There may be some legal difference in being allowed to repair buildings vs tear down and replace. I think the cleanup stopped until it could be determined what they would be allowed to do. Still, at this point, I'm not expecting it to be rebuilt.

We've been back 3 times since the storm and plan on going this year. It does suck that they haven't cleaned it up, but the beach is still incredible. I also disagree with your Perch Lite assessment. We love it. They have good food and drinks, and its minimalist just like we like it. If you want party central then its not for you. If you want good people without the flashy show or drunk people looking for a party, then its perfect. We miss our days at Club O, but it is what it is and we still love the peaceful beach where people don't care who's naked and who isn't. Just digging the peace and quiet. Just don't venture beyond the old Papagayo...there are some cagey characters down there. SXM

We have also been back 3 times since Erma and will be there a 4th in June. Like beachrunner said, it's not the same as Club O was, but it's still incredible and one of the largest, nicest nude beaches in the world! Perch Lite is wonderful, always a happy staff working and great food and drinks with like minded nude and non-nude people! I wouldn't trade that place for the world and not a day goes by I don't wish I was there! Is it the same??? Nope, but is it better then just about any where in the world? Absolutely!

Originally posted by Obeach Went there last week, and I was disappointed and said I would never be back, but I have since changed my mind. The beach was about normal and the Perch was less than I expected. Quite a few people on the beach for a Thursday afternoon but what turned me off completely was that it looked like nothing has changed since day after the hurricane. All the destruction was still there all the wreckage the roofless buildings and absolutely nothing had been cleared up. Even wrecked cars are removed from the side of the roads as being unsightly. I believe that the owners just took the Insurance money and cleared out with no intention of building back. It would have not been so bad if the had even made any attempt to clean any of it up.
Hope this link works

https://photos.app.goo.gl/hHA7SriyWbs64dwm8

Thank you for the link. In a few years it won't make any difference if the rubble is cleared or not. Everything will be overgrown, and the ruins won't be visible.

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Paragraphs Are A Reader's Best Friend.

Apparently, they are going to clean up very soon. I heard today old chalets will be removed as soon as next month. At least, those which are the closest to the beach.

I'll believe it when I see it. Remember a year or so back when the word was that Club O would be rebuilt starting in 6 months? I laughed at that.

If they start with the chalets closest to the beach, our waterfront chalets will be the first to go. Over the years we have stayed in all of them–47 through 54, with the exception of 50. Good times.

If they are saying clean up will start in one month, we must realize this is stated in "Island Time." Again, I'll believe one month when I see it.

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Paragraphs Are A Reader's Best Friend.

To the best of my knowledge it is far from a simple thing. We traveled on The Big Nude Boat a few years ago and they had an hour long information meeting on the cruise that I attended. As of the last time I was informed about the details there was no insurance money ever paid by the French insurance company and they were in litigation over that, I do not know what ythe results of that litigation was or even if it has been concluded. Next is that the part of the French government that holds jurisdiction over St. Martin has rezoned portions of the island ( in response to Irma ) as "high risk areas" and Club O property is included in that rezoning. Under the new zoning any new construction needs to have it's foundation grounded in bedrock. The previous structures in Club O were simply built on concrete slabs. This new law makes the cost of rebuilding nearly impossible as the bedrock is under many feet of sand. They have also deemed the land as a natural proteceted area, so much so that they won't even allow a volleyball net to be put in. Seems a litttle crazy to say it is now a nature area and is protected while at the same time leaving behind all the rubble, which doesn't seem to natural to me. And then there is the cost of cleanup. It's all about money. I'm just hoping it doesn't get sold to some bullshit all inclusive chain and become a Breezes or Sandals. Time will tell. Having said all that I still love the Club O beach and tthe Perch Lite and SXM in general and can't wait to go back this March 9-19.

Robb A

One Life, One Love, One Island!!!

Originally posted by Drrobb I'm just hoping it doesn't get sold to some bullshit all inclusive chain and become a Breezes or Sandals.

It can't be sold unless all the owners agree since it is a French Copropriété which is like a condominium association only stronger, I think. Owners can sell their own units (the residential buildings) but no-one can sell the whole thing.

Originally posted by Obeach I believe that the owners just took the Insurance money and cleared out with no intention of building back.

Thanks for the recent photos. We haven't been there since 2019. It's really overgrown since then. I don't think that the owners got the insurance money yet. Take a look at the FAQs on the cluborient.com website for accurate information.

Originally posted by Drrobb To the best of my knowledge it is far from a simple thing. We traveled on The Big Nude Boat a few years ago and they had an hour long information meeting on the cruise that I attended. As of the last time I was informed about the details there was no insurance money ever paid by the French insurance company and they were in litigation over that, I do not know what ythe results of that litigation was or even if it has been concluded. Next is that the part of the French government that holds jurisdiction over St. Martin has rezoned portions of the island ( in response to Irma ) as "high risk areas" and Club O property is included in that rezoning. Under the new zoning any new construction needs to have it's foundation grounded in bedrock. The previous structures in Club O were simply built on concrete slabs. This new law makes the cost of rebuilding nearly impossible as the bedrock is under many feet of sand. They have also deemed the land as a natural proteceted area, so much so that they won't even allow a volleyball net to be put in. Seems a litttle crazy to say it is now a nature area and is protected while at the same time leaving behind all the rubble, which doesn't seem to natural to me. And then there is the cost of cleanup. It's all about money. I'm just hoping it doesn't get sold to some bullshit all inclusive chain and become a Breezes or Sandals. Time will tell. Having said all that I still love the Club O beach and tthe Perch Lite and SXM in general and can't wait to go back this March 9-19.

Robb A

One Life, One Love, One Island!!!

Thanks for your detailed reply. There is also a lot of information in the FAQs on the cluborient.com website. Why doesn't everyone start there? I did!

>There is also a lot of information in the FAQs on the cluborient.com website. Why doesn't everyone start there? I did!

Last I checked, it said rebuilding would start last year, assuming they could get the permit.

We were at the same talk on the Big Nude Boat cruise and what I got out of it was that the insurer was willing to pay out, but they were going to split the payments among all of the owners and there were a couple of deadbeats who owed the Copro a lot of money so the litigation was against the deadbeats, not against the insurance company. But I am not a French Insurance Law expert.

Why not venture beyond the old Papagayo? That's my favorite strip of beach, it's quieter, less wind, calm water. Yes I've seen the occasional gawker/bushwacker in the chalets or Papagayo, but that stip that juts out by the old watersports spot has some great views of st barts, and it's a great spot to take some photos :)