In the nineteen eighties, it was common to see the average tourist, genuinely interacting with islanders. Then came all-inclusives (and the fear and coercion inspired by ubiquitous news networks), and we all stampeded to sterile resorts. Today, if you want to plan your own vacation, wake up on your own time, manage your diet, catch a bus to Marigot, for the St. Bart's ferry, or to Maho for a beautiful walk on the beach, if you want to sample the best St. Maarten barbecue, Joshua Rose Guest House is the place for you. If you want to stay around people who look, think, and consume exactly what you do, if you want to be waited on hand and foot, only to return home without having seen the authentic St. Maarten, by public transit--then you're missing the Joshua Rose experience. I highly recommend this guest house. My children experienced the 'working man's vacation,' and the 'Back Street posse,' was extremely helpful, very friendly. As one resident insisted, "You're in St. Maarten! Never a problem." Nadia at the Joshua Rose front desk is very friendly. Please extend thanks.

In the nineteen eighties, it was common to see the average tourist, genuinely interacting with islanders. Then came all-inclusives (and the fear and coercion inspired by ubiquitous news networks), and we all stampeded to sterile resorts. Today, if you want to plan your own vacation, wake up on your own time, manage your diet, catch a bus to Marigot, for the St. Barts ferry, or to Maho for a beautiful walk on the beach, if you want to sample the best St. Maarten barbecue, Joshua Rose Guest House is the place for you. If you want to stay around people who look, think, and consume exactly what you do, if you want to be waited on hand and foot, only to return home without having seen the authentic St. Maarten, by public transit--then youre missing the Joshua Rose experience. I highly recommend this guest house. My children experienced the working mans vacation, and the Back Street posse, was extremely helpful, very friendly. As one resident insisted, Youre in St. Maarten! Never a problem.Nadia at the Joshua Rose front desk is very friendly. Please extend thanks.

In the nineteen eighties, it was common to see the average tourist, genuinely interacting with islanders. Then came all-inclusives (and the fear and coercion inspired by ubiquitous news networks), and we all stampeded to sterile resorts. Today, if you want to plan your own vacation, wake up on your own time, manage your diet, catch a bus to Marigot, for the St. Barts ferry, or to Maho for a beautiful walk on the beach, if you want to sample the best St. Maarten barbecue, Joshua Rose Guest House is the place for you. If you want to stay around people who look, think, and consume exactly what you do, if you want to be waited on hand and foot, only to return home without having seen the authentic St. Maarten, by public transit--then youre missing the Joshua Rose experience. I highly recommend this guest house. My children experienced the working mans vacation, and the Back Street posse, was extremely helpful, very friendly. As one resident insisted, Youre in St. Maarten! Never a problem.Nadia at the Joshua Rose front desk is very friendly. Please extend thanks.

The staff were wonderful and try to make me comfortable. It is a very convenient place to get two shops and even more important to take local transportation to and from the airport and just about anywhere. Nadia was wonderful. She loves to hear about you as a guest and truly makes you feel comfortable. I recommend it to everyone who wants a very convenient and economical place to rest

After getting a key from the store owner we were told to go to the top floor. We found our room. It was not cleaned. The sheets were dirty and paper thin. It looked as though the beds were made after the last guests stayed there. Nothing done in the bathroom - filthy.

While economical, this Guest House was not the 3-star as had been listed, more like a 1-star. Room was clean (with the exception of the walls which need painting/touchup) but plumbing was marginal (toilet barely flushed - and shower drain was not great either). I stayed on the 3rd floor and the white drapes left little privacy (semi-transparent). Location was convenient in that it was only a few blocks from the beach, however at night the area was sketchy and not the safest.

The owners are very nice but the place is promoted as a class of hotel that it isn't. It had aircon and wifi included and that was good, but the rooms weren't attended to day to day and the manager was inaccessible for much of the five days I was there. As others had reported the manager claimed the credit card machine wasn't working and wouldn't be fixed until after I left. That was stressful since I had not planned on it and the price should have been half what it was. I'd bet the price for Hotels.com users is artificially high to compete with the tourist hotels, but this was clearly a "local" hotel.

The owners are very nice but the place is promoted as a class of hotel that it isnt. It had aircon and wifi included and that was good, but the rooms werent attended to day to day and the manager was inaccessible for much of the five days I was there. As others had reported the manager claimed the credit card machine wasnt working and wouldnt be fixed until after I left. That was stressful since I had not planned on it and the price should have been half what it was. Id bet the price for Hotels.com users is artificially high to compete with the tourist hotels, but this was clearly a local hotel.

