Rich

Well… we are still here.. and we really aren’t sure what people are complaining about? It’s an all inclusive.. in the Caribbean .. sure it’s gets busy .. it has to cater to a global customer base with varied levels of expectation's and experiences .. Honestly .. NO major issues .. just know that if you all want to eat steak in the steak house option it can’t host 800 people between 1900 and 2000… when most people want to eat … so be flexible.. and there’s plenty of other choices … The beach is clean.. the sea is warm.. the staff are really friendly .. the rooms are clean.. and if you need anything .. dial 0 .. it arrives. The entertainments are great .. and good fun.. as for excursions .. English Harbour is a must as are Shirley heights for dancing and BBQ.. so… well done all.. thank you .. it’s so hard to please everyone.. but guess what .. the crew at the Royalton try really hard. Thank you And for all those who have read the really negative reviews (which we did before booking)… we haven’t experienced any of these major disasters .. have a lovely holiday when you get here ..

Oneshia Herring

My recent stay at Royalton Antigua left me utterly disappointed and feeling like my time and money were squandered. Despite Marriott's Autograph endorsement, this hotel failed to deliver on its promises of luxury and sophistication. From the outdated facilities to the lackluster service, every aspect fell short of expectations. Firstly, the hotel felt stuck in a time warp, with dated furnishings and amenities that hardly justified the exorbitant price tag. The service was abysmal, reminiscent of a budget motel rather than a Marriott Autograph hotel. Even our cabana experience was marred by neglect, as staff members seemed disinterested in attending to our needs. The Diamond Club pool bar area was a particularly distressing sight, marred by rust, dirt, and an unpleasant odor that made the experience nauseating. The food options were bland and unappetizing, far from the gourmet dining experience one would expect from a purportedly upscale establishment. Despite the efforts of Mandy, who displayed genuine empathy for our grievances, the overall experience remained dismal. The butler service, advertised as a luxury amenity, proved to be nothing more than a hollow promise, leaving me questioning its purpose and value. The only saving grace was the spa, which provided a brief respite from the disappointment elsewhere. However, even this oasis of tranquility couldn't salvage the overall impression of the hotel. In conclusion, my stay at Royalton Antigua was a regrettable mistake, and I would strongly advise others to seek alternative accommodations. Marriott should be ashamed to associate its name with such a subpar establishment, and I can only hope that they take steps to rectify the numerous shortcomings plaguing this property.

Marco Bebawy

Stayed here during Christmas with my family of 7. The exceptional level of attentiveness from the staff truly stood out. Every member, from the front desk to the housekeeping team, was dedicated to ensuring our comfort and satisfaction. A special mention goes to Manager Vanessa, whose commitment to going above and beyond left a lasting impression. Vanessa not only addressed our needs promptly but also took the initiative to make certain that every aspect of our stay exceeded expectations. The bartenders at the hotel deserve applause for their exceptional service. The combination of attentive service and the warm, welcoming demeanor of the staff made the overall experience truly memorable. The hotel's commitment to cleanliness was evident throughout the grounds. From the lobby to the outdoor spaces, everything was immaculate. The well-maintained surroundings enhanced the overall ambiance and contributed to a sense of relaxation. Moreover, the rooms were not only clean but also elegantly appointed, providing a comfortable and inviting retreat after a day of exploration. This hotel stands out for its exceptional staff, led by the remarkable Vanessa, and its commitment to cleanliness and guest satisfaction, making it a top choice for a delightful and rejuvenating stay! I highly recommend this resort to anyone visiting Antigua!

