We spent 10 nights at Galley Bay in early March (our first visit to Antigua), after deliberating over brochures and Trip Advisor reviews for weeks.

Our premium beachfront room was well worth the money, it was newly built (although it didn't have a safe - slightly annoying to have to get your jewellery etc from Reception every day) and the view of the sea, beach and palm trees was pure paradise. The room itself was very spacious, and the sunbeds on the balcony are bliss, particularly in the evening to watch the sun go down. Bathroom was huge, with a double shower, corner bath, two sinks and vast amounts of towels. Minibar was free, and stocked each day, but only with water, Coke, Sprite and local beer.

The food at the 2 restaurants was outstanding (and I have to say, we never had slow service - in fact, there were times when we wanted to linger more over our dinner!). The menus changed daily at The Seagrape and the fish was always excellent. The wine was surprisingly ok too. The Gauguin was also good, but we found it lacked atmosphere - even the romantic one it was trying to create. Breakfasts were the best - yes, there were a lot of egg dishes but you could have a continental breakfast if you wanted. Eggs Manhattan was our particular favourite, poached eggs and smoked salmon on bagels - fantastic! And the french toast. And the pancakes...

We tended to go to bed early, and get up early as the lure of the beach was to much to resist, but some may find the lack of nightlife a bit boring (didn't bother us). You could always find someone to sit and drink with in the Teepee Bar, though!

The sea was a little rough at times - the waves were fun though -but we were able to swim every day. No sign of any jellyfish, and yes, we did get bitten by mosquitoes and sandflies but no worse than on previous European holidays.

The staff were very friendly, and always willing to chat. We can also vouch for Sean, who arranges boat trips etc on the beach - he took us out on a speedboat for snorkelling, and he is very entertaining and knows the island well. We also went out on a jeep safari with Happy Trails, again I would recommend them - we had a very enjoyable day and a whistlestop tour.

So would we go back? You bet!! Just as soon as we can afford it again...

We booked a 10 day stay through Luxury Link, which placed us in one of the new premium beachfront suites (#19 - on the ground floor) - an excellent location. At first, it appeared that the resort was filled mainly with guests well into their 60s+, but as the week progressed, younger couples appeared as well, some honeymoon, some in their 30s and 40s. Most guests were English, with perhaps 10% Americans.

As a luxury resort, the accommodations were top notch with front row views out of your room directly onto the beach and ocean beyond. The king beds and pillows were firm and comfortable, good lighting for reading sheets, soft, housekeeping consistent - perhaps the towels could do with a bit of upgrading. The daily replenished frig (with beer, soft drinks, juices and bottle water) was a nice addition - although we had to ask the drinks man for ice - it was not automatically refilled. The only other shortfall in the room, was that the flat screen TV did not swivel, so no TV watching from the bed - however, we were pleasantly surprised to receive several premium movie channels (HBO etc.), not that we came for TV watching, but with little to do after dinner, it was nice to catch a movie in the room.

The beach was excellent, and I guess we were blessed with amazing weather, as it was swimable every day except one. There is a drop off, as others have mentioned, but otherwise, the Caribbean was lovely, and enough passing boat traffic to be entertaining.

The restaurants (at this visit) were filled to capacity with sometimes a short wait for a table or service, but since it was high season and fully staffed, the service was pretty good for a Caribbean resort. A third restaurant was due to open by April 1, so that should substantially improve the "full up" restaurants at peak hours.

Meals were good to very good. Breakfast buffets were not as lavish as at some other luxury resorts (i.e. Caneel Bay or Little Dix), but you could order from the menu as well, and dishes came out hot and fresh within 5-10 minutes. We would have preferred buffet lunches as well, but the lunch menu was tasty and varied (although a greater variety of salads would have been welcome), and had a daily set of changing specials. Dinner, too had a nice selection, dishes were generally very good - a few misses,- some very good, but nothing fantastic either. Barbecue buffet on Thursday nights was a hit. We were actually a bit disappointed with the small intimate Gaugin restaurant - very pretty setting, but the Asian influenced menu never changed in the 10 day we were there, and we got bored quickly - everything was pretty much soy based flavors.

As an all inclusive, unlimited cocktails by the glass were always available at the 3 bars, but although the tropical mixed specialties were very tasty, they must have just waved the rum bottle over the top of the glass, because not once did we taste any alcohol - something that definitely could be improved upon (and we are not drinkers- perhaps a cocktail before dinner, or one with lunch). House wines served with meals were very pleasant, usually a choice of 2 or 3of each red, white and rose.

My husband indulged in a few massages that came with our package, and he definitely enjoyed them - so that was a plus. The other standout was the service and attitude of the employess: smiles and friendliness from every single one - adding to a relaxing and delightful vacation escape.

At the end of every stay at a new place, we always ask each other if this was good enough for a return visit, and we both agree - definitely yes. After traveling to at least a dozen Caribbean islands in over 30 years, and staying at more then 20 different resorts, Galley Bay is worthy of a return visit .

Have just returned from two fabulous weeks at Galley Bay. Having booked the holiday 10 months ago and talked at length with our travel agent who recommended Galley Bay and constantly checking trip advisor reviews we could not have been happier. Whilst all the pictures and videos show you how the place looks what you can't get is the ambience which is pure tranquility. It was so peaceful and relazing which is just what we were looking for. This was our first holiday without our son who is now 18 so the first adult only holiday and what a difference it makes having no children around (apologies to parents of small children, have been there and done that and now can have peace and quiet , your time will come!!) We stayed in a Premium Suite which was just lovely. Big bathroom, big bed, sitting room and then patio doors onto patio with big wicker loungers, from there you were onto beach and then feet from the ocean. It was always so quiet and there never felt like there was more than a dozen people on the beach and when I wandered around to pool area there was only a dozen people at most there too, it was only when you went to eat that you saw large numbers of people. I guess on any given day people were doing different excursions we spent three days out of the resort ourselves. The staff are all amazing and nothing is too much trouble. I am not a big foodie but was more than happy with the restaurants. My husband likes a cooked breakfast so we went to the Seagrape in the morning but I really liked the Gaugin restaurant for lunch and dinner. I did find the Seagrape a little hit and miss on the dinners but the Gaugin always delivered. All in all if you want a totally chilled out holiday with no loud music no noisy jet skis and good service then choose Galley Bay, you will not be dissapointed.I will certainly go back again and have no hesitation in recommending this resort to friends.

We've just returned from our third visit to Galley Bay. We wondered whether it would be as good third time round but were not in the least bit disappointed. It gets better each year and the staff are all brilliant in that wonderful caribbean way. You won't find more beautiful smiles anywhere else in the world. Everyone is very relaxed and friendly providing the perfect atmosphere in which to wind down.
The rooms are all spotlessly clean and comfortable and there is an endless supply of fresh towels. We stayed in a room on the beach and to wake each morning to the sight of the Caribbean Sea from your bed is amazing. If you can, choose an upstairs room and then you don't have to close your curtains.
The food that we ate was consistently good and the portions perfectly sized. The wine gets more palatable as the days go by and is always in plentiful supply.
Entertainment is provided each night by way of a series of local bands and you can choose to 'boogie' the night away or just enjoy a drink in the comfortable lounge or at the TeePee bar if you prefer somewhere a little quieter.
The spacious grounds are beautifully maintained and a pleasure to meander through as you walk around the resort.
Everything that you could wish is catered for at Galley Bay and we will hopefully be visiting again next year.
Thanks to all the management and staff.