Nice hotel. Sheets were not the best but customer service was excellent. The hotel owner helped out a great deal with finding a ferry service on a particularly difficult situation. Location is very close to Dock Maarten. There's a beach close by. Designer shops close by.

Nice hotel. Sheets were not the best but customer service was excellent. The hotel owner helped out a great deal with finding a ferry service on a particularly difficult situation. Location is very close to Dock Maarten. Theres a beach close by. Designer shops close by.

I made a reservation, I arrived at the "hotel" at 9:45pm. No one was at the hotel to check me in. I had to find another hotel.

I made a reservation, I arrived at the hotel at 9:45pm. No one was at the hotel to check me in. I had to find another hotel.

Arrived quite late but the owner had hung around to see me checked in. The guest house is in a great location near everything in Philipsburg and the room was comfortable and the aircon worked well. It is not a five star hotel so don't expect a minibar and streaming movies but it was fine for a couple of nights and on the night I stayed the cheapest room in town. The owner was very friendly and helpful and though being very central there was no traffic noise or other disturbance to spoil a couple of good nights sleep.

Arrived quite late but the owner had hung around to see me checked in.The guest house is in a great location near everything in Philipsburg and the room was comfortable and the aircon worked well.It is not a five star hotel so don't expect a minibar and streaming movies but it was fine for a couple of nights and on the night I stayed the cheapest room in town.The owner was very friendly and helpful and though being very central there was no traffic noise or other disturbance to spoil a couple of good nights sleep.

I was traveling on a budget while working on Front Street in Philipsburg, and this was the cheapest room available. For the price, the location was great - just a 1 minute from Front Street shops and 2 minutes to the boardwalk/beach. Although the alley to get from Front St to Back St next to the hotel is a little sketchy at night. The "guest house" is just 3 floors of rooms above a grocery store. You check in with the grocery store cashier. I may have been the first person to stay there, as they didn't seem to have a handle on things - my room lacked towels and soap and the internet password didn't work, but they were very friendly and took care of everything right away. TV had only two or three working channels, but A/C and shower worked great. Not the cleanest of accommodations but no bugs or major red flags.

I was traveling on a budget while working on Front Street in Philipsburg, and this was the cheapest room available. For the price, the location was great - just a 1 minute from Front Street shops and 2 minutes to the boardwalk/beach. Although the alley to get from Front St to Back St next to the hotel is a little sketchy at night.The guest house is just 3 floors of rooms above a grocery store. You check in with the grocery store cashier. I may have been the first person to stay there, as they didnt seem to have a handle on things - my room lacked towels and soap and the internet password didnt work, but they were very friendly and took care of everything right away.TV had only two or three working channels, but A/C and shower worked great. Not the cleanest of accommodations but no bugs or major red flags.

I have stayed 6 nights and have nothing to complain. My regards and compliments to Therese.

The Joshua Rose Guest House is not a palace, but wants to be a palace, The staff acts like they are servicing a palace. Nadia, the manager, and her staff are are also a credit to the great friendly wonderful people of St. Maarten. Friendly? It is easy to become a welcome part of the family that runs the guest house. Guidance was also available for all the wonderful things about the island. You can rent a car, but bus (jitney) service is right outside the door to everywhere on the island. I will try to go back there and do recommend the guest house to all my friends. smk/bill

The Joshua Rose Guest House is not a palace, but wants to be a palace, The staff acts like they are servicing a palace. Nadia, the manager, and her staff are are also a credit to the great friendly wonderful people of St. Maarten. Friendly? It is easy to become a welcome part of the family that runs the guest house.Guidance was also available for all the wonderful things about the island.You can rent a car, but bus (jitney) service is right outside the door to everywhere on the island.I will try to go back there and do recommend the guest house to all my friends.smk/bill

this not a good hotel to stay at.I would not go back ,no elavator,took my deposit and balance out my checking account right away,poor air conditions,very bad windows,no parking,the only good thing about this hotel was the location,for what we looking to do

Thank-you to Joshua Rose at Backstreet 7, Phillipsburg for the stay! Great location a block from the beach. Clean, cool with Air Conditioning, comfortable and safe. Highly recommended for the budget traveller, this Guest House was a family run business that was just what I was looking for. Friendly staff, clean sheets and fresh towels daily, in-room safe, security door for late night arrivals and close to the Diamond Casino. Fridge to keep the Guavaberry Rum and Beer cold. And it is right on top of the Joshua Rose convenience store to buy whatever you need. At Joshua Rose, you can be like family if you like that level of personal attention or you can keep to yourself and have all the privacy you desire. I give it Four Starfish for best budget travel finds and very much enjoyed my stay. Enjoy the rates while you can, I`m sure this place will take off soon.