Ian Daniels

I really do not understand all of these fantastic reviews, unless they are all people who paid for Diamond Club. I hold meetings for a living. My clients requested to meet on a beautiful Caribbean island. Did some looking around and we decided to go to Antigua. We have had meetings on other island and pretty much knew what to expect. From the time the clients started to book their rooms I knew this was going to be a problem. Let me start by saying that the people who work at the Royalton, for the most part, are all very nice, friendly and accommodating. My negative comments are the overall lack of management direction of the people. Communication is non existent. Follow-up? What's that?! The whole diamond club nonsense just makes half of the people, second class. I brought over 30 people there with their families, they stayed an average of 5 nights. So, 150 room nights at not an inexpensive place by any stretch and you cant book a restaurant, because not everyone in my group opted for the Diamond nonsense. Oh, and acknowledgment of Bonvoy status? NONE. Nice place, nice beach, nice people, horrible management. Do not go there with a group. Waited hours for my room. Then it was wrong. Still waiting for a copy of my hotel bill and the copies of the charges for events weeks after. Emails, phone calls, none returned. Needed a projector screen as stated in the contract. Nope. None on the island was the answer! Nonsense.

Brian M

Honest family review. This is a five star location, the beach and bay are beautiful but it’s not worth the money. If you’re not diamond club you’ll have trouble eating at the main restaurants until 8:30pm. The restaurants open at 6:00pm, we were not diamond club so made sure to arrive as it opened and were still turned away. The rooms are small and basic. We had to ask for a cot as the pull out was not big enough for our kids. Areas of the resort are unkept. Seaweed washed onto the beach and wasn’t cleared the entire week we stayed. Don’t recommend coming here.

Linda Langlois

Just returned from Jolly Beach and had a wonderful time. We have been going to Jolly Beach for the last 25 years and have never been disappointed. Since COVID it is now under the management of Elite Resorts, which owns a number of other resorts on the island. I must say they are making wonderful improvements to the resort. The resort is a 3 star, but very clean with a one mile beach that is a 10 star in my opinion. Probably the nicest beach on the whole island. The staff at the resort are very nice and friendly. A few of our old friends from the resort are still there, which was so nice to see them again. There is one restaurant called the Pizza Factory, which the food is very good that you will need to make a reservation. The Palms Restaurant serves a delicious buffet displaying wonderful dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Every night was a theme night with different nationality foods. You could always find something you liked at all times. Of course there was the Coconut Grille by the large pool that served hamburgers, hotdogs, jerk chicken and fries all afternoon. I understand they will be closing the large pool for renovations around April 14, 2024. The large bar has been totally renovated and is just beautiful with comfortable seating and the drinks are delicious and refreshing. The resort is not totally complete with a section of rooms still under renovations, but I’m sure by next year everything will be totally up and running with even newer improvements . There was a gentleman named Mr. Wonderful who sang and played the keyboard. He has a wonderful voice and sounded just like Tom Jones. Everyone seemed to enjoy him. There was also a steel band and a DJ. I made a few suggestions to Lorenzo, who is an amazing guy and keeps an eye on everything that goes on at the resort. He’s there day and night (I don’t think he sleeps)and is all over the resort making sure everything is perfect for their guests. I noticed one thing about him is that he is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and pitch in to help the staff when it was needed. He’s a very dedicated employee! I hope he follows through with some of my suggestions. Hint, hint. So I’m thrilled Jolly Beach reopened, and now I can return to my second home again! So if you are looking for a vacation resort that is clean, safe and affordable Jolly Beach is the place! 😁

Dario Pastorelli

The worst property and hotel I stayed anywhere in the island. Unfriendly staff, outdated infrastructures, and not so good food. The only positive thing about the resort is the beach and the peace around the rest I would not recommend to anyone unless you look to save money …

Jeff Fulcoly

Went to Jolly resort in late March '24; solo trip, small room on the 1st floor, very close to the lobby area, was clean enough, AC worked ok, screen ripped off door, poor lighting in bathroom, drawers falling apart. Food was ok for buffet style dining, it's not fine cuisine. The staff everywhere was great. Even though it's not required, a small tip goes a long way. The main pool is beautiful, about 200 ft long! The grill and bar at the pool were great. The beach is beautiful. Even though it wasn't too crowded the beach lounges with shade are all reserved by 7 AM. If you wanted you you walk further down the beach and there were plenty of chairs and it was less crowded. It is worth it to visit some of the other beautiful beaches close by.

