Just back from two weeks at the Rex (3 July - 17 July). After reading the other reviews I was worried about the standard of the resort but everything was fine and we had a great time. We were AI and the food was good every day. The Superior room was clean and spacious and the beach was great. Don't let the negative reviews put you off, the Rex is great value for money. I've stayed at Club Antugua and Club St Lucia and the Rex is a similar standard with a better beach.

We stayed at the Rex from 6/30 - 7/07. Here is our review:

ROOM: We recieved a complimentary up grade to a beach front room that was only steps away from the beach. Although not sumptious, the room was fine for our needs, espcially since we had an incredible view of the ocean. The bathroom was a bit run-down, and the windows were foggy with a mist that detracted from the view. As everyone has said, the rooms need to be refurbished. Our air-conditioning was superd though, and the maids did a nice job. Ours was room number 305. So, the room was steps from the beach, with great air conditioning, nice TV, and a dingy bathroom.

BEACH: The beach is wonderful. Turquiose calm waters, and not at all crowded. If I may make one negative commment, it is that there is nothing there to see for those who enjoy to snorkle. The waters are turbid due to the fine sand, andd thus they are cloudy under the surface.

FOOD: We were not all-inclusive, but we did eat dinner at the Warri pier twice, and once for lunch. The view was lovely and we had no problems with the food, in fact it was delicious!

STAFF: Everyone was kind to us regardless of how we tipped them.

CAR RENTALS: We rented a jeep through Avis at the airport for $270.00 for seven days. This was a great deal, and you can get it through Continental Airlines. Yes, there are many potholes on the streets, but it wasn't that bad. This is an island remember, and of course there isn't money to refurbish the streets.

RESTAURANTS: If you are not all-inclusive please try: Julian's (Fantasttic gourmet food, the filet was incredible!), Le Bistro ( excellent French food, excellent service), The Beach (wonderful lobster, sushi, ribs etc, the Beach is a great spot on the water) Coconut Grove (next to the Beach, fantastic Lobster and fresh fish). Honestly, Julians and Le Bistro were fantastic, please get out and try them!!

BOTTOM LINE: The Rex is not a sumptuious hotel, and we heard others complain about their "standard" accommadations, so beware. We were satisfied with our room, but remember, we had one heck of an upgrade! One thing to note: we shared the SAME beach as those who were at Sandals, and they paid twice as much as we did! Also, VERY IMPORTANT: the Sandals resort has not "palapas" or "umbrellas" for shade. For this reason, their beach was practically empty everyday. Do not think we aren't accustomed to excellent hotels: we are! We have been to the Ritz in Meixco, Sands at Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos, the Westin in Grand Cayman, the (relatively) new Sandals in Grand Bahama island, ut we got a great deal here at the Rex, so we took it. We have no regrets!

OTHER HOTELS: Sandals has a nice beach, well-manicured gardens/waterfalls, but no shade for their beach dwellers. Hawksbill had beaches that were not half as nice as the Rex. Jolly Harbor was nice with a cute casino, but the entire place is HUGE, and people are driven around in golf carts due to the enormous distance between the beach and the rooms/restaurnats.

Please email me if you have questions-

If you could take all the negative things you read in all the reviews and lump them into one, you would have an accurate description of this place. We learned that this resort is in bankruptcy and is closing. We understood they will be refurbishing the place for the new owners. However, unless you bring professional people in to staff and run the place, it will not stand a chance. Service slow, most workers could care less about their attitudes which makes it hard for the few good employees. The real estate is superb with its location, nice beach, and seclusion. Entertainment was minimal and poor. Sandals was the only place to go for decent entertainment and that would cost you a night pass of 38 dollars american per person. Electricity kept going out for a brief period. Our friends who stayed in beachfront rooms lost their water for two days. NO TOILETS!!....Rooms were hot despite air conditioning. I would never go back to this resort again. You save and save your money to go on vacation just to throw it on a emotionless, uncaring, and uninviting environment. Oh well!!!!!!! I guess you get what you pay for...........

My wife and I have just returned from a memorable
two week stay at the Rex Halcyon.
It was our first visit to Antigua and I can honestly agree with most of the comments regarding the Rex.
We agree that the whole place requires refurbishment,but having said that we found our rooms on the beach front very clean for the whole
stay.
The staff were excellent,and we found the food on
an all inclusive fine with something to suit most people's tastes.
We passed by Sandal's next door on our first walk
along the beautiful beach and were amazed that
there was no convenient shade provided for their
guests on the beach!
We found out later that this was Sandal's policy,
as the beaches in Antigua are public and Sandal's
would only take responsibility for their guests inside
their hotel limits.
We encountered no problems and thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Would recommend Eli Fuller's Eco Trip .A mine of information and a great day out with good safe snorkelling.