PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN—Turtle nesting season in underway in the Caribbean and four female Hawksbill sea turtles have built their nests here at the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa. One of the turtles’ 130 hatchlings have already made their way to the sea.
Situated along the southeastern shore of St. Maarten, the 317-room Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa is surrounded by miles of blue water, acres of tropical foliage and white beaches. The Westin is one of the largest upscale resorts in the Netherlands-governed province offering guestrooms and studios, including oceanfront, ocean view and resort or island view, luxury condominiums and suites.
Amenities include a full-service European-style Hibiscus spa, fitness room, on-site casino, nearly 20,000 sq. ft. of flexible function space, retail shops, infinity pool and watersports activities. In addition, there are three oceanfront restaurants, including a fine dining restaurant, poolside café, lobby and pool bar and room service to satisfy any appetite.
According to the company, the hotel’s semi-secluded location on the Dutch side of the island makes for an ideal breeding ground for the turtles. Nature is in focus as the resort takes inspiration from locally sourced ingredients for meals and practices sustainability through its solar installation program, which produces six to eight hours of its own power daily.