Based on my experience, you should avoid the Grand Royal Antiguan Beach Resort at all costs. I heard about this "resort" prior to my visit to Antigua and wrote to them to inquire about an all inclusive day pass when our cruise stopped in Antigua. They were more than willing to give me a quote of $60 per day and promised food, drinks (including alcohol), beach, watersports, etc.

When we arrived, the "resort" looked in very old and tired condition. No other guests were visible. The woman at the front desk gladly took our money. On our walk to their beach, the guest rooms which, in addition to looking very old, worn out and in need of refurbishment had piles of old used mattresses in many rooms clearly visible by looking in the window. Clearly, no one was staying in any of these rooms. We also passed by the pool, which was old and very dirty. Cloudy water and brown dirt/stains could be seen throughout the pool. Again…not a single guest at the pool.

Then we arrived at the beach. While very scenic looking, there was nothing there except some beat-up beach chairs, shells of straw huts where the actual straw had fallen out and blown away, and what could only be described as a hut/shack that served the food and alcohol. There were no watersports to speak of, although I was approach by 5 different locals trying to sell me necklaces, jewlery and t-shirts. When I told one guy I wasn't interested, he asked me if I wanted to buy some pot instead! (I didn't)

After staying on the beach for two hours (without seeing a single guest besides us), I visited the hut to get a drink. Flies were everyone and conditions were far from clean. We ordered lunch but did not eat it, as the conditions made us fearful of the cleanliness of the food. We also ordered pina coladas…the worker pulled out a dented can of coconut milk with plastic wrap as a top - clearly it had been there for awhile. It poured out as a syrupy sludge….I was getting nervous to drink it. Luckily, the blender also did not work…so, no drink. Just as well….given the appearance, I might not have made it back to the ship if I drank it!

This was the last straw, and we decided to pack up and head back to our cruise ship. When visiting the front desk, I told them how disappointed I was and asked for a refund. They agreed to give me half of my money back. I got a few different stories…one worker said they were undergoing refurbishment and weren't open. Another said they were open, but weren't selling day passes (although no one hesitated to take my money and sell me mine that morning). The manager who approved my refund did apologize and say "You should NOT have been sold these passes, as we are not offering these right now in our present condition". I still do not think any other guests were staying at the hotel, as we were there for close to 3-4 hours and didn't see a single one.

Upon returning home, I wrote to the hotel reservations manager that gave me the original quote and asked them to refund the remainder of my money based on my poor experience. They refused. I made sure they knew that I would inform others of my experience. In the end, I was out $60 to the hotel, $30 in cab fare to get to and from the hotel, and lost 4 hours of my day in Antigua. I hope everyone else who is considering options in Antigua reads this and doesn't fall into this trap. Take my advice - look elsewhere, this place was a dump!

My husband and I stayed from 9th Oct to 25th Oct and were very surpirsed at how quiet the hotel was. We did meet some other people, mainly air crews coming in and out for a night or two and a lovely American couple. Despite what another person stated we found the staff very friendly and the breakfast hot and done just right. Coming from the UK we had booked the All Inclusive packagedand ate in the restaurant. Although the menu was the same all the time we were there we could not complain about the quality and quantity of the food. As for the staff we found them very friendly but we took the time to talk to them and get to know them. In fact they made my Birthday a very special day and decorated the table and even produced a cake. Perhaps because it was so quiet staff had the opportunity to talk to guests who wanted to chat to them and get to know their names or get some insight into places to visit etc.

It was our second visit to the hotel and we would go back again - the beach is excellent and much better than Jolly Harbour. For me the holiday is exactly that a holiday - time away from rushing around and a chance to experience other cultures and speak to people from other countries, read books and generally just switch off from work.

The hotel does need some improvements but they are working on it and everything takes time and money to be done properly.

I've just got back from staying at this hotel and lets say it wasnt the best stay that I have had there. Lets just say I wouldnt stay here by choice, I stay there with work and this was my 4th stay at this hotel.
We arrived on boxing day, early afternoon to find the hotel as quiet as it normally is. We were checking when we got told that the air condition wasnt working in the back rooms which face the hill so they moved us all the the rooms facing the lagoon, when I walked into the room there was NO air condition and the doors to the balcony were opened. When we stay there we see nobody else but the people in our group. A few hours passed and it was early evening to find that the hotel was putting on a disco as it was boxing day. This was the busiest that ive seen the hotel as it was christmas week.
For dinner there was the option of having a buffet and only the buffet which the staff didnt know how much it would cost, some said $25 and others said up to $35 dollars depending on what you eat, there was no options if you were a vegetarian. so myself and a few others decided to phone up Big Bananna and have a pizza sent to us which you can do, but then this did take more then one hour to arrive.
The resturant by the beach was closed so there was hardly anything on thier menu, lucky for me I've been here a few times so I bought some of my own food from home! The staff are rude with no manners and are very slow. It took me 15 minutes to get served at the only bar that was opened and the bar lady only had 3 people to serve. what does that say??

Lovely views and I do agree with that it does have a stunning beach but the hotel doesnt match it up to standards, you can watch the cruise ships come in and leave. When people say that Young Singles should come to this hotel I see this as being very misleading as its VERY quiet and they will be disappointed.

There are better hotels out there.

Stayed here recently to host a large entertainment show. The conference room has been newly renovated and was ideal for our needs (160 Seted-would do over 200). Although the hotel is undergoing refurbishment my room was large, clean and well tended by the staff. The location was fantastic looking over the grounds and lagoon and is only ten minutes in a car from St John's. The private beach is beautiful and has a dedicated restaurant which served good food. All members of staff were polite, helpful and very freindly. Despite being a little tired around the edges, the hotel is well worth a visit.