Sonesta Ocean Point Resort in St Maarten promises an adults-only, all-suite, all-inclusive escape with dramatic ocean views and access to one of the Caribbean’s most famous beaches.
Set on the cliffs above Maho Bay, right next to the island’s legendary plane-spotting stretch of sand, it markets itself as a “resort within a resort,” sharing facilities with the larger Sonesta Maho Beach Resort next door.
But with premium pricing and strong competition across the Caribbean, many travelers ask a simple question before booking: is Sonesta Ocean Point really worth it?
Resort Overview and First Impressions
Sonesta Ocean Point is a 130-suite, adults-only, all-inclusive property positioned on the westernmost tip of Dutch St Maarten, overlooking Maho Bay and the Caribbean Sea.
The resort’s architecture and interiors lean into a contemporary Caribbean style, with clean lines, pale woods, cool grey and blue tones, and extensive use of glass to keep the focus on the views.
From the elevated walkways and multi-level pools to the open-air lounges, the design is intended to feel more boutique and upscale than the average big-box all-inclusive.
The resort operates as a self-contained enclave but is physically connected to the larger, family-friendly Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa. This “resort within a resort” concept is central to the Ocean Point value proposition.
Guests at Ocean Point can use almost all the facilities at Maho Beach Resort, including its additional restaurants, bars, theatre, pools, spa and large Casino Royale, while Maho guests do not have access to Ocean Point’s exclusive spaces.
In practice, this gives Ocean Point guests an adults-only home base with the option to dip into a busier, more energetic scene next door.
First impressions on arrival tend to be positive. Guests frequently highlight the lobby’s modern styling, welcome drinks, and the immediate impact of the clifftop views. Proximity to the airport is obvious from the outset.
The transfer from Princess Juliana International Airport usually takes less than 10 minutes, which is a major convenience after a long flight. However, you will also quickly become aware that aircraft landings and takeoffs are part of the soundscape and personality of the area.
Overall, Sonesta Ocean Point aims for a sophisticated but not stuffy environment, appealing largely to couples, honeymooners, groups of friends and adults celebrating milestones who want the ease of an all-inclusive but a step up in style and service from mass-market options.
Suites, Layout and Comfort
All accommodations at Sonesta Ocean Point are suites, which is a key differentiator from many Caribbean all-inclusives where entry-level categories can feel tight.
Standard Junior Suites are already generous in size and come with a living area, furnished balcony or terrace, and large bathrooms with rainfall showers, double vanities in many units and modern finishes.
Décor is clean and understated rather than opulent, but the effect is fresh and contemporary.
Higher categories include Swim-Out Suites, which offer direct access to a meandering semi-private pool from your terrace, and Butler Suites that add personalized butler service, upgraded amenities and often better views or corner layouts.
Guests in swim-out and butler categories generally report that the extra cost feels justified if you plan to spend substantial time in the room and by your own pool or terrace.
Travelers in standard suites still appreciate the space and comfort, though some note that the hardware and finishes show minor wear in places as the property continues to age and cycle through periodic refurbishments.
Comfort scores from recent guest reviews are consistently high, reflecting good bedding, blackout curtains and efficient air conditioning. Noise is a more nuanced topic.
Inside the rooms, double glazing and solid construction mitigate much of the external sound, including the nearby airport and activity from the adjacent family resort.
However, guests who are especially sensitive to noise or who prefer absolute quiet sometimes notice aircraft and nighttime music, particularly in suites closer to the Maho side or around the livelier pool areas.
For most travelers, the suite experience is a highlight, especially at sunset when balconies and terraces become private vantage points over Maho Bay.
If you want the most tranquil experience, look carefully at room location requests and consider prioritizing ocean-facing categories further from the busiest common areas.
Pools, Beach Access and Atmosphere
Sonesta Ocean Point’s pool scene is one of its strongest selling points. The resort offers four pools, including the signature Edge Pool, a zero-entry infinity pool that blends into the horizon and creates a “cliffside beach” effect.
The Edge Pool is often where guests spend lazy days on loungers or in cabanas, with full bar and pool service and uninterrupted ocean views.
The Point Pool overlooks iconic Maho Beach and the airport runway approach, making it a natural gathering spot for plane-spotting.
