We just got back from a stay @ the St. James Club. We were a group of roughly 18. We went for my wedding. Let me first say... that Tammy in Guest Services did an AMAZING job with the wedding.

I travel for a living and often stay @ Ritz Carlton's, Mandarin Orientals & Sofitel's, Atlantis, Bellagio, Frenchmen's Reef, etc... And by far this was my most enjoyable stay @ a hotel/resort ever! I thought nothing could top my last trip (which was a Penthouse Suite).

I was extremely worried prior to going because....we had such a large group of people going with us and I wanted to make sure no one would be disappointed. I would be on this site everyday reading reviews...and became really nervous. I can honestly say that with the group of TOUGH CRITICS that came along with me... we were all pleased and enjoyed ourselves immensely. The staff was amazing... They greeted us upon arrival with great smiles and cold drinks. They relieved the frustrations of traveling all day long.

The food was great. I read the reviews regarding the food being repetitious.... Anytime you stay somewhere beyond 7 days ... the menu is bound to repeat. What else is there to serve for breakfast... I cannot think of anything that was missing? I read the reviews about the rooms being dated... The decor in the Club rooms could stand to be updated a little ; but, all and all they weren't bad... and it shouldn't have affected anyone's stay. I read about the staff being rude.... I find that hard to believe. We were greeted each morning at breakfast with warm smiles and generous offers to assist us with anything we needed. My response to that: If you are RUDE to someone... you more than likely will get back what you are giving out! I honestly thought long and hard to make sure I am not being bias... and I cannot think of anything to complain about. Maybe the rain during my wedding (LOL). Or the cost of taxis, but that has nothing to do with the Resort.

Mr. Francis, the Assistant GM, was great with assisting with our reception.... The Band was fantastic, the food excellent.... Just a wonderful job.

The views alone on the Resort were just priceless... driving to the resort...looking down @ Mamora Bay....was just beautiful. The staff wonderful. The food great... The rooms good. To the folks who were unhappy.... being a seasoned traveler myself... I have to assume that they are extremely picky... and probably wouldn't have a good time anywhere they go.

I cannot thank the gang @ SJC enough for making my "special day" amazing! Tammy, Mr. Francis, Prince, Isabel, Ozzie & Jody... you all Rock!

Having been to St James Club three times, the last being three years ago it was sad to see how standards have dropped. We travel independently, and not with virgin a/l holidays as we have one of the vacation villas.
The food on the resort is dull, boring,and 90% of the time cold!! with one exception, Piccolo Mondo.
On our first morning we went to breakfast 7-30 and the "hot" food was cold, not a good start! Buffet lunch at Cocos just as bad, plus a few surly staff. Hence that it is a pretty resort, most of the staff are pleasant, and helpful, especially guest services.
My advice to anyone is not to do all/inc, then you are not "tied" to eating in the resort. There are some very good restaurants on the island, if you are prepared to explore, thou some can be a distance. One i would recomend is Le Bistro at Hodges bay, perfect! bit pricey but worth it.

My family and I went for a birthday treat and I have to say it was diasappointing considering the amount we paid. I must point out that I have a major gripe with Virgin as they insisted we have a villa as there was 5 of us (2 adults and 3 children). When we arrived we were sent to a villa with 2 bedrooms but only 1 double and two singles - we had to call for a foldaway bed, which was literally squeezed into the room. It wasn't until we were close to leaving that we found that the St James Club rooms would have been more than adequate. Hey ho that is something for Virgin to sort out. We were moved to a three bed villa but you just don't want the hassle. The weather was lovely and the watersports great, a very special thanks goes to Dave who was always happy and keen to help - we all liked him! Also Isabella on Guest Services was a sweetie and very smiley and helpful. Although most of the reception staff were totally excellent, the majority of the waiting staff were not and this could be improved greatly. I would say the food is average and quite boring. The breakfasts are good but they could do with simplifying their meals; they try to make them sound and look better than they are so you are left disappointed. Some simple fish or roasts with lovely salads would have been fab and a snack bar for the kids is a must as they don't always want big meals and quite frankly the kids menu is a disgrace - boring and bland. Antigua is lovely and we went on a lovely boat trip on the Jabberwocky which was the highlight for us and I would return but not to St James, it doesn't warrant its accolades - you feel as if everything is done on the cheap - sorry!

First thing first...if your from the United States Antigua is pronounced ANTI-GA. I read many reviews of the hotel prior to going and was very hesitant about committing. Our travel agent at tropicaltravel.net recommended the hotel and we went. We are a family of 4 two brothers 23/24 and a mom/dad. We arrived and were intrigued by the property layout. Be reminded we arrived at 1:30am Christmas Eve. Off the lobby is the Casino/Bar which despite not having many people in the Casino at 1:30am it was a relief to see some action. The resort is all-inclusive meaning nothing is really top shelf unless you think Stoli is and food is not the best. However, the people and the experience was amazing. We stayed from the 24th of Dec till the 2nd of January; so we got to see a lot of diverse people. 90% of the occupants were from England. The other 10% from all over but mainly the US i.e.: New York/ East Coast. And every 3rd day roughly a plane of flight attendants from Virgin Atlantic arrive which is sometimes a breath of fresh air. The resort is split by the actual hotel part and the villa side. The hotel side is where we stayed two rooms with spectacular ocean views. Each room had a balcony and yet the linens were old; but the view setting made me brush that aside. The main pool is nice however very windy I don’t know if it’s like that all the time but by the shape of the palm trees around the pool I suspect it is. There are two beaches one which like the pool is windy but more private or the villa side beach which contains all the activities including sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling..etc. On the villa side beach there is also a couple yachts usually which add to the pristine view. As it was Christmas time people at the resort and villas were intermingling and the people we met at the restaurants/ bar each night made the next day at the pool or beach even more interesting. There are 3 restaurants; however the cliff side Piccolo Micclo has a $35 surcharge plus $18 for Caribbean Lobster. The other two restaurants are okay but after 10 days you'll need a break. English Harbour is about 15 minutes by cab and you should not pay more than $5 a person. At English harbor there is really only two places to eat one was called Abracadabra ran by a flamboyant Italian (very good Italian but bad seafood) and the other a French place but we never went there. The main town of St. John is a tourist trap for the cruises. However, if you step out of the square there is a little wine shop that is awesome to just sit and drink champagne before the hotel shuttle picks you back up later. This trip was not defined by the food or drinks yet by the people we met and the great property settings. The bartenders and servers at the restaurants are mostly good however you will run into a bad attitude more frequently than not. Overall St. James club should be rated 3 1/2 stars and if you’re looking for 4 to 5 star AAA rated you need to go to Jumby Bay or Captain Bluff/Curtain Bluff (I forgot). St. James club is a great vacation just be sure to not focus on just the food.