Just got back from our 2 weeks at the Rex Halcyon and thought it would be nice to let other couples getting married to know what to expect.

As many others have commented the hotel itself could do with a refurb but having read previous threads we expected to upgrade when we arrived. The hotel itself has a policy of upgrading wedding couples on arrival ... we chose to upgrade on top of that and ended up with a beachfront suite. No complaints on our room at all. Our wedding party numbered 20 people and only 2 couples felt the need to upgrade from their basic rooms. The hotel manager upgraded the two rooms with no problem at all - and at no cost.

The staff throughout our stay were polite and helpful to the extreme - many thanks to Caitlyn (Wedding Co-ordinator) Elsworth (Reception) and Lennox (Tours) who put themselves out beyond the call of duty. As a wedding couple we found that the staff really did treat us like royalty .. some of which even attended our wedding.

We found meals at the Rex to be a bit the same each day and chose to eat out most of the time.
Most of our party chose to eat AI meals and the majority enjoyed the experience.
If you prefer dining out there are some excellent restaurants on the island and our only disappointment was that we didnt have to time to experience more of them. A few worth mentioning, within walking distance, include The Beach - Paris Pizza and Coconut Grove.

When on holiday we usually prefer to explore rather than be confined to the resort. We got a good price Jeep via Dollar Car Rental (based at Sandals) and managed to explore everything that Antigua has to offer. We did hear other Brits moaning about lack of entertainment and facilities ... It probably goes without saying that if you chose to be confined to any resort for 2 weeks
it would probably get a bit boring ... definately recommend the jeep option as Antigua, whilst not a huge island, does have some beautiful sights to see.

As many others have mentioned the beach at RHC is beautiful and a perfect place to relax. On our travels we also came across Darkwood Beach (near Jolly Harbour) which was often deserted and the water was much clearer than at the Rex - many thanks to the bar man at Darkwood Beach Bar for digging our jeep out of the sand.

For any of you planning to get married at the Rex, dont hesitate. We added a few things on to the basic package - steel band - photos - video and have come away with some great memories. We rarely visit the same place twice but will visit again in years to come for one of our anniveraries.

We wont go into the many trips available as they have been posted here many times before .. and as mentioned are all excellent.

Our only advice is dont be confined to the resort ... explore Antigua and hopefully you'll be as happy with the experience as we have been.

If you would like any more info please email us.

After reading all the reviews went with an open mind. We found that although in need of a facelift, the Hotel had a certain rustic charm that was lovely. The staff were on the whole very helpful and friendly. We enjoyed the food, it was basic and good, found the Warri Pier over the water a delight, such a beautiful setting!! I would recommend this hotel to anybody, it is only 3 stars and that is what you get, if your budget is tight then this is a very good basic hotel for the money.
Shirley Heights on a Sunday is too touristy to be enjoyable but a spectacular setting. Half Moon bay is breathtaking, see it before it becomes spoilt by too many visitors. Take one of the Catamaran trips, we went with Treasure Island tours and had a blast!!! On the whole Antigua is beautiful and the Rex Halcyon a good base to see it from.

22 - 29 May 2004 - Having read previous reviews of this hotel we arrived at the Rex Halycon with mixed views. We booked a standard room, as we have done with all holidays we have taken in the past, but this really was anything but standard. The bathroom was disgusting and I would not expect a toilet to be in the condition it was if I was staying in a prison ! We asked to change rooms and was shown an identical room with a toilet in just as much a disgusting state, but there was no electricity in the room ! We eventually paid to upgrade and had a beautiful poolside room - if staying in this hotel do not book a standard room. Breakfast at the Rex is great but I was glad I only stayed a week as lunch and dinner were getting monotonous - a variation on a theme - Islands of the Carribean - how many ways can you cook chicken, beef, lamb or pork !! If you are female you will get served pretty quick at the bar, but if you are male you may have to wait, sometimes being totally ignored. The all inclusive option is more like full board. The first bar does not open until 10.30, so if you breakfast early you cannot get a drink until 10.30 (which when you have been sitting in the sun for a couple of hours a fruit juice would be nice). I would not hurry back to this hotel, but may try Antigua again - Barbados is still my favourite carribean island. A taxi is a good way of getting round the island - look out for Horatio Scotland - a great guy.

great breakfasts - the fritters are something that must be tried.....staff incredibly friendly, the tour desk bloke lennox kept us entertained for hours.
Lunch on the warri pier is dull dull dull, and the awarak restaraunt for dinner not really a plan! on the upside the beach bar (and the staff down there) is cool, and the beach is beautiful, white sand, palm trees and the bluest of blue seas (a much better spot than sandals which is next door and twice as expensive) The entertainment is limited and if it rains it is boredom to the extreme, also there are loads of mosquitos (so pack the repellant) and no air conditioning in public areas and so can get very hot. The taxi guys are helpful and loads cheaper than the jeep tours for a much better trip (say hi to Business from us both)....if you get offered a trip with miguel to prickly pear island than go for it the lunches great snorkling cool and company entertaining.....the beach bar down the beach and the lobster pot at runaway bay is excellent. If you get the chance to see roland prince and calypso val perform then we recommend it for a really chilled out and talented jazz exeperience. Antigua itself is very relaxed, friendly and a great holiday, at times expensive but well worth visiting. When we go back (note the when, not if) we would not go all-inclusive as it really wasnt worth it, and would probably rent a house or self catering place as the local people, food and entertainment outclasses anything a hotel could ever provide.