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Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa

Beachfront property in Philipsburg with spa and casino

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On the beach, white sand, beach cabanas, beach umbrellas
Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, down comforters, pillowtop beds
3 outdoor pools, cabanas (surcharge), pool umbrellas
Grande Island View | View from room
View from property
Overlooking the ocean, Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa offers a serene retreat. Unwind with a beach massage or indulge in spa treatments like facials and manicures/pedicures at Serenity Spa. With 4 on-site restaurants, enjoy breakfast to seafood options and take advantage of fitness classes at the 24-hour gym.

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Connecting rooms available
  • Casino
  • Pool
  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Gym

Main amenities (12)

  • Daily housekeeping
  • On the beach
  • Casino
  • 4 restaurants and 4 bars/lounges
  • Full-service spa
  • 3 outdoor pools
  • 24-hour fitness center
  • Outdoor tennis court
  • Beach umbrellas
  • Beach cabanas
  • Beach towels
  • Hot tub

Feel at home (6)

  • Connecting/adjoining rooms available
  • Private bathroom
  • Premium TV channels
  • Terrace
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Coffee/tea maker

Room options

Similar properties

Exterior

Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa

  • Pool
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Parking available
8.0 out of 10, Very Good, 2,217 reviews
The price is ￥31,208
￥37,761 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 11 - Jun 12
Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa
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About the neighborhood

Map
Little Bay Rd 19, Philipsburg

What's nearby

  • Great Bay Beach - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Little Bay Beach - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Philipsburg Boardwalk - 1 min drive - 0.7 km
  • Sint Maarten Park - 3 min drive - 1.6 km
  • Maho Beach - 11 min drive - 10.8 km

Getting around

  • Grand Case (SFG-L'Esperance) - 26 min drive
  • Princess Juliana Intl. Airport (SXM) - 30 min drive
  • The Valley (AXA-Clayton J. Lloyd Intl.) - 12.6 miles/20.3 km
  • Gustavia (SBH-Gustaf III) - 16.2 miles/26.1 km
  • Saba (SAB-Juancho E. Yrausquin) - 28.4 miles/45.7 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Sharky's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Buddha Bar Beach - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Hard Rock Cafe St. Maarten - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪The Greenhouse Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Blue Bitch Bar - ‬19 min walk

About this property

Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa

At Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa, you can spend time at the beach enjoying cabanas, beach umbrellas, and beach massages, plus you'll be within a 15-minute drive of Orient Bay Beach. 3 outdoor pools provide fun for everyone, while guests in the mood for pampering can visit the spa to indulge in deep-tissue massages, body wraps, and facials. Bay View, one of 4 restaurants, offers ocean views and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Other highlights at this all-inclusive property include 4 bars/lounges, a casino, and a poolside bar.

All inclusive

This property is all-inclusive. Onsite food and beverages are included in the room price (some restrictions may apply).

Gratuities and taxes

Gratuities are included and additional gratuities at guests' discretion are accepted.

Food and beverages

All à la carte meals, snacks, and beverages included
In-room minibar (all beverages included)
Meals and beverages at companion properties

Activities and facilities/equipment

All onsite activities and use of facilities and equipment are included.

Water activities

Snorkeling

Land activities

Fitness facilities
Volleyball

Lessons/classes/games

Dancing
Yoga

Entertainment

Onsite entertainment and activities
Onsite live performances
Theme parties

Languages

Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

At a glance

DONE

Hotel size

    • 257 rooms
    • Arranged over 7 floors
DONE

Arriving/Leaving

    • Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: noon
    • Minimum check-in age: 18
    • Check-out time is 11 AM
DONE

Special check-in instructions

    • Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
DONE

Required at check-in

    • Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
    • Government-issued photo ID may be required
    • Minimum guest age is 18
    • Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE

Children

    • No cribs (infant beds)
DONE

Pets

    • Pets not allowed
    • Service animals welcome
WIFI

Internet

    • Free WiFi in public areas
    • Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING

