Oyster Bay Beach Resort

The resort is a little dated but it's in a nice area, isolated from the ugly parts of the island. The beaches throughout the island are amazing. The part that bothered us at this resort is their lack of customer service at the front desk (both check-in and concierge). Another item that was really annoying was the energy surcharge at $84/wk and the timeshare tax at $50/wk. Then don't forget to add another $50/wk if you want to access the internet. Finally, they have the gull to add a tourism promotion fee of $1/day. Although it was optional, it automatically shows up on your bill. Once you add all of these charges, the exchange fees and what you're paying for your home resort (maintenance fees and possibly mortgage), this resort makes for a very expensive vacation. Your much better off paying for a tour package (air and lodging). Although we may some day return to the island, I don't think it will be at this resort.

Just exchanged into Oyster Bay for the first time. We left trying to figure out this resort based on our experiences else where. The setting of the resort is the most beautiful we have ever seen. Dawn Beach is a beautiful beach and the pool area is exceptional. We were there in high season and there were always plenty of lounge chairs on both the beach and pool area. We dined at all the local restaurants and found the food ranged from decent to good. The key for us was the lovely setting of these restaurants, mostly on the beach or over looking the water. Fine but expensive dining is plentiful else where on the island. This being a smaller resort, they do a really good job bringing visitors together in meet and greet activities usually with drinks where outside boat operators come in to pitch their activities. It's not hard sell but informative. We met a number of very friendly people who we got to know during our stay, at these parties. Between water sports, shopping, dining and beaches, there is a lot to do on this island. The temperature/weather could not have been better for our likes.

Our one bedroom unit with a lock-off, making it a two bedroom was decent. No complaints here. Daily maid service at no charge was very nice. One little problem with an air conditioning unit was fixed immediately. The mattress was firm. We were not aware that you could get a pad to place over your mattress to soften it up. Yes we had some little ants around our sink. If you can't handle this, check out the Westin.

A couple of things we were not happy with was the pervasive smell of sewer gas (we faced the marina) and the wind from the ocean could not disperse it. The management of the resort needs to do more people skills training and job training with the employees. The resort personel who you are in contact with the most and rely on tips, wattress/bartender were fine. Front desk people and concierge staff need to be trained to do their jobs better. We have never had to pay elsewhere for air conditioning ($12 per day) or wi-fi ($50 per week) and the govrnment asks you for $50 for being smart enough to own a timeshare. This added an additional $184 to our bill.

We will come back to St. Maarten again and possibly stay at the Oyster Bay Resort. We hope that the management of the resort reads these reviews as well. The resort has the potential to be great with some work. I'm not sure we would buy there or anywhere on the island because of resort and government tax policies, but I never say never.

Since the rest of these reviews have been posted, the ENTIRE RESORT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY RENOVATED!

It is absolutely spectacular and in the perfect location. The rooms are beautifual as are all of the common areas including the lobby, outdoor wireless internet cafe, bar areas, restaurants, pool and lounge areas, walkways, outsides of the buildings...EVERYTHING you can imagine.

In addition, the resort is in the process of building an entire NEW BUILDING OF LUXURIOUS 2 BR/2 BATH LOCK- OFF TIMESHARE SUITES using very high end materials like granite, marble, solid wood, high end appliances, etc.

They are also in the process of buiding a brand new full ownership building directly next door to this new timeshare building which has already been completely sold out... with units in excess of $1 million.

The resort is everything you could possibly want in a boutique high end luxury resort and keeps getting better. It is by far one of the most desirable resorts to stay on the island. They have a brand new famous chef as well, and their restaurant has been getting rave reviews!

With the new Westin Dawn Beach opening less than 1/2 mile away from Oyster Bay, in addition to them sharing this 1 mile long stretch of pristine beach, there is now a casino within walking distance... and some great restaurants that are close by in addition to the restaurants at Oyster Bay.

Since the marina is also on one side of Oyster Bay Resort, there are some other wonderful little French places to visit like a wine/cheese/bread/coffee store, and a breakfast/waffle cafe. This is also in addition to Oyster Bay's own shops.

