My 14 year old daughter and I spent a mother-daughter week at St. James Club in March. I think the resort delivered everything I hoped it would, and more.

The first impressions are wonderful. The setting is beautiful and the grounds are lovely. It's all by itself on a peninsula, which is gorgeous with ocean/bay on either side. I also loved the warm welcome and the fruit punch at check-in.

We were in the Hibiscus building and had a nice ocean view (although I expected a garden view, so was happily surprised). The room is a nice size, as is the bathroom. Both are, as reported, run down. The bedding is a bit sad and the bathroom is dull, but they are both serviceable and you don't hang out in your room on this type of vacation, anyway. Just hang your sign on the door when you leave in the morning to alert the maid you're ready for a cleaning. Otherwise it won't happen till 4PM when they're out of towels.

The beaches are both great. We loved the "windy" ocean beach because it's not as popular. There is seaweed, but plenty of space to walk out without it. It's quiet and scenic, with showers, the man with the drinks cart, and bathrooms not far away.

The pools are fine. My daughter was frustrated because, at 14, she wasn't allowed in the adult pool (?) and wouldn't be caught dead in the kiddy pool. The main pool is packed and noisy and it's hard to secure a chair. The final pool is tiny, empty and depressing. So, we spent most of our time at the beach (not really an issue, since the beach is a great place to be!!).

Food. She loved it. I thought it was "fine". My first experience with all inclusives and better than I thought. I loved the breakfasts and loved Piccolo Mondo (we went once). We preferred Coco's for lunch (buffet) and Docksider for our other dinners. I found the reservation issue for dinner a bit daunting (you need to make your reservations about 36 hours before the dinner), but we just did it routinely every morning after breakfast.

We really never left the resort. Tried to book some snorkeling/sailing but it was very pricey and the times didn't suit us. So we took out boats on the bay, had some spa treatments (tiny place, but nice women), and sunbathed and read. My daughter tried to use the gym, but that was also something teens were not allowed to use. We brought our laptop to keep in touch with home and had no trouble getting wireless free access in the lobby and outside the deli.

I don't think I'd go back, unless it was to stay in one of the villas and with a larger group of people. It's a pretty quiet resort, which I love, but one week there might just be enough. Now on to some other place.

Weather absolutely perfect. 85 F all week.
Landscaping finely manicured,BUT trash,dirty dishes all about,also
food on ground & left on tables overnight.
Bird's flying in dining facilities. Bird's eating food off your plates &
buffet.(food & creamers not covered)
Most of the staff very rude,acting as though you are bothering them.
(example: omelet station the cook rolled her eyes,grunted,shuffled
feet,slammed things around when asked for omelet.)
Rooms on the small side. Housekeeping not to our room until well
after 4pm.
NO casino,as advertised.
No activities as posted.
Not much variety in the food.
Only two dining facilities (out of 7) open.
Beauty Spa above and beyond expectations, incredible staff.
Despite the few little things, it was a relaxing, enjoyable time.
Met many people from the UK and Australia. Very kind, friendly
and social. (interesting!!)

I do not like writing this but feel that it is important to warn prospective guests. First the good: Unlike many of the reviews, I found the staff friendly and accomodating (with a few exceptions). Overall, if you are friendly and appreciative, staff will respond in kind. (it didn't hurt that we tipped to show appreciation, even though it was "all inclusive").

However, there was a clear lack of managerial oversight that was present. Although the duty manager, "Jeff" would make appearances, it was more as a "social host" rather than as a manager overseeing potential problems and solving them (our issues were addressed by a few proactive staff rather than management).

Unfortunately, I believe that this lack of oversight resulted in myself, my wife and my young son getting food poisoning. (My wife and I most likely got it from egg whites that were left out and not on ice...we noticed that other perishable items were also left out without being refrigerated. While we were there, others also got ill. I feel that the resort, in it's attempt to watch the dollars, served the same food over and over which may have contributed to the problems. Although the resort is a pleasant enough place for the price, no amount of cost savings can justify getting ill. Unfortunately, ours did not appear to be an isolated situation. I write this not to "bad mouth" the resort, but to warn potential guests who may be traveling with the elderly, children or pregnant women. Be careful.

We choose St James's club based on the reviews on trip advisor and were delighted. From our arrival to our departure (we didn't want to leave after 10 daysand wanted to stay longer) our stay was fantastic.

We had a beachfront villa with a sea view - so nice to wake up to on our stay. The villa had a small sitting area and separate room. The bathoom could do with being updated but was good enough for us.

The two beaches are great especially the one at the bay which has watersports and volleyball. We also played tennis which was good. Even with the sports the beach at the bay is really relaxing and just gorgeous. I loved the man in the van who stopped off just as you felt like a drink!

In terms of restaurants they were all good - especially 'The Docksider' and Piccolo Mondo is well worth a visit even though you have to pay - we ate there twice! At night the restaurants often had entertainment and is a bar to sit in following dinner but it is quiet and if you're looking for busy nightlife this is not the place.

Antigua is a great island ad we would recommend the Shirley Heights day which has an exceptionally good steel band and reggae music as well as an amazing sunset.

I would really hope to return to St James's Club soon even though I never usually go back to the same place!