White Sands Retreat, located in a gated neighborhood near Simpson Bay Beach on Dutch Sint Maarten, offers a serene retreat with modern appliances and private accommodations for up to 4 guests. With free WiFi and off-street parking, unwind on the partially covered back deck or stroll to the pristine Simpson Bay beach just a minute away.
Reviews
9.29.2 out of 10
Wonderful
Entire home
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4101 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Free Wi-Fi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
White Sands Retreat - Beachside at Beacon Hill
White Sands Retreat (aka “Bowie Place”) is a private 2 bedroom 1 bathroom home just 75 yards from Simpson Bay Beach on Dutch Sint Maarten. Located in a gated neighborhood of other private homes where your privacy is assured. It can be rented as one bedroom (up to 2 guests) or as two bedrooms (2 to 4 guests). Rates are adjusted for NUMBER OF BEDROOMS requested. You are renting the exclusive and private use of the entire property.
COVID-19 update - The property is cleaned and disinfected each week and between guest arrivals and departures. Complementary disinfecting wipes are supplied for your use as needed. As you are staying is a private single family home you are safe distanced from others not in your personal rental group. There are NO common walkways, stairs, parking or group area that you will share. This is NOT a condo, resort or time share project.
The spacious cottage is equipped with modern appliances. All stays INCLUDE free on-site WiFi and internet access. The property features a one minute walk to the beautiful two mile long pristine Simpson Bay beach, off street parking and an local caretaker. This spectacular beach has no ocean undertow, gentle waves for swimming and soft pearl white sand. You can walk the entire length of our beach and visit the small beach cafes and restaurants.
You can stay in or go out and enjoy all the island activities that are nearby like world class restaurants, night clubs, beach bars and casinos.
You are booking directly with the owner, so our rates are extremely low for beach side accommodations. If requesting stay for more than 3 guests (two bedrooms) the forth guest is FREE (you must request a rate quote at time of booking to get the discount.)
Accommodation details:
Two private bedrooms with queen size beds and choice of firm or plush mattress. Each bright and airy bedroom has individual controlled air conditioning, dresser with mirror, closet, personal room safe and share a full bath with large walk-in shower. Both are supplied with fresh towels and all linens.
There is an air conditioned full size living room with Satellite TV, DVD/ Blue Ray player, movie selections and stereo. The dinning room seats six at a casual round table with tropical inspired designer place settings.
The kitchen has granite countertops and a full size gas range & oven, microwave, dishwasher and full size refrigerator with automatic ice maker. There is a full supply of pots & pans, designer plates, glasses, tableware, cooking utensils, as well as toaster, blender and drip coffee maker.
The back deck is partially covered and has an additional table and chairs. For the outdoor chief there is a stainless steel two burner Webber gas BBQ grill. The front porch is a great place to sip your morning coffee or enjoy your end of day cocktail.
Property amenities
Beach
On the beach
Beach loungers
Beach towels
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Car recommended
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Hob
Ice maker
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Hair dryer
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Living room
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Games
Stereo
TV with cable/satellite channels
Video library
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Fenced yard
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
No lift (single-level property)
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Limited housekeeping
Safe
Location highlights
Near a health/beauty spa
Near a hospital
Near a zoo
Near the marina
Near the sea
Things to do
Birdwatching nearby
Casino nearby
Cycling nearby
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Parasailing nearby
Sailing nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Snorkelling nearby
Swimming nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Windsurfing nearby
Safety features
No carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
General
Garden
Unit size: 1,087 square feet
Similar properties
Flamingo Beach by Hilton: Oceanfront Resort, Pools & Spacious Studios To Relax!
Pelican Key
Flamingo Beach by Hilton: Oceanfront Resort, Pools & Spacious Studios To Relax!
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
Rental rate is based upon number of bedrooms rented not just the number of guests. If 2 adults rent as 2 bedrooms there will be an 2nd bedroom add on.
If rented at 1 bedroom rate the 2nd bedroom is locked out. You are renting the exclusive use of the property. The 2nd bedroom is not rented to anyone.
