How to spend a day at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort in St. Maarten without staying overnight
Visitors to the island of St. Maarten don’t have to book an overnight stay to enjoy the pools, waterslides and new rooftop attractions at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort.
The all-inclusive resort offers day passes that provide access to its recreational facilities, food and beverages, including Pelican’s Nest Sky Deck, a 59,000-square-foot rooftop adventure area that opened in June 2026.
A full day of activities, or lounging by an impressive pool with a kids’ area and swim-up bar, can be booked for the day. Maho Beach Resort is located on St. Martin’s famous Maho Beach where airplanes descend overhead as they come in for a landing at the island’s international airport.
During an October 2026 hosted media visit, Attractions Magazine explored the resort’s recreational areas, including its pools, children’s water-play facilities and rooftop miniature golf course.
All photos by Dani Meyering
How much is a Sonesta Maho Beach Resort day pass?
According to Sonesta’s official website, day passes are available at the following starting prices:
- Adults: $159 per person
- Children ages 6–12: $69 per child
- Children younger than 5: Free
Day passes are offered Sunday through Wednesday, subject to availability and resort occupancy. Visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The pass includes breakfast, lunch, food and beverages, including adult drinks, at available resort restaurants and bars, and access to Sonesta Maho Beach Resort’s facilities, including Pelican’s Nest.
Each visitor also receives one beach towel. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This is also a great option if you have friends or family staying at the resort and you wish to spend the day with them.
All photos by Dani Meyering
Reservations must be requested by emailing [email protected] and confirmed by the resort. The passes are valid for Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, not the neighboring adults-only Sonesta Ocean Point Resort.
WATCH: Our video below will help you get your bearings of the main pool with swim up bar and the kids’ pool area.
Pools and waterslides at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort
One of the main attractions for day-pass visitors is the resort’s Oasis Pool, which features a swim-up bar, waterslides and a separate children’s aqua play area.
As I walked around the outdoor pool complex, I noticed the abundant tropical landscaping. A sufficient amount of lounge chairs and umbrellas provided space for relaxing and enjoying the resort’s all-inclusive beverages.
Families with younger children will also find a colorful water-play area featuring smaller slides and an octopus-themed play structure.
During my visit, the main pool area was relatively comfortable in the morning. Crowds began building around 11 or 11:30 a.m., and by approximately 4 or 5 p.m., the swim-up bar area was particularly busy.
Pelican’s Nest adds rooftop mini golf, climbing and slides
The newest major recreation addition at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort is Pelican’s Nest Sky Deck, which soft-opened June 8, 2026.
Located on the resort’s fourth floor, the 59,000-square-foot outdoor attraction includes miniature golf, a rock climbing structure with a slide, stand-alone water slides, fitness areas and open-air recreation spaces.
I explored the area during the day and at night; each afforded a different energy. Daytime is very sunny without any shade, while the lighting at night gave some spotty coverage.
The elevated setting is part of its appeal. Visitors can see the surrounding mountains, Maho Village and the area around Princess Juliana International Airport from the rooftop.
Birdie Bay Mini Golf
Birdie Bay Mini Golf is an 18-hole course spread across the rooftop. The course features winding artificial-turf fairways, elevation changes, landscaped obstacles and decorative features resembling sand and water.
It offers families a recreational activity away from the pool, with the added attraction of island views throughout the course.
Although I had an opportunity to play mini golf during my visit, I did not play a round. However, I explored and photographed the course, including its layout and rooftop setting.
Climbing and rooftop slides
Pelican’s Nest also features a rock-climbing wall and the Spider Tube Slide, a tall blue enclosed slide connected to the climbing structure.
Another colorful play structure includes multiple slides intended for younger visitors.
Not every attraction advertised for Pelican’s Nest has opened. Sonesta lists an interactive sports simulator and Birdie Bay Bar as coming soon, with additional attractions, including a zip line and FlowRider surf simulator, planned for 2027.
The rooftop also contains fitness stations, a running track, shaded seating areas and open spaces for games and activities.
Add a visit to Maho Beach for airplane spotting
Another advantage of Sonesta Maho Beach Resort’s location is its proximity to Maho Beach, famous for aircraft approaching Princess Juliana International Airport.
I loved the unique atmosphere the plane spotting created. A spirit of travel and adventure permeates this part of the island.
Maho Beach is public and does not require a resort day pass. And the planes are easily seen from most parts of the Maho Beach Resort property.
I recommend consulting the airport’s official flight-status page if you’re interested in seeing some of the largest aircraft like the ones that come in once a day from Air France and KLM. Just know planes can arrive early or late, so be flexible.
What cruise passengers and day visitors should know
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort is located at 1 Rhine Road in Maho, on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. The resort’s 9 a.m.–5 p.m. visiting window for day pass holders should be factored in as well as accounting for transportation in both directions, traffic and their ship’s required return time before reserving.
This information can help determine if a visit is worth folding into your vacation.
Because day passes are limited and subject to resort occupancy, advance confirmation is essential.
The combination of swimming, children’s waterslides, included food and drinks, rooftop mini golf and climbing activities creates several ways to enjoy the island without booking an overnight stay. If you want the experience of an all-inclusive Caribbean resort, this is a great way to taste the indulgence of it, without committing a longer stay.
And if you’re considering a stay at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, you’ll have daily access to these amenities, and since the day passes are limited in quantity and schedule, you need not worry about your corner of paradise becoming crowded.
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