Full Kitchen, No Restaurant: Princess Heights Hotel for Families

Full kitchens, a pool with a waterslide, babysitting on request, and a four-minute walk to one of St. Maarten’s best snorkeling beaches: Princess Heights is built around the practical needs of families who want space and flexibility rather than a resort experience. It suits infants through school-age children particularly well, and the condo-style suites mean you can cook breakfast, put the baby down for a nap, and still have a living room — all without paying resort prices per person for every meal. The honest caveat up front: there is no on-site restaurant, and a car is genuinely necessary for anything beyond Dawn Beach.

Key Highlights

• Star rating: 4-star boutique condo hotel
• Price: From approximately $516/night for a 1-bedroom suite (peak season, December–May); continental breakfast available for a fee, not included
• Suites: 1- and 2-bedroom family suites with full kitchens, separate living areas with sofa beds, and private balconies
• Pool: Outdoor pool with a small waterslide and dedicated kids’ area
• Babysitting: Available on request for a surcharge
• Beach access: Dawn Beach — 4-minute walk (not beachfront; steep 5-minute return uphill)
• Not all-inclusive
• No kids club

Suites Built for Families, Not Just Families With Kids

The real selling point here is the room configuration. One- and two-bedroom suites come with full kitchens — not just a mini-fridge and a kettle — plus separate living rooms with sofa beds, which matters when you have a toddler who needs to go to bed at 7pm while the adults want to sit somewhere other than the edge of the mattress. Cribs are available on request for infants. Most rooms also have private balconies, and the hillside position means ocean views of the Caribbean Sea from a significant number of units.

For families staying more than a few nights, the kitchen changes the economics of a $500-plus per night rate considerably. Groceries are available nearby, and preparing even a handful of meals or breakfasts during a week-long trip offsets a meaningful portion of that nightly cost against what you’d spend at a sit-down restaurant for four.

If you’re packing for young kids, browse family-friendly tours and activities to plan your days out from the hotel — Dawn Beach is excellent for snorkeling, but the wider island rewards exploration.

Dawn Beach and the Pool: What the Kids Actually Get

The pool has a small waterslide and a dedicated children’s area, which handles the days when you don’t want to manage sun cream and coral-reef supervision. For beach days, Dawn Beach is a four-minute walk from the property — but note that the return trip is a steep five-minute climb uphill, which is worth factoring in if you’re managing a pushchair, a toddler who refuses to walk, or anyone with mobility considerations.

The beach itself is genuinely good for families: there’s a coral reef offshore that makes it one of the better snorkeling spots on the Dutch side of the island. For older children comfortable in the water, this is a practical asset, not just a “nice beach.”

Getting Around: A Car Is Not Optional

Princess Heights sits on Oyster Pond Road on the Dutch side of the island. Dawn Beach is walkable, but everything else requires transport. Philipsburg — the main town, with shopping and Great Bay Beach — is 10–15 minutes by car. Loterie Farm, a worthwhile half-day for families with older children, is under 15 minutes. Parotte Ville Bird Park is around 20–25 minutes, and Maho Beach (where planes pass directly overhead, which children tend to find either thrilling or terrifying) is 25–30 minutes away.

The hotel does not have a full-service restaurant or bar on site. If you’re imagining walking downstairs for dinner, that isn’t an option here. A car rental is essential — budget for it alongside the nightly rate. For day trips and guided experiences, compare kid-friendly day tours to make the most of the island beyond your base.

What Recent Guests Say

• Several reviewers consistently highlight the panoramic ocean views and peaceful, quiet atmosphere as standout features that make the property feel like a genuine retreat.
• A common theme in guest feedback is praise for warm, attentive staff, with multiple families noting that the team went out of their way to be helpful and accommodating.
• In-room breakfast delivery is mentioned across multiple reviews as a particularly appreciated perk that adds to the relaxed, unhurried feel of a stay.
• Many reviewers note that the property’s hillside, remote location requires a rental car — some see the distance from traffic and crowds as a plus, while others caution that it puts restaurants, beaches, and town a significant drive away.
• A small number of guests raise concerns about maintenance issues and insect problems, suggesting that room conditions can be inconsistent despite the generally positive impressions reported by most visitors.

Who This Hotel Suits (and Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere)

Princess Heights works well for families with infants, toddlers, and younger school-age children who are happy to self-cater, don’t need a kids club, and want a quieter base away from the busier resort strips. The kitchen, the crib availability, the babysitting option, and the short walk to a genuinely good beach are a coherent package for that kind of family.

It is less well-suited to families who want everything on-site — meals, bars, evening entertainment — without needing to get in a car. There is no restaurant here, no all-inclusive pricing structure, and no teens club. Families with older teenagers looking for more social, activity-led resorts will likely find this too quiet. The price point (over $500/night in peak season) also demands a realistic assessment: at that rate, you are paying for space, views, and the self-catering setup — not resort amenities.

It’s also worth noting the guest feedback about inconsistent room maintenance. Booking directly and requesting a recently renovated unit, or checking recent reviews on your booking platform before confirming, is a reasonable precaution given that small number of reports.

For the full amenities breakdown and Family Fit rating details, see our full Resort Finder profile for Princess Heights Hotel.

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