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property, but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located in Simpson Bay, this holiday home is on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Maho Beach and Mullet Bay Beach. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and horse riding. Visit our Simpson Bay travel guide
Is White Sands Retreat - Beachside at Beacon Hill pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at White Sands Retreat - Beachside at Beacon Hill?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at White Sands Retreat - Beachside at Beacon Hill?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at White Sands Retreat - Beachside at Beacon Hill?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is White Sands Retreat - Beachside at Beacon Hill located?
Nestled on the beach, this Simpson Bay holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Simpson Bay Beach and Maho Beach. Burgeaux Bay Beach and Maho Bay are also within 10 minutes.
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
White Sands Retreat - Beachside at Beacon Hill Reviews
Reviews
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Host was welcoming and easy to work with. Good details prior to stay. Everything was in good order.
Jeffrey M.
Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Ronan
20 Dec 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Air con worked as did the blow fans. The kitchen had a lot of utensils, pans etc but would have liked a kettle. Everything else was quite frankly excellent. A relaxed stay at a pretty cool part of Sint Maarten
For us, this property was perfectly located & great for what we needed. Fast walk to a beach & wonderful beach restaurant, easy drives to other beaches & restaurants, beach equip, etc. property manager was so responsive & nice, as was the owner. We would stay there again.
We enjoyed our stay. We really appreciated the extras like the barbeque, beach chairs, etc. We had an issue with the internet but the owner was right on it. The location and beach were great.
Gary is a great host, all the comforts of home. This is our 2nd stay at Bowie Place, wouldn't consider staying anywhere else. Great location, clean, comfortable, well equipped and spacious.
The house was the right size for us. Plenty of room for three people. Location on Beacon Hill is fantastic for walking to Maho to see the landings, but also Simpson Bay beach access is no more than 150 feet. Gary provided chairs and umbrellas for the beach, also a small cooler. We were temporary locals and close to D's, which is a good beach bar.The whole thing was perfect for our needs, including off-street parking.
As always "The Bowie House" was a great vacation. Lowest price and just 50 yards to a beautiful beach! What more could you want.
Oh, there's a small boutique hotel next door that will let you use their chaise lounges / umbrellas all day if you buy drinks or Lunch from them!
What more could you ask for!
Good value for the money. Near the airport but the planes are quiet over night. Great beach in walking distance. If you are looking for a quiet get away from the party atmosphere of Sint Maarten this it. The property is a bit dated but quite livable. Lots of space. Good AC.
We would stay here again if we were to return. We loved the location, enjoyed watching the planes landing and taking off from the front porch, not a noise problem. The property had everything one needed for our stay, washing machine was a bonus as was having everything one needed for the beach. Communication with the owner was great. Walking distance to the Maho Beach area was great, close to bars, restaurants and shopping. We have not a bad word to say about this stay. I hope he will also give us a good review as renters! Thank you Gary
We were very happy with our stay. The house was steps away from the beach at Simpson Bay. This was a wonderful sandy beach with warm blue water. As you step onto the beach you find D's Beach Bar where there were always beach chairs available and you can rent umbrellas or cabanas. The house is located in Beacon Hill and is only about a 15 minute walk to the famous Maho Beach where the planes fly over and the surrounding restaurants, bars, and grocery store. The house was exactly as described, clean, spacious and had everything you could need for your stay. The owner had great communication right from the start and provided all the information we needed. I also contacted the local contact twice by WhatsApp while we were there and he was very responsive and helpful. We would definitely stay here again.
We really enjoyed our stay It was nice to have a place of our own. Don't expect a luxuries home. It is a older home and well lived in. Comfortable. We were a litte disappointed that the beach bar near took over the whole beach. We will still comeback to here. By the way, no hot tub.
We have stayed at many VRBOs and this was the best equipped. From beach chairs, towels and umbrella to kitchen supplies including coffee filters, cooking oil and plastic wrap. Ice maker in the freezer. Loved having morning coffee on the back deck and evening cocktails on the front porch. Didn’t even mind the noise from the airport (actually enjoyed it haha). A/C was wonderful and worked very quickly. Short walk to beach and D’s beach bar which is great. I would recommend a shower caddy and a smart tv. Communication with host was good. Information binder was very useful.
