stand). Buy a baguette. It makes the trip feel complete.
A Note on Safety and Local Etiquette
Maho is generally safe because it's so busy, but you have to be smart. Don't leave your bag unattended on the beach while you run to take a photo of a Boeing 737. It takes three seconds for someone to grab it.
Also, the "Jet Blast" signs are not suggestions. People have been seriously injured, and in one tragic case in 2017, a woman was killed when the blast from a departing plane threw her against a concrete barrier. Don't be the person hanging onto the fence. It’s not worth the TikTok views. Watch from the safety of the Sunset Bar or your resort balcony.
Practical Logistics for Your Stay
Getting to your hotel Maho Beach St Martin is incredibly easy, which is one of the biggest selling points. The airport is so close you could technically walk to the Sonesta if you didn't have luggage, though I wouldn't recommend it because of the heat and lack of sidewalks. A taxi will take about five minutes and cost around $10 to $15.
- Currency: They take US Dollars everywhere. Don't worry about exchanging for Antillean Guilders or Euros if you're staying on the Dutch side.
- Water: It’s generally safe to drink the desalinated tap water, but most tourists stick to bottled water just to be safe.
- Electricity: The Dutch side uses 110V (US standard plugs), while the French side uses 220V. If you’re in Maho, your US chargers will work fine.
Is the All-Inclusive Worth It?
This is the big debate.
If you like knowing exactly what your trip will cost before you leave home, the Sonesta all-inclusive model is great. However, St. Martin is one of the best islands in the world for exploring local restaurants. By going all-inclusive, you might feel "guilty" for leaving the resort to eat elsewhere.
Personally? I think it’s worth it for the convenience of the drinks and the breakfast, but make sure you budget enough to eat out in Grand Case or Simpson Bay at least three times. You’d be missing the soul of the island otherwise.
Final Insights for the Savvy Traveler
If you’re booking a hotel Maho Beach St Martin, do it for the energy. Do it because you want to be in the heart of the action. Do it because you want to see the sunset over the Caribbean Sea while a massive plane glides past your peripheral vision.
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Don't do it if you want total seclusion. For that, head to Anse Marcel or Oyster Pond.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Flight Schedules: Before you book your dates, look at the SXM flight schedules. The biggest planes (the ones you really want to see) usually arrive between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
- Room Selection: If you stay at the Sonesta, ask for a "Premier Ocean View" room on a higher floor. These have the best vantage points for the runway without having your view blocked by the palm trees.
- Rent a Car: Don't rely on taxis. They get expensive fast. A small rental car gives you the freedom to escape the Maho "bubble" and find the hidden beaches like Baie Rouge.
- Download a Flight Tracker: Get the FlightRadar24 app. It’s the local pastime in Maho. You’ll know exactly when the "heavy" flights from Paris or Amsterdam are ten minutes out, giving you plenty of time to grab a drink and head to the viewing spot.
Staying in Maho is an experience you won't find anywhere else on Earth. It’s loud, it’s sandy, and it’s absolutely unforgettable. Just remember to hold onto your hat when the engines start to spool up.