An Island for Unhurried Travelers
Interview with Eduardo Camacho (Balls & Wine)
Connecting Cuisine and Charm
In the Visit St. Maarten / St. Martin series of portraits of tourism figures both well-known and under the radar, today’s spotlight is on Eduardo Camacho. Originally from Venezuela, Camacho is recognized as the driving force behind Balls & Wine, a wine bar and tapas restaurant located in the heart of the famous restaurant strip in Simpson Bay, recently relocated from the Paradise Mall.
How does he describe his landmark establishment? “ Balls & Wine is about unhurried enjoyment: modern tapas and character wines, plus experiences that connect table and glass.” Eduardo can be seen as the host and connector of dots in this locally beloved, charming restaurant. Camacho: “I coordinate customer service operations. I’m driven to create measurable value every day through streamlined operations and hospitality that keeps guests coming back. Behind the bar, I practice flair bartending and enjoy conversation. ‘On brand’ with Balls & Wine’s culinary choices, I work in Spanish and conversational English.”
For him, resourceful hospitality is not only essential to the curated guest experience in his restaurant, but also a driving force behind the island’s broader success. “After busy seasons or rough weather, the community rallies and resets quickly, keeping service thoughtful.”
Beyond the Host
But Camacho’s involvement goes well beyond management and hosting. “I curated the Balls & Wine menu dish by dish. I personally selected every item.” The same level of attention applies to an upcoming addition: “We are introducing The Cellar by Balls & Wine — an intimate tasting format with limited seats and curated pairings.”
The multitasking, he notes, is more than work — it is passion. “I love it when the team flows and the room breathes. If tension kicks in, my adrenaline rises: I switch to solution mode, rearrange the pieces, and we push through. That ‘we did it’ at the end makes my night.”
Knowing what it takes, he holds special admiration for entrepreneurs on the island. “I admire their grit and steady leadership, and I bring that to my team and brand every day.”
Special Spots Beyond Simpson Bay
What does he recommend to visitors from his own island experience? “Besides Balls & Wine, I really like the French side — actually, the whole island. When I want to feel like I’m away from it all, Pinel Island is my choice. The sense of calm there is unmatched.” His restaurant picks beyond his own include: “One By K, Bacchus, Aloha Beach Bar, Rainbow, L’Carré Vert, Pollos Hermanos, and Jai’s.” For relaxing, he additionally recommends DelMar and Art + Design SXM.
When it comes to activities, he suggests going to sea: “Book a sunset sail from Simpson Bay with one swim stop and views of both sides of the island — the golden-hour light is beautiful.”
He adds: “Fort Amsterdam at Little Bay Beach is another must-see. Walk the ridge to the old cannons and you get a quick primer on the island’s colonial past with wide views over Great Bay and Little Bay.” He also enjoys its French counterpart: “Fort Louis in Marigot. A short walk up with views of Marigot, the lagoon, and Anguilla. It’s where I like to take in the view.”
In conclusion, he notes: “St. Maarten rewards unhurried travelers. Take early ferries or visit weekday markets and you’ll see everyday island life, not just the postcards.”
Time Off
What does a 24/7 manager do in private time on this dual-nation island?
He still keeps busy with food. “Outside Balls & Wine I fire up the grill for friends. Music keeps me company while I research and shape ideas. I help stray dogs when I can too. The street dog rescue volunteers and the island’s young hospitality trainees deserve more attention — they save animals and are already raising the bar for how visitors experience St. Maarten.”
He is fond of events on the French side as well: “Saint-Martin Gastronomy Festival, SXM Festival, and Les Mardis de Grand Case (Harmony Nights) are great — but the best event ever will forever remain Opening Night at Balls & Wine. The room was full, the team flowed, and at the end we said, ‘We did it.’”
But staying home can be just as rewarding:
“My home and a few friends’ homes are my favorite hideouts, and also Grand Case. Hotel-wise, I rotate between Oyster Bay Beach Resort, The Beach Condo, and Grand Case Beach Club. Any quiet bay on the island works, depending on the mood.”
Once again, “unhurried” relaxation emerges as the defining quality of the island. “I love the borderless spirit paired with the calm by the water. You can switch language and cuisine in minutes, then take an early ferry to a quiet bay and still feel the same community warmth.”
