Divi Little Bay Beach Resort

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort has the vibe and ambience of a large Caribbean resort, and the breadth of activities needed to draw a range of guests. Expect a mix of retired folks, groups of friends, and especially families -- the rare free kids' club for kids four to 12 is a major draw for parents seeking uninterrupted beach time. The Seabreeze pool and Gizmo’s Grill tend to be lively and popular during the day, while the Casita pool and the Infinity pool are quiet and relaxing. 

The resort consists of three-story buildings by the ocean that house the hotel rooms, townhouse-like structures along the bay that house suites, and more units by the Casita pool that have the time-share rooms. The buildings are sand colored with red roofs and white balconies. The grounds have winding walkways, palm trees, and some special touches such as a giant chessboard, hammocks, and even two parrots. The resort is spread out and mildly hilly, so come prepared to walk.

The lobby is large and open-air, and is lit up with funky purple lighting at night. There are two seating areas with couches and chairs and a long line of reception desks in the back. The activities desk is not located in the lobby, rather, there is an activities room along the strip of shops and the market. Divi is a time-share property but this aspect is not pushed.

Although the property has modern rooms and tons of amenities, the nightly rate is higher than at comparable resorts such as Simpson Bay Resort and Oyster Bay Beach Resort. However, both of those properties lack Divi's optional all-inclusive package (a big plus for many on an island where all-inclusive offerings aren't common). It may also be worth comparing rates with the often cheaper Mercure St. Martin and Marina, which also offers an optional all-inclusive package, for those who don't mind its slightly less central location.

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort is located on the south (Dutch) side of the island, down a narrow lane that is a hairpin turn off of the main road. The property offers views on both sides of Little Bay and Great Bay. Downtown Philipsburg is walkable although it is a long walk -- 20 minutes up a steep hill.

As at most properties in the area, there is a security booth at the entrance to the resort and guests are given a parking pass at check-in, which must be displayed in all rental cars.

Fort Amsterdam, a historic site, is located on the property up the hill from the resort. Although it only consists of some ruins and a few old cannons, it makes for convenient and scenic early-morning or late evening exercise.

• 20-minute walk or seven-minute drive to Philipsburg
• 15-minute drive to Princess Juliana International Airport
• 15-minute drive to Dawn Beach
• 17-minute drive to Marigot
• 17-minute drive to Fort Louis
• 20-minute drive to the Butterfly Farm
• 21-minute drive to Orient Bay beach
• 21-minute drive to Grand Case
• 22-minute drive to Loterie Farm, a nature retreat with tours and zip lining

The resort’s hotel rooms are housed in large three-story buildings that face the ocean. Decor in these is quite stylish: expect clean tile floors, modern white bedding with bright blue bed runners, leather headboards, and dark wood furniture. Most rooms have a bathroom and closet off of a small hallway, two double beds or a king bed, and a balcony past the bedroom. Amenities include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi access, but the Wi-Fi can be spotty. Mini-fridges are only available for an additional fee. The bathrooms have contemporary neutral tile, dark wood vanities with white porcelain sinks, glass shelving, and a glass shower (some have shower/tub combos).

The suites (typically part of the time-share section) have distinctive upgrades from the other rooms, which may include kitchenettes or full kitchens (with pots, pans, plates, cups, and cooking and eating utensils), separate showers and jetted tubs, oceanfront balconies, and seating areas with modern furnishings. Some units also have a washer and dryer. These units often have a more muted color scheme with browns and creams. Note that the Casita One-Bedroom Suite have garden and pool, rather than ocean, views. 

Some guests report basic maintenance issues in the rooms like clogged drains and sliding glass doors that don’t close. These issues are usually resolved quickly.

The resort is directly located on a long and scenic beach, which has loungers and umbrellas lined up but doesn't feel congested. The water is turquoise blue and generally calm, depending on the weather and time of year, and the sand is white. There are also a volleyball net and cornhole available.

The resort has a strip of shops and amenities near the lobby, which include a jewelry store, a market that sells basic groceries, wine, and liquor, a deli, a gift shop, the fitness center, activities desk, and kids' club. Aqua Mania, the resort’s on-site water sports provider, offers windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, jet skis, fishing, boogie boards, and kayaks (for a fee).

The resort has two meeting rooms, which can accommodate up to 56 and 100 people, respectively. Meetings can also be held in one of the resort’s restaurants or pool decks. There is an outdoor event space outside of Toucan’s Restaurant that can accommodate meetings or weddings.

The resort has a free kids' club open during the day for kids four to 12. It has different activities each week including treasure hunts, sandcastle contests, and movie nights. Family-friendly packages, such as rates that allow kids under 12 to stay and eat for free, are often offered.

The resort offers free Wi-Fi but guests report that the connection is inconsistent.

The resort has three pools. Seabreeze pool, located in the center of the resort, overlooks the beach and the ocean. The pool has two levels and comfy, elegant cushioned loungers are lined up on the ocean side of the pool. On the other side of the pool is Seabreeze restaurant and a popular bar. 

The Infinity pool is at the top of the property on the left side. The space is small but gorgeous, as the pool appears to drop off directly into the ocean below. Two areas on either side of the pool hold a handful of cushioned loungers and there is a walkway bridge over the pool. 

The Casita pool, located on the right side of the resort, is the largest of the bunch. With an attractive circular design, the pool has loungers, cabanas, dining tables and chairs, and even a few two-seater outdoor couches. The loungers are spread out and the pool doesn’t feel tight or crowded.

The resort has four on-site eateries with different price points and ambience. Seabreeze Restaurant is located by the Seabreeze pool and is open for lunch and afternoon snacks each day. There is also a large bar area that services the pool. The restaurant is casual and serves salads, sandwiches, and bar appetizers, and has a children’s menu. Toucan’s Café is the most upscale of all the eateries and serves breakfast and dinner. There is a large dining room with a long buffet area, as well as outdoor seating. Toucan’s serves a variety of international cuisine and has weekly theme nights. 

Gizmo’s Grill is located by the beach on the right side of the resort, and features a large bar and outdoor seating. It is both popular and lively, and serves grill fare including hamburgers, pizza, and salads. There is often live entertainment at night.

Bayview Café is located in the strip of stores near the lobby. The café has grab-and-go and has sandwiches, salads, coffee, pastries, and dessert.

Indulgence by the Sea Spa, located on the front strip by the lobby next to the shops and fitness center, offers body treatments, facials, nail services, and massages. The spa is modern and attractively decorated.

The resort offers an all-inclusive package that includes meals and snacks at the three restaurants and unlimited beverages at three bars. However, note that one of the restaurants is closed one day per week, and the Seabreeze Restaurant is not open for dinner. Still, all-inclusive packages aren't overly common on the island, making this a major draw for some. 

The resort hosts weddings on-site with different options for both the ceremony and reception. Wedding packages can include a wedding coordinator, minister, flowers, cake, and photography.