Luxury holidays in St Martin

When to go

The weather is pleasant year-round. The island is busiest in winter, from December through March. Though there is a rainy season from June through October, storms pass quickly, and prices are significantly lower than in peak season.

Getting there

• Planes

  Princess Juliana International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean, serving cities around the world, including London (www.ba.com), New York (www.united.com) and Los Angeles (www.aa.com). For flights between islands, regional carriers include Caribbean Airlines (www.caribbean-airlines.com).

• Boats

  Saint Martin is a cruise capital, with millions of visitors a year. There are also smaller slips for those who wish to sail to the island. There are numerous ferries, from both the French and Dutch sides, to Anguilla and St Barths (www.st-barths.com/great-bay-express/index.html), though beware that waters can be rough, so those who are prone to seasickness should opt for a flight (www.stbarthcommuter.com).

• Automobiles

  Though there can be traffic, driving is the best way to see the island and visit beaches beyond your hotel's. Cars drive on the right-hand side of the road, and streets are fairly well marked. For those who don’t rent a car, there are plenty of taxis around the island, which you can hail from the street.