TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin News from "Home" as Per Carol's Request

The day started with a heavy down pour of rain. It cleared quickly and plans for the day were made.

We spent the day lounging at 978 Beach Club at Friar's Bay. There was a nice crowd at Friars Bay Beach Club when we arrived. We opted for the comfy loungers at 978. Dwayne took good care of us--enjoyed freshly made spring rolls and a delicious burger. They make their own dipping sauce which was quite good--not too spicy but lots of flavor. No seaweed to speak of but there was that hint of odor every so often. The ocean every where we've been is warmer than I can ever remember.

We left around 3:30 pm to return to Divi--traffic was awful and it took almost an hour. We saw one small fender bender but that should not have caused the huge back up at the traffic circle by the causeway.

Sat on the porch at Divi and watched another rain shower roll in followed my our first rainbow of the trip. Maybe it will be my night at the casino. Gambling since we arrived has been awful.

It was a good day to be at an another beach. Ran into some friends who said Divi ran out of umbrellas today. Would have been tough to hang at the beach with no shade.

Ah, THANK YOU! So glad for some new news!

Where is 978, versus Friars Bay Beach Club?

Regarding gambling, hope it looks up for you! Years ago, we used to go gambling every night. Now, it's maybe one or two nights a trip. We're tables people, not slots, so it's up or down, usually big time!

Enjoy!

How can Divi run out of umbrellas during low season?

Carol, if you're facing the sea, 978 is to the left of FBBC, either next to Kali's or where it used to be. I thought Kali's was still there, but someone posted that he had closed.

Not sure--friends of ours who were here in April said it was a challenge every day to get an umbrella. We've been here since the 7/22 and haven't had an issue until yesterday. I will have to see for myself today.

Another blustery day this morning--the winds have been crazy this trip.

PS--lost $$ at three card poker playing with some friends. The conversation took some of the "pain" away.

978 is next to Friars Bay Beach Club. Facing FBBC it's to the right after a short break of vacant sand space. Their bar and restaurant space is very nice. And while the cushions are wonderful, the chairs are a solid wood base. Dwayne did a great job moving them but it was a little difficult to fully avoid the sun in the late afternoon.

I think I say a reply from Divi management on TripAdvisor that a lot of the umbrellas have broken and they’re waiting for a delayed shipment of new ones. They got a shipment of new beach chairs and I saw the Aqua Mania beach attendant giving his feedback to management about what is he supposed to do with all of these new chairs and no umbrellas.

There is no way I personally could sit on the beach without an umbrella. I think that Divi does a cruise ship excursion there, but Friday there were no ships in port at all, so it couldn't be that. Sounds like they just have not been purchasing as many umbrellas as they should. I have no idea what percentage of the people who stay at Divi do the a/i, but those folks I'm sure stay at the resort a larger percentage of the time than those who are not a/i. So, it makes sense that they need more umbrellas, whenever you have a/i folks there.

Thanks for the info re 978. Not that it matters THAT much, but does 978 accept credit cards?

Kali's is not closed. 978 is RIGHT next door to Kali's. Someone posted Kali's had the beach concession and 978 the food, but I don't know if that's true or not. 978 took over some of Kali's space. In these pictures, 978 is the thatched roofs, Kali's the tin (?) colored roofs. The last picture shows the space between 978 and FBBC.

Linda--or crsxm--is there separate parking for 978, as I like that the parking for FBBC is right there by the restaurant.

eighzerobits--Aqua Mania at Divi? I thought they were at Simpson Bay Resort? Or maybe they are both places?

Aqua Mania is at both resorts.

There are three parking areas: the large one at the end of the first entry, then another smaller one if you travel behind Kali's/978, and the third one right behind FBBC with access from the Happy Bay entry. I used the "middle" parking lot, which is very close to 978.

OK thanks

Aqua Mania has been at Divi quite a long time. Way before Irma. I remember Diving with Aqua Mania out of the Simpso Bay Resort location and having to stop at Divi to pick up their divers and return them afterwards.

OK

Anyone have the answer? Good to know in advance

They did when we were there iin May.

Thanks, chictersun.

When we were at Divi in January last year, one of the staff was telling us about their receiving 2 or 3 containers of goods to use at the resort and we saw one of the containers by the loading dock. I got the impression that they tried to order supplies for a period of time and have them all shipped together in a container. This was during the period where there were delays in shipping worldwide. There were plenty of chairs and umbrellas then. I wonder if shortage sometimes relates to their delay in getting stuff shipped in.

Possibly, but umbrella shortages have been a "thing" at Divi ever since I've been going there. Towels, too.

Linda--Interesting.

As a timeshare owner I would be complaining.

No issues using a cc at 978. Kali's was not open when we were there-looked rather deserted with the exception of some youngsters being taught to sail. Someone said they were on vacation.

The situation at Divi was better yesterday with regard to umbrellas. That said, I think it will be a daily challenge depending on how many guests stay "home" for the day.

I will try 978 when we return.....walked by it a zillion times from the parking lot on the way to Happy Bay

How long is the walk to Happy Bay? We saw a lot of folks making the trek but wasn't sure if we were "young" enough.

I don't think it's the lenght of the walk that is the issue but the quality of the walk....it's mostly uphill with a rocky base but there are many iguans and a great view as a reward. I would say maybe 15 minutes depending on your mobility. We are both in our 70's and have no issue with the walk but your experience may vary

Interesting, I have never had trouble getting an umbrella at Divi since we have been going there. Well, maybe one time.
Towels, yes. Umbrellas no.

You know, I find it interesting how much timeshare 'owners' put up with, without complaining. No towels??? No umbrellas?

Who says we don't complain? It's not like a complaint is some magic tool that resolves every problem, and management surely can't conjure up a shipping container full of umbrellas. I've been to plenty of hotels where towels were never a problem but good luck finding a chair to put it on.

I guess the reason why I said that no one complained is that I had never heard this complaint here before regarding Divi. So, if you and others have been complaining, management should address the issue and fix it. Sounds like it has been a long term issue, not even something recent.

I haven't experienced an issue with umbrellas myself at Divi and only had issues with towels in August 2018. I've certainly complained about other things which most often get addressed. The long standing issues at Divi I have and see a lot of other people comment on are Saturday check-ins (which are always a total mess) and food and beverage service.

Saturday check-ins I would assume are a mess almost everywhere.

When Sandra was in charge of checkins, the process was a whole lot smoother! I feel like we have gone quite backwards in regards to that at Divi.