Loved by aviation enthusiasts and many first-time visitors, this vantage point offers a surreal front-row seat to big jets passing just overhead before touchdown.
For some, it is a bucket-list experience and part of what makes this resort unique. For others, especially those seeking a strictly tranquil environment, it can feel busy and noisy during peak flight times and afternoons when the pool bar is most active.
The recently introduced Seascape Pool adds another dimension with a swim-up bar and submerged loungers. It is designed more as a social, resort-style hangout, appealing to guests who enjoy mingling, music and drink service in the water.
Swim-Out Suites have access to a meandering semi-private pool that runs along the building’s edge and is exclusive to that room category, offering a calmer and more secluded water experience steps from your bed.
Beach access is available via the adjacent Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and by walking a short distance to Maho Beach itself. It is important to note that all beaches on Sint Maarten are public, so the resort cannot reserve lounge chairs directly on Maho Beach or provide full food and beverage service there.
Instead, Ocean Point and Maho guests typically use the manmade elevated beach deck at The Palms Beach area of the family resort for loungers and bar service, or they step down onto the public sand.
If you envision long walks on a wide, secluded resort-controlled beach, this location may not match that fantasy. If you are drawn to the spectacle of low-flying aircraft and a social shoreline, it likely will.
Dining, Bars and All-Inclusive Value
As an all-inclusive, Sonesta Ocean Point includes all meals, snacks, and unlimited drinks, along with 24-hour room service and daily restocking of in-room minibars with soft drinks, beer, water and spirits.
On the Ocean Point side, there are three à la carte restaurants: Azul, Portofino and Bluefin. Azul, set high above the bay, is the flagship venue, serving breakfast and Mediterranean-inspired lunch and dinner with sweeping ocean vistas.
Travelers often single out Azul for both its scenery and comparatively refined cuisine by all-inclusive standards.
Portofino, open on select evenings, offers a multi-course Italian-inspired dinner with dishes that aim for a more elevated, wine-friendly experience. Bluefin functions as a casual daytime spot for light bites and transitions into a healthier, poke-inspired concept some evenings.
The resort also operates multiple bars and lounges, including the rooftop Sunset Lounge & Bar for cocktails and views, Martin’s Bar off the lobby for coffee and evening drinks, the One Zero Pool Bar at The Point Pool, the Seascape swim-up bar, and bar service connected to Azul and the Edge Pool.
Crucially, Ocean Point guests also have access to additional restaurants and bars at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort. This “stay at one, play at two” arrangement expands your options to buffet venues, snack grills and more casual dining spaces that can be useful for late lunches, quick snacks or a change of scene.
Quality across the board is generally described as good but not gourmet, which is typical of mainstream all-inclusive resorts.
Most guests feel the variety is sufficient for a one-week stay, especially if you rotate between Ocean Point’s premium venues and the broader selection next door.
In terms of value, recent traveler feedback often notes that the food and beverage program aligns well with Ocean Point’s pricing when you factor in the convenience of room service, premium-brand drinks and access to Maho’s additional outlets.
Guests who arrive expecting a true luxury culinary destination may find some dishes uneven or presentation less polished than high-end boutique properties that are not all-inclusive.
Those who approach it as an upscale, convenience-focused all-inclusive with some standout meals, particularly at Azul and Portofino, tend to walk away satisfied.
Service, Butler Options and Overall Experience
Service is a central part of the Sonesta Ocean Point pitch. The resort advertises a personalized concierge for all guests and butler service for its highest suite categories.
Butler Suites come with extra perks that can include pre-arrival contact to note preferences, assistance with unpacking and packing, laundry and pressing, priority restaurant reservations, tour and spa booking, and the ability to arrange private in-suite or balcony dinners.
Some butler packages have also included a curated in-room wine fridge stocked according to guest preferences for a set number of bottles per stay.
Guests who stay in Butler Suites frequently describe staff as attentive, proactive and genuinely invested in creating a tailored experience, especially for honeymoons, birthdays and anniversaries.
Having a butler handle logistics such as restaurant reservations, airport transfers, and excursion planning can significantly elevate a trip if you intend to take full advantage of those services.
The butler team is often praised for arranging special touches like decorated rooms, surprise desserts, or well-timed champagne deliveries.