Paul A.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
Amanda S.
31 Jan 2025
Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
Bowie Place
Stayed for a week at Bowie Place- Check in was a breeze, and location was wonderful! ( though if you’re looking for quiet, note this is RIGHT NEXT TO THE AIRPORT.) however it is within walking distance to popular spots such as Maho, sunset beach bar, and a secluded little beach with Dinghy’s Bar ( excellent food and daily happy hour!)The downside to this property- the listing states that there is a hot tub and spa ( this was not true) we also had an issue with the cleanliness of the place. Upon arrival we had to go to the store to buy cleaning supplies, toilet paper and paper towels. The towels left in the house were very “Crunchy” and required washing.Overall our stay was great- the island is beautiful. And I would highly recommend Spices of India in Maho!
What a perfect place to stay. Bowie's place was within a 5 minute walk to the pristine beach on Simpson Bay, and walking distance to Maho Market, Sunset Beach bar, the Boat bar (to just name a few), even 2 casinos should you so choose. The house was the perfect size for the 3 of us, with all the amenities needed to allow us to cook and manage our vacation like being at home (coffee pot, French press, blender, microwave, toaster oven, washing machine and more!). It was easy to get checked in, and any questions I had were answered promptly by the owner and grounds keeper. There were safes in both rooms allowing us to keep everything secure, and the gated property kept our rental car safe as well. The air units managed our evenings with lovely cool air in a short amount of time. It was truly a perfect place for our family. Thank you Gary and Neal.
We've stayed at White Sands Retreat twice. It's in a perfect location for us. Access to Simpson Bay beach is on the less used side so it feels more casual and personable. Check-in is easy. We have everything we need for us and our daughter, including beach chairs and an umbrella. We could stay in and cook a few times, as we do. Air Con works just fine. It's very comfortable for a couple and an adult daughter. Not posh, butwe're not fancy people.
It was beautiful time. Everything was grate. Definitely we would like come back to Gary's place next year. Thank you Gary!
Tanya V.
Stayed 18 nights in Nov 2023
Archival
8/10 Good
Joseph Z.
18 Feb 2015
Love Simpson Bay!
The house was just as advertised. It was a pleasure to deal with Gary, his caretaker Ash was there if needed,(he wasn't). We loved it so much we are taking the same weeks next year! Thanks for the use of your home and I can't wait for next year!
Modest home-but friendly neighborhood with wonderful beach access. Would have liked to have lock box code earlier to avoid problems with phone.
John K.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023
Verified
6/10 Okay
Debbie M.
6 Dec 2022
Liked: Location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in, communication
Bowie Getaway
We enjoyed our stay immensely, the BBQ was a treat for condo tenants. The beach was close by and so much calmer than our normal beach retreats. We found everything we needed and close to the Maho area. We also used your recommendation for the rental car, no problems. We did find extra effort with the door locks so hope all was closed when we left!
Deb
Stayed for 3 weeks. Very clean and bright. Housekeeper came in each week to clean & do laundry. Beach is 50 yds away. Car rental 50 yds away. Maho beach & supermarket 15mins walk away. A bit close to the airport runway.
Spacious, comfortable, clean, well equipped and private. Gary (owner) and Neil (caretaker) are very responsive and made sure everything was in order before and during our stay. Although this property is literally across the street from the airport, it is surprisingly quiet.
Neil checked on us regularly to make sure everything was ok and he's a great resource. My sister and I felt very safe. Thanks Gary and Neil for making our vacation a fantastic one. Will not hesitate to stay at White Sands again.
Pamela R.
Stayed 22 nights in Nov 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Timothy C.
13 Mar 2019
Great Location!
We stayed at Gary's house in Simpson Bay in Feb 2019 and were very satisfied with our visit. We had 2 adults and 2 kids and there was plenty of space to stretch out and relax. The house was clean and well appointed. There is a washer, and numerous clothes lines outside to dry everything, which was very efficient with the sun and constant trade winds blowing off the ocean. Ash, who lives next door, is also the caretaker of the property and we really enjoyed talking to him. He is very attentive and friendly, and it was a pleasure to talk sailboats with him. Highly recommended home!