We got married here in Feb and can honestly say we had the best holiday and wedding ever. It may not be somewhere that I would recommend for a romantic get away, but for our needs it was perfect.
I, like many other reviewers was very nervous about this trip after reading some of the reviews, but every single member of our party felt exactly the same and loved it.

The beach and location of the resort are excellent and after travelling around to other beaches in Antigua it is definetly one of the nicest,- even though they are all beautiful, which says alot about this one.
The welcome drink and checking in process was brill, especially after the hectic arrivals at the airport.
We all had different categories of room around the resort and each had their own merits. no one had anything bad to say about the rooms. They maybe not the most up to date rooms, but that adds to the Carribbean feel.
Food, for the most part was great. Breakfast, lunch and snack bar were excellent. Evening dining was sometimes an issue. The main topaz restuarant service was a bit slow and the menue was a little restricting. However we were visiting in high season (half term) and you are in the Carribbean so relax and enjoy the very delicious cocktails!. The pineapple grill was outstanding. The food and atmosphere was brilliant, well worth getting up early to book.

Our wedding day itself was beautifull and we couldn't have asked for more, a big thank you to Novella the wedding co-ordinator.
There seems to be many negative reviews about the staff, but no one in our party experienced any grumpiness or moodiness. Having said that we did over hear many guests themselves be rude to the staff, the saying " treat others as you would like to be treated" springs to mind. Infact we loved the staff and they always got up dancing with us and had a great laugh, i also add we never tipped them till we were leaving, so their friendliness was not because we paid them off!!!!

Myself and my husband flew to another island for our honeymoon and stayed at a Hotel with a higher star rating, and we really missed the friendly and relaxed atmosphere at the pineapple.
It is not a marbled & generic hotel so don't go expecting the same as "hiltons" or" Marriots." However it has a unique carribbean charm to it that if that is what you like you won't be dissapointed.

I really hope Sandals/Beaches don't ruin the property as we would one day love to return for an anniversary.

I first stayed at the Pineapple Beach Club in 1989 and recall a very good time there. I just returned after 1 week there (Feb 18-24) and can tell you that there are some definite pros and a few minor cons to this resort. Overall, I would rate my latest trip as very good overall and after being in the Bahamas twice, St John's twice, St Martin, Bermuda, and Tortola once each in the past 2 1/2 years there is a good bit of experience and comparison to draw from.

The resort is set on an outstanding cove with very, very clean beaches and water. The surf was gentle and relaxing and we were fortunate to have perfect weather everyday. Check-in was an easy and accomodating process and we were quickly brought to our room (824) which had an outstanding elevated view of the beach and most of the resort. The room was very clean, but the furnishings were not lavish and new. The swimming pools were very clean and nicely laid out where one could find shade/sun/lounge chairs in abundance. Nearby the newer two tiered pool is the towel dispensery and activities desk. Also, there is an outdoor kitchen where they make tastey burgers, dogs and fries. A few steps down and one enters the area of the Sun Tan Bar and the Piano Bar. The service is generally slow in these areas and a few employees did exhibit a bit of attitude, however most where pleasant and moved at a speed one would expect in the Caribbean. Though it is an A/I resort, I suggest the first day or two you tip your bartenders a few dollars to get to know them and for the rest of the stay the drinks will be potent and you rarely will have to ask for a refill. The main dining area is the Topaz Room which has a lovely setting over the beach and nearby water. It had very good breakfasts and lunches but the dinners were generally disappointing. A better dinner can be had in the Pineapple Grill, however in both you will find service generally a bit slow. (Perhaps living in Manhattan I have become to accustomed to prompt service and had to remind myself a few times that we were not in NYC but on holiday in the laid back Caribbean). I definitely suggest you try Mary's Outhouse for some really outstanding BBQ and cool beers.

The Pineapple Grill turns Disco at night but was generally quiet most nights except for this outrageous guy doing a Ned Beatty impersonation.

The grounds at PGC are very well maintained and manicured. Sands has bought the property and will close it down in 18 months for a refurb and probably a staff turnover will accompany this (good news), but I heard it will reopen as a 'couples only', which for me and the 4 others we traveled with is no problem, but there were some really nice families there.

