If you crave a thrill, you could join the Maho Beach crowd, basking in the sun as jets of all descriptions roar past so low you can feel the engine blast. But with your car and driver awaiting you at Princess Juliana International Airport, you know you are only minutes away from the serene, exclusive seaside heaven that stretches out in front of your private villa at La Samanna resort. On this island, there is no end of things to do – diving, snorkeling, wake boarding, sailing, surfing, shopping, exploring countless gourmet restaurants.

You stroll off your villa patio directly down to the private beach to relax and unwind from the journey, then prepare for a special evening treat – a private dinner for you and your traveling companions at
La Cave, right here at La Samanna. Surrounded by 12,000 wines, you enjoy a five-course extravaganza – each course expertly paired with a complementary wine. Then it is off to be lulled to sleep by the warm trade wind drifting gently through your villa.

A CHEERFUL CHOICE
In the morning, you face a difficult decision. Will you go Dutch, or go French? The smallest land mass shared by two nations, the island is divided into Dutch Sint Maarten and French St. Martin. The two sides share much in common, yet preserve distinct personalities. Divided – peacefully for the most part – for 350 years, there is little outward sign of the island’s dual nationality. The easiest way to tell? When street signs change from “straat” to “rue.”

Bustling with activity, the Dutch side is known for its informality, nightlife and mile-long Front Street shopping district – which features 120 jewelry stores including recently opened boutiques such as Cartier, Bulgari, Hublot and other designer shops.

OPTING FOR ELEGANCE
The French side is, perhaps, somewhat more laid-back, emphasizing elegance and comfort – today you select relaxation and refinement as you head toward Marigot, capital of St. Martin. It takes you less than 20 minutes to negotiate the beautiful coastal drive to Le West Indies Mall. In high season – December through February – traffic can become difficult as the day progresses.

With just over 20 boutiques accented by luxury, high-end merchandise, this three-story bayside experience is far removed from your usual concept of “shopping mall.” You browse Lancel, Y3, Porsche Design, and nearby you find Cartier Boutique, Hermes, Max Mara, Mont Blanc, Hugo Boss and more – discovering several perfect items to purchase. And you are pleased to see that the prices are as much as 40 percent below your expectations, thanks to the island’s duty-free status.

EPICUREAN ECSTASY
Ready for a late lunch, you again face difficult choices – there are so many highly regarded eateries. In the end you decide on the waterfront view of Hediard Bistro, which specializes in foie gras, salmon, caviar – and chocolates.

Back at La Samanna, you choose a tasty rum concoction to sip while you bathe in the late afternoon sun – and several of your companions unwind in world-class treatments at the resort’s own well-regarded spa. That leaves you rested and ready for your evening visit to Casino Royale, just up the road near Maho Beach, where the managers have arranged private games to amuse you and your group.

ON THE OPEN SEA
On Day 2, after a (too short!) reconnaissance along Front Street in Philipsburg, your driver takes you to Bacchus, one of the culinary highlights of the Sint Maarten side of the island, for a lunch you will not soon forget. The bright, refined atmosphere puts you in the mood to sample one of the restaurant’s 2,600 wines from around the world while you enjoy an entrée crafted from traditional recipes, updated with a modern touch and featuring all-natural ingredients.

Then your entire party boards a private yacht chartered from Yannis Marine, and heads across the blue Caribbean to secluded Colombier Beach on nearby St. Bart’s island. You considered the more adventurous option of sailing on a catamaran, but decide to save that for another day. Your experienced captain knows the water and these islands well, and on arrival the crew lays out a sumptuous picnic.

This adventure leaves you delightfully fatigued and perfectly content, back at your resort, to snack, lounge and discuss what you will do on your next visit. You all agree: You could return time and again and never have the same experience twice.