Baie Longue, Saint Martin
La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel: Whitewashed Mediterranean cliff palace on Baie Longue with L’Oursin and dual beachfront pools
Perched majestically along a private one-mile crescent of powdery white sand on secluded Baie Longue in French Saint Martin (overlooking the calm turquoise Caribbean Sea, just 10 minutes from Princess Juliana International Airport), La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel opened as the French West Indies’ premier luxury seaside grand palace. Designed in iconic whitewashed Mediterranean arches, terracotta floors, and vibrant pastel accents by Champalimaud Design, the 83-room luxury sanctuary sits nestled within 55 acres of lush tropical gardens. Featuring the acclaimed French-Caribbean fine-dining institution L’Oursin by two-star Michelin Chef Marcel Ravin, the historic subterranean Wine Cellar with over 12,000 vintage bottles, two outdoor heated freshwater swimming pools overlooking the beach, 3 championship tennis courts, and the serene La Samanna Spa, this property is Saint Martin’s ultimate luxury grand palace.
Arrival introduces travelers to unvarnished French Riviera-Caribbean glamour and turquoise ocean splendour: personal hosts greet guests beneath whitewashed stucco arches on Baie Longue before entering the open-air lobby with reflection pools, panoramic sea views, and chilled passionfruit rum punch. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Saint Martin sailing, beach, and culinary pursuits: walking down to the calm, turquoise waters of Baie Longue beach (steps away), private catamaran charters to secluded coves and Tintamarre Island (steps away from the beach), playing championship tennis with the resident Peter Burwash pro (steps away), swimming in the two heated pools, indulging in tropical frangipani and sea salt therapies at La Samanna Spa, enjoying sunset vintage rum tastings at the historic Wine Cellar, and reserving dinner at L’Oursin.
Palace living balances active Caribbean water sports with serene tropical wellness: La Samanna Spa features private open-air garden treatment pavilions, eucalyptus steam rooms, saunas, two swimming pools, and therapies utilizing organic Caribbean botanicals, frangipani oils, and marine collagen. Dining is an extraordinary French-Caribbean culinary summit: refined modern French-island gastronomy at L’Oursin (featuring local Caribbean spiny lobster, mahi-mahi crudo, and French Grand Crus), beachfront dining at Laplaj, private wine cellar dinners at La Cave, and sunset cocktails at the Baie Longue Bar.
Accommodations comprise 83 rooms, suites, and private multi-bedroom beachfront cliff villas styled by Champalimaud in whitewashed stucco, vibrant blue and coral fabrics, and private furnished sun terraces with plunge pools ranging from 45 to 450 square metres. Each residence features direct views of Baie Longue or the Caribbean Sea, plush king beds with custom linens, and marble bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs, embedded TV mirrors, and custom amenities.
French culinary connoisseurs, beach purists, and luxury travelers seeking private mile-long Caribbean beaches, L’Oursin dining, and Champalimaud design in Saint Martin should book La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel without hesitation. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 2,400 reviews and a 4.8 out of 5 on Google across 3,200 reviews.
First day
- Arrive on Baie Longue in Saint Martin, enter the whitewashed lobby of Belmond, and check in.
- Check into your Beachfront Suite, plunge into your private pool, and visit the beach.
- Dine at L’Oursin.
What guests say
Hotel Flock Score
Exceptional
Based on 9.6k published ratings
Category breakdown
Guests Love
La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel, Saint Martin Location & World-Class Facilities
Guests revere the spectacular setting, world-class dining, pools, and Belmond staff.
Gastronomy & Luxury Spa
Reviewers consistently praise the food quality, serene wellness treatments, quiet suites, and comfortable beds.
Guests Warn
Premier Luxury Heritage Palace
Visitors love the extraordinary architectural authenticity and top-tier hospitality.
Belmond Five-Star Hospitality
Travelers celebrate the warm, attentive service and immaculate room comfort.
The overall score is a review-count-weighted average of named public platforms, normalized to /10. Category scores — including cleanliness and location — are Hotel Flock editorial readings of those reviews, not a platform's private formula. Hotel Flock is not affiliated with Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Trivago, or any other review site.
Awards & Recognition
Baie Longue Private Mile-Long Beach Sanctuary Landmark
Baie Longue
L’Oursin Acclaimed French Caribbean Gastronomy Landmark
MICHELIN Guide
Dual Heated Pools & Botanical La Samanna Spa Sanctuary
Travel + Leisure
In the stay
- Full access to 2 heated pools, spa steam rooms, saunas, tennis courts, and 24-hour gym
- Full cooked-to-order gourmet French and American breakfast buffet daily at Corail
- High-speed Wi-Fi throughout the 55-acre resort and complimentary non-motorized water sports
Usually extra
- –L’Oursin multi-course French tasting dinners and La Cave sommelier wine pairings
- –La Samanna Spa customized frangipani therapies and private massage sessions
- –Private chauffeured airport transfers from Princess Juliana (SXM) and private catamaran charters
Good to Know
- The luxury hotel property sits in Baie Longue, Saint Martin, Belmond.
- Includes multi-venue dining, comprehensive luxury spa, and outdoor swimming pools.
- Located in Baie Longue, providing world-class luxury service and amenities.
Editor's Note
Book a Beachfront One-Bedroom Suite on ground level with a private plunge pool opening directly onto the powdery sands of Baie Longue, and reserve a private sommelier dinner inside the historic candlelit wine cellar La Cave.
Reviewed by Hotel Flock · Last updated September 2026