This place had potential, but they really missed the target. The beaches are lovely and the bungalows are right on the beach.
These are the areas that are sorely lacking...
1)units are dated which lead to seveal issues: ants pooled in floor in 2 spots upon arrival (was cleaned up promptly when reported); louvers on windows/doors did not all work and would not all close properly (not fixed although reported); back door severly warped and stuffed a towel in it to reduce the opening; shower head dripped (they did attempt to fix this and it got better, but never worked completely right); the windows and the door let a lot of light bleed into the room and night, which made it difficult to sleep as well as not very romantic; ants took over my backpack overnight and it was a real problem cleaning them out the next morning - quite an unpleasant surpise (they did come an put out ant bait outside - held them at bay for a couple of days)
2) service by wait staff and bar staff was poor as a whole (would continue to do other things and keep the client waiting; would often have to initiate desire for a beverage); was left waiting at the breakfast egg station and when finally asked if someone was working the station, was told abruptly "she's on her way" - no apology when she finally arrived; same thing happened in the afternoon at the grill station and response was identical; there were a couple of good wait staff persons, but they were few and far between
3) non-motorized equip. was not as advertised; there is a HobieCat, but not avail. to clients; there is a WindSurf board, but it's a giant piece of crap; kayaks, Sunfish, and snorkle equip. is decent; man running the shop is moody and frequently surly or cursing about the clients to other workers; he never offered lessons on any equip. as advertised
4) there is no luxury Italian restaurant as advertised
5) entertainment is a joke or non-existent or no-show - crab (hermit) races; local band where youngest member was over 70; no-show steel band; there are activites posted daily, but never saw anyone doing any of them - like kayak races, volleyball games, ping pong games, etc. - don't think there's really an activities director
6) no computer station for customers; when asked for computer, was told to use the one in the office, but there would be a charge - never told what the charge would be
7) told we could go to the sister property (Halycon) to use thier water equip and would have access to All Inclusive as there, but would have to pay for a taxi (cost us $50.00 round trip) - FYI: equip. was better & staff more personable

The food overall was pretty good. They were generous with the booze when mixing drinks. The beaches are nice and sandy and there is a small reef w/many colorful small fishes. The linens are a very good quality, but the sheets were not changed for 4 days. The managers seemed to be more positive and friendly; front desk clerks were very friendly; wish I could say the same for the supervisors; security guys were very nice and friendly. Extremely sedate and quiet place---pretty much everyone heads to bed by 10pm -- bar was closed or closing by then anyway.

Bottom-line, don't expect much from the service, the room condition, or entertainment. However, if you just want a very, very quiet place for a short stay that's relatively discontected from the world, this might work as long as you can over look the other shortcomings.

This was our 4th visit to the Hawksbill and it did not disappoint us for our 40th wedding anniversary. And yes, we did get a bottle of champagne and card from the hotel.
Our last visit was 10 years ago and we were concerned that it had changed ownership and gone all inclusive which we had never done before. Our worries vanished after check in and as members of staff recognised us and greeted us so warmly.
Normally we stay in the Superior rooms but had been upgraded to the cottages on the first beach. This gave a different aspect to our stay and what we had been used to.
There had been a few changes to the buildings, it was spotless as usual and the 'chill out' atmosphere was still there.
The only small criticism was in the menu which seemed to repeat itself the second week. However, it is good and plenty of it.
Having flown here with Vigin Atlantic for the first time, it was so refreshing to be able to check in our luggage at the hotel and get your boarding passes before going to the airport. That has not changed!
The gardens and trees are so lovely, this is still a hotel in paradise.
We shall be going back

I highly recommend Virgin, or other airlines, early check in if you can do it. We checked in the night before at Gatwick, dropped our bags and were issued boarding passes so the next morning could go straight to the departure lounge. In Antigua the Virgin rep came to the hotel, picked up the bags, issued boarding passes leaving us again to walk straight to the departure lounge. This is much less hassle making flying almost pleasant again

Transfers and check in were trouble free with a golf cart transfer us to our rooms.

As this was the low season there were very few guests at the Hawksbill, about 60. As a result all the guests were upgraded from their booked accommodation to the beach front bungalows and the honeymoon suites which delighted us all.

The reason we booked here was my daughters wedding. They had booked a wedding package through Kuoni and only had to select the place where the ceremony was to be performed. This could have been any where in the hotel but a site just below the Sugar Mill was selected on the basis that if it rained the ceremony could rapidly be moved indoors. We transferred from the honeymoon suites to reception in a golf cart and the stroll down the few steps from the Sugar Mill, with a Steel Band playing, made a grand entrance. The ceremony was a wonderful and problem free occasion, making a memorable day. Some of the hotel guests came to watch and I hope they enjoyed it as much as we did. After the cake cutting and champagne, we strolled down to a large gazebo by the beach, away from the main restaurant, for dinner, where our daughter and son-in-law could relax with family and friends. A truly wonderful wedding day and holiday!

The staff could not have been more pleasant, helpful and efficient.

Electric 110 V US type 2 flat pin plugs.

Entertainment, there was a band one night but for the rest it was good company and sampling the beer and cocktails, which surprisingly had alcohol in them.

The Sugar mill boutique was opened on request and had some basics but a better bet was the taxi service to St Johns. This runs 3 times a week, 6 US dollars a head, if you take passports and tickets you can indulge in duty free shopping.

Food -surprisingly good. An egg chef and sausages and bacon made a good start for the day. Lunch and afternoon tea at the Sea Grapes consisted of burgers and pasta with the evening meal either buffet or waiter service. The pudding Club members were well catered for with Pineapple upside down cake, Eaves pudding and Apple Crumble among some of the treats on offer.

The beaches are almost totally deserted and all water sports were readily available.
Other reviewers have described them very well and even without rose tinted spectacles this is a beautiful location.


The Mosquitoes seem particularly vicious here so bring plenty of strong repellent, use it liberally and you may escape being eaten alive at dusk.

This is an old fashioned Hotel in a wonderful location with good food, drink and abundant wildlife but probably better in season.

If you are looking for a place to get married in Antigua then the Hawksbill should definitely be your choice. Having heard about weddings abroad being a bit like a conveyor belt we were a little nervous to say the least.

We had no need to worry; it was everything we hoped for and more. Vanessa the wedding co-ordinator is an absolute star! She makes the whole process very smooth. It was like having a wedding in the UK but better, the weather was amazing!!

We were able to choose the location we wanted to get married ourselves, rather than being told where we would have to get married. We had about 20 people with us, so we wanted to have a reception meal away from all the other guests - this was no problem, we even got to choose from a different menu, the lobster is absolutely huge!! .Nothing seemed to be too much trouble.

Some reviewers have slated this hotel, sometimes the service was slower than you would get in the UK but what is the rush if you're on holiday. This hotel is truly Caribbean and if you want a real Caribbean holiday then you should stay here.

We stayed in a Club room at Honeymoon Cove - these are without a doubt the best rooms, however a couple of our guests did stay in the garden rooms and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them - the fans in one of the rooms actually was better than the air con in ours.

We were away for 3 weeks in total and stayed at a different hotel on a different island each week. In St Lucia and Tobago the hotels could have been anywhere in the world and both seemed to have a few too many sun beds for you to really appreciate where you were. The weddings we saw at the other hotels were terrible, after the ceremony the bride and groom and there guests were just left to sit around with the other holiday makers, hardly a dream wedding. There was noting romantic about sitting in a wedding dress at a pool bar with middle age men in their Speedo’s standing right next to you. One of the hotels had 4 weddings in one day!!

The Hawksbill is set in an amazing location, the perfect location for a wedding.