Parking

    • Free onsite self parking
    • Wheelchair-accessible parking on site
DONE

Other information

    • Caters to adults only

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast
  • 4 restaurants
  • 4 bars/lounges
  • Poolside bar
  • Swim-up bar
  • Coffee/tea in a common area
  • Free daily reception
  • Room service (limited hours)
  • Snack bar/deli

What to do

  • On the beach
  • Fitness classes
  • Volleyball
  • Kayaking
  • Snorkeling
  • Shopping
  • Pool table
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Scooter/moped rentals nearby

Working away

  • Business center
  • Meeting rooms
  • Computer station
  • Conference center

Services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Concierge services
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Dry cleaning/laundry services
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Luggage storage
  • Wedding services
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Beach cabanas (surcharge)
  • Pool cabanas (surcharge)
  • Beach towels
  • Beach umbrellas
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas

Facilities

  • 2 buildings/towers
  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • Terrace
  • 24-hour fitness center
  • 3 outdoor pools
  • Casino
  • Full-service spa
  • Hot tub
  • Outdoor tennis court

Accessibility

  • Elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

Room amenities

Be entertained

  • IPod docking station
  • Flat-screen television
  • Premium satellite channels

Home comfort

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Free stocked minibar
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Bathrobes
  • Iron/ironing board

Sleep well

  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Down comforter
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Turndown service
  • Premium bedding
  • Pillowtop mattress

What to enjoy

  • Furnished balcony

Freshen up

  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shower only
  • Designer toiletries
  • Hair dryer

Stay connected

  • Desk
  • Free WiFi
  • Phone

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water

More

  • Daily housekeeping
  • In-room safe (laptop compatible)
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms available

Special features

Spa

Guests can indulge in a pampering treatment at the property's full-service spa, Serenity Spa. Massages are available on the beach and in the spa; other services include deep-tissue massages, hot stone massages, and facials. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy. The spa is open daily.

Dining

Bay View - Overlooking the ocean, this buffet restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting).
Il Pescatore - This seafood restaurant overlooks the ocean and specializes in seafood. Open select days.
Water's Edge - This restaurant overlooks the ocean and specializes in Italian cuisine. Guests can enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting).
Pizzaria Capri - This restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine.

Fees & policies

Pool, spa, & gym (if applicable)

  • Reservations are required for massage services and can be made by contacting the property before arrival at the number on the booking confirmation

Policies

The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
This property accepts credit cards.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club

Also known as

Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort Casino All Inclusive Philipsburg
Sonesta Great Bay All Inclusive Beach Resort Casino Philipsburg
Sonesta Great Bay Beach Casino Philipsburg
Great Bay Beach Resort Casino Philipsburg
Great Bay Beach Resort Casino
Great Bay Beach Casino Philipsburg
Great Bay Beach Resort Casino Spa
Great Bay Beach Casino
Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa Philipsburg
Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa All-inclusive property

Frequently asked questions

Is there a pool at Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa?

Yes, there are 3 outdoor pools.

Are pets allowed at Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa?

Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.

Is parking offered on site at Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa?

Yes, there's free self parking.

What are the check-in and check-out times at Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa?

Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: noon. Check-out time is 11 AM.

Is there an onsite casino at Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa?

Yes, there's a casino.

What is there to do at Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa and nearby?

Have fun with onsite activities like kayaking and snorkeling, and practice your swing on the tennis courts. Additional recreation onsite includes fitness classes and volleyball. Indulge in a treatment at the spa, soothe your senses in the hot tub, or go for a swim in one of the 3 outdoor swimming pools. Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa also has 4 bars, a casino, and a 24-hour fitness center, as well as beach cabanas and spa services.

Are there restaurants at or near Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa?

Yes, there are 4 onsite restaurants, featuring alfresco dining, seafood, and ocean views.

Does Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa have any outdoor private spaces?

Yes, every room features a furnished balcony.

What's the area around Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa like?

Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa is located on the boardwalk/promenade, a short 9-minute walk from Philipsburg Boardwalk and 10 minutes' walk from Little Bay Beach.

