Casa Del Tamaris — Family-Run Apartments on the Orient Bay Hillside
Affordable apartment rentals in a green hillside setting near Orient Bay Beach.
Why Go
Mont Vernon 1 sits on the hillside road connecting Orient Bay to the French side's interior, in a residential area where the tropical vegetation is thick and the tourist infrastructure is thin. Casa Del Tamaris offers family-run apartment rentals from this elevated address — the kind of personal, small-scale accommodation where the owner greets you by name and the garden provides the backdrop.
The Experience
The family-run character defines the Casa Del Tamaris experience. Studios and one-bedroom apartments come with kitchenettes, air conditioning, and terraces or balconies that look out over the hillside's green canopy. Free parking and WiFi handle the practical needs. The elevated location means cooler temperatures and better breezes than the beach below, plus the quiet that comes with a residential street rather than a commercial strip. Orient Bay Beach is a short drive downhill — one of the Caribbean's most celebrated beaches with its white sand, beach bars, and water sports operators. Tropic Car Rental and SXM Surf Explorer operate nearby for vehicle rental and surfing lessons respectively. Papadan provides Japanese dining in the area. The Mont Vernon hillside has a character that changes with the seasons — greener and lusher after rains, drier and more aromatic during the dry months when the tropical plants release their scents.
What to Try
Drive down to Orient Bay Beach for a full day on the island's most popular French-side sand. Book a surfing lesson with SXM Surf Explorer at one of the east coast's wave beaches. Explore the Mont Vernon neighborhood roads for hillside walks with bay views.
Insider Tip
Casa Del Tamaris' family-run format means they share local knowledge that larger properties can't. Ask about the current best days for Orient Bay (cruise ship schedules affect crowd levels even on the French side) and which beach bar sections are newest.
The Practical Stuff
Located on Rue de Mont Vernon, Mont Vernon 1, French side. Moderate pricing ($$). Studios and one-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes and AC. Family-run with personalized service. Free parking and WiFi. Orient Bay Beach short drive. Car rental nearby. Airport about 20 minutes.
Pair It With
- SXM Surf Explorer Guide — Surfing lessons and east coast wave experiences nearby
- Tropic Car Rental Guide — Local car rental for beach access and island exploration