We stayed for eight nights in November, just as the cruise ship season started. Our checkin was efficiently handled and I was impressed that I had received an email offering to arrange transport from the airport several days before we arrived. A golf buggy ride to our room and a reasonable aspect from the balcony equipped with a plunge pool. The lock on our door would not fully engage and was reported on the first day, as a test I did not mention it again, it was not rectified. The breakfast was a big disappointment as it followed the American format of all arriving together or in the wrong order, we resorted to ordering as we went, the quality was variable.
The pool area was rather bare and austere and needed a little softening the gym looked to be very well equipped.
The lack of a beech proved to be a problem which we were aware of but had not appreciated the hoards of bussed in cruise ship customers which increased occupancy from 4 to 400 very swiftly.
Gibsons beech with its friendly and welcoming restaurant and Fryers with the same are to be recommended. Avoid Jolly Beach it's only redeeming feature is a huge super market, if needed.
Dining at Carmichaels was reasonable but service was sometimes slow, we also witnessed a very unhappy wedding party with a public argument raised voices and accusations of lying, very poorly handled by senior management.
Overall this is not a holiday venue I can recommend Sugar Beech seems to be having an identity crisis, is it a hotel, a motel, a locals club or what.
Contrary to other reviews I found the on the ground staff to be for the most part very helpful and friendly, the hotels greatest asset.

Beautiful grounds and beautiful views of the ocean and Jolly Harbour from the rooms and upper rooms' verandahs. The hotel is on the Carribbean side and the beaches are gorgeous and a short shuttle ride away. From talking with others on the island, the location can’t be beat. There are many pretty beaches close by; we got to try three different locations during our stay.

We stayed in an upper level room, # 51, and the view was gorgeous. It was a further walk from reception and the Sugar Club, but the location made it quiet and private. It was still only a 5 minute walk down the hill to both locations. We could get a golf cart to run us up to our room whenever we needed it. We decided against the plunge pool and stayed in an upper level room and were glad that we did. The verandahs don’t get direct sun so I’m sure the water was cool, plus you miss out on the amazing views from the upper level.

The property is not on the beach, which some people may not like, but it gave us the option to explore different beaches on the island. The pools are a bit on the smaller side but were never too crowded to get a seat. You can’t rely on the wi-fi and the connection from our room was spotty, at best. There were times we needed to remind ourselves that we were on ‘island time’ while waiting for our pick up at the beach by the hotel shuttle, but it was easy, free and reliable.

We opted out of the all-inclusive food option and there are great restaurant options within a quick walk. Breakfast at the hotel had both sit down and buffet options, with lots of fresh fruit. For restaurants off-property, we’d recommend Oceanos (quaint, local, seafood), Akropolis (delicious Greek in the Carribbean(!) and Miracles (authentic Carribbean cooking). We had tapas at Sheer Rocks at CocoBay on Sunday and that is something to experience. The location is breathtaking and had a very fun, chic vibe. The restaurant is built into the side of a cliff overlooking the Carribbean- not sure the view could get any better!

Our vacation was to relax and we did just that- for those looking for a ‘scene’, the hotel doesn’t have really have one to speak of. It’s fairly quiet, overall, and mostly couples.

We stayed for four nights in early January 2013 and occupied room 23 which is a second level property with no pool on the terrace.

Rooms: I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the rooms. I wouldn't describe them as spectacular but they were certainly adequate with all functions. The only gripe I would have is that the air conditioner was extremely noisy but in the end was a blessing. In terms of choice there isn't much too it. All the rooms are the same except the rooms on the second level have vaulted ceilings and no terrace pool. The premium rooms - based on location only - are higher up next to carmichael restaurant.
Location: the website makes it clear it is not the beach. However, what the website does not highlight is that the hotel and complex is built adjacent to the main road that circumnavigates the island. The rooms are located so that you have a view of the harbour and the sea but also the main road. The downside to all of this is that you can hear the passing of traffic very clearly from the room and defeats the whole purpose of having a terrace.
Beach: the hotel does not have its own beach but provides transport to a number of beaches within a 5 min drive. These beaches are lovely so long as no ships have called into port
Facilities: great gym and I mean great........ Spa also good
Pool: 2 pools and very small. There was service and on the whole the food and drinks were good. A point to note is that this hotel is part of a complex and shares its facilities with locals, others hotel/apartments in the jolly harbour and including Sugar Ridge's own real estate apartment and houses that have been built. So it is not exclusive and private to hotel quests
Food: we were on all inclusive which I think worked out really well. On the whole food was good at all three meals. We ate twice at Carmichael's. The first meal I had was scallops, fillet steak and chocolate sponge and chocolate sauce. This meal was very good and comparable to the best I have experienced in any bistro/gastro restaurant in london.

Summary: we also stayed at the Inn at English harbour which is a £600 a night and comparing the two Sugar Ridge fared well with food and service to this hotel and facilities. I could live with it not being on the beach but the noise from the road was an issue. In terms of the whole experience it did not feel we were on holiday and felt at times like we were in a luxury motel. We got the room at circa £250 a night which is a considerable difference to the Inn. So my advice is if you need to stay somewhere while touring the island or wanting to check out a number of the different beaches this might not be a bad option because at the price the facilities are good.

On returning from our recent trip to Sugar Ridge we discussed our vacation at length and on reflection feel compelled to write a review. We most definitely concur with the views of others which demonstrates with such a consensus of opinion that the hotel really does have problems and not just isolated incidents. As my husband and I operate in the discerning hospitality market we do not ever use trip advisor as a whipping tool; however with the consistent lack of visual management at the resort we are left with no alternative and sincerely hope the owners take the constructive comments on board and make immediate changes.
There obviously has been a huge investment made in the infrastructure and ascetics of this recently constructed hotel and with the Aveda brand has all the components to market itself as a boutique/luxury hotel. However, it is such a pity that this is all wasted as there is a consistent lack of attention to detail throughout the resort and service levels vary with individuals.
The quality of the food at breakfast and dinner is not what one would expect from this level of operation. The restaurant uses poor quality cutlery, napery and the whole dining experience has no ambience or professionalism. The hotel generally lacks soul and we likened it to a 'ship sailing without a captain'. During our week stay we choose to avoid lunch and only took dinner once, we felt lucky we were only staying on a bed and breakfast basis which allowed us the opportunity to visit other hotels and restaurants in the vicinity where we received great service and good quality food, so this hotel is not representative of the hospitality on offer in Antigua.
We have chosen not to go into all the individual issues which could be quite lengthy and also most of them are covered in other trip advisor reviews.
We must, however, point out that at no stage did we witness any of the staff to be impolite or ever unhelpful; they just need direction, training and leadership. In summary all the issues at this resort can so easily be resolved with some visible and pro-active management.
As the hotel manager has replied to some reviews and therefore has read all the comments of many, we trust the much needed changes will be made to ensure this hotels future success.
Hopefully the fact they are marketing a number of luxury houses to be built and sold on the estate is not their real objective and not operating under a guise of running a luxury hotel.