Just returned from a great week at St James' Club. We stayed in a villa (booked 2 bed and got 3) and rate our week as one of the best holidays we've had. If you were in a bad mood you could claim that some of the staff were a little sullen, the beaches are not the island's very best etc but we were in a good mood and found that the staff responded to a cheerful approach and the beaches were only beaten by the world class ones at Half Moon and Darkwood.

Our villa was clean and bright and despite not yet having been refurbished (they seem to be on a rolling programme) was everything we needed. Our children (5&7) loved the kids' club and the food suited us very well; the breakfast buffet had everything you could think of, we ate in all 4 restaurants varying from burgers on the beach to enormous lobster and daily fresh fish.

Sailing, windsurfing and snorkelling were excellent and always available. If you want to go diving I would recommend 'Dockyard Divers' in Nelson's Harbour.

Well what can I say.........
We have just returned from a 2 week stay at the St James Beach Club with Virgin Holidays.
Before we left for Antigua I was very nervous about exactly what we would find as there were many different reviews on Trip Advisor ranging from Excellent to Very Poor.
All I can say is that I think some peoples expectations (especially the American's, no slur intended) must be very very high and we have travelled to many destinations all over the world.
We loved every minute and so did my parents in-law.
The one thing I will say about the Beach Club Rooms is that they are constructed out of wood and can be very noisy especially if there are a lot of children staying there and you happen to have booked a room upgrade which is on the ground floor, be warned for the first three days we were woken at 5am by the people upstairs moving around and opening and shuting the patio doors (hard to do this quietly at the best of times, could do with replacing) but luckily they went home on the Wednesday.
The rooms are a good size and very clean although not luxurious by any stretch of the imagination but don't let that put you off, the view from the rooms more than makes up for this. Glad we were on the Atlantic side because Mamora Bay side got very very hot at times.
All the staff that we came across were more than helpful and always had a smile if you smiled at them, we did notice that some people (guests) did forget their manners and to these people some of the staff were rude who can blame them!
Because we stayed at the Beach Club we were limited to eating and drinking at Coco's apart from on a couple of nights a week when we had to eat at either the Rainbow Garden or the Docksider Restaurants, we preferred Coco's anyway much cooler and closer to our rooms. On the whole the food was very good but I can imagine that there might not have been enough junk food for some although at lunch you could always get a burger and chips if you wanted it.
Some people complained on Trip Advisor that they did not see the drinks cart enough times during the day, when we were there we generally saw it at least four times a day with the exception of one day when we think they must have had a problem with staff levels because we didn't see it at all, but hey...... all you had to do if you wanted a drink was get up and walk a couple of yards to a bar to get one yourself.
Once again, I think if you are respectful and good mannered to the staff they will be the same to you but then we all have a bad day eh?
We loved our holiday so my advise to you is don't let other reviews put you off especially the bad American one's, kick back, enjoy, relax and go with the flow......we did.

We just got back from our vacation at the St. James Club and had a fantastic time. As someone who travels to a different Carribbean destination each year -- I can honestly say this is the first resort I would love to go back to. The grounds of the St. James Club itself were just gorgeous -- lush tropical landscaping, winding cobblestone streets and pathways and two very distinct beaches. The pools were fantastic and since there were four in different areas of the resort, you could find one that suited your taste -- there was something for adults only, there was another pool that was very private, another -- at the main building-- was very lively, and yet another was incredibly child friendly. Something for everyone.

And, on the contrary to other reviews posted, we did not have a bad meal at any of their restaurants. The food was awesome. As with any all-inclusive -- the breakfast buffets can get a bit repititious -- but lunch and dinner options were abundant. Reservations were easy to obtain -- none of the "making dinner reservations for your entire trip on the first day or maybe you won't eat" stuff that I've experienced at other resorts! We really enjoyed the ambiance at the Docksider-- something about eating a great meal, on the water with calypso in the background ...what an evening! That was another thing -- they had live music every evening at dinner. It was impressive and made every evening a fun date.

Also, I found the service to be excellent. All of the staff on the resort was friendly and courteous. I think eveyone needs to keep in mind when traveling to the Carribbean that the culture there is different -- things are laid back and people are on island time. It takes a day or so to get used to ...but it is really the beauty of an island vacation -- taking it slow.

Our room was very nice -- it was not the Hilton, but it was clean and spacious and all that we needed to enjoy a beach vacation. Our room was on the first floor and had steps right out on the beach. And, like old Carribbean past, we even had a dish pan filled with water on our steps so that we rinse our feet off before entering the room.

The St. James Club is not Sandals, or Breezes or any of the other major resort chains out there. So don't expect that atmosphere -- there are no 24/7 activities, parasailing and powerboats zooming by the beach, trapise and sideshow wet t-shirt contests -- it is a very real, very peaceful, very private -- unspoiled and uncommercialized Caribbean resort. If that is what you are looking for -- you have found your match.

I have just returned from a 2 week break at St James club. We stayed in a villa which we could not fault, fantastic views, very clean and comfortable and fresh towels every day.

The Complex itself is breathtaking. I am not usually a beach person but i found sunbathing on the lagoons into the sea were amazing. Very peaceful and a lovely breeze. Have to get up early to get one of these though as they are popular. I also enjoyed the adult pool on a few occasions too also very peaceful and bar closeby.

We went all-inclusive for 2 weeks which i would not recommend. Although the food is very good it does get boring after a while and you start craving junk food! The drinks choice on the all-inclusive package were great - many a night we were on the champagne all night, cocktails good too! If i visited St James again i would stay Room Only and explore the island as it is beautiful and some much nicer beaches.

In general the staff were friendly, admittedly a few miserable ones but we had them smiling by the end of the 2 weeks !

Entertainment was poor. All the daytime activities that were supposed to take place never actually did and the nightly entertainment was also sparse. Thank god for the Casino which kept us entertained. We were often left in the Jacaranda bar while all the staff cleaned up and left! They will not serve you after 1pm so if you like staying up drinking till allhours then this is not the place for you.

In general we had a lovely time and would recommend this hotel but considering it's 5 star status it needs a few things extra to make it a perfect hotel.