Caribbean - Non-airline lounges in SXM (Princess Juliana airport)?

Hi all,

We're travelling to St-Maarten in December. Since our flight is chartered, it means we'll get bussed, like sheep, to the airport some ungodly number of hours before the flight; I hardly look forward to sitting in the waiting hall with 10 million people, an infant who is guaranteed to start crying, and a wife who will certainly become antsy if the baby starts crying. So I would love to hang out in a lounge somewhere...... with the wife, of course, I don't mean to run away from her. :D

So - would anybody know if there are any paid lounges in the airport? Since our flight is charter, I wouldn't be able to use any alliance lounges anyhow.

Any help welcome. Thanks very much!

Just flew out of SXM today.

There is an independent lounge unaffiliated with any program that will allow entry to any passenger for $20. They take priority pass too.

I didn't go in (or at least I didn't get past the clerk ;) ) but it does exist.

Just flew out of SXM today.

There is an independent lounge unaffiliated with any program that will allow entry to any passenger for $20. They take priority pass too.

I didn't go in (or at least I didn't get past the clerk ;) ) but it does exist.

Funny - I just flew out on Friday :) And yeah I saw that lounge. But I ended up sitting around on Maho Beach for far too long watching planes land, so by the time I got to the airport, I was more or less out of time - and didn't want to spend 20 bucks for less than an hour.

The bar guy in the departure area was pretty cool, so that was time well spent, hehe.

The problem with the bus, is 50 people checking in at exactly the same time. Depending on where you are staying, a taxi might only be $20-25 to SXM, a worthwhile investment if it means checking in before or after the crowds. Security screening can be a bit slow at SXM. Once you are airside, there are enough shops, icecream/coffee/sandwich stands to occupy a bit of time. There might even be a kids play area.
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