Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa

it was low season. had difficulty making contact with thr entertainment manager. but met with the staff. it is a low key chill place and team was nice but not around. was a great time, resort and beach were beautiful. as it was low season (20%capacity) classes were small but had lovely peeps. teaching locations are ideal. The 5pm class had no attentance most days, think 2 morning classes for this resort would be better. Orher than that was fantastic and I would definitely go back!:)

Yoga was on the porch outside the gym. Everything was excellent!

Meet class participants at the towel center. Taught above the Olio restaurant and the covered patio in front of the gym. Participants did want to hear the waves during class so we moved. The entertainment team is small but personable for sure.

I was there for 2 weeks and never met the Entertainment Manager. I reached out and was told that she was unavailable. The 2 young men who alternated (Jean and Ivan) were very nice and told me to do whatever I wanted and implied that I shouldn't stress about teaching the classes. Being a long time Fitbodies instructor and a professional, I did make sure that my classes were populated and happened. I found that because there were no other activities gong on at the resort, I had many more particpants.

Staff was super friendly and relaxed. Resort was at 30%. Beautiful location; friendly laid back staff; I've done so many trips it was perfect but new person might have a more difficult time. Was really left on my own which was fine once I could find mats. I walked around to guests and introduced myself while inviting them to class. Great way to meet people is through this program. Thanks Fitbodies!

I taught yoga on the rooftop and beach - what beautiful scenery! I brought my own bluetooth speaker. Travel was easy, no issues. Loved the entertainment staff! Wonderful experience. Friendly staff and guests. I am thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of the Fit Bodies team.

The resort is gorgeous; we rented a car and drove around the island for a few days and it is honestly the prettiest, quietest location we saw. VERY low key so if you're looking for lots of noise and activity, this place isn't for you. As Sept. is their low season, there were very few guests; less than 100 total guests during our entire visit (and many shops and restaurants were closed on the island - it's THEIR vacation time too!). The entertainment team is very scaled back and there is only 1-2 of them on property at a time, with a very scaled back activity schedule. It's a very low key group of visitors who really aren't joiners in ANY of the activities! Even visiting the gym in the morning, it was empty every day but the morning the storm was hitting! Staffing is also scaled back and only 2 restaurants alternate opening each night; the only lunch option is the full Market Buffet or Coco Cafe (no pool or beach service for food or drinks OR outdoor grab and go food as at other resorts). The burning question - during low season (May - early October) - classes are at 9am and 5pm, 30-45 min each. They warned me day 1 that I would probably not teach once at 5pm and they were right; of the 12 classes I was scheduled to teach, I taught 2 total. 1x with 1 participant, and 1x (the morning the storm was coming through) with a group of 8 traveling together. During high season, classes are at 8am and 9am (this all makes zero sense to me but...!!!). I am a Pilates instructor and there was some confusion as to what that was....it did get corrected on the schedule day two but also different from other resorts - the only place guests can get the days activities are on papers walking into breakfast, the front desk or coffee shop. The iPads in the room are incorrect, there is no activities board and the entertainment team is not running around encouraging people to join! When I mentioned to people I was there teaching at the pool, etc., they smiled and that was that. They were very flexible when I arrived as to what format I taught, and where I taught it. You meet at the beach towel hut and can bring people wherever you want on the property. In the driving rain, you teach in the gym (it's tight), but if light rain, the covered porch at the entrance or after you walk through the gym overlooking the canal would be lovely (see pics!). There is ZERO shade for the 5pm timeslot but in the morning, there is a sliver of shade on the spectacular rooftop deck over the restaurants (also pictured below!). Mats are in a closet in the gym; you’re on your own setting up and taking down. Despite it being low occupancy, we were told there were no optional ($$$) upgrades at check-in. We were in a basic King room on the first floor which just reeked of dampness and mold. My husband's allergies were really acting up because of it, so we were able to move up one floor the next day. There are NO waterfront rooms. Overall, rooms are clean, staff is super friendly, beach is spectacular, location is amazing. Pool is a bit rundown but clean. There are VERY few umbrellas on the beach or pool and most are broken. There is NO beach service (this may have been the season though). Cocktails are strong and good (they don't use mixers). Coco Cafe had amazing coffee, French ice cream and treats. Pastry Chef is amazingly talented.....breakfast was passable but lunch and dinner left a lot to be desired. We overheard ALL of the guests complaining about it; in fact, 4 checked out early and went to another resort. There is an amazing Italian restaurant off-property just across the courtyard, and a small shop that sold food, cheese, bread, meats, wine, etc. if you don’t have a car but are seeking some variety. DEF rent a car - there is so much to see and eat and driving was a breeze! For reference, this was my first time visiting St. Martin and my 6th teaching trip!

Overall, this teaching vacation was a great success. I had productive communication and camaraderie with the resort staff and friendly and productive experiences with the guests. All those who took the yoga sessions were happy with the experience. They were particularly pleased with the location I chose for the sessions, overlooking the beach and ocean waves. Beautiful! And we also had a wonderful restful time outside of the yoga teaching.

I love teaching on vacation! Booking was simple and straightforward. It was the resort's first time having a Zumba instructor so it was a bit of a learning curve to make sure I had music daily. The speaker that I needed for music was kept in different places so at times it made it difficult to locate by a member of the entertainment staff. However Jean-Michele, Ivan and Marguarite were very helpful. It's a great way to combine 2 loves. Teaching and also having a relaxing vacation with loved ones I had no issues flying to my destination: booking the AmStar shuttle through Fitbodies was very convenient and they were waiting for me with signage posted so getting to the resort from the airport was great . The E-Team and I walked around and invited guests to join classes.

Yoga is on the beach and rooftop - really lovely! The staff are wonderful and very nice and friendly that made our trip so special! The classes were small, because I think the resort was generally quiet with less guests, but it worked for me as a first time FitnessPro traveler. Plus, all students/participants were very kind and provided me positive comments that was so wonderful.

90% of the hotel staff were lovely. Restaurant and bar staff were particularly diligent in accommodating my travel companion’s allergies. Overall, the experience was great. The resort is beautiful, the room quiet, staff efficient and the food superb! Many of the guests were conventionaires …..up late and not inclined to exercise.

You couldn't ask for a more picturesque setting! This resort is surrounded by mountains on three sides and looks out over a stunning beach to the sea. My husband and I enjoyed our time here last week. We relaxed by the pool and on the beach, we enjoyed our new favorite drinks (frozen mojitos), and met some amazing people from around the world. I enjoyed my week of teaching yoga at Secrets St. Martin. Being able to teach twice in the morning (8am and 9am), then have the rest of the day to ourselves is the perfect schedule for us. We could even fit in an excursion or two this trip. While this Secrets resort is not at the same standards of other Secrets resorts we've been too (service, food), the location is amazing...surrounded by mountains on three sides with the stunning beach and turquoise water on the fourth. I was allowed to choose where I wanted to teach each day, so we mixed it up. Everyone was friendly, all were in great moods, and the people were so fun! Thank you Fit Bodies for another great week!