Little Bay Road, Philipsburg, St Martin / St Maarten | (618) 248-8274
Located on a peninsula within walking distance of Phillipsburg
Some stylish, modern rooms, most with ocean views
Large and scenic beachfront
Three pools, all with ocean views and one with an infinity edge
Four on-site restaurants, plus an optional all-inclusive package
Free kids' club for kids four to 12 with activities such as treasure hunts
Spa and fitness center
Jewelry store, deli, market,
and gift shop
Water sports provider offering snorkeling, windsurfing, scuba diving, and more
Nightly entertainment
Picturesque picnic area with grill
Free Wi-Fi
Spotty Wi-Fi
Food can be hit or miss
20-minute uphill walk to Philipsburg
Resort is spread out and mildly hilly
**Divi Little Bay Beach Resort was impacted by **Hurricane Irma in September 2017 and is temporarily closed for repairs. The resort hopes to reopen by March 2018. We will update our review as soon as we have more information. This upper-middle-range time-share resort is conveniently located on a semi-private peninsula just outside of Philipsburg. The resort is huge, with 235 rooms, three pools, four restaurants, shops and markets, and a long beach, among other amenities. Rooms are among the most stylish and modern available in this price range, and almost all have ocean views, although the decor is chain-like. Prices are typically a bit higher than at competing properties, such as the Simpson Bay Resort & Marina -- though Simpson Bay lacks Divi's rare optional all-inclusive package.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
A huge, sprawling resort with time-share guests and family-friendly features
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 BayResort 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.
Location
On a scenic peninsula within a 20-minite (uphill) walk to Philipsburg
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
Rooms
Stylish modern rooms, including some suites with full kitchens and jetted tubs, and most with ocean views
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.
Features
A long beach, plenty of water sports, and a free kids' club
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.
Pools
Three pools, all with ocean views and one with an infinity edge
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 outdoorcouches. The loungers are spread out and the pool doesn’t feel tight or
crowded.
All-Inclusive / Food
Four eateries, from a grab-and-go cafe to a beachside grill to the more upscale Toucan's Cafe
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.
Spa
Spa with indoor or open-air treatment rooms with ocean views
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.
All-Inclusive / Food
An optional package that covers all meals and unlimited beverages
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.
