We spent a week at SJC in Antigua and another at Jalousie Plantation on St. Lucia (pls see my review there). We travelled with 2 children aged 6 years. Our (mostly negative) comments are similar to those other people have already posted here. In general, I feel that this hotel is not a luxury and not even a 4-star hotel. The two beaches are nice (though owing to the wind conditions the atlantic beach was basically useless) but not really "caribbean" (you would find those beaches in the Western part of the island, eg. at Jolly harbour). The positive aspects are:

- Rather good foot at Piccolo Mondo
- Hotel has a nice layout
- Rooms are rather spacious (we had a villa in the "club" section)
- Kid's club staff very nice + kid's club is conveniently located
- sense of privacy


The negative aspects are:

- 80% of the staff is non-professional at best
- Food is lousy quality + choice; terrible value
- Grounds are poorly maintained
- Rooms are very basic; terrible furniture

A few points:

1. We felt it worth to rent a car (50 USD + license) and drive around the island (terribly sign-posted). This works out much cheaper than taking a taxi
2. A round-the-island tour is a must
3. Shirley Heights is a must
4. There is a nice supermarket outside the hotel but in order to reach it you need to have a car.

From our "round the island"-tour I have got the impression that SJC might be one of the better hotels on the island. Having said this, I do not think that this is one of the "dream places" that one must go to. It was ok for one week - espeically with our children - but certainly not longer. If you are looking for a great beach this is not your place.

I stayed at St James from 11-19th Dec as a single traveller on this occassion and could not fault any aspect of my stay from the friendly,helpful and efficient staff,the food,location and room quality.

Things got off to a vg start when I was put in one of the Bay Suite rooms (212),well equipped (although I did have to request, and promptly recieved, a fridge).The view from here is just beautiful and being slightly removed from the rest of the rooms even boasts its own 'private' beach.The room itself was very clean and well maintained.

One of the reasons I chose St James,apart from location etc, was the 6 tennis courts plus tennis pro (Bennett....all of 6'4" then he stood up!....but a good and fun coach for all standards).The courts themselves need a bit of renovation with the odd strange bounce (that was my excuse anyway).

The Rainbow Garden was available to me a couple of nights before it was closed for a refit after which I ate mostly in the Docksider,,which is a beautiful location day or night.I ate just one evening at Piccolo Mondo which was good but found the food and service throughout to be of a high standard although I did not get to eat at Cocos.

I spent most time on Mamora Beach but it is great to have the contrast between the two and the breeze kept things comfortable....plenty of shade if needed also plenty of sunbeds.I was recommended factor 30 suntan cream which helped as well!
It is a very quiet,peaceful and relaxing holiday but with plenty to do in terms of watersports and excursions etc...there was even some good live music on most nights although not many people seemed to attend the Jaccaranda Lounge which was a pity and I did suggest that the hotel perhaps needs to advertise what's on more actively to encourage bigger audiences.

As for excursions,the helicopter tour of the volcano at Montserrat rated 11/10 for me but would also recommend the Wadladi Cat circumnavigation plus Eli's Eco Tour as 10/10 but be warned the latter can be as active as the former is laid back.Shirley Heights on Sunday was just a magical evening and just should not be missed under any circumstances!

One word of caution though is that the excursions tend to be based in the North and Taxi fares are not cheap $72 now to Dickinson Bay area which is painful if you don't expect it and cannot share the cost with others going on the same trip.As a single traveller this did happen to me twice so that the taxi fare was almost as much as the excursion cost!However the excellent Carolyn on Guest Services will always try to see if others are going on the same trips...I was unlucky I guess.

This would not be the place for someone looking for lots of local nightlife/bars etc but for a peaceful relaxing holiday with plenty of sporting activity on hand,good food,good accomodation and spectacular location,this place is hard to beat and I currently planning another visit in 06 with my two lads who couldn't make it on this last trip.

Last but not least,all the staff with whom I came in contact were warm and responsive and made me feel extremely welcome and relaxed...."a drop more wine bud" is a phrase that will linger(thank you Margaret!)

Highly recommended.

Went to the St. James Club on 3 December just for a week, not long enough. After a nightmare arrival the airport is scary, so many flights arriving at once it was amazing to arrive at the relaxing St.James club , it was our second visit and they say don't go back, but do
We had one of the refurbished Bay Suites overlooking Mamora Bay, what a way to wake up to that lovely view heaven. If you want a wild time do not go to the St. James, but if you want to relax,unwind,eat good food ,and meet lovely people go there.
When you are in Antigua visit Half Moon Bay and jump the breakers its great, the place is breathtaking.
One reservation some the staff could cheer up a bit it does not hurt to smile now and again.
On a positive note the place is great, the two beaches beautiful a complete contrast one the ocean beach breezy and the sea quite lively the bay side calm sea and hot hot sun take plenty of sunscreen and important insect repellant.
Enjoy.

We stayed at St James Club from the 19th November to the 3rd December and have to say that it was one of the best hotels I have stayed in, in the Carribean. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left we were made to feel most welcome. Check-In was very quick and thorough, which was great given the fact that we were quite tired from travelling all day. The only downside when were arrived in Antigua had been the terribly long wait in the Customs Hall as not only our BA flight arrived, but so did BMI, Virgin, United Airlines and American Airlines. So to have a speedy check-in at the hotel, was extremely welcome.

The quality and cleanliness of the hotel was all round very good. The hotel was very clean and maintained to a high standard. Reception was open 24/7 and the Guest Services desk always appeared to be manned and were very helpful. We stayed in Room 167, which had a sea view (on the Atlantic side) and was very clean and spacious. The Bathroom was huge !

Beach towels are available at 2 or 3 locations and there are always plenty of them so don’t worry about taking your own.

Mamora Bay was lovely and we spent most of our days down there. We were most impressed with the drinks cart that comes along (practically once an hour) and offers you a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. We sat on Coco’s beach which was also lovely but the sea was not so calm as Mamora Bay so tended to stick to Mamora Bay.

All restaurants were very good and offered a wide range of food. Coco’s is sometimes very busy as Virgin guests are offered a package which entitles them to only eat in the Coco’s, with the exception of Tuesday’s and Thursday’s where they can eat in other restaurants, so if you want to go to Coco’s book well in advance! Rainbow Garden is where we ate breakfast (apparently you can eat in Coco’s too) and most lunches too. Everything you want for breakfast (even pancakes and syrup) and lunches were very varied too, with buffet style or the option of a burger or hot dog. Docksiders restaurant offered evening meal, either buffet or a la carte, this was my favourite restaurant, don’t miss the Thursday night with the fire eater. The Casino Bar was very good, don’t miss a drink in there ! Docksiders and Rainbow aren’t always open every evening so keep an eye in Reception on the board. You have to book anyway for your evening meals.

Just one criticism – the island has a huge mosquito problem !! Take plenty of repellent as you will need it. The grounds are sprayed (once a week I believe) but we were bitten quite a bit. I’m still scratching now !!!!

We hired a car and toured round the island. Fig Tree Drive, Shirley Heights, Nelson’s Dock Yard are definitely worth a visit and don’t miss a swim at Half Moon Bay – LOVELY ! We went into St John’s which was very busy but there are some bargains to be had. The hotel offers a ½ day trip there which is worthwhile.

All in all a fantastic 2 week vacation at a top class resort. We will definitately be back again !