Outside of the butler tier, general service feedback is mixed but leans positive. Many visitors comment warmly on friendly bartenders, engaging entertainment staff and housekeeping teams who keep suites and public spaces clean.
At busy times, especially during high season and holidays, some report longer waits for drinks or meals and occasional lapses in responsiveness, which is typical at larger Caribbean all-inclusives.
The resort’s entertainment team runs daily activities, fitness classes, live music and themed evening events that create a lively atmosphere without turning the resort into a party hotel.
Overall, those expecting a polished, well-run all-inclusive with standout staff interactions in top suite categories tend to feel the service supports the price point.
Travelers who equate the resort’s “five-star” marketing with ultra-luxury, ultra-personalized service at every level sometimes find that standard suite experiences feel closer to high-end four-star quality in terms of staff-to-guest ratio and service speed.
Location, Noise and Who This Resort Fits Best
Location is one of Sonesta Ocean Point’s most distinctive assets and also its most polarizing feature. The resort sits in Maho Village, a dense pocket of hotels, bars, restaurants and shops directly adjacent to Princess Juliana International Airport.
From the property, you can easily walk to Maho Beach, additional off-property eateries, casual bars, convenience stores and nightlife. Casino Royale, billed as the island’s largest gaming complex, sits just across the street.
For travelers who like to be in the heart of the action, able to explore on foot and enjoy off-resort nightlife without long taxis, this is a major advantage.
However, the same proximity that delivers convenience and energy also brings noise. Aircraft are a hallmark of the Maho experience. Planes on final approach pass close overhead, especially visible and audible from The Point Pool, cliffside areas and Maho Beach itself.
Many guests consider this thrilling and part of the fun, timing their pool sessions to watch landings and take photos. A minority, particularly those seeking serenity or long afternoon naps by a silent ocean, can find the frequent roar of engines intrusive.
In addition to flight noise, Maho Village has a party-ready atmosphere, with music from nearby venues occasionally drifting across the resort, especially in the evenings.
Inside most suites and in many corners of the property, sound is muted enough that it does not disrupt sleep for typical travelers. Nonetheless, those who prioritize complete quiet may be happier on a more secluded stretch of the island or on the calmer French side of St Martin.
Given these realities, Sonesta Ocean Point is best suited to adults who appreciate an upscale resort hub with easy access to entertainment and who are intrigued rather than bothered by the novelty of planes landing just overhead.
It is a strong fit for couples who enjoy a social pool scene, groups celebrating events, and travelers who enjoy mixing on-site all-inclusive comforts with walks into a lively neighborhood.
Price Point, Pros, Cons and Whether It Is Worth It
Room rates at Sonesta Ocean Point typically price above many midrange Caribbean all-inclusives but below the most exclusive boutique luxury properties in the region.
When comparing costs, you should consider that every suite includes an all-inclusive package with premium drinks, à la carte dining, room service, daily minibar refills, fitness access, and expanded use of Sonesta Maho Beach Resort’s facilities.
Short airport transfers, adults-only status, and a high percentage of ocean-view accommodations add further value.
On the plus side, travelers consistently highlight the panoramic clifftop setting, multiple stylish pools, contemporary suites, and the ability to wander into Maho Village and Casino Royale as standout strengths.
The fact that you effectively gain two resorts worth of facilities while enjoying an adults-only environment is another strong argument for value, especially if you prefer variety over a single, compact property.
On the downside, some guests feel the resort’s marketing as a full “five-star luxury” retreat slightly outpaces certain aspects of the experience, particularly at peak times.
Occasional comments about minor wear in rooms, variable speed of bar or restaurant service, and the sometimes crowded nature of shared facilities next door suggest that Ocean Point sits in a premium, upscale all-inclusive category rather than true ultra-luxury.
The noise profile from planes and village nightlife is also a real factor in determining whether the resort is a good personal fit.
Is Sonesta Ocean Point worth the money? For many travelers, the answer is yes, particularly if you value spacious suites, dramatic views, a modern adults-only setting, and an action-packed location.
Those who dream of a secluded, ultra-serene, small-scale hideaway with meticulous fine-dining standards may want to look elsewhere or adjust expectations.
