We stayed at the Verandah Resort in first week in Sep.

Booked with Virgin Holidays back in June on their 2 for 1 offer which is fantastic value.

The Verandah is a very picturesque resort and although new they have built the bungalows into the hillside with little disruption to the plants and palms etc so the setting and views are lovely. The rooms are very good, not ultra plush but very large, well furnished and tasteful (not normal clash of bright colours as is usual in the tropics). Large bathrooms, large beds, large sitting area and lovely verandahs.

The beach is down a few steps, I can't believe people on the site have counted the steps and complained, if you want flat and characterless go to Benidorm! nice beach although if you want shade you need to get up early. The beach grill has a fantastic view and serves great fish fingers, shame it is not open at night for drinks.
The second beach looks like a work in progress, needs more sand and the water is decidely murky.

The food was very good, plenty of choice, service was really good except for one evening. Champagne and Steak at no extra charge was certainly not usual for All inclusive and very welcome.

The Verandah is in a very quiet location, we knew this when we went, so were happy to chill out, didn't leave the resort for the week that we were there.

Overall a very good resort and a very enjoyable holiday, met some very nice people (hello Michelle and Adam)

We just returned from a 5 night all-inclusive. This was our first all inclusive-maybe our last. Thank God, we did have all-inclusive because I would have been very disgusted had I paid the $$$ they were asking for the meals. First of all the place is actually as pictured, very beautiful and secluded. We were lucky and got a steal for our trip on luxurylink.com. We probably paid 1/2 of what the other tourists did. We were thrilled with our room #182 our friends had #181. Best location on the whole resort. Right next to the stairs that take you to the beach and very close walking distance to the restaurants, spa and large pool. As a whole, the staff pretty much is very RUDE. They love doing nothing and its very hard to get a smile out of them. We tried tipping to see if that worked, same rude attitude. There were exceptions, we loved the waitress Abbe, she always was friendly and happy. The guy running the cart that takes people around was very unfriendly and 1/2 the time would pass you when he saw that you needed a ride. If you decide to go, make sure they put you in a room close to the restaurants, otherwise this is a very spread out resort and you will spend all your time walking or waiting on the cart. The beach was very nice and we got to know alot of people hanging out there. George is the only worker on the beach that was nice and didn't mind taking you out to snorkle. The rest the guys sit there all day talking to each other and don't like to be bothered, even though thats their job. The spa was very nice, we had massages and facials that were excellent. Do not pay for a manicure/pedicure. Not worth it at all.
95% of the tourist are from England. We are from US and were minority. We never met a Brit we didn't like. They were all so much fun and friendly. It was nice to be around happy people since the majority of the staff wasn't. The activites are a joke. They had bingo scheduled one afternoon. They called 2 games then said it was over because they ran out of prizes. Who plays 2 games of bingo??? There was suppose to be a manager's cocktail hour one night but it was cancelled because it rained earlier-didn't make sense to us. They have a mini-casino which means there are about 20 slot machines. I actually won $1000.00 on a dollar slot. It's closed on Wednesdays. There is absolutely NOTHING for teenagers to do at this resort. Not that we had teenagers with us but I know if I had taken my kids there back when they were teens, they would have been bored silly. They could use a teen club or games or something but they offered nothing. I would say this resort would mostly be for families with small children because they do have a nice playground, a beach and a pool. Other than that, nothing else to do. We went to 2 of the highlights of the island and both were huge disappointments. St. John's shopping area and Nelson's Dockyards which seemed like a ghost town. This was our first time to Antigua and we will never go back. The island has nothing to do and the people do not like tourist or just don't know how to be friendly. We don't think they even like themselves. If you want to go to an island that has tons to do, great food, and extremely friendly people, go to St. Marrten/St. Martin. We've been there 3 times and thats where we'll be glad to give our money to next time.

P.S. The food at Nicole's was better than the other restaurants but still 3 star. They told us during high season they will charge extra for eating there. Don't bother. Just eat at the buffets, pretty much the same food anyway. Beer- they only serve two types - Red Stripe and the local beer Wadadli. You learn to like it. They will only serve drinks in plastic cups so by the time you climb up the stairs and get a beer, then go back down to the beach, you've either spilled 1/2 of it or its warm. At least you walk it off going up and down the stairs everytime you want a drink.

