My husband and I just returned from our first trip to Antigua. We stayed for four nights in a two bedroom garden cottage (Mayflower) with my parents. The hotel accommodations were nice. The cottage was clean and bug free. It was nice to have our own kitchenette so that we could enjoy breakfast on our patio overlooking the bay. Our cottage was nestled up on a hill and faced south so we had a great view and even better we never got full sun. Our cottage was cool the entire time. The restaurant, Calabash, was good. The service was "caribbean," meaning that it was slow, but then so was every where else. There are some nice one to two mile hikes up to Shirley Heights just outside the entrance of the hotel. The hotel had a sunfish sailboat, sea kayaks, and snorkling gear to use free of charge, as well as beach chairs and towels. The staff was friendly and helpful when we needed to make a reservation for dinner or get a taxi. They even did some grocery shopping so that we had groceries when we arrived. There is a free water taxi that will run you over to Nelson's dockyard in just about five minutes. Overall it was a great stay, and I would stay at Galleon's again.

What a fabulous cottage, right on the beach, with the trade wind blowing through from front to back to keep us cool in the night. The cottage was old but comfortable and homely, with nice touches like fresh flowers from the maids. All the staff were friendly and helpful, we can see why people come back here year after year, we certainly will now as we've found it.

Difficult to give this one a rating. Sub-standard accommodation in a lovely setting.

The beachfront duplex was tired, to say the least. It was roomy - large living room/kitchen and reasonably spacious patio. But the whole thing needed renovation and probably new beds to boot.

Having said this, the location is brilliant and the grounds are lovely. And, from what we heard, some of the hillside villas are stupendous.

The western end of the beach has a rocky strip running along it, so forget thoughts of running straight from the cottage into the sea. Better to walk up a little and go in where it's easier on the feet.

A delightful surprise was the restaurant, the Calabash. The quality was consistently good. We ended up eating there eleven times during a nine-night stay and we generally spent between $50 and $100 (US) per visit - one or two courses, a couple of glasses of wine and a bottle of mineral water. Maybe the odd coffee or liqueur.

A lot of people either catered for themselves or drove out in the evenings, so there was no 'buzz' in the restaurant, although the bar occasionally livened up. It's early days for the restauranteurs - they only took over in July 2004. Let's hope for their sakes that word spreads quickly.

The free ferry to Nelson's Dockyard was good, so daytime eating out was possible and varied. Falmouth Harbour and its bars, French bakery and proper supermarket was only a ten minute stroll from the dockyard.

This was our sixth visit to Antigua so we didn't feel the urge to go exploring. But, if staying in one place doesn't appeal to you, we'd recommend you hire a car.

3/15/04 We've just returned from our second stay at Galleon Beach Club, two years in a row. The setting is beautiful. Keep in mind that the villas do not have television, air condtioning nor phones and remember that you are on an island vacation so who needs those? Previously we have stayed at the St.James Club and Blue Waters. Galleon Beach is not at all like them. We have found the very relaxed location and accomodations at Galleon Beach delightful. One can get a two room villa at Galleon for the price of one room at the previously mentioned. The villas are what I would call Shabby Beach cottage. It does take me about 48 hours to meld into it. Housekeeping is excellent, it is just that the units are worn. But the beds are above average for hotels beds and with the ocean breeze sleeping is paradise. With the kitchenettes, we are able to breakfast and lunch within budget and then splurge for dinners. The beach is quiet, sunny, and scenic. The staff very friendly and agreeable.