Sonesta Maho Beach Resort: My Site Inspection in St. Maarten

Q: Is Sonesta Maho Beach Resort all inclusive?

Yes. It's one of the few all-inclusive resorts on the island of St. Maarten.

Q: Is there an adults-only section?

Yes. Ocean Point is the adults-only section, with 130 rooms, exclusive pools and dining, plus use of the family side.

Q: Can you walk to things from the resort?

Yes. You can walk to restaurants, bars, casinos and a grocery store, and Maho Beach is nearby.

By Amy Davoli, CTA, Owner & Travel Advisor
October 2026 · 5 min read

Winding turquoise lagoon pool beside the adults-only Ocean Point building at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort in St. Maarten

Quick takeaways

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort is one of the few all-inclusive resorts on the island of St. Maarten.
It’s a smaller family resort (about 420 rooms), with an adults-only section next door, Ocean Point, adding another 130 rooms.
Ocean Point guests get their own exclusive pools and dining, plus full use of everything on the family side.
The location is fantastic: minutes from the airport, and you can walk to restaurants, bars, casinos and even a grocery store.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort is one of the few all-inclusive resorts on the island of St. Maarten, and I had the chance to spend a morning touring it on a site inspection. Overall, I was more impressed than I expected to be!

How I ended up here

This visit was on a port day in St. Maarten during a cruise. After 9 days of travelling, I was feeling a bit rundown and needed a low-key day, so a site inspection and a quick visit to Maho Beach was perfect. I’ve been to St. Maarten a couple of times before, but only ever by cruise ship, and never to this part of the island. I think next time, I’d like to stay for a few days!

Amy Davoli smiling on her cruise ship balcony in St. Maarten — Port day in St. Maarten

Main entrance and hotel tower at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort in St. Maarten — Arriving at Sonesta Maho

Visited January 2024

The location

Sonesta Maho is very close to the airport, and it’s in a fantastic area. You can easily walk to restaurants, bars and even a grocery store, and there are plenty of casinos nearby if that’s your thing! It’s a great spot if you like the all-inclusive convenience but still want the option to get out and explore.

Amy’s tipMaho Beach, the famous beach where planes fly in right over your head to land at the airport, is just steps away. Make sure to stop by while you’re there. It’s quite the experience!

The family side

The main resort is a smaller family resort, with about 420 rooms. The lobby is bright and open, and the main pool is big, with a swim-up bar right in front of the hotel tower.

Bright lobby with a tiled staircase and potted palms at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort — The lobby

Main pool with a thatched swim-up bar in front of the hotel tower at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort — Main pool and swim-up bar

Large bright blue family pool at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort — Lots of room to swim

For the little ones, there’s a fun kids’ splash pool with slides and water features (including a giant octopus!).

Kids splash pool with an octopus water feature and blue slides at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort

Shallow kids pool with a yellow slide and water features at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort

The rooms I saw were bright and comfortable, with teal accents and a sitting area by the balcony doors.

Guest room with a king bed, teal accents and a sitting area by the balcony doors at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort

Ocean Point (adults only)

In the fall of 2023, Sonesta opened its adults-only section, Ocean Point, with another 130 rooms. If you’re booked into Ocean Point, you have 3 exclusive pools and your own exclusive dining options, in addition to all the pools and dining on the family side. It’s the best of both worlds!

The pools here are gorgeous: a winding lagoon-style pool, a zero-entry pool with umbrellas and loungers, in-water loungers, and a semi-private pool that runs right along the swim-out suites.

Zero-entry turquoise pool in front of a modern white building at the adults-only Ocean Point section

Loungers on a sandy pool deck beside the Ocean Point lagoon pool with the sea behind

Curving shallow pool with white umbrellas and loungers at Sonesta Ocean Point

White in-water loungers on a shallow pool ledge at Sonesta Ocean Point

Ground floor swim-out suite terraces with loungers stepping into a semi-private pool at Sonesta Ocean Point — Swim-out suite terraces

Long semi-private swim-out pool running along the Ocean Point suites at Sonesta Maho — The swim-out pool

Amy’s tipTravelling as a couple, or with grown-up friends? Ocean Point gives you a quieter, adults-only space, while still letting you enjoy everything on the family side whenever you like.

Those views!

The views here are entirely breathtaking. The resort sits right on the water, with oceanfront terraces, rocky cliffs and the clearest turquoise water.

Oceanfront terrace with a white gazebo and palm tree at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort

Clear turquoise water below the cliffs at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort

Rocky coastline and turquoise water looking toward the Maho area from Sonesta Ocean Point

Dining

There’s a buffet restaurant on the family side, and the restaurants at Ocean Point are bright and modern, with open-air seating and ocean views. Honestly, I’d happily eat every meal at one of those tables by the water!

Buffet restaurant with ceiling fans and set tables at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort

Bright restaurant with a blue tiled food station and pendant lights at Sonesta Ocean Point

Open-air dining room with white tables and ocean views at Sonesta Ocean Point

Table for two on a covered terrace overlooking the sea at Sonesta Ocean Point

The beach

The resort itself doesn’t have a large beach, but there’s certainly one there for you to use, with soft sand and calm, turquoise water.

Sandy beach and calm turquoise water at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort

Good to knowIf a big, wide beach is at the top of your wish list, let us know. We’ll talk through whether Sonesta Maho is the right fit or point you to a resort with more beach space.

My verdict

I was really impressed with Sonesta Maho. It’s a great choice for families who want an all-inclusive in St. Maarten, and Ocean Point makes it a wonderful option for couples and adults too. Add in the walkable location and those incredible views, and it’s definitely a resort I’d recommend!

Thinking about Sonesta Maho for your next getaway? Reach out anytime for a quote or with any questions. We’d love to help you plan it!

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FAQs

Is Sonesta Maho Beach Resort all inclusive?

Yes! It’s one of the few all-inclusive resorts on the island of St. Maarten.

Is Sonesta Maho good for families?

Yes. It’s a smaller family resort of about 420 rooms, with a big main pool, a swim-up bar and a kids’ splash pool with slides.

Is there an adults-only section?

Yes. Ocean Point is the adults-only section, with 130 rooms. Ocean Point guests get exclusive pools and dining, plus use of the pools and dining on the family side.

How close is Sonesta Maho to the airport?

Very close! The resort is just minutes from Princess Juliana International Airport, so transfers are quick.

Does Sonesta Maho have a good beach?

The resort doesn’t have a large beach, but there is a beach for guests to use, and the views are breathtaking. If a big beach is a must, talk to us and we’ll help you find the right fit.

Can you walk to things from the resort?

Yes. You can easily walk to restaurants, bars, casinos and even a grocery store, and the famous Maho Beach is nearby.