Club Orient is located on Orient Beach on the northeast area of the island of Saint Martin in the French Caribbean.
Club Orient first opened to guests in the 1980s. The land was purchased and developed as a family-friendly naturist resort by Reint Brink who, along with his family, managed the resort until 2004 when his remaining ownership in the resort was bought by the other co-owners.
In addition to a reception area, restaurant, store, beach bar, and offices, the accommodations were independent single and duplex buildings (chalets and studios) that included full kitchens, a full bathroom, and bedroom. Each unit felt like a small home with patio areas at the front and back.
The meandering paths between the units created a sense of community. You could arrive at the resort, remove your clothes, and never have to put clothes on again until you left the resort.
Who Owns Club Orient?
Club Orient is a French copropriété, or co-ownership, called “Copropriété de la Baie Orientale“. A copropriété is like a condominium or homeowners association in the USA or Canada. At Club Orient, it is commonly abbreviated to “Copro”.
Individuals own one or more accommodation units (chalets and suites), each with a small footprint of land the unit occupies. Each owner’s share in Copro is based on the type and number of units they own. The non-accommodation units and land are owned by Copro rather than by any individual.
French laws govern the operation of Copro, and its own by-laws (regulations in France) describe the division of the resort (number and type of units), guide the general operating of the resort, and specify rights and obligations of members of Copro. French law requires that Copro appoint a Syndic (syndic de copropriété) to manage the property and conduct business for the membership. The members of Copro elect a Board of Directors from among themselves. The Copro Board provides direction to the Syndic on behalf of all members, based on resolutions passed at a General Assembly (GA).
Prior to Hurricane Irma, Orient Beach Club (OBC) ran the hotel operations at Club Orient. OBC contracted with Copro to provide some of the services required by Copro for common areas such as grounds maintenance and security. Individual owners contracted with OBC to allow their units to be used as accommodations by the hotel for a portion of the rent and to have OBC provide electricity, fresh water, and waste-water treatment for their units.
Can anyone stay at Club Orient or do you have to own a unit?
When Club Orient is rebuilt, it is expected to once again welcome guests as well as owners.
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