A lot of the groups we see — bachelorette trips, girls’ getaways, friend reunions — are booking tight 3 or 4 day windows and making it happen on a real budget. That’s exactly the kind of trip St Maarten is great for. It’s also exactly the kind of trip where a few surprise costs can…

If you’ve booked a trip here and you’re seeing both “St Maarten” and “St Martin” on your confirmation emails, your map app, and half the websites you’ve looked at — you’re not losing your mind, and you haven’t booked the wrong island. It’s one island with two names, because it’s actually two countries. It’s one…

Booking a massage before you’ve even arrived on the island — to a villa, a hotel room, or an Airbnb you’ve never stayed in — takes a little more trust than walking into a spa you can see from the street. You’re handing over an address, a time, and access to your space, sight unseen….