The resort delivers strong all-round value when you actively use its inclusions: dine at all the signature venues, spend time at different pools, take advantage of Maho’s additional options, and, if budget allows, consider upgrading to a butler or swim-out category.
The Takeaway
Sonesta Ocean Point Resort in St Maarten offers a distinctive take on Caribbean all-inclusive travel. With its adults-only, all-suite format, multiple infinity-style pools and commanding views over Maho Bay, it is designed for travelers who want comfort and style without sacrificing convenience and nightlife.
The partnership with Sonesta Maho Beach Resort effectively doubles your dining and entertainment options, while keeping Ocean Point itself more exclusive and relaxed.
Ultimately, whether it is “worth it” comes down to what kind of vacation you are seeking. If your ideal escape involves sophisticated pools, modern suites, inclusive dining and drinks, and the buzz of planes soaring overhead as you float in a clifftop pool, Sonesta Ocean Point justifies its price tag and then some.
If, instead, you imagine quiet coves, minimal external noise and a very small, secluded property where the outside world feels far away, you may find the Maho setting less compelling, regardless of how polished the resort itself is.
For many modern travelers, Sonesta Ocean Point hits a sweet spot between upscale comfort and lively island energy.
Approach it as an elevated, well-located all-inclusive with unique aviation theater and broad facilities rather than a hushed, ultra-luxury hideaway, and the experience is likely to match or exceed expectations.
FAQ
Q1: Is Sonesta Ocean Point truly adults only?
Yes. Sonesta Ocean Point is an adults-only resort, generally welcoming guests aged 18 and over. Children stay next door at the family-focused Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, though Ocean Point guests can use many of Maho’s facilities.
Q2: How far is Sonesta Ocean Point from the airport?
The resort is a short drive from Princess Juliana International Airport, usually around 5 to 10 minutes by taxi or transfer, depending on traffic. Its proximity is one reason many guests choose the property, especially after long international flights.
Q3: Will airplane noise be a problem during my stay?
You will definitely hear and see planes, especially from the pools and outdoor areas facing Maho Beach. Inside most suites the sound is significantly reduced and does not trouble the average sleeper, but if you are very sensitive to noise or want complete quiet, this may not be the ideal location.
Q4: Do guests at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort have access to Ocean Point amenities?
No. Access is one-way. Guests at Sonesta Ocean Point may use most of the facilities at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, but Maho guests do not have access to Ocean Point’s exclusive pools, restaurants and adults-only spaces.
Q5: Is the resort’s beach private?
No. Beaches in Sint Maarten are public by law. Sonesta Ocean Point has easy access to Maho Beach and to a manmade elevated beach deck via Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, but the sand and shoreline themselves are public and shared with non-guests.
Q6: How is the food quality at Sonesta Ocean Point?
Food quality is generally considered good for an upscale all-inclusive, with frequent praise for Azul’s views and menu and positive feedback on Portofino and Bluefin. Expect solid, varied cuisine rather than ultra-fine-dining; guests who use both Ocean Point and Maho restaurants usually feel the variety is ample for a week-long stay.
Q7: Is butler service worth the upgrade?
For travelers celebrating a special occasion, or those who value personalized assistance with reservations, packing, and in-suite dining, the butler upgrade is often described as worth the premium. If you are unlikely to use those services and plan to be out and about much of the time, a standard or swim-out suite may offer better value.
Q8: Is Sonesta Ocean Point suitable for a quiet honeymoon?
It can be, provided you are comfortable with the energetic surroundings of Maho Village and the spectacle of planes. The resort itself has peaceful corners, especially around some suites and quieter pools, but the overall environment is livelier than a remote honeymoon hideaway.
Q9: Can I explore restaurants and nightlife outside the resort easily?
Yes. One of the advantages of staying at Sonesta Ocean Point is walkable access to Maho Village, where you will find bars, casual restaurants, shops and Casino Royale. Taxis and tours can also take you to other parts of the island for dining, beach days and excursions.
Q10: Who is Sonesta Ocean Point best for?
The resort is best for adults who want an all-inclusive experience with modern suites, multiple pools, and direct access to a lively neighborhood and famous plane-spotting beach. It particularly suits couples, groups of friends and celebration trips for guests who enjoy a mix of relaxation, social atmosphere and easy access to nightlife and off-resort activities.