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Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa Reviews

Reviews

7.4

Good

7.8/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10

Food was great! A majority of the staff was great! Tried the rooms with Bali beds out front and that was a waste of money. No view and filled with ants. Get a higher room with an ocean view. The beach was useless as it is steep and ground seashells for sand. That said, you cannot beat the view of Simpson Bay. Great island and will be back when they rebuild. I would just stay at a sister property near the airport next time.
6-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10

My husband and I loved this resort. We stayed there for our anniversary and even though we flew in the Saturday before Hurricane Irma devastated the island, the hotel and the islanders made sure we had an amazing time. The resort pools and beach are both so relaxing and feel private as there aren't resorts right next door. Tons of local shops, restaurants etc are in walking distance. Even though the resort was preparing for Irma, they still made sure the guests were entertained and had excellent dining options. We tried each of the restaurants and loved all three of them as well as LaLa's food truck for lunch. We were lucky enough to get an early return flight back to the US the day before Irma hit and we do look forward to visiting this resort once they have recovered and rebuilt
5-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10

While the beach was really nice, the grounds well-kept, walking distance to town, and the staff was extremely friendly, if you stay here, make sure to get the ocean view. The rooms on the island side are okay, but there is the traffic and random roosters to constantly hear, which is a little annoying. Otherwise, this resort was simple and enjoyable.
4-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

4/10

Hotel is very dated. Beds were not comfortable. Beach was cold, swimming pool was cold (May). Sand was more like pellets rather than real sand. All food is bland unless you go to the Lava Rock restaurant. The main buffet restaurant had roaches. Staff didn't save my reservation to the Lava Rock restaurant one night. Overpriced. Scene of beach is very beautiful. Similar to "Chilligan's Island"
6-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10

Only a handful of employees there really care and do their job really well. The rest are not happy at all.
5-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10

The beach is Amazing ! The staff is super friendly . Bar service extremely slow and there is no night life at this resort . The restaurants are good but they need to improve the Buffet at night because the food is the same everyday . The breakfast buffet is good and the pizza is pretty tasty too at Lala's for lunch . We loved how close this resort is next to town. We also visited the maho resort and this one is much better ! Would we stay here again YES!
5-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10

How do I Even start? The views? The island feel is abundant here. Arriving at the hotel you are greeted with open arms, staff was extremely welcoming, helpful and informative. The resorts views are breathtaking, the beach is literal steps away, several pools, jacuzzi, buffet, casino and restaurants. I'm not a party person so this resort was my exact speed, nice calm and quiet with nights with a band and people just interacting. If you're into the night life this may be too reserved but it was tranquility at its finest coming from a fast paced environment. I will most def return!
3-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10

Truly amazing staf, Truly amazing place. I'm definitely going back.
4-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10

Staff were very nice and informative. Entertainment was great, food was great, although Il Pescatore was disappointing.
5-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

2/10

Staff is unprofessional! Food is very mediocre. One day I wanted a mojito, they had no mint, no lime and eventually found out they had no ice. We ate 2 breakfast there and the rest was outside the resort.
2-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

2/10

It is the worst all inclusive resort we have stayed at. We did book cabana room beachfront which did cost extra money. The room was located right next to the trash container. Every night workers would go right by our cabana to throw trash away. The smell was horrible and we had a view of a green construction fence. One night we saw a huge RAT run under our cabana. We had roaches and water bugs in the room and they were all over the resort. When we tried to contact the manager about the room she never got back to us.The rooms are old but we could tell that from the pictures. However, the rooms are very dirty. Housekeepers just mop the floor with stinky mop and change the sheets. We stayed there 8 nights and they changed the cabana sheet once. Never cleaned around it. On the fourth night our room got flooded so we asked to change rooms. They moved us to a one bedroom(without cabana-just a small balcony)The room was dirty and the kitchen smelled like vomit.(And they refused to give us our money back) Food is very bad with very few selections Pool bar- they only have one or two bartenders working so be prepared to wait at least 10 minutes We have been to many all inclusive resorts(way cheaper than this one) and never complained.However, this resort is just horrible-you do not want to waste your money on it and ruin your vacation. Please look into a different all inclusive resort or you will be sorry.
8-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10