Brandon James

Jolly beach was fun but peaceful at the same time. My girlfriend and I had an amazing time. The staff always were ready to help with a warm smile on their faces. The room was small and comfy with a nice balcony over a beautiful view. There wasn’t a lot of food selections but we made the best of it. We definitely will be going back in the future.

Brennan McFarlan

I highly recommend you spend your money elsewhere. Sure this place is cheaper but believe me when I say just spend a little more. Rooms old and very outdated, food is not good. Main pool looked like it was full of algae. (Updated it’s now’s closed for renovations) staff is very very slow (over an hour to check in with no one in front of us, waited for over 30 mins for someone to get our bags) and show urge to help. Location is on the beach, but the beach is not maintained.

Sylvia Scott

Do not expect 5 star luxury....but come and enjoy beautiful beach, sea, friendly hospitality and meet some amazing staff. We fell in love with our quaint room which was a little tired but functional beach front bungalow. Food is limited but everything we had was very nice. Drinks were lovely. The scenery was amazing, and the grounds well cared for. We thoroughly enjoyed our time....but suggest you bring books...games ...etc not much entertainment.

Erin O'Sullivan

We had a great stay at the Hawksbill Resort. The staff was super friendly and helpful. The resort wasn’t overly crowded which was ideal for the pool/beaches. Perfect relaxing getaway for couples or older groups of friends. Would definitely come back

Megan Bellis

Incredible beaches, stunning views and friendly staff Hawksbill Resort delivered a holiday we shall never forget. We will almost certainly be looking to return in the not so distant future. Hawksbill Resort is an understated gem whilst not taking itself seriously it has all the trimmings that you would expect from a Caribbean island getaway. Good food, a choice of four different beaches and a calm peaceful atmosphere means this adult only resort should not be overlooked. The free airport transfer made arriving at the resort stress free after a long haul flight. To then being greeted by a complimentary glass of fizz upon arrival, we felt at home throughout our stay. The food was excellent with a wide variety of options catering for most dietary requirements. With a choice of three different restaurants you will not grow bored. The staff were keen to assist wherever possible. A nice touch was our drinks being brought directly to us on the beach throughout the day. The rooms were simple but given how stunning the location was we ultimately spent little time in our room. You are at most 20 metres from the beach at any point and can hear the lapping of waves from your room. You will not want to miss the sunset particularly from Eden Beach which is also a popular stop for a few of the local pigs. Although we did not do any of the tours or visits, there are a number of opportunities to explore the island via Hawksbill. Overall, a truly memorable stay and one we will looking to revisit soon.

Sonja Butts

Hawksbill Resort is lovely. The setting is amazing, with beautiful views everywhere. The new infinity pool is really nice. The food was always tasty and plentiful. The staff were friendly and professional. The nightly entertainment was fun and enjoyable. Our room had a fantastic view and was partially renovated. We were comfortable and any glitches that came up were dealt with satisfactorily.

Jenny Knight

Beautiful, quiet resort with a million dollar view and incredible beaches! All the staff were so kind and accommodating and the food and entertainment was great. David in particular was so friendly and always had time to chat with us and shared my love of animals. Our room was spacious and clean with easy access to the restaurants, beach, and pool (the pool is amazing). The reception staff made it so easy for us to rent a car and the daily taxis into town were a bonus (there is a fee but they plan it all for you) The water was pristine, and the 2 resort kitties stole my heart. Would definitely return!

Brittany Sonzogni

I don’t think this is a 5 star hotel in my opinion. The Pros: staff is incredibly nice, scenery on the resort is beautiful. Cons: food is awful! My husband ended up getting food poisoning, but the other nights we weren’t impressed either. I think food is huge as it relates to a high end hotel so overall was quite disappointed. We will not be returning.