Outside noise- Nobody warned us about the tree frogs. It took us 3 nights for someone to tell us what the incredible loud noise was that starts around 5:00 p.m. and stops at sunrise. It sounded like a horror movie of crickets, locusts and God knows what. Finally someone said it was tree frogs. You honestly can not sleep some nights because of how loud they are. Maybe its the time of year but holy cow are they loud!!!

I can echo and relate to much of what previous reviewers have written.

My 14 year old daughter and myself stayed at Verandah late August/early September. We arrived after a swift 30 minute taxi ride from the airport despite the driver having kamikaze tenancies at times! Check in was straightforward enough despite having a five short wait at reception as our room wasn't quite ready. We were soon on the cart to our room. The driver was cheerful and amiable, giving us a running commentary of the facilities as we weaved our way through the resort to our room. There were two regular cart drivers on different shifts during our weeks stay which my daughter named as Mr Cheerful and Mr Grumpy. Future guests will have little difficulty working out which is which!

I found the room quite simply the best I have stayed in at any AI visit to the Caribbean. All rooms are semi detached mini cottages equipped with Fridge, microwave, Plasma screen TV, tea & coffee making facilities, Queen sized bed plus a double sized sofa bed. Unless you're on the so called "European plan" , the microvave would be of little use really. The queen size bed was a tad on the hard side, but I still slept well enough. The bathrooms included double sinks and a huge bath tub.

Food: The Buffet range and quality of the lunch and dinner menu was ok to quite good. Wouldn't go as far to say fantastic. Some of the salad choices weren't so inspiring whilst the hot choices could have been slightly more varied maybe? Never less, it was of acceptable standard and we always found something to suit our tastes. Breakfast choices were excellent. Didn't do my waste line any favours though, alas. Despite the fruit and healthy eating choices, the cooked range was far too tempting! Service by serving staff was generally ok even if on the odd occasion, a bit haphazard. *A few* members of the serving staff appeared to have overdosed on misery pills at times though. DO NOT even consider staying at this resort unless A.I. The pay as you go prices for food were out of this World. $18us for a cheeseburger and fries isn't the best meal deal I've ever encountered.

As others have mentioned, many of the bar staff seemed to be suffering depression. Requests for drinks were mostly met with deadpan expressions. Despite the lack of one to one interaction, service was efficient. The bar staff at the Verandah would make excellent poker players.

The resort has two pools. The main pool is adjacent to the bar and restaurant area and is almost the same depth all over. (around four to five feet) The issue of lack of shade is being addressed. During our stay, a new shade was being erected early one morning. Looking at older pictures of the pool area, there appears to be more than earlier in the resorts life. A few more and hopefully the issue will be sorted. The pool is of reasonable size although during our stay, the resort appeared to be less than 50% full at a guess. How the pool would cope at full capacity, I'm not sure. There is an adults only pool between the main area and reception although it looks little more than the size of a large bath tub.

The resort has two beaches. A small man made affair near reception and the main beach which is accessed down a flight of stairs just behind the main area. If you go down early morning, you may well spot the wild donkeys. Plenty of non motorised water sports are available from the friendly beach staff. Before using the equipment, guests are required to sign a waiver with plenty of lawyer-speak basically saying, should anyone injure themselves or worse on the equipment, then that's your bad luck, etc etc. Despite being on the Atlantic side of the Island, the sea is warm and calm thanks to the beach being in an inlet. Long bay beach is minutes walk away from the resort where motorised water sports equipment can be hired. I chatted to a lady and her boyfriend ( sorry, never got your name....the lady from Croydon..hi ;-) They rented a jet ski at a rate of $60us for half hour. However, they were told by the renter, should they turn the vehicle over, they would be charged $500us for recovery!! Don't think I'd want to take the risk...............

This is a pleasant resort but may not be to everyone's taste. If you're looking for non stop non water action during the day and nightlife in the evenings, then this resort probably won't be suitable. There's little within the imediate area of the resort. I suspect *some* teenagers could get bored if they're not into non stop water sports.

It's not Butlins in the sun, but not one of the more aloof couples only type places. It falls somewhere in the middle at present although if it wants to keep attracting families, maybe some more alternative entertainment away from the water could be an idea?

Evening entertainment at the resort is lame. Most evenings, it consisted of background music type combo's playing incessant cover versions of Bob Marley. No more no woman no cry pleeeeease.

