Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Unveils Rooftop Sky Deck

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort on the Dutch side of St. Maarten has opened its long-planned Pelican’s Nest Sky Deck, a sprawling rooftop venue that adds a new, elevated dimension to the destination’s all inclusive resort scene.

Caribbean All Inclusive Market Adds a Rooftop First

Publicly available information from the resort group describes Pelican’s Nest Sky Deck as the Caribbean’s first fully all inclusive rooftop adventure experience integrated into a major beach resort. Positioned above Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa, the new deck is designed as a large open air extension of the property’s existing pool, dining and entertainment amenities.

Resort materials indicate that the Sky Deck spans about 59,000 square feet, creating a sizable new footprint on the roofline overlooking Maho Bay and Princess Juliana International Airport. The project shifts previously underused rooftop space into a dedicated guest area, mirroring a wider regional trend in which Caribbean properties are activating rooftops for both leisure and events.

The opening comes as St. Maarten continues to emphasize higher value tourism and refreshed product following the island’s post hurricane redevelopment. The launch of a large scale rooftop facility within an all inclusive environment is being framed in resort communications as a differentiator in a market where many properties still focus primarily on ground level beachfront space.

The Sky Deck concept also builds on Sonesta Maho’s position as one of the island’s largest all inclusive resorts, extending an amenity set that already includes a main pool complex with slides, multiple bars and restaurants, and direct access to Maho Village’s nightlife and casino offerings.

Soft Opening Timeline and Guest Access

According to resort information and recent coverage, Pelican’s Nest Sky Deck began a soft opening period in early June 2026, with access included for in house guests as part of the standard all inclusive plan. The rollout is being staged to allow the resort to calibrate programming, hours and capacity while operating the venue in real time.

The Sky Deck is positioned as a shared space for families, couples and groups rather than a separate, premium upcharge zone. Materials describing the project state that activities, attractions and entertainment on the rooftop are folded into existing room rates, with the resort highlighting the absence of additional entry fees for the area.

The new deck joins another rooftop oriented feature at the property, the Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar, which opened earlier as part of an adults only club level on the upper floors of Sonesta Maho Beach Resort. Together, the two spaces signal a broader reimagining of the resort’s upper levels, turning what were once standard top floor and roof areas into destinations for sunset viewing, plane spotting and evening socializing.

While the adults only club level and Cloud 9 bar remain reserved for eligible room categories, the broader Pelican’s Nest Sky Deck has been presented as a resort wide amenity, intended to serve guests across room types and age groups.

Attractions, Activities and Design Features

Descriptions from the resort outline Pelican’s Nest Sky Deck as a multi use environment combining active attractions with zones for dining and relaxation. The space incorporates family friendly activities such as mini golf and a rock climbing wall, as well as sport simulators and other interactive elements aimed at a broad demographic.

Programming is expected to include day to night entertainment, with live performances and social events supplementing the resort’s existing schedule around the main pool and theater. Seating areas and vantage points are oriented toward panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea, Maho Beach and the airport’s runway, a longtime draw for plane spotting visitors.

The design approach continues Sonesta Maho’s emphasis on layered experiences that appeal to both families and adults traveling without children. Active components, including play areas and adventure style installations, are balanced by quieter corners, lounge seating and a rooftop bar environment where guests can take in 360 degree island views.

Lighting and sound are expected to play a central role in defining the deck’s atmosphere after dark, creating an additional nighttime gathering point within the resort’s footprint alongside existing venues in Maho Village and on the main pool deck.

Impact on St. Maarten’s Competitive Resort Landscape

St. Maarten’s tourism sector has seen a steady pipeline of refurbishments and new concepts in recent years, particularly within the all inclusive and upper upscale segments. Industry reporting notes that properties across the region have increasingly looked to rooftop pools, lounges and event spaces as a way to add perceived value without expanding beachfront footprints.

By introducing a large, all inclusive rooftop deck with permanent adventure and entertainment features, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort is aligning with that broader trend while seeking to differentiate itself on the Dutch side of the island. The Sky Deck effectively gives the resort a second tier of outdoor space above its ground level pool and public areas, which may help distribute guest flow during peak occupancy periods.

For St. Maarten, the development underscores the destination’s transition from post reconstruction recovery to product innovation. The combination of plane spotting, beach proximity and now extensive rooftop programming at a single resort may appeal to visitors comparing locations across the northeastern Caribbean that already offer new towers, water parks or overwater features.

The project also reinforces Maho’s positioning as a compact entertainment district where casino gaming, nightlife, dining and now rooftop attractions are within walking distance. That concentration of experiences is likely to feature prominently in future marketing efforts targeting travelers who prefer to stay largely on property while still having access to a variety of activities.

What Travelers Can Expect in the Months Ahead

As the soft opening phase continues, the resort is expected to refine operating hours, event schedules and age guidelines across various zones of the Sky Deck. Travelers arriving in the coming months can anticipate an evolving mix of programmed activities and more casual, drop in experiences as the team tracks demand patterns.

Given the scale of the rooftop, the new deck is likely to be integrated into group and event offerings, with certain areas adaptable for private functions while the broader space remains accessible to other guests. Meeting and incentive planners considering St. Maarten may view the Sky Deck as an additional setting for receptions or branded activations within an all inclusive context.

For leisure guests, the opening expands the range of on site diversions available without leaving the resort, complementing established draws such as the Oasis pool, kids club, teen zone and nearby Casino Royale. Families, in particular, may find the combination of structured activities and open play areas on the rooftop attractive for multiday stays.

Travel advisers monitoring developments in St. Maarten are likely to watch how Pelican’s Nest Sky Deck is received during its first high season and how it influences booking decisions among travelers choosing between all inclusive resorts across the wider Caribbean.