The beach is as beautiful as it has always been with gorgeous blue water and a few coral reefs right off the shore for easy snorkeling access. Why else would the Westin choose Dawn Beach to build their new resort?

You won't be diasppointed! It continues to be one of the best resorts on this island!

Great unit! Spacious and well done. The configuration is close to a Marriott lock-off unit. The resort has three restaurants on site as well as a couple of bars. There are more activities than you have time for. Great location for a fun week. Restaurants near-by the resort are plentiful and the town of Phillipsburg is only six miles away.

It's great! We are owners. Happy as can be. It gets better every year in every way. J & B Mulholland

We really enjoyed our stay at OBBR last year - so much that we bought timeshare, went back again and have now bought more via Red Week!

We had a beautiful view over the beach; splendid to open your door in the morning and hear the waves crashing in. The place was busy, but not too busy and is not to far from anywhere else. Jade restaurant was excellent and the bar food good. The whole ethos of the place is sheer relaxation.

Yes, the beds are a little firm but the over mattresses soon solve the problem. A pity you have to pay for air con by the day but the place itself compensates for the negatives.

I would recommend OBBR to anyone, but I don't want everyone else to go there or it won't be peaceful anymore for me!!!

Visited in 2003. Okay facility. Most disappointing was their newly imposed energy fee, which required you to pay if you wanted air conditioning (huh?). Additionally, a morning pool-exercise program was offered which everyone assumed was free; it was not until the second class that a fee was mentioned (we opted out).

Quiet resort located on beautiful Dawn Beach. Many rooms face Oyster Bay, which offers beautiful sunsets. Many of the newer rooms have a view of the parking lot.

The hotel restaurant is only so-so, but the bar and the evening buffet activities make this a fun place. There are a few nearby restaurants and bars, but we generally drove to Grand Case or Phillipsburg for fine dining. The resort is located about half way between the two cities.

The pool is beautiful, overlooking the ocean. The best sunbathing, however, is a short drive away at Orient Bay.

The rooms are very nice. The bedrooms have platform beds with a thin mattress, so be sure to ask for their special mattress pads unless you prefer a really firm bed.

Whether you prefer the Dutch or French side of the island, the Oyster Bay Resort is a perfect location where you can simply relax or get involved in the many planned activities and sightseeing tours.

This is one of the nicer resorts on the island. Dawn beach, righ outside your window, has sand as fine and pure as baby powder! You have to see it to beleive it!

You will definately want to have a rental because the resort is pretty far from "the rest of the world," especially if you want to enjoy some of the nicer casinos on the french side of the island.

If you are a scuba diver, you may be a little disheartened to know that a hurricane destroyed a huge swath of coral in the region. So, this island doesn't really have many good dives. Try to venture out to one of the smaller islands [Saba is king] if you are looking for a good dive.

Spent 2 weeks at Oyster Bay in August. The 1 bedroom apartment was spacious and cleaned daily by friendly maid. We stayed in a central apartment block and therefore did not have the sea or marina view promised by the brochures etc. Although we had a balcony, there was little point in using it as we could only see cars or other buildings!

The pool is fabulous with plenty of towels and sunloungers available, although if the resort had been more crowded, I guess it would not have been so relaxing.

Food in the restaurant was generally good, but not many guests seemed to take advantage of it. There was usually some sort of activity/entertainment in the evening. Many high quality restaurants on the island and plenty of water based activities which can be booked by helpful Oyster Bay staff.

The resort is quite isolated and beautifully situated on a peninsula between the sea and Oyster Pond; you need a car if you like to explore.

Our only disappointment was the lack of a view!

Have been going to this resort for the last several years. The resort has been slowly rennovated and expanded. The room accomodations and pool are great, the resort restaurant and entertainment so-so, the location somewhat secluded and on a small bay and adjacent to a picturesque beach.

Once you get to know the island, this is one of the best places to retreat to, almost equidistant from Phillipsburg and Grand Case.

Beautiful resort, II 5*, nice beach, on one of the best islands in the Caribbean