Dee Williams

The service at the Blue Waters is exceptional, this includes the restaurants, bars and housekeeping. May I thank Karen who welcomed us when we arrived and checked up on us during our stay, Lauren, Tremaine, Stephan and Juliet who were simply amazing. Unfortunately, there were areas of the beach which require more cleaning. I was very frustrated that in our 7 night stay, families were waking up early, I heard before 6am and placing towels on the sunloungers for their entire family. After our breakfast, my sister and I could never find a spot on the beach or near the pools. This was very disappointing, as a result it is very unlikely we will return. This is such a shame as we enjoyed most of the food, the staff and the entertainment. This resort is definitely more geared for families with children.

Luviane Francois

My husband surprised me for my milestone birthday and took me to Blue Water in Antigua. The hotel ground is beautiful and the villas feels very private and each standing villa had their own pool which was a treat so we often had the pool to ourselves . The staff is great. It’s beautiful white sand and lovely crystal-clear water. The food options were great

Dj G

Lovely property about 15 minutes from the airport and quite central. Food- The Cove restaurant had beautiful views. The food was a wee bit bland and overpriced. Perhaps catering to a certain palate?. The reef restaurant also overpriced and bland food.. desert options were horrible. Palm had the same options everyday for breakfast.. quite underwhelming food but great service from the waitresses . We went off property quite often to have better quality food. The bars were good- drinks were great and most bartenders were friendly. There were a few unprofessional bartenders at the pelican bar at night but only 2 bad apples. Housekeeping was good.. consistent turn down service at night. The beach was quiet… nice for relaxation Intentionally did not try the spa. Overall centrally beautiful location. Not sure I would return but may suit Middle Aged/older folks who are not food connoisseurs

Will Richter

Had an amazing time at Blue Waters. We arrived for our honeymoon thinking we would spend some time at the resort, and spend a lot of time outside the resort exploring the island. While the island does have a lot to offer and is beautiful, we quickly realized we needed to maximize our time at Blue Waters. The staff was amazing. From management to the bartenders, there is a clear concerted effort to produce excellent service. The food was amazing as well, and was a big reason why we didn’t seek out other restaurants, because we knew we were in good hands with the 3 on property. The property itself is spectacular - such an impressive piece of real estate. Anyways, thank you to Karen, Stephen, Bobby, Edison, Kdashia (sp), and Kiffany (among many others) for being so hospitable. Even when there was a minor issue in our room, we knew the staff would care for us and solve the issue without hesitation - which they did. Thank you again to this fine establishment.

Scotty2Salty

This place is magical. Our second stay at a Sandals and like the other (Barbados) it did not disappoint. The food is incredible! Service is second to none, atmosphere is magical and the grounds are beautiful. Views off a postcard. There's plenty of places to find somewhere to sit. I just can't say enough about this resort as a company. They really know how to make you feel welcome. There is nothing left to desire. We brought our entire family with us this time (8 of us) and we all had the time of our lives. There are employees everywhere buzzing around like bees, tending to the gardens, checking on guests and smiling. We booked two more stays at Sandals for next two seasons and cant wait!

susan Reeves

Would've given 5 stars for service but for the below: Although most staff were friendly, a few were noticeably sullen. Also, be sure to bring your own hair dryer! The one in the room was completely useless, as were the touted benefits of pre-check-in to your room. We were made to wait in the lobby anyway by a condescending young woman and asked to leave our carry-on luggage in the lobby. After finally being escorted to our rooms after having sat in the lobby for at least half an hour, our luggage wasn't in our room, and repeated calls down to the desk did not help. I finally went down and got our carry-on luggage (which we had specifically used to avoid having to wait for our luggage) myself. Seems part of the wait was meant to ensure the spa staff had a go at you to try to get you to book with them. On top of that, spa staff walked around the pool every day to ask you to book. Not relaxing. Cat poop was left on a pool beach chair for at least 3 days. Our room was very clean, but the hallway we used to go up and down the stairs near our room was not cleaned for a whole week. Food was very good and grounds overall quite beautiful. The men working the daily snorkeling excursions were wonderful.

