I wanted to like the Tradewinds (where we stayed for a week), but can give it no more than an OK rating. It has a nice situation on a hill with good views, and the grounds are lush with tropical vegetation. The front desk staff were friendly and helpful, and the hotel was quiet - most of the other people staying there were British Airways air crew. That's the good news.

The bad news: our room was shabby, with furniture that could have used a lick of paint, and a toilet that only worked sporadically - we had to fill the cistern by hand several times. The fold-out sofa bed was uncomfortable - my back still aches from the experience. Despite having two children we were literally given the only room in the entire hotel whose balcony had no roof - it was uninhabitable when the sun was overhead from late morning to late afternoon. (The hotel offered us another room but the view was not as nice.) We didn't bother eating at the restaurant because the prices were unreasonably high (as they are in most decent Antiguan restaurants), and we also found the bar and restaurant staff surly and unhelpful. The hotel web site says the beach is a five-minute walk, but while we had a rental car and didn't put this to the test, my guess is that it was closer to 20 minutes downhill, and a lot longer coming back (although a free hotel shuttle is advertised as available). TV reception was mixed.

More broadly, Antigua is disappointing. If you are looking for the Third World version of the Caribbean it's fine - the place is run down and systems often don't work. (Our Alamo rental must have been the oldest and most dented in the worldwide Alamo fleet.) Some Antiguans were friendly enough, but the majority were rude and unhelpful (especially those working in the Epicurean supermarket at Woods Centre and in the St John's market - a special word is reserved for them), in spite of the fact that tourist dollars are about the only thing keeping the place going. St John's is a tip. And the Antiguan government could revolutionize the tourist trade with two easy and cheap additions - some road signs, and a decent map. We lost count of the number of times we got lost. The road signs aren't just bad, as some tourist guides indicate - they are all but non-existent. The roads themselves are in a variable state, but we expected that, and so were not disappointed.

The beaches are pretty good, but there is a lot of trash on most of them - we constantly had to watch to see that our two young boys didn't stray too far off the cleaner part of the beaches. The best part of the island is the English Harbour/Falmouth area, and the best beach is at Half Moon Bay. Dickensen Bay - closest to our hotel - is indifferent. Beaches that are almost deserted is great, but you have to accept that they are not well maintained either.

So no more than than an OK rating for this hotel. We paid $170 a night and got about $75-worth of quality. I doubt we will go back to Antigua, and if we do we won't stay at the Tradewinds.

Stayed at Trade Winds as a one night stopover on way to a Windjammer cruise. Room was large and clean with a gorgeous view of sunset over the ocean. Drinks on the patio were generous. Warning! 2 planters punches will set you free. Dinner also on the patio under a full moon and breakfast the next morning were romantic as well as delicious. Staff was courteous and helpful. Would recommend, however, you should be warned that this is not a beachfront property although the beach is in walking distance and a shuttle is provided.

Me and my friend stayed at the Trade winds Hotel on the 12th May just for 1 night as we had been St Lucia for a week and got a flight back from Antigua and decided to stay in Antigua just for the night. We got a Junior Suite and it was a lovely room really spacious and we had a lovley view. The staff i have to say arent the best they are very rude and not helpfull and friendly which was quiet dissapointing but we didnt really care as we were on there for a night. The food there is great we got room service in the evening and once we had finished we put the dishs outside the room and advised the lady at reception but she didnt really care! The next day the dish's were still outside! it wasnt a very nice smell and we even when we checked out later on that day it was still there! I think they are just very staffed.

The beach isnt very far about 15mins walking distance and is a lovely walk, but the walk back is bad as it is up hill. Overall the hotel is ok but would stay there for a 7 Night duration but is good just for a stop over.

Just got back after spending two wonderfull weeks in fantastic Antigua!
We wasn't really sure what to expect from the hotel as the reviews were limited and rather old.
This hotel has 55 rooms of which 45 are solely booked for British Airways for stop over cabin crew per annum.
This is not a problem, if anything it gives you a bit more exclusivity as BA change crews every other day!
If possible try and request either one of the rooms 50 to 55 as these have been recently refurbished to a fantastic standard well in excess of 2.5 star. Mezzanine balcony for the bedroom with spectacular panoramic veiws over dickinson Bay.
Great food at the Bay House Restaurant (#4) and a good lively atmosphere in the bar.
Make sure you hire a car while your there to sample some of the best restaurants you will find anywhere in the world, eg:- Julians Alfresco(#1)
Coconut Grove - Evening (#2) The Beach (#3)
Make sure you see Nelsons Dockyard and Shirley Heights too!

I would definitly return to this hotel!