Thank you Vincent, Everton and beautiful Kyla, you were great !!

Caution: avoid the Grand Princess Casino which is not at the Pineapple Beach Club. It is a large casino for Antigua but was dead. You could have fired a cannon in there and not hurt anyone.

Lastly, take a stroll down the beach and check out the ares being sold by the locals and say 'hi' to Bishi.

Our arrival at the island and checking in at the Grand Pineapple were the low points of our vacation. 3 Planes, including a Virgin Atlantic 747 disgorged their passengers at approximately the same time. The airport was not built for this size of a crowd. The wait was abysmal.

I was enchanted when I first saw the resort, they have blended in gardens and island architecture to an excellent effect. This mood was quickly shattered when we were told (by the very haughty receptionist) that they only had 1 room, when we had reserved and paid in advance for 2 rooms through Occidental. We had confirmed the 2 rooms several times. The receptionist said we could speak with the manager later that day. After several run-arounds, my husband finally spoke with the resort manager a day later. The manager arrogantly asserted that he was the one who had given our 2nd room away to someone else. This was because someone had called several days before our arrival asking for rooms, which he had accommodated, partially at our expense! He did say that if a room freed up, they would try to give us one. If not, they would find us rooms at another resort. He actually admitted having a reservation was pretty much worthless! Finally, on the 2nd day of our vacation, we were given our 2nd room. The manager asserted that the resort was no longer associated with Occidental Resorts, and that it had been taken overy by Sandals.

The vacation quickly picked up from there, our bellman, Vincent, was charming and very helpful. The beaches were beautiful (raked daily), and the beach activities were plentiful and varied for those so inclined. Excellent snorkeling is available a short swim away. The guys enjoyed reef fishing one day. (They brought back their catch, red snapper, which we had prepared for our dinner that evening.) The pools are well laid out and maintained. The rooms showed a little wear, but were scrupulously clean, and colorful. The gardens, to this snowbird, are amazingly beautiful and very well maintained.

The meals were very good. Breakfasts were varied, and the omelets were excellent. Eat late if you want to avoid the line for the omelets. Buffet lunch at the Topaz was OK, but I would recommend the poolside grill, and the"outhouse" for the view. For the evening, the buffets at the Topaz were mixed, but the meals the nights we ordered from the menu were very good. The one night we ate at the Caribbean Grill the food was exceptional. The wines and drinks were also very good. Make sure to try the Wadadli (local) beer, and the tonic with extra lime (very refreshing in the heat).

Day trips to St. Johns and to Nelson's Dockyard and Falmouth bay were definitely worth the time. The Antiguan rum is a good deal. The yachts at Nelson's Dockyard and Falmouth were incredible. We arranged our trips with the same taxi driver, Tia, who was informative and accommodating. The countryside is charming, and the people are friendly.

We definitely will go back to Antigua. Jury out on whether we would go back to this resort, tho.

Well, after seeing some negative reviews of this resort, we went to the Grand Pineapple with some reservations (2 adults, a 6 year old and an 20 month old) but can honestly say it was a fantastic holiday! If you are expecting 5* "american style" accommodation and service then you will be disappointed but if you go with the flow (and the cocktails!) you will have a great time!
Lots of the staff got to know us and our kids and were very helpful. Agree about the Topaz restaurant not being very speedy - our kids meals sometimes arrived at different times than the adults meals - but hey, just chill out ! It is a spectacular setting and the beach is great. Also, we unexpectedly had some kids entertainment going on (Jules and Duane!) who dug sandcastles, played games and generally were great with the kids. We didn't sample any of the evening entertainment as we were too tired after full day with kids, but would highly recommend the Bird Island Picnic Cruise, also Harmony Hall for a posh lunch and trip to Green Island. And the locals were so friendly - eg my 6 year old wanted a steel pan (drum!) but we couldn't find one, so one of the taxi drivers brought one for him the next time she came to the resort and it was a gift. So just go with the flow and you will have a GREAT time !