Casey McMullen

A fantastic all inclusive experience at one of the original Sandals properties. Great service and amenities, including friendly restaurants and good food. The grand pool has activities going on throughout the day or you can lounge by one of the quieter pools. Just be prepared to reserve your chair early!

James

First time to a Sandals and it was very enjoyable, the service and staff were good , the food met our expectations but could have been a bit better. There is very limited night time entertainment and the resort was a ghost town but 930pm. The beach is lovely and the water calm and clean. The resort itself could use some updates , better lighting in the bathroom and more bottled water in the rooms. I would probably try another Sandals before I go back here. All in all decent vacation.

Mike & Deb Brownlee

We had been to a Sandals before and wanted to try another Sandals. We loved it in every way. Resort was clean and food was great. Location was good and resort was full but did not feel like it. Coming from a customer service back ground and trained with the best, Disney, Carlton Ritz, Lexus ect, I experienced good service. If I can make a few suggestions. All the staff need to make eye contact first and greet the guest first, not the other way around. Each morning the tall lady helping rake the beach, her employee was arguing with her. The guests should not hear this. The sushi restaurant was our favourite. The house cleaning staff doing the rooms did a great job each day. Next time I will try and stay 10 days. Not long enough.

Jackie Faris

Rooms were excellent, beautifully situated right next to the beach. Location very good, with beautifully kept gardens. The opportunities to hire a boat or go snorkeling were prohibitively expensive and totally unreasonable in price.The staff are lovely but communication at all levels is very hit and miss. Service we paid for would come one day but not the next. The Italian restaurant by the pool was really poor. I don't think the chef had any idea of what Italian food might look like.When I complained about my meal I was met with complete indifference. I think the management needs to get a grip and turn a potentially lovely resort into a great one.

jim snyder

The staff at the resort were fantastic. Jamol, Georgier were exceptional and really made my kids feel at home. The beach is magical. Everyone is kind. The kids club was engaging for my kids (3,5). There are sand toys available at the beach so need to bring them. Nice mix of adult and kids amenities, but not saturated in kids focused stuff where it’s overwhelming or in your face. I would come back. Love the vibe of the people at the resort and the whole island.

Jay

Excellent resort with an awesome beach and great service. The old reviews from 2021 are moot. This place has turned around. Highly recommend.

D

Beautiful location and friendly staff. Lovely welcome to the hotel and organisation of pick-up and fast track at the airport. Suites are large and spacious and have good amenities, but could use a little update. Restaurant staff were attentive and quick and so was the food. Food was overall at a good level. Beach is calm wonderful, and you can order food and drinks to your sun-beds, but you may have to find a member of staff. Overall worthy of 5 stars and LHW. Would recommend and would return without hesitation.

Sonia Guitaldi

We decided to treat ourselves for my birthday, and booked.a Day Pass. $156 per person. Fair price if it was a real 5* hotel, that’s what we thought. The true is that this place is barely a 4* hotel. Sad saying this. The location is amazing, nature is all around and the beach is breathtaking. Can’t say the same for the property itself and the services. The place is dated and the service lack of professionalism. Not attentive or knowledgeable at all. We couldn’t order a drink from the sun-bed, as no beach attendants could be found. When questioned at the bar, the answer we got was to ask at the beach attendant (hilarious). Beside the water sports not available due to the weather conditions there was nothing else to do. The food was mediocre, not what you except from a 5* hotel, and the service was even worse. Nice people don’t get me wrong, just not up to the level (they didn’t even know what Champagne is…). We also had an afternoon tea on the beach.. yes 2 dry sandwiches and 2 dry pastry.. When you pay a high rate you except high standards.as simple as that. We both work in a 5* properties, and I never left a review myself, but this time I had to. The photos, and the advertising are misleading, and that’s not fair! This is a pure feedback, not an offence!