My husband and I went to this hotel in November 2003, if you want to go to a 3 star hotel don't go here you will find that this hotel is similar to a very poor holiday camp. The hotel is dirty, the bars, restaurants and entertainment is sub standard, and Virgin won't even put their own staff in it as the staff complained to much! You will be far better off spending more money and going to the Beach Club a far superior hotel with better facilities.

People say not to rely on 1st impressions as they're often mis-leading.
My 1st impression of the hotel was that it was dirty and run-down, staffed by people who didn't know what they were doing. Wrong. It was much worse. Booked for 2 weeks. left after 6 days.

Water leaked through the ceiling; inter-connecting door remained unlocked despite repeated requests to be locked; cockroaches; the 'clean' towels covered in yellow and brown stains; rusty bath; rude staff; over priced food.

Beach is ok, but dirty. Free non-motorised water sports. Hotel needs a lot of improvement and fast. Received compensation from holiday company.

i have been to many of the islands, but this is not one I would go to again. The Royal Antiguan, although nice, is not a great place to eat at. After a day or two the food gets boring. There is no inexpensive way to travel around the island and the poverty level on the other side only makes you wonder where all the tourist dollars are going, dosen't seem to end up in the pockets of the people. It is breath takingly beautiful, but so are many of the other islands. If they would at least put in a reasonable bus system like Aruba, or even St. Maartin has a system that people pick you up for a buck it would be better. I spent over $100 getting to and from my fishing charter to the Royal Antiguan.
That is just a bit much. You really are stuck eating at the resort you are staying in because of the transportation problem.

My daughter and I spent a week at the Royal Antiguan the week before Christmas. I read all the reviews and was a little concerned about my choice. We arrived on the island late afternoon. My 14 year old daughter had never been to the carribean, let alone out of the country.
We had a wonderful time.It is a quiet, remote area. If you are not looking for R&R or a (special time with a loved one) look elseware.
There was plenty to do if you love the ocean. Most of the people were from England which was really neat for us.The snorkeling right on the beach was Wonderfull!! That alone was worth staying there. We saw many of the beaches and we felt that the beach at our hotel was the nicest.
The staff were very friendly. The rooms were nice. They we not great, but you only will be sleeping in the room. It is too beautiful to spend much time indoors. The food was great (in the hotel) There is NO exercise equiptment to speak of.The venders on the beach are pleasent and comical.All in all, we had a great time. Invest in a boat ride to Barbuda, it's breathtaking.And-see Carolyn on the beach for your hair to be braided.Have a GREAT trip - Antigua is a beautiful islandKaren & Christine ps-take a coffee maker and hair drier