Club Orient Naturist Resort, St. Martin/St. Maarten

Orient Beach is heaven! If you've never visited this beach, it's a must-do in the near future. The sand is fine, the water is so clear that you can see your toes, the sun is hot, and the fish are numerous and friendly. I must say if you want an excellent beach & a great place to get a tan, this is the one for you!

The stretch of beach in front of Club Orient is a clothing optional one. Here, you can sunbathe nude or wear a suit. The resort does provide security, and charges for non-guests to use the resort's lounge chairs and umbrellas, so you don't have to worry about people stopping & staring at you.

The resort itself is quite large, with about 125 studios, mini-suites and garden & beach chalets. Each of these rooms has a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen with all the utensils and appliances you'll need. Add to these your personal items and groceries, and you're all set for a great naturist vacation!

The studios accommodate 2 people, although if you're staying for an extended period, you may wish to stay in a mini-suite or chalet. Mini-suites and chalets have a sitting room, whereas the studios are all one big room. The best rooms, in my opinion, are the chalets. The Beachfront chalets are just a short walk from the beach, and have a separate living / sitting area with couch, coffee table, etc. These chalets are great for families, 2 couples or groups.

If you're simply looking for a quiet vacation in the sun, this is a great place to relax. The resort has a fitness room in addition to massage facilities. There are also 2 tennis courts and a waters ports area. The fitness room and tennis courts are free. Massage and water sports are additional.

The water sports shop is located at the end of the beach, just past the restaurants. Here you can rent snorkeling gear, sailboats and catamarans to take you to and from Orient Bay islands, or just wander around in the ocean. There is a shallow reef that is ideal for snorkeling off the beach.

For those who need a bit more excitement, you can either rent a car for a day or longer, or take a taxi around the island. Taxi fares on St. Martin are regulated by the government. If you want to go directly from the resort to an attraction, there is a set fee. However, if you want to hire a taxi for the day, the price is negotiable. Both car rental and taxis can be arranged at the front desk.

If your computer is an extension of your body, and you just can't seem to function without one, the resort does have a computer and Internet access. Just let the front desk know you want to use it, and you can surf, check email and write all the letters and business proposals you need.

For dining, the resort has everything you need. Meals at the restaurant, Papagayo, can be charged to your account, or you can pick up a few items at the food market (located in the same building as the front desk). Continental breakfast, lunch and dinner are offered daily in the restaurant. If you want a bit of variety, there are several restaurants on the far end of the beach. While these are within walking distance -- about 1 1/2 miles -- you may want to take a taxi. There is a bar inside the restaurant, open even when food service is not available. Clothing is not required here, although it is open to the general public.

L'Orientique, the boutique / food market, has all kinds of food, drinks, souvenirs, and clothing. It is almost like a general store, offering fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, fresh bread and pastries, wine, liquor, soft drinks, drugstore items, beachwear, logo merchandise, local art, posters, postcards and other souvenirs. If you forget anything -- from inflatable rafts to water shoes -- you'll most likely find it here. The prices are pretty comparable to what you'd find in a convenience store, and they accept cash, credit cards and traveler's checks.

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