Galley Bay looked first choice from our Virgin brochure and from comments here, for those not wanting a high density hotel with good beachfront accom and delivers a lot, Most of which is elsewhere so here are a few issues and info. We had a deluxe upstairs and it was vg for vfm. Spacious bathroom and loads of wardrobe space. We had an upstairs room with large balcony and comfortable loungers. We were worried about people walking past on the downstairs ones but the set up is such that this is not a problem. Premuim rooms have
more space but not enough for the exrea money. The deluxe does have windows and you can still hear the sea (which can be very noisy when the sea is rough)! The superiors do not have glass and do not look great but are on the beach and great for those who like that, The cottages are cute but a bit more spartan, however they are terrific value as the resort is v good, great facilities, low density, v smart, thus one can get a bargain stay. When you upgrade (more premiums are being built and a new restaurant (this may imapct density and pool usage) you get a great room but the service shoulld match the standards they set - which sadly it does not.

Two big issues for us - 1) the sea, it is rough, poss just at this time of year but was red flagged for half our two weeks due to big waves, this is a surfers beach with strong breakers, murky water and v little opp for water sports. Even when not flagged the water people were only happy to do trips out and getting back was too tricky, this is not rare from what we gathered there so think again if you want sailing, kayaking and snorkeling,

2) The service. This is tough due to all the staff being really nice, which they are. However, there are limits to what being nice can overcome. At first we let it all ride but as time went on more and more things began to grate. The biggie is wine - it is served in small glasses (125ml) and whether you get some before your main course or not depends on where the wine waiter/ess hapens to be. Refills were haphazard - some days we were offered 3 or 4 refills - other days it was very difficult to get more than one glass. If you want red and the waiter is carrying white he will say that he will return but never did. Most people simply accepted whatever they were offered and ended up with mixed drinks. You can ask and your order will be accepted with a smile and then nothing will happen! Whatever you do do not try to have white with a starter and red with a main course as it simply will not happen. Of our 28 meals maybe three or four worked out, it seems trivial but was grating over time. It smacks of meaness yet the measures at the bar are often jaw-droppingly huge so it is hard to see a reason, the money cannot come close to the aggravation.

3) Minor complaint, the puddings are woeful, heavy British fare cooked by someone who has only a passing understanding of what is involved. Every pastry we had was uncooked, as was a crumble - a cold uncooked crumble. There was also a lot of 'chemical' piped cream and cheap chocolate used. Having said that the key lime pie was very nice and the ice creams - alhtough bought in - were fine.

Most of the food is exemplary and it is fine dining style, artful, delicate portions of well seasoned, high quality food until pudding, There is a British head chef and a lot of the food is steered to standard fare with a random addition of fruit for tropicality so this is another dichotomy we found hard to understand. The breakfasts are super, the cooked ones in the Sea Grape are great, but not for everyday, lunch is also fab, Gauguin has the bext setting, intimate, secluded super views and much smaller with 14 private tables. Lunch has the most local food, all of which was super but often too heavy for lunch, evening is lighter and more European. Pudding is reluctantly served at lunch and at any time at the Gauguin but really why bother?

Personally we found the Sea Grape lacking in atmosphere and as other reviewers have noted it is quite dark and a bit barn like at the back. The deck at the front was being refurbished whilst we were there which spoit the view a bit. A simple rearrangment of the tables so they are not in regimented rows would help.

Lastly trips - heavy sell on these obv and in a q resort why not, The Shirley Heights thing is great for an early evening, steel band are great and then a disco, the food looked good too but it is set up as a four hour visit which is too long. The cab is a minibus but $40 a couple! All cab fares are set by the govt and v high. An hour here is fine and then many people got a cab back rather than wait the full four hours, We also went on the island circumnavigation by Wadadli Cat, booked from Guest services at $150 for two, $44.95 is taken by the resort, we were told we would be picked up on the beach or they would let us know if we were to go elsewhere, we were told on the day to go next door to the Royal Antigua Hotel, a cab we were told would be waiting for us at no charge. However, the cab then asked for $12 and got a bit shirty, we made her call the resort and they said they had no idea what was going on, in the end she went back to the resort, this could not be the first time it had happened as the sea makes landing at GB untenable most of the time. We also wanted to go on the pirate ship, which goes out of St John to Deep Bay next door, we went to enquire at Guest Services and they phoned to say it was weekly on Friday, which was too late for us, however, we saw it out each day until we left! We were given the impression that this was not something we should do!