There is a children's facility onsite although I can't comment on it as my 14 year old daughter would have hated me had I attempted to place her in there! The feedback I sensed from others, was the staff in there were excellent.

Security appeared plentiful and the staff were always cheery. A guard was usually on duty around the beach area during the day. They were never required as beach vendors were absent due to it being off the beaten track.

Guest services and reception staff were always helpful with any queries. There's a gift store/ holiday supplies type place in reception. Unless you've taken a second mortgage prior to entering, don't bother. $18us for Hello magazine?! A teen mag that my daughter pays 83p for in the U.K. retailing for $16us?! $9us for a three day old Daily Telegraph?!...I'm unlikely to buy any three of them even at face value, so it wasn't an issue for me luckily.......

One annoying feature of the resort was the sometimes long wait for a transportation cart. Due to the geographic nature of the resort & reception being far away from the main area, they were usually busy. During busy times, more carts could be required and a more structured schedule needed? Ok, this is the Caribbean and I know they don't 'do' schedules. :) Just a thought..........

The tame & timid stray dog is still in residence despite staff attempts to catch her over the months. For a stray, she looks remarkably healthy despite the stable diet of burgers and BBQ chicken that used to get thrown to her from the Beach grill verandah every lunchtime. ;) I hope management let her stay. She was very much part of the character of the resort.

For those wanting a chilled out week in clean and pleasant surrounds, you could do plenty worse than the Verandah IMO. When you check out, make sure you call early for a cart though. We waited 40 minutes due to it being 'rush hour'. Just hope you don't get "Mr Grumpy" with the attitude ;)

First of all, sorry for my english.

My girlfriend and I belong to travellers who always travel light and aiming to be simple and share with local people.

If you're looking for a beautiful island with incredibles beaches, go to Antigua.

Concerning good parts of Verandah,

rooms are excellent, quite big with all you need: big bed, cooler, fridge, microwave, big bathroom, flat TV, and no mosquitos.

Main Beach is great, water is clear, staff is nice.
Swimming pool is ok, but a bit noisy

Concerning drink & food, you should really go all inclusive, not because the food is amazing, but correct, i mean all bad comments about food i read were from people i think who are limited concerning food flavours and way of cooking, sometimes there are too much garlic, a bit too spicy, or not cheesy enough, or whatever you want for every meal, you can't have perfect meals, And i really laugh when people say that the 3 restaurants share the same kitchen and serve almost the same meals, what are you attending for, a world famous Chief who prepare you some meals like "Tournedos Rossini and french Foie Gras", "Scallops with a vanilla sauce" & crayfish or lobsters + a Chateauneuf du Pape as wine? come on, if you want that spend at least 600 $/night in another hotel in another place, but if you can't afford it, try to enjoy their correct and sometimes very good meals.

We usually had our breakfast and dinner at the Seabreeze, and lunch at the beach Bar/Grill which served good Burgers, fried fish and others, thanks to Angela, the fastest and nice cook we met.

And all inclusive is especially useful to order a drink whenever you want at the Bar and to enjoy it after a bath or sunbath, and of course there's no Cocktails or drink menus, talk with the Bartender, he/she will help you, especially Vera, who is such a nice and funny Barmaid, and knows quite a lot of drinks.

To spend a nice holiday, ask/talk with the guest service staff, special mention to Danna.

Concerning bad parts, that mainly come from other guests :

- it's so funny and ridiculous to see that people challenge every morning of who's gonna wake up the earlier as possible to reserve a shade seats at the swimming pool or the beach, we experimented to wake up at 6.30 am to have a look, that's amazing, you can see the stupidity of humans (actually the guests) who run to reserve the best seats and going back to their room and being able to spend like only 1 hour a day at the place they reserved and letting that empty for like 10 hours but happy with the fact they have THEIR RESERVED SEATS.
That's a weird vision of relaxing and enjoying holidays.

I think that people don't know actually how to be simple and respectfull when they go to a foreign country, they think that having a good financial situation allow them to attend more than they should and sometimes to treat people with no respect.


Well, i'm not gonna describe all the good things of this place, which in fact come from many employees, a great thanks to Icilma, Noel, Danna, Vera, Daytonn, Lionel (Ritchie? --> joke), Jennifer and Angela.

We'll be back for sure.