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Jolly Beach Resort: Traveler Reviews


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Traveler Reviews

74% Recommend
3.5 of 5 stars 813 reviews
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Nice family vacation

Jolly Beach Resort

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3 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor Member
PA, USA
Mar 29, 2004
3/4 found this review helpful

We returned from a week at JBR on March 26, 2004 (4 adults, 2 kids, 7 & 4). This was our 10th trip to the Caribbean (9 islands) plus Cancun & Hawaii, so we have a good basis for comparison. At JBR, you get what you pay for. It s billed as a 3-star, and that s what it is. If you go expecting more, you ll be disappointed. Antigua is a beautiful island, with plenty to offer to anyone. Positives: The resort is clean & safe, and has a spectacular picture-postcard beach, with water so blue words can t describe it. It s located on the west coast, and the sunsets are wonderful. It s about a 30 minute drive to the airport, and 20 minutes to downtown St. Johns. The beach is really long, and only crowded right in front of the bar & pool. There are two pools, and three bars (open at different times). The drinks are middle to bottom shelf quality, but strong real strong. There was nightly entertainment (steel drum & jazz bands), but nothing sensational. There is an activities desk, and you can arrange many excursions there, or from the beach vendors. There are vendors set up right next to the pool, and others patrolling the beach, but they don t hassle you like on some islands. Negatives: Much of the staff seemed a bit miserable, but a few were very pleasant (Charlie at the pool bar). We always tried to be as polite as possible to everyone, but some still seemed like you bothered them just by being there. Check-in was disorganized, and took much too long. Since check-in is at 3:00, if you arrive between 3 & 6 pm, expect a wait. The food is average at best, but there is a variety. Lunch at the beach grill is really good, but the service is slow. There is one buffet restaurant (breakfast, lunch & dinner), and 3 ala cart dinner restaurants (Italian, Seafood, & Indian). We thought the surcharges were unreasonable, so we only ordered items from the all-inclusive plan. There is afternoon tea & snacks at 4 pm daily. Please note, we didn t feel it was a true family resort (like Beaches). There was not much food for the kids to choose from. The rooms were average, and the supersaver rooms were really, really small (no drawers and a 3-foot wide closet). We stayed in a supersaver one night, then upgraded. Overall: It s a good value for the money. Nice resort, decent food, good drinks, beautiful beach, average service, average rooms a 3-star resort that is priced just right. We had a really nice family vacation with many good memories.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Average price*: $314 (year-round)
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Lovely Time

Jolly Beach Resort

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5 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor Member
Neath, South Wales
Mar 29, 2004
3/4 found this review helpful

Stayed at the Jolly Beach Resort, from the 19th March,2004 until 26th March 2004. We had the up graded room, which was worth paying the extra because the basic rooms were really small, the hotel and our room was excellent. It was kept so clean, we had clean towels and clean sheets every day, and the resturants were spotless. I could not believe how beautiful the beach and resort were, and if you are thinking of getting married there, it is heaven, one of the best places to do that special thing!!!! The food was very good, but in the resturants which you had to book, the choice is limited, and there is a dress code in the Italian, no shorts, or three-quarter trousers, and no sandels, so be aware.The only down side was the entertainment finish at 11.00pm, and the bar closed at 12.30, there should of something on until the bar closed, because things did go flat!!!! But overall, it was the best holiday I have had, and the hotel was lovely, saving up to try and go again in september this year, wish I was there, and recommend it to anyone who is thinking of going, well worth the money, and the people were so nice.Thank you for making my holiday so nice.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Average price*: $314 (year-round)
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Great experience

Jolly Beach Resort

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4 of 5 stars
GRACJA 26 contributions
TORONTO
Mar 28, 2004
0/1 found this review helpful

we have stayed in another hotel on the island, our flight was cancelled and we were transport to the Jolly Beach Resort for two days.I have to say - we had a very nice experience. way better than Royal Antigual, where we were originally staying.great food, nice rooms, beautiful pools and beach. nice staff.we can definately recomend.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Average price*: $314 (year-round)
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Jolly Beach Resort

Jolly Beach Resort

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4 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor Member
NJ
Mar 24, 2004
1/2 found this review helpful

Jolly Beach is a great place to visit for all ages. The Superior rooms were spacious enough for 4 teens. The food is very good. We ate at all of the restaurants and enjoyed them all. Lydia's has a very good sunday brunch with a steel band. The Italian is definitely more dressy so be prepared. The beach is large so you can find some empty areas if you want. There are many activities to participate in beginning at about 11. The staff definitely makes the visit though. They are enthusiastic, friendly and helpful. They seem to be great with all ages as well.
There were all sorts of people there. Older, young, families, couples and honeymooners. All seemed to be enjoying themselves. I would recommend it for any type of group.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Average price*: $314 (year-round)
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beautiful place but need better service

Jolly Beach Resort

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4 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor Member
NJ
Mar 23, 2004
1/2 found this review helpful

just got back from JBR last week and really had a great time. The beach was so amazing, def the nicest i've seen. My only complaint was service. From the time we got there it was a project even getting a bell boy...and there are no elevators so expect to help the guy carry a bag or two. Pool was nice, never crazy or packed..though at 7AM you have ur older crew leaving their towels on everychair....kinda annoying. and the older people also using the rafts (which i believe are meant for the water!!!!) as some sort of cushion as they lay on their chair...so needless to say i wasnt able to use one all week!!! Breakfast was my favorite part of the day!!! So try and get to it a few times...omlet station was def my fav...and i miss that!!! Reservations were so easy to make, so dont stress that, i know in other islands we wailted on line forever, at JBR minutes would be a long time. Overall a great time, service just needs to increase and since the night club in the hotel and in the Grand Princess are both gone/shut down...night life kinda sucked...and ends at 1230 the latest...casino was good though, actually won money and wasnt a shady place AT ALL. Def would reccomen it

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Average price*: $314 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
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Jolly Beach Resort Also Known As

Address: Bolans Village, Bolans, Antigua