We stayed last year and loved it so much we came back . They cut back on staff and the food. The food was leftover from previous day and was just not as fresh .I always check beds by lifting mattresses up and while the mattresses were clean the box springs were stained and torn .
8-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10

WE HAD A VERY NICE EXPERIENCE. UPON ARRIVAL WE WERE GREETED AT THE FRONT DESK AND WERE OFFERED A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE AND A WET COLD TOWEL TO WASH OUR FACE AND HANDS SINCE IT WAS HOT . WE ARRIVED ON A MONDAY AFTERNOON, WHICH AT NIGHT WERE GREETED TO A MANAGERS COCKTAIL HOUR. AND ALSO SAW THE DANCERS WHICH WERE VERY NICE AND POLITE. OUR STAY AT THE HOTEL WAS VERY FRIENDLY. THE ALL INCLUSIVE BUFFET FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER WAS GREAT. THE HOST AND WAITERS AND WAITRESSES WERE FRIENDLY AND NICE. WE HAD LOVED THE WALKING DISTANCE TO DOWNTOWN PHILLIPSBURG FROM THE HOTEL WHICH WAS ONLY MAYBE 20 MINUTES GOING AND 20 MINUTES COMING BACK.
4-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10

Hotel is old and needs updating. Hallway and rooms have terrible musty smell. Food was just that..food. Nothing here with a wow factor. The Caribbean was beautiful as it is everywhere. On the up side we made the best of it and met some really nice people.
5-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10

I stayed at Sonesta Great Bay from August 9-14th, 2017. I had a great time. I was lucky enough to get one of the end rooms which are much bigger than the regular rooms. The best thing about Sonesta Great Bay was its staff. I felt the staff went over and beyond to please my fiance and I. For example, the minibar in the room was only stocked with coke, diet coke, sprite and water. I did not want to mix my drinks with coke or sprite, I prefer Tonic. The staff stated no problem and made sure I got as much Tonic as I wanted in my minibar. If there was something you wanted the staff made sure you got it. The entertainment staff are terrific as well. I met two couples who were not happy with the Sonesta. They literally complained about everything from the food, the rooms, the drinks and several other things. One lady in her complaining was comparing the Sonesta Great Bay to the Westin and detailing everything the Westin had. Umm...then go stay at the Westin. I would never stay the Sonesta Great Bay is perfect but I do think you get your money's worth there.
5-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10

This adult all inclusive is very small and limited. If you are looking for serenity, this is your place. If you want to do something other than lie on the beach and eat the same breakfast every morning then move along..... Many times we were told that a particular food item "was finished" during buffet hours/aka no intention of replenishing that item, this included decaffeinated coffee. No room service No beach service Food not allowed outside of the dining areas Few/limited entertainment if any Nothing is open 24/7 1 store No shuttle service to their other location in Maho that you are able to use free of charge-rather, pay your own way there and back which could run $20pp for a taxi OR ride a bus for $2 each way Found out on the very last day there that there were food trucks that were part of the hotel. Spa was okay We spoke to the General Manager (Alexander) on August 19,2017 to address our concerns. He promptly threw his boss "the new Jamaican man" under the bus for the changes in service, then had his "fitness director" take the blame for the lack of activities and notification thereof. He had her take my number, name and room number down so that the management would call me to address the same-NO ONE CALLED ME. All in all, we had a nice time in St Maarten because we'd rented a car and were able to enjoy the island on our own. I would suggest looking into another resort
5-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10

Nel complesso l'hotel non è male, pulito, affacciato su una bella spiaggia, vicinissimo a philipsburg; il cibo è di buona qualità, cucinato bene anche se la scelta non è vastissima; pochissima frutta (strano visto che è un'isola caraibica). Il personale è prevalentemente giovane e cordiale, qualcuno abbastanza esperto, altri devono decisamente imparare. Lingua parlata: inglese. Animazione molto molto soft, alla sera un pochino di musica dal vivo ma nulla di più. La struttura è piuttosto vecchia, stile anni '70, avrebbe bisogno di un restauro, o almeno di un restyling generale. Alla fine si sta bene, ma non sfrutta appieno le sue potenzialità (con più attenzione ai piccoli dettagli potrebbe essere decisamente migliore); costa un po' troppo per quello che offre (è un bel 4 stelle, ma i prezzi sono da almeno 5 stelle.... dovrebbero o alzare la qualità generale oppure abbassare un po' le tariffe).
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

