Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa

Open for more than 50 years, Great Bay is among the oldest and largest properties on the island. The hotel underwent renovations in 2014, but it appears as though a number of areas were overlooked. The hotel grounds are simple and compact, with the facilities and rooms branching off the round lobby. There are no major eyesores -- everything is tidy and appealing -- but this hotel is far from stylish. The fitness center was enlarged but its no-frills decor is unchanged. New circular benches and chairs in the lobby match its round layout, but the space could still use more oomph. The guest room colors are more distinctive, but the drab pre-renovation furniture remains.The picture-perfect views of Great Bay are the showpiece here and the property's long stretch of beach is another unexpected gem. With virtually no vendors or other tourists, guests really only need to compete with one another for a spot on the sand. Great Bay is an adults-only property, and mosts guests are over 40, which keeps the party vibe at bay. While the atmosphere isn’t overly hectic, it’s lively enough to keep things interesting.All-inclusive options on St. Martin are limited, making this resort a solid option for travelers interested in package deals. For a higher rate, Sonesta Ocean Point is also adults-only and all-inclusive, but the rooms and facilities are significantly chicer. 

Great Bay is set on a peaceful stretch of Little Bay Road, close enough to the Dutch capital of Philipsburg to be convenient, yet far enough away from the crowds to feel pleasantly secluded. Philipsburg is packed with duty-free shops, restaurants, and bars, most of which are concentrated along Front Street, about a 12-minute walk away. There’s also a buzzing boardwalk that runs along the white sands of Great Bay Beach. Most cruise ships dock in nearby Great Bay Harbor, and Philipsburg has a bustling, commercial ambiance as a result. The hotel is less than a 20-minute drive from Princess Juliana International Airport, and Fort Amsterdam is a 10-minute walk away. The French capital of Marigot can be reached in 20 minutes by car. 

Guest rooms at Great Bay feature a bright color scheme of golden yellow and lime green. All rooms include balconies or terraces furnished with clunky wooden tables and chairs. The views of the ocean are beautiful, but Island View Rooms mainly overlook the hotel parking lot (though picturesque rolling hills are visible in the background.) Rooms are clean and modern, but the medium-brown wood furniture looks dated. Wall-mounted flat-screen TVs are positioned over long dressers topped with basic coffeemakers. Dressers also hold minibars filled with soft drinks, and some room categories have liquor and beer. Some room categories also include separate living areas, kitchens, and multiple bedrooms.Bathrooms have old-fashioned fixtures, magnifying mirrors, and roomy countertops. Glass walk-in showers are stocked with pump bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and Gilchrist & Soames brand body wash. Suites in the Miramar Building have bathrooms featuring sleek above-counter sinks and rainfall showerheads.

Great Bay Beach doesn't have outstanding features, but it checks all the boxes for the typical mid-range resort. The main pool is set in a modest courtyard facing Great Bay with lounge chairs and beach umbrellas. The deck drops down to a second level, which features an infinity pool with a swim-up bar. This lower deck also includes a round hot tub and a few cushy day beds. A third, clover-shaped pool is found by the apartment section of the resort. All three pools are on the smaller side, with most guests clustering around the infinity pool.The resort's “limitless all-inclusive” package includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks each day in any of the property's restaurants, along with beer, wine, and spirits. The main buffet restaurant, Bay View Restaurant, features a breezy open-air layout and an eye-catching bar area decorated with blue glass. Set on a lovely terrace, casual Pizzeria Capri offers more wonderful ocean vistas. The same space transforms into Water’s Edge Restaurant in the evening, which features a more upscale Mediterranean and Italian a la carte menu. Il Pescatore Seafood Restaurant is located off the lobby, and offers a smaller dining area with a more intimate feel. Although this restaurant is set indoors the ocean views have not been neglected, and there are floor-to-ceiling windows along one wall. Note that the food is reportedly average across the board.The hotel backs onto a remarkably pristine stretch of beachfront. Separated from the main part of Great Bay Beach by sand dunes, this beach isn’t technically private (none are in St. Maarten), but is generally free of tourists. It still gets busy with other hotel guests, of course, but it’s far less crowded than many of the island’s other beaches. The resort's Serenity Spa is tiny but adequate, offering massages, body scrubs, and other treatments. Treatments can also be arranged outside in a beach gazebo. The neighboring fitness center is similarly run-of-the-mill, with a decent variety of cardio machines and weights. Golden Casino is located in the hotel lobby and has electronic games such as slot machines and roulette, but no table games, and it feels small.The hotel offers plenty of regular activities and events, including aerobics, board games, dance classes, nightly theme parties, and live music performances. There's also lots of meeting and event space for rent and free hotel-wide Wi-Fi.  Free parking is available in a lot directly across the road from the hotel.