I read all the reviews on the resort before we left and I was very concerned. Much to my suprise Jolly Beach was wonderful! The staff knew you by first name and the people and culture are so refreshing. We will go back year after year! My children creid on the plane ride home and we have even considered buying a house in Antigua! Breath taking beaches, sunsets, sand, water, and landscape in general. What a wonderful little placed tucked away in paradise. The staff was so pleasant that it made it very hard to leave and my children and my husband and I grew very close to many of them. A very humble culture and life really is "no worries". Thank you Jolly Beach and Ann Marie, Carlton, Tara, Abby, Wilda, Marsha, and the entire staff you are all wonderful and greatly missed!

We arrived in Antigua on a lovely day, it was my boyfriends forst time to the caribbean and my first time to Antigua, I've have been to other Islands. We arrived at the hotel and check in wasn't as bad as some say, the people at reception were friendly and polite although we did have to wait 10 minutes for our room which gave us chance to have a quick look at the beautiful beach and get ourselves a cocktail. The room is very basic. We stayed in a standard with a kingsize bed and i was a bit tight, however, it was clean and the bed was comfy and the airconditioning worked so really that was all that mattered! (There wasnt any bugs in the bed!) The pool and beach were lovely the vendors could be annoying but if you said no politely they would usualy take the hint apart from the guy with the jet ski who was quite rude!! The cocktails were great, try the hummingbird or blue caribbean! very tasty. We enjoyed the indian and Lydias, try the lobster its fantastic. We weren't impressed with the "Italian" I wouldnt call it an Italian but most places I have been to in the caribbean cant cook italian so dont expect much!

But the hotel in all was fantastic and for the price we paid you couldnt go wrong, if the rooms were re-furbished this would easily be a 4 star hotel. I would definately go back!

After already booking this resort, I read some of the terrible reviews on tripadvisor and was almost dreading the trip.We were booked in a supersaver room, which was NOT that small.It had a king size bed, and a balcony.Mabe it was an upgrade and we didn't know about it- but it was certainly suitable.Check in was NOT as slow as reviews said.It only took 15minutes and there were alot of people checking in.The beach was beautiful, drinks were good.Their beer was excellent.Lydia's was ok, the Italian resturant much better.The buffets were adequate- we certainly ate our share.Again, and most important- you are paying dirt cheap prices.You got alot for so little.The excursions were great.We did horse back riding on the beach at sunset- NOT for people who are afraid of horses- you ride through the villages and share the street with moving cars.We also did the catamaran around the 5 islands(Waddali tours)- which was great.All excursions booked easily through the resort.All in all, no complaints. This is not a 5 star resort- and you aren't paying 5 star prices.It's just a relaxing vacation in the sun.And we are not inexperienced travelers- we just returned from our honeymoon in Italy.(where we did stay in 5star hotels). We would go back again and reccomend it to others.It's NOT a place where you'd spend 2 weeks- but 6 nights,7 days is perfect.

My husband and I have returned from our two week holiday/honeymoon at the Jolly Beach and we enjoyed every minute.
I would like to give an honest review of the hotel.

Arrival - there were about 20 that arrived the same time as us, I think check in was just less than an hour by the time we got our key and were on our way to our room. Reception staff were very friendly, some may say a bit slow but then hey your in the caribbean, everything is slow!

Room - We had a standard room which was more than adeqate. Originaly we had a room on the 4th floor which had beautiful views of the gardens, wedding gazebo and the sea. We did change rooms however after finding a flee in the bathroom. The reception staff we very accomadating and moved our suitcases for us, the new room was in the same block but on the 3rd floor. Better as you did not have to climb so many stairs but the view was not as clear. The air conditioning wasn't the best but if you kept the fan on the room was really cool, it did leak a little but no more than a few drops and it certainly made no impact on our holiday experience. The rooms were cleaned every day and the floors washed along with fresh towels. The hotel do also spray your room in the evening with bug spray if you ask them.

Food - after eating at all 4 resturants I would say my favourite was the Italian, the service was good and I like the fact you have to dress up and make an effort. Lydia's and the Ustavs were also very good, we had our wedding dinner at the Indian and for buffet Hemispheres was brilliant. We did get a little bored with the buffet towards the end of the holiday though but the quality was good and there was always something to eat even for the fussiest eaters.

Hotel - the grounds are very well kept and clean, the sea is blue and warm, the sand on the beach is white and soft and all the staff are very friendly. You get the odd member who is not as friendly as the rest but we all have our off days. The watersports are really good, we used the hobbie kats a fair bit and you do get lessons on how to sail them.
The evening entertainment was ok, there was always a band on and then something else but it did get a little boring after you have seen 5 different steel bands! The entertainment staff were good though and there floor shows were always worth a look.

Pools - there are two pool, the large with the swim up bar and grill and the smaller pool. We stayed at the smaller pool as it was quiet and you could swim in it. There were always activities going on in the larger pool and music playing which is why we chose the smaller of the two so we could relax and have a swim. Both very good though.

The Wedding - we got married on the Wednesday after our arrival on Friday, Beverly was brilliant and organsied everything. The whole day went like clock work. It was very emotional but my husband and I were very pleased with the photographs and the Video they took for us. My Mum hired the Steel band which really made it special. I was a bit worried about getting the liscence but you go with other couples and the driver takes you in and tells you where to go so that was fine. I would recomend getting married here. There are two places to get married and although they cater for at least two weddings a day we rarely saw another wedding taking place or a bride walking about, so you still feel special and not like you are on a marriage runway!

Trips - My husband and I only did two trips which were organised through the hotel. The Jeep Island Safari. Great day, Anthony our guide was the funnist person I have ever met. The lunch was great it was a fun day out. We also went on the Extreme eco tour around the island. One of the most expensive trips but well worth the money. It was a great way to end our holiday and I would recomend this to everyone. there are only 22 people on the speed boat so you get to know the crew who are great and really friendly and they take care of you.

Money - US dollars are excepted everywhere. If you buy anything from the beach vendors the charge in US and give change is US. Most other shops except US but will give you change in EC. Remember your $20.00 departure tax money.

All in all we had a great holiday and a fantastic wedding. I would recomend the Jolly Beach to families and couples that like to have fun. Everyone is friendly and we got to know quite a few other couples staying at the resort.
Antigua is a beautiful island and well worth visiting. We would go back again and stay at the Jolly Beach.