Due to a US Airways cancellation, we had a free room at Mercure (on US Airways). The hotel is beautiful, until you walk into your room. The bathroom was dirty, our toilet was broken, no toiletries for the shower, we had no control of our A/C, the bed was VERY hard (even for the island), pillows were as thin as sheets, ants on the dresser, and apparently you can't swim in the lagoon (from what I was told). We didn't stick around for dinner because some of the other stuck travelers commented on how bad it was. We walked down the parking lot to a very good pizza place! The breakfast in the morning wasn't that bad...I enjoyed it.
This is my second time to SXM and each time I stayed on the Dutch side and really enjoyed it, but I would not pay to stay at this hotel. Maybe another hotel on the French side but I would do my research. Overall, it was a bed and a roof over my head so I can't complain too much, but be aware.

Stayed here after a cancelled flight by usairways and it was just plain awful. The grounds are decent and room looked ok at first; however beds were like sleeping on a rock and the street noise is unbearable. Food was disgusting, couldn't even eat it and it was free. I am hoping that this was just because they got a group come in last minute, but why hope when there are much better places on the island.

Thinking that St. Maarten was one of the best islands to visit, I was very disappointed. The Mercure Simson is the worst hotel I've ever been to. Ok, so we decided to get some dinner. That was not a good idea! The dinner rolls were hard as rock, I basically needed a hammer and chisel to break it apart. Whatever vegetables they had were terribly over cooked and the meat to well done. None of the meals at this hotel were satisfactory. I must say that Mercure Simson food gave Cuba competition......plain awful. Mc Donalds would have been a major improvement!

We were advised not to swim in the lagoon at the Mercure Simson
We basically went hungry. This is suppose to be an all inclusive, but the bar closed at 10pm. They charged for drinks after that. If you did not eat at lunch time, you went hungry because they did not have anything else to eat during the day. My step dad had to walk down the street to the little store to buy food so that we could eat!

To top this off, everyone got sick at this hotel. The staff said that many people on the island of St. Maarten were sick, but when the doctor came to see us all, he said that they lied and that it was ONLY at the Mercure Simson that people were getting sick. He insisted that it came from the kitchen.....so there you go!

Outside of Mercure Simson, I had a great time. Phillipsburgh is a great place to shop and people are very friendly. Unlike the French side! If anyone is planning on going to St. Maarten, I would strongly suggest the Dutch side. Maho is a cute little town just down the street from the airport. It has nice little shops and a great restaurant called Cheri's Cafe. Great entertainment and the best food I had in the 2 weeks I was there.

Orient Beach is the best beach I visited. Safe, beautiful and lot's of people watching. You have to pay for the beach chairs, about $8 or so, depending what section you decide to sit, but it's worth it. This is one of the best beaches I've ever seen.

I would go back to St-Maarten, but NEVER NEVER again would I ever go to Mercure Simson or the French side. They call it the "Friendly Island" but the French are far from that! They have an attitude that they are the best and everyone else is secondary. If you ask for something (especially in the restaurant) you get attitude and rolling eyes. If you're English they will NOT speak English to you! They didn't do anything that would merit another visit that's for sure!

Stayed at Mercure Simson from 25th June-4th July. Room I stayed with my 15-year old son was standard with 2 separate beds. Room was spacious with large balcony. Location of hotel is not so good if You are not driving a car. Altough Buses run past hotel regularly from about 9.00 am - 9.00.pm to Marigot. Bus fare costs 3 euros or 4 dollars. Hotel has a restaurant which in my opinion was expensive but offers gourmet dishes. Each evening there was special menu for 29 euros with starter and dessert. There are not too many budget restaurants near hotel. Right next week when we left there was an opening of pizzeria right next to the hotel which we missed. Rooms have got very efficient bathrooms ( hairdryers and shower ) in rooms safety boxes, fridge ( big ) and tv with French channels mainly. Room was clean and nice. Did not use hotel's pool but beach was ok with free sunbeds and umbrellas.