We (myself, my husband and my 80 year old mum!) stayed at the Jolly Beach Resort, Antigua for the last 2 weeks of September and we think we picked the best spot on the Island!

We loved Antigua. It was very lush and green and the rain forest is a must to visit whilst there. The number of fruits growing there is amazing.

September is perhaps not the best time to go weather wise, but even so we had sun every day, if not all day, with some very heavy downpours in between. Also very humid. However, it did not detract from our overall enjoyment of our time there.

The Jolly Beach Resort was very good for 3 star accommodation. We did not experience the Supersaver rooms as we were upgraded to standard rooms. Partly because of the work they were doing on the Fantasy pool whilst we were there and also because they were very quiet.

After a week we were upgraded to a Superior room, due to a leak in the shower room, and this was excellent!

Access was very good for my mum and her wheelchair and the grounds were very attractive.

Food in Hemisphere was very good and the other restaurants were excellent, although you need cushions in Lydia's!!!

Virtually all the staff were friendly and helpfull.

The beach is lovely and gently shelving, unlike most of the others we saw. Although there are a lot of beach sellers of one kind or another, we did not find them a problem. You just have to say "No thanks" firmly and then ignore them and they go away.

The Wadadli Cat trips are very good. Would recommend anyone to try them.

Barbuda was a disappointment. We did a flight day trip as the boat trip didn't go on the day we had chosen (due to it being quiet). Apart from the Frigate bird sanctuary (which is very good) there is not much else to see or do there. There are some lovely beaches, but no amenities. A whole day is far too long.

Also did a trip round the island in a 4 wheel drive (although the trip we did wasn't off road) and our driver, Randolph, was very good and informative. Interesting day and you get to see Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights and a Sugar Plantation etc.

We would love to return, but at a different time of year (maybe next March....!).

We all had a great time!

well, when we arrived at the JBR we were told our room wasn`t ready and had to wait an hour before being taken there. The room was ok, except the air con unit didn`t work right and no hot water, the hot water was fixed in all fairness pretty promptly. The restaurant staff were great, compare that with the stoney faced and unwelcoming receptionists. This resort has two pools one small pool near recption and one large one where the chavvy/younger people hang out. The food inthe buffet restaurant was above average, the best restaurant however we found was lydias the seafood restaurant. We got turned away from the italian restaurant just because my shoes had an adidas logo on them so be warned they are very strict and obnoxious in there. We never tried the indian one as none of us are indian food fans but it was recommended by friends. There many niggles to this place such as having to wear a wristband at all times, on ceck out day your all inclusive stops at 3 so if you fly late on you have t pay, You hire towels for beach at us$10 each ( refundable tho ), expensive laundry service, slow and unpredictable taxi drivers. There are good points as well A well laid out complex, reasonable food, good beach with not too intrusive vendors, good porter service ( just make sure they know abut you on check out day !!!). Unfortunately there are numerous other niggly points nothing major but enough to sour my holiday on an otherwise nce island. Just two more notes of warning if you have a windy night make sure the outside maintenance doors are locked shut they make a horrible bang, and on check out day make sure the room they allocate you to change in is not double booked!!. Despite my moans it`s an average resort that some like & some don`t ............. i`m more inclined to go for the latter only due to the niggles i mentioned, and i`m afraid i won`t return

We landed in Antigua on the 30th Aug 2006. When we stepped off the plane it was like stepping into paradise. My boyriend Russ wanted to take me (tina) away on a one in a lifetime holiday. Well i wasn't disappointed.
We stayed at the Jollly Beach Resort. From the first day, we had the time of our lives. I have never been so relaxed and have never laughed so much. The staff was so helpful and friendly i've made some friends that i will never forget, Ann-maire, Maria, Janice, Theo, Ivan, Robin, Lionel, Charlie and of course Terry, who can ever forget our Terry. You knew when Terry was around without even seeing him.
The Resort was kept really clean and tidy. Our room was kept fresh and clean every day. The food was lovely, Russ now loves jerk chicken which I cook once a week for him. I still enjoy my BBC cocktails at the weekends and even got my friends on to them.
We loved it so much we are really looking forward to going back asap. If anyone was thinking where to go on holiday i recommend the JBR. I'd give it 100/100.

Just got back from jolly beach after 10 days food was great a real variety dont miss wedneday night bbq night!!all the staff are very friendly ignore the reviews about them being moody say hello and they become the most friendly people you will meet the entertainment staff are great if you wont to relax they will leave you alone if not theres plenty of things to get involved in.If your looking for a day out make sure you go on the waddadli trip around the island(the yellow catermeran that comes to the beach) you wont regret it.So the italian is not up to much who cares you came to the caribbean not italy.This is not a biased review we have stayed in some nice hotels around the world and this is a very relaxing family resort,we dont have kids but if you do they will love it.If you are couple theres plenty of room to find a quiet space.Have a graet time