Our thinking was that if less was promised the offering would be good but so much is claimed that it could not deliver. Which was a shame as the facilities are excellent.. Oh and for snorkellers either go right to the little bay at the end of the resort where Georgio Armani has his house as that is less rough and lots of fish or go out and 10 mins walk to the next resort, Hawksbill, and use the beach there for snorkelling which is also good.

This will be short and to the point. My wife and I returned yesterday from 12 most enjoyable days at this resort. If you enjoy relaxation, excellent food & 1st class service, then Galley Bay will suit you. This locations greatest asset is the highly professional and helpful members of staff who go out of their way to ensure that you have a good time. Best wishes to them all and thank you for a memorable holiday.

I have to confess that I have been somewhat tardy in posting a review of Galley Bay but reading the WFN’s comments has compelled me to put pen to paper. It certainly does not seem as though they stayed in the same hotel as we did because our experience of Galley Bay and, it would seem, that of the vast majority of other posters in no way mirrors theirs.
Had the WFN’s researched the resort they would have known that the “superior” rooms are located in one storey buildings, so there are obviously no second floor rooms, and that the windows are louvred with mesh to keep the insects out so, if you don’t want visitors at night keep the doors closed and use the sprays provided.
We stayed in a Premium Beachfront Suite and it was excellent. We had no problems whatsoever with housekeeping, you could almost set your watch by them, the mini-bar was kept stocked and I only had to ask for extra water once after which we always had too much – I wonder if that had anything to do with the way I asked! Our only complaint would be the turn-down service which had a habit of arriving as we were getting dressed for dinner, if you can call that a complaint.
If the Seagrape appeared dark at breakfast then I would suggest that the WFN’s should remove their sunglasses and if it was humid, well, this is the Caribbean for goodness sake, it can be quite humid, and why anyone would need to leave their table to get bread or a drink is beyond me, just ask one of the surly staff. Ask them nicely and they’ll do anything for you. They will take your plate away if you leave it, especially at breakfast and lunch, because of the birds. The food is generally excellent, always well prepared and beautifully presented and, whilst the service can be a little slow at times this is the Caribbean, you are on holiday and that’s the way it tends to be. Accept it and live with it.
Comparing 5 star in the Caribbean to The Banyan Tree or Oberoi chains is not really a fair comparison. The Caribbean is a totally unique part of the world where the people live their lives according to their own values and attitudes. If something is a little slow or late then they accept it and so should we, with good grace. As I said earlier, we are on holiday and twenty minutes between courses really doesn’t matter a jot.
We have not stayed at the Banyan Tree in Phuket so I am not qualified to comment on it but the Oberoi in Mauritius can be somewhat hit or miss. It does not compare to its sister hotels in Delhi, Jaipur and Aggra which do provide a true 5 star experience.
In Caribbean terms Galley Bay is unquestionably 5 star in every respect. The rooms are first class, the catering and service are generally well up to scratch (apart from the occasional blip), housekeeping is efficient, the beach is marvellous although the rocks at the Gauguin end do make paddling impossible but also serve to keep bathers away and maintain privacy. The staff as a whole are friendly and the bar staff will involve with you if you want them to and if you involve them and treat them properly. The overall ambience is superb and it is no surprise that the hotel features in the top 10 Latin/Caribbean “best for romance” resorts. In our opinion, and those others who combine to give the resort a TA 4.5 rating, compared to 3.5 for Sandals Mediterranean Village, it is the perfect hotel for a romantic, peaceful relaxing break.

Just back from spending a week in a deluxe beachfront room at Galley Bay after selecting it from other guests reviews on tripadvisor. They we're spot on, from the moment we arrived to our departure nothing was too much trouble for the helpful & friendly staff, our room was brand new, so it was immaculate, spacious and as descirbed your feet were on the beach the moment you stepped off your patio. Food is also excellent with great variety and good presentation. We discovered that many guests had been before in fact some were on their seventh visit to Galley Bay! I believe that the amount of repeat custom is clearly the best recommendation for the resort and a fact they should mention in their promotional literature. If you want a quiet break with first class accommodation and service then Galley Bay is for you.