Now, the long-awaited arrival terminal has officially made its debut, dramatically changing the way passengers get into St Maarten
It’s only been open for a few weeks, but the new terminal is a dramatic upgrade from what had been a make-shift, provisional space that had been used in varying forms since Irma in 2017, when the airport was significantly damaged.
But it’s not just a sleek, modern arrival area; it includes improved baggage handling; a new, streamlined immigration and customs process (one that includes the island’s new electronic arrival forms); new digital kiosks; and new facilities for the passenger experience.
“I’m incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished,” said Michiel Parent, commercial director at the airport, in a statement provided to Caribbean Journal.
It’s a significant boost for the airport, following the successful launch of its new departure hall. We loved the new look of that terminal on our recent visit to Princess Juliana, from the vastly improved food and beverage offering (including a lovely Bacchus Express) to a very solid duty-free shopping experience.
St Maarten isn’t just a popular destination (both the French side and the Dutch side); it’s also an essential air hub for many of the islands in the Northern and Eastern Caribbean, particularly nearby islands like Saba, Statia, St Barth and Anguilla, all of which rely on the island for transiting passengers.
Are you planning a vacation to St Martin right now? In recent years, it’s the French side that has seen the most tourism growth and development, from a culinary scene that is right at the top of the Caribbean to continued growth in the hotel sector, particularly boutique hotels like Le Martin and, more recently, The Forest.
Marriott also just opened a brand-new resort on the island, with the new JW Marriott Beach Resort on Dawn Beach, one of the best beaches on the Dutch side. Rooms from $449 per night.
Our favorite place to stay in St Martin remains one of the Caribbean’s top resorts: the Grand Case Beach Club.
https://www.caribjournal.com/author/alexander-britell/
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