4/10

This is a dated resort with some infrastructure problems (plumbing, elevators, pools, etc), disinterested staff, poor service, mediocre food and a beautiful beach. Located on one of the nicest beaches in St Maarten, but otherwise a pretty forgettable resort. Water in the shower can be cold or scalding hot or something in between depending on the time of day. Housekeeping was a mess; some days we got no towels, most days we were short. We had to ask for 3 days straight before the sheets were finally changed. Staff was uninformed, indifferent and mostly poorly trained. Main building has 2 elevators but only one small is accessible from the lobby so guests with suitcases stand in line waiting to use the tiny 4 person elevator. All restaurants have 2 names to make it appear there are twice as many restaurants, although all the food comes from the same kitchen. Food was generally mediocre, buffets lacked variety. Pizza bar at the pool makes great pizza. The resort only carries 2 kinds of beer: Coors Light and Heineken (nothing else, no local beer either). There are 3 pools, although one is hard to find and therefore hardly used. All pools are oddly 7.5 ft deep and lack a "ledge" to stand on. So unless you're a 9ft giant, you better know how to tread water. Located on one of the nicest beaches on the island with a great view of the cruise ships.
6-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10

We enjoyed our stay at the Sonesta, but we wish we would have had an ocean front room. We had the island view and were awakened by the local roosters. The bay was absolutely gorgeous! The buffet breakfast was pretty good, but it was hard to enjoy your coffee because of the heat. The buffet restaurant is open without air condition. Some waiters were more friendly than others, especially Sheldon and Kerry. You'll know Sheldon by his contagious smile. Kerry worked mostly under the white tent next door where you could order sandwiches and drinks. I got a big hug from him upon departure. These guys deserve your tips because all of them work very hard. I recommend the food under the big white tent plus the pizza place where hot dogs and other sandwiches were served. They were delicious! I highly recommend visiting Friar's Bay where the beach and sand are beautiful. Spend the day!
5-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10

Very clean, out of date, staff very friendly and accommodating. All inclusive means food. drink and room, there is very little else included if anything. Sand very course. Food good but repetitive, casino small no table games, several machines didn't work. Great place if you want to just kick back and relax, if you want to do things and be entertained go elsewhere. Easy walking distance to downtown Philipsburg. Mix of ages, mostly 50ish.
7-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10

overall great place ...not top shelf liquor,,,bartenders make better drinks wen u tip them .75% of staff friendly some of food servers not so friendly...nice entertainment getting guests involved...awesome infinity pool and beach loaded with chairs and umbrellas.front office staff very helpful....getting restaurant reservations very hard 2 nice restaurants on site but they alternate every other nite making reservations hard make them early wen u 1st get there.made resv at sister hotel chinese rest wen we arrived it was closed we ate at sports bar instead.food was good but repetitive all week at buffet.its a great place more intimate than larger resorts great location
5-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10

The staff at this hotel needs to be a little bit friendlier especially at the front desk. The rooms at this resort need a serious up date, my bathroom smelled like feces half the time and it was nearly impossible to get out of the tub. Impossible to get reservations with the kiosk but the food was good overall.
4-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

2/10

The rooms had roaches and a horrible order to them.
4-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10

STAFF VERY FRIENDLY, ROOMS CLEAN. CLOSE TO BEACHES, CLOSE TO E EVERYTHING, WILL GO BACK AGAIN. FIVE STARS!!!!!! THANKS. HARLEM NEW YORK.
9-night trip
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10

All in all OK. Food was not terrible, service hit or miss. Some were very nice and some look miserable. Not much night life. Pools and beach nice and always had a chair available which is a plus. Nice for couples who want a quiet time.
6-night trip