First ever visit to Antigua and selected hotel based on Trailfinders and Trip Advisor information. This was a Christmas getaway trip from the 21st to 29th December, all inclusive.

The good bits
Fantastic location, excellent sunset views, wonderful lush forest setting, well equipped gym, superb shuttle facility to a variety of local beaches, the bed and pillows. Some of the staff

The not so good bits
Some of the staff, service in Carmichael's.

I agree with many of the comments made and this highlights the problem with this hotel. The staff and service are of such variable quality that one can feel anything from cosseted and well looked after to ignored or even a burden.
Some staff were quite capable of appearing busy purely not to deal, or even acknowledge you, others remembered your name and welcomed you.This is a great shame as the hotel has huge potential to be excellent, but for the price it charges it should already be excellent.

paying 500 Dollars a night, I expect a real 5-star service, what we got here was the level of a youth hostel. We arrived at 9.30 pm, hungry ... kitchen closed. Nibidy was even able to organize us a delivery pizza or a slice of bread. We woke up hungry and eaten up by mosquitos ... turndown service forgot to pull the mosquito nets down. Next morning we requested our take-away breakfast - since we had an early flight to Barbuda. Receptionists answer: I dont know why it qas offered in your package, but I cant help you. Maybe you go yourself to the restaurant and talk to the chef.

The list of disapointments is long - I dont want to bore anybody here. The island is not special on itself, attitude of most people here is unfriendly, laty, dishonest. They dont deserve your time and money here.

We hopped several islands in the Caribbean. I recommend you Anguilla (best beaches so far, friendly people), Saint Martin - but only the French side - very welcoming people, great beaches, turks & caicos ... all lovely. But PLEASE AVOID Antigua completely .... when lazy meets cant do attitude, meets unfriendly ..... you should make a big bow around the whole island and especially this hotel.

After 15 years of traveling around the world, I can easily say this is the worst managed hotel in the Caribbean. The staff is simply awful.

It's a shame, because it ruins an otherwise gorgeous property. New rooms, with a view of lush mountains and beautiful sky.

But the staff's behavior (and every couple we spoke to echoed it) is inexcusable:

-You can stand for 20 minutes at the front counter and be ignored while the staff sits on the phone or otherwise appears occupied.

-They admonish you if you want to visit a restaurant that they don't want you to. They are having a feud with one place so their guests are not allowed to go there!?!

-They are totally useless in booking reservations, arranging a spa, or anything else. The spa has been closed for the last two days with no notice. I asked the front desk to book a massage, and was told I had to do it myself...

-They have more hidden charges than anyplace I have ever seen. $10 per day *restocking fee* of the minibar + $5 cokes + 25% in tax/service charges = $16 for a single coke.

-They never smile with the rare exception of one or two people, and are often downright rude.

-Our room has had ants all over the bed every day. It has gone unfixed.

Why would you pay $500 a night so someone can make you feel like you are bothering them???

Stay someplace else that appreciates your business.

Hi guys,

My boyfriend and I stayed here between 13th and 22nd of December and we absolutely loved it. It's a very quiet resort and you literally have the pool to yourself everyday.

The shuttle to the beaches is amazing and literally they go whenever suits you... you just to let reception know and this will be organised for you. You must go to fryers beach even though it's not part of the all-inclusive plan it is by far the most beautiful and empty beach.

The weather was amazing throughout our trip and want really made this trip special was the staff at the hotel. Not only are they so attentive but they really make go out of their way for you and will try chat to you whenever.

The food was also amazing here and the coconut prawns were to die for - we must of had them everyday.

You must go up to the top restaurant carmichaels a few times and also the pool up there is so beautiful especially around sunset time!

Hotel rooms were lovely, gorgeous, generous size and always very clean. The bed's are huge and the private plunge pool is quite cool although we never really went in it.

I can't recommend this place enough and I'd love to go back one day again.

Brigitte