IMO, Even in the early 90's the hotel/rooms were dated and not very comfortable.I recall the beach area wasn't to good and was always covered with sea weed/grass. The pool was small and not much area for lounge chairs.I feel the location wasn't the best either for the rates they charged.We loved to search for pink tower from the plane window and knew we were seconds away from landing.

The price is what certainly stopping potential buyers now... The problem is that just after it closed, the resort was still in a relative good shape and for the price it would have been some sort of good deal specially at a time when the economy wasn't so bad.. The problem was at that time, a lot of unsolved issues with the union representative of the former resort worker, and some sort of obligation for the buyer to re-employe the majority (if not the totality) of the staff, and this obligation was maintain during many years until the union obtain a settlement throught the court (I beleive) with the hotel owner. So potential buyers, most of them foreign US or Canadian unfamiliar (and uncomfortable..) with French Labour laws and Union Lobying got "cold"... The property stayed "as is", with the same price but its conditions deteriorating years after years. Now it would cost as much to refurbish it than to purchase it, and in this morosity economic climate there are not many investors who are whiling to take a risk.

Kind Regards,
Philippe



[www.facebook.com]

So where would one look to see information on this property? Is it listed with an agency?

Thanks

There was a spread in Fortune magazine about La Belle Creole in the May issue 1972. Unfortunately Fortune magazine online only archives back to 1985. My town library no longer has micro film archives and they too have gone to computer resources. How sad ...history lost. Reminds me to always have my camera ready.

As always, thank you Philippe for your detailed answer.
And now I dream away...
It's so sad that this relatively small stretch of land has not yet been rescued. If I had the money, I would buy up this property and make it the most romantic area on the island with fire lit cobblestone walkways and romantic evening gardens. The rooms would reak of "a far away place" and I would hire the most creative head Chef (Philippe could fit that management position of banquet manager, but not too spicy or exotic please ) to feed my special guests. It already has that seclusion factor and I'm sure that the beach could be improved upon, at least for romantic sunset dips.

As you can see, I am very much a romantic at heart and from what little I've seen so far (and I mean very little) I can foresee that this little parcel of land still could have great possibilities. I can even picture this land being rebuilt as maybe a series of secluded "French Countryside" cottages intertwined between those cobblestone walkways and beautiful gardens (and Dee could be the head gardener and give special classes on his knowledge of gardening and horticulture) and for those guests who want to be pampered and know that they are truly special, Barbara can be the head of Guest Services... And I, well, I would be found back in the gardens just digging a multitude of fish ponds and getting my hands dirty...because that's just me

So any takers?

Actually I had to edit this to include that between digging the fish ponds, I would be responsible for the Health and Wellbeing Spa that would include the best massage therapists on theisland as well as Reiki treatments and this separate building would be built over one of the fish ponds with see-through flooring... ahhhhh....

[www.vrbo.com]

Life is not a child's game of follow the Leader. Instead, life is more about finding one's own purpose in life....your life's plan, and then making a positive difference on earth.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/2008 07:24PM by John.

Thanks for the info on Fortune Magazine. Does anybody know who currently owns the place and if it is for sale?

Am interested in opening a resort/spa with a twist on therapy and great food.

Thanks for any help.

Hey...Bbylund...you're actually stealing my dream? If so, you'd better do a dmn good job making it exactly how I now envision it to be right down to the spa house built over a well stocked and cared for Koi pond...

And if, in fact, you are serious...I wish you success in achieving such a wonderful dream.

Best Regards,
Vicki

[www.vrbo.com]

Life is not a child's game of follow the Leader. Instead, life is more about finding one's own purpose in life....your life's plan, and then making a positive difference on earth.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/2008 08:18PM by John.

Vicki,

Serious yes, have been down there for a few years now and have been looking for a place. This may be out of my financial realm without side investors though. Any help and ideas to apply to a model would be appreciated. First step though is to locate the owner and find out if there is an interest in selling. Very initial thoughts - have not even toured the place but have seen aerials and photos from other sites. Don't know the extent of much yet.

Barry

PS - Dreams are meant to be shared!

PSS - ever been to the Willows restaurant in Hawaii? All built over a large pond filled with the most georgeous koi fish - did you know they love left over frog?

Argh....one of my frogs was killed by a stray cat last week (very upset) and who would of thought I could have buried him right in the pond.... This would have then made my Koi and Shubunkins very happy I guess. Talk about recycling....

Regarding help in this dream, unfortunately I have already invested enough in a condo on the island so my finances would never allow such a luxury as this..but I do hope that this pans out for you somehow. And if it does come to fruition, please let me know and I'll be your first guest... of course though, only after I have given you my official approval on decor, management and staff, landscaping, security, and lastly but most importantly, the just the right amount of romance...

Best regards
Vicki

[www.vrbo.com]

Life is not a child's game of follow the Leader. Instead, life is more about finding one's own purpose in life....your life's plan, and then making a positive difference on earth.

Here is a possible last marketing contact: Mr. Rumpel for La Belle Creole in St. Martin.

[www.joneslanglasallehotels.com]

As I recall wasn't it a Hilton property at one time. I also heard about 20 yrs ago Trump wanted to purchase only if it could have a casino license. Maybe Neil who used to managed the hotel until the HURRICIAN would have info.Even in the DAYS it wasn't a popular hotel or good location.good luck.

Exactly what location is it on the island? I don't know names of areas as well as I know landmark buildings or beaches.

And saying that it is in a bad location has me puzzled. From the aerial, it seems like the perfect remote setting for a very private resort. What would you say is the reason for it being in a bad location? Just curious. I can see what you said about the seagrass... you can even see it in the aerial photo.

It's a shame that it was not kept up nor managed properly.

[www.vrbo.com]

Life is not a child's game of follow the Leader. Instead, life is more about finding one's own purpose in life....your life's plan, and then making a positive difference on earth.

John,

The property is located west of Marigot and north of Baie Rouge. Seems like a nice location to me, but I don't have enough experience to determine the pros/cons yet. By the way - what is the name of the small island - is that privatly owned or held by the government?

Here is a pic of the beach - looks good to me [www.panoramio.com]

I didn't mean BAD location IMO its not close to many other French side beaches and its location is the lowlands/Sandy Ground area.I stayed at the hotel a few times only because our favorite hotel wasn't open for the early fall season.Even in those DAYS without the traffic congestion we spend to much time driving to better beach areas.Plus in those DAYS the Lowlands was a high crime area against tourists.

Thanks Barry for the photo and the location. I have always believed in the "if you build it (right) they will come" theory. To me, building a highly desireable resort in an undesireable area, can only begin to improve everything around it. Look at what happened in Atlantic City. It went from a beautiful city back in the days, to a perfectly horrible, dark, foreboding and decaying city, and now look at it...back to an amazing city, just from a few wealthy people having a vision. It took years for the others to come on board but it worked. Every year I am more amazed at it's transformation.

And Bob, regarding visiting other beaches, actually we do that anyway even though we love our current resort because that's what makes SMX ever more special to us. And the thing we like most about our resort is that even though it offers us everything we need (not perfect but suits our current needs in every way), it still allows us to go out and wander during the day.

But imagine if you could have the absolutely perfect Spa Resort that pampered your every need, slowly peeling away the stress of everyday life...but also knowing that the island is yours to explore and enjoy at will? I would be in heaven.

Well...good night folks...been fun "talking" to you all.

Best regards,
Vicki (actually not John)

[www.vrbo.com]

Life is not a child's game of follow the Leader. Instead, life is more about finding one's own purpose in life....your life's plan, and then making a positive difference on earth.