Philipsburg is an easy destination to plan yourself: hotels, flights, car rental and activities in one place, no juggling ten different sites. Philipsburg works well as a base for day trips to nearby towns and scenic routes. The nearest airport is in a neighbouring city, and a rental car is the easiest way to cover the rest. There are currently around 20 places to stay listed in and around Philipsburg, covering a range of budgets. The catalogue includes 8 vetted activities and tours with real guest ratings. 4 routes to nearby towns are mapped out from Philipsburg, handy if you're planning side trips beyond the city itself.
Accommodation in Philipsburg starts at around €66 per night, with a typical rate near €208 across roughly 20 nearby options — handy for budgeting your trip.
Well-reviewed hotels: Le Martin Boutique Hôtel, guest rating 9.9 from 55 reviews, from €351 per night; Bleu Emeraude Hotel, guest rating 9.8 from 101 reviews, from €531 per night; La Playa Orient Bay, 4-star, guest rating 9.6 from 337 reviews, from €265 per night; Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Condo Hotel, 3-star, guest rating 9.2 from 150 reviews, from €217 per night; Holland House Beach Hotel, 4-star, guest rating 9 from 199 reviews, from €180 per night.
Day trips & routes: Cole Bay — about 6 km, 14m drive; Simpson Bay — about 8 km, 18m drive; Marigot — about 10 km, 21m drive; Saint Martin — about 15 km, 36m drive. Fastest option is Cole Bay: 14m by car.
Philipsburg: what to know
Things to see: "4 Hour ATV Guided Tour", rated 5 from 68 reviews, from €107.19; "Yoho Pirates Premium Self Drive Speedboat Tour", rated 5 from 23 reviews, from €223.31; "Skip the Line Caribbean Carnival History Admission Ticket", rated 5 from 17 reviews, from €35.73; "St Maarten Family Deluxe Tour", rated 5 from 14 reviews, from €142.92; "Celeb Island Adventure Tour", rated 5 from 10 reviews, from €80.39.
Philipsburg has no direct airport — most travellers fly into the nearest airport city and continue by rental car or transfer. Getting around the city and out to the 4 nearby destinations listed above is easiest by car — intercity public transport tends to be slower and less frequent. The median nightly rate in Philipsburg is around €208, useful for comparing overall trip cost against nearby cities.
To rent a car in Philipsburg you usually need a passport, a driving licence and a bank card for the deposit hold. With 20 places to stay nearby, it's worth comparing a base near the rental desk against one closer to the sights. Given 4 routes worth driving from here, check the mileage and one-way drop-off terms before you book. When touring Saint Martin, plan stops in advance: fuel stations and car parks in smaller towns are not always open around the clock.
