We have just retruned from our two week stay at the halcyon cove hotel in antigua. The halcyon cove is a very basic standard hotel. We had a superior room and it was very basic. All the rooms need a complete overhall as does the the entire hotel. The carib bar, warri pier and the awark terrace etc. The staff are friendly but are extremely SLOW. Dont go to the bar for a drink when you are thirsty go before you get thirsty as you are so long waiting for it. The nightly entertainment was only ok. We are a young couple in our early thirties and after 11pm at night there was absoultey nothing to do. We found an amazing restaurnat at the end of dickensonbay called Coconut Grove and we ate there on a few occasion and we drnak there most nights as it was only place near the halcyon that had a bit of life to it, despite being all inclusive. The beach the hotel is on is truly amazing and there is an abundance of beach brollies/shelter and that was a major plus as having visited may of the other baches on the island, the halcyon was the only hotel that provided plenty. A wadadli catamaran cruise around the west coast of the island is a must. You go snorkelling on cades reef , have a beach bar b q for lunch and visit some amazing beaches. All food and drinks for the day are included and the rum punch is flowing. What a great day we had on that. Another must is Sherly heights on a sunday evening. They have a great regge band there that play from 7 to 10 and the athmosphere is elcectic and plenty to eat and drink there. In all we did enjoy our stay at the halcyon. We will return to Antigua again but not the Halcyon Cove. Rex Resorts get your finger out and refurbish the entire hotel and send the staff on an efficency course. You are sittinng on a jewel situated on a beach that was voted the best in the carribean for a few years running......

My wife and I read the mixed reviews and did not really know what to expect. We arrived 10pm to check in and we were given a standard room on the 3rd floor in the back. The room was clean-no tv, but we did expect that. The air conditioning worked very good. After 2 days we were quite tired of climbing the stairs so I asked to see a poolside room which cost more.
Took 2 days but they were very gracious and apologized for the delay. They also did not charge me extra but asked that I enjoy the remainder of our stay! The Pool was very cleans-the grounds were very nice, flowers and birds everywhere. We did not get the all inclusive with meals as we wanted to have a little variety. We thought the breakfasts were
overpriced but ate there several times. We did not eat in the dining room or at the pier restaurant due to their policy of men wearing slacks and collared shirts for men and dressy for women. We went to relax and vacation-not to dress up. Good food in walking distance to The Beach restaurant . The food was very good there-nice sunsets. The beach at Dickenson Bay is very nice. Some of the other beaches were breathtaking. We have traveled much throughout the islands and had a very good time in Antigua. The Catamaran trip around the island and snorkeling at Green Island was a fun tour! Well worth the $90.00 per person-good food and rum drinks all day long! Reefs were not as pristine as some islands we have been to
but Antigua is very lush and tropical-very nice hills, crystal clear beaches. Did not experience any bug problems as some people had reported, good thing!! So all in all it was a good value-courtious staff that went out of the way for us. The vendors on the beach got tiring but were friendly and just trying to make a living also.

We booked this holiday at the last minute. We did check Trip Advisor before travelling and noted some varied reviews. Therefore we did travel with mixed expectations. Our only previous experience of Antigua having resulted from an unexpected touch down due to a sick plane.
Our first impressions of arriving at the hotel were spoiled by what appeared to be an indifferent reception staff, a stroppy customer at the desk and a room finally allocated to oureselves after a 45 minute delay which was found to be full of mosquitoes.
We did not pay a fortune for our holiday but we more than got what we paid for. The bar and restaurant staff were very friendly and the food whilst plain fare was of excellent quality. Our room once the bugs had been despatched was spotless. The beach is stunning, very clean and has an abundance of shade and loungers. The Sunday night trip to Shirley Heights was memorable for the atmosphere and spectacular views. It was easy to organise thanks to the hotel.
In summary the Rex gave us a thoroughly enjoyable holiday which was good value and had a beautiful location. The staff with perhaps the exception of reception are very friendly. Would we go back. Deninitely!

Cannot believe some of these reports I have read now that we have ACTUALLY been and experienced this wonderful location. Rooms very comfortable and spotless clean, although bathrooms do require attention, we had hot and cold water no problem. The food was first class although as Fries burgers are not my main diet the choice was very good. Pool and beach out of this world, plenty of beach towels and sun beds. The staff were very friendly and nothing was too much for them to help you, must mention:
Debbie - Front desk wonderful lady although we had nothing to complain about
Jackie - The Bar Manager great cocktails especially as you watch the sun go down
Orlan & Phillip morning chefs great guys great breakfasts
Watch out for Mr Moves wow can that guy bend his bod.....
For a tour of the beautiful Island get hold of Glentis what this man doesn't know about Antigua.

So for a relaxing holiday with a wonderful climate, fantastic location very comfortable hotel don't worry sit back enjoy the location the food the drink and the people after all that's what you are there for CHILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL