Divi Little Bay Beach Resort

The beaches are beautiful, with chairs and umbrellas readily available, and staff helped set them up. We had a very relaxing stay, and the staff were pleasant and helpful. Snorkeling close to shore didn't offer much marine life unless you went out to the underwater sculpture area. It's a good distance away, though still doable. The accommodations were nice, but they need better upkeep and updates. The grounds look pretty, but rock and mulch beds are washed away or decomposed in many places, and trash is visible in a lot of areas. That reflects poorly on guests, too, but it still needs to be cleaned up. Restaurant options are limited: there's a buffet, four small separate restaurants, and a takeout pizza shop that was closed for most of our stay. Many of the restaurants share menu items, while the Shack has a mostly Mexican-style menu with some variety. Having to sign a receipt for every meal, snack, and drink got old, even though we were all-inclusive. I understand the resort has both all-inclusive and other guests, but the all-inclusive guests wear bright wristbands. Making us sign each time feels pointless and takes time from both guests and staff.

The beach at Little Bay was beautiful, the water was great, and we enjoyed beach service from Gizmos. The wings and fries were delicious, especially with the spicy dip, which was also good on the chicken. Service was friendly, and we never felt ignored or crowded. We spent most of our time off the resort, but this was a lovely property and the staff were all helpful and friendly. Our studio was clean and the bed was comfortable. It had a view of the ship port in Philipsburg, where we watched several cruise ships come and go, plus a small ocean view. We were glad to have free parking for our rental car. The reason for the missing star was the ants. The kitchenette suggested we could eat in the room, but when we brought takeout back one night, ants covered the food on the counter in under 10 minutes. Following the trail, they seemed to be coming from beneath the cooktop. Thankfully it was our last night, so it didn't spoil the trip too much. I think we'd stay again anyway.

I'm writing this while still at the hotel. The rooms are nasty, and I have video proof the floors aren't being cleaned. My mother fell twice on them. The WiFi sucks, the service is subpar, and nothing works. It seems like all Divi hotels have the same problems. When I asked the manager with the pink lipstick what she could do, she asked me what I wanted her to do about it. I've called since Tuesday, but nobody answers. Some of the hotel phones don't work either, so you'd be out of luck if you were in danger. The reviews don't reflect this place; it should be rated a 2. I would never recommend this hotel chain. Save your money and go to Soneta or Flamingo.

Snorkeling in the bay and swimming out to the underwater statues was a highlight, and surprisingly easy to do. The beach was clean and calm, perfect for swimming and relaxing. We loved our large private balcony overlooking the ocean, especially for morning coffee and sunrise watching. Waking up to the turquoise water felt unreal. The resort sits in its own quiet-feeling bay, with panoramic ocean views all around. Our room was clean, spacious, and comfortable. The gym is small but works fine for a solid workout. We didn't eat at the restaurants onsite, though they looked good and always seemed busy. If you're heading to St. Maarten for beachfront scenery and snorkeling near your room, I'd recommend Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. We had an incredible stay and will be back.