York England - 16th-30th May 2008

This was our 3rd visit to Jolly Beach and it was fantastic! My husband and I was married there 10 years ago and we returned last year to find it was still as great as ever. In fact last year we did a twin centre hotel, we had our first week at Jolly Beach and second week at Cocobay, it was so quiet and the service was so bad at Cocobay that we paid £150 to return to Jolly Beach! This year we returned to renew our vows and it was just as good as when we were married there. Everything was just perfect and you just wouldn't get that in the UK. I would definately recommend getting married or renewing your vows there. Beverly the wedding co-ordinator who was actually there when we got married 10 years ago was excellent and ensures everyting goes smoothly and is all very relaxed. My mum also got married while we were there and again the wedding was just perfect.

I really can't understand why anyone would hate this place and find it hard to believe the negative reviews. If you go to this hotel knowing that it was built in the 70's and that the rooms aren't modern but that they have everything you need and are spotlessly clean then you will have a fantastic holiday. At the end of the day the rooms are only for sleeping in and if you want to spend more time than that in your room on such a beautiful island then you may as well stay at home. The beach is to die for, the water is so warm and calm its just beautiful. And the beach vendors are so friendly if you don't want to buy anything just say no thanks and they'll happily leave you alone.

If you're thinking of going here ignore the negative reviews, everyone i spoke to while I was there said what a fantastic hotel it was and how great their holiday was!

There was 6 of us in our party and all of us can't wait to go back there!

As a Travel Agent i had the chance to meet the hotel Manager of the Jolly Beach Resort when they come to visit our travel shop. I was shown the hotel and the facilities and thought it looked great!. I've recently returned from Antigua and thought it was absolutlet great! As a travel agent we're all the biggest critics in the world and know hwats good nad whats not. I can certainly say this hotel is a thumbs up with the range of resteraunts on site, the friendly staff who would go out there way to help you, the amazing tropic gardens that surround the hotel and the two pools make this stay one to remember. One couple where lucky enough to have a weeding out there which was fantastic to see and of course the mile of fantastic sandy beaches make this hotel one to visit!

24/05/08-07/06/08

This our second time to Jolly Beach and it was every bit as good as last year, a great family holiday.

After we were shown to our room we had a visit from room service, welcomed with a bottle of bubbly and some chocolates to thank us for coming back, a really nice touch.

The food in the restaurants is still very good. Hemispheres put on great buffets, plenty of choices for all three meals served there, how people can say there is not enough choice is unbelieveable, for example, in the evenings there was usually a roast, grilled pork chops and a choice of another two or three meat dishes and usually two fish dishes, plus the mountains of choice that go with them, lots of vegetables, salad bar, mountains of cheese, loads of desserts, fresh fruit etc, watch the pounds pile on!!
We went to Lydias about six times, the food and service as always great, have to mention Natasha, Sharon and Jason, they made Lydias for us, such warm people, and they remembered us from last year, many thanks for your great service.
We only had one trip to Bocciolos this time, the food and service were again very good, couldn't fault it.
The pool grill was great for a snack, food very good, and great service too.

We did a few trips, my husband again went fishing with Captain Derek Biel and his boat Obsession, he went marlin fishing, Capt. Derek is interested in
conservation so it is tag and release, my husband caught a 70-80 lb white marlin which he was very pleased with, plus a few others.
We chartered a speedboat to Cades Reef, Lindon (one of the beach vendors) arranged this, it cost $200 US for two hours, other boats wanted $350 US for the same thing, ask Lindon if you want any trips sorted out, a really great guy.
We took a four hour trip around the island with a taxi driver from Jolly Beach, it cost $120 US, and was a bargain, our driver was very informative.

The staff at Jolly Beach work so very hard to make your holiday great, the staff are a major reason we returned and we will definately go back, so a big thank you to everyone there, we never met anyone who was rude or sullen, we had another fantastic and memorable holiday.

I stayed at the jolly Beach from 31st May to 11 June. It was by far my favourite holiday.
I wasnt sure what to expect from the reviews but i was very impressed.
ROOM:
I think i was very lucky, my balcony was huge, almost twice the size of others, i had an amazing view and i was at the far end near Lydias restaurant, also on the top floor. It was quiet and always clean. The bed was comfortable and there was plenty of room for me. It was a supersaver room, with a double bed. I had american style plug in my room and only one worked so bring a miror if you need to use straighteners as you wont stretch across!
Bathroom was fine, good power shower, fresh towels daily.
i had easy access to the beach and a few mins walk to the bar...always good!
FOOD;
General buffet was great, always something available and hot. Lunch time i thought there could be more choice. There are alot of birds in the restaurant, so be warned! The beach bar was ok, went there for a buger. Had brunch at Lydias and that was nice but not so keen on the evening menu, although a fantastic setting. I could have stayed forever! The Italian restaurant was smart and attractive but i found the food unappealing and it was quite a walk at the other end of the resort.
The bars are great, friendly staff, lots of choice and water is available to fill up your bottles to take to the beach etc.
STAFF:
I never found any staff to be rude, they were always helpful and friendly, always saying hello.
ENTERTAINMENT:
This vairied but on a whole was good. There was a karioke night, magician, disco, caribbean dancing show and a bonfire night. Always there was a band, steel or regaee.
BEACH
Out of this world...large white quiet sandy beach with beautiful warm blue sea, never crowded, always got a sunbed or shade. The sun is mega hot so watch out and pack high factor!
EXCURSIONS:
Deffinately go to Shirley heights, i went twice it was so good. Catamaran trip was a must too. Zip lines is scary but fun and a taxi tour of the island is worth doing.
ANTIGUA IN GENERAL:
A beautiful island full of friendly people. Lots to see and do, great shopping in St. Johns, lovely beaches everywhere, amazing atmosphere and fantastic music,
If anyone wants to know anything more message me and ill happily help.
Now go book that holiday!