After undergoing a $10 million dollar renovation on its 30th anniversary, the Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino has reopened with an upgrade to a four-star rating.

Resort lobbies and public areas have been totally redesigned and extended and the new Living Room lounge bar offers evening entertainment.

Located on one end of mile-long Great Bay and just a 10-minute walk from the Dutch capital of Philipsburg, the hotel includes 210 rooms and 52 suites.

It has three restaurants, four bars, the Golden Casino, three swimming pools, Vitality Oasis Health Club and Spa services, floodlit tennis court, meeting facilities, water sports and entertainment nightly.

The three restaurants have varied settings and menus. Bay View is open daily for casual buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. For dinner, Molasses indoor Caribbean restaurant with set menus or a la carte, while La Cucina offers traditional Italian dishes. For good ocean views, pick Molasses.

The new Great Bay resort has a much greater emphasis on wellness and spa treatments. Guests may choose from one of five wellness massages such as the “tension taming session,” reflexology and the gua sha detox skin brushing. A personal trainer at the fitness center will help clients work up a sweat, while the juice bar stands ready to rehydrate.

Rack rates start at $220 per room, per night based on the resort's EP Plan. The all-inclusive plan starts at $190 per person, per night and includes airport transfers, baggage handling, breakfast, lunch and dinner, late afternoon lunch and snacks, all drinks unlimited (by the glass), island tour, all hotel taxes and gratuities, various hotel land activities and water sports and a $10 match-play casino voucher

(Note: No one pays rack rates unless they walk in off the street without a reservation. Do your online research to find the best bargain.)

Contact information: 800/223-0757 or the resort directly at +599-542-2446. Website: www.greatbaybeachresort.com.

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