We stayed at The Beach Club at St. James with Virgin from 9th-23rd May 2008 and had a fantastic holiday, perhaps one of our best and definitely the most relaxing.
We had read a number of negative reviews before we went, but didn’t let that stop us booking.
There were good and bad points but the good points outweighed the bad by far – I think some people will just moan about everything!
I have read a lot of the reviews on here and will try not to repeat too much and give information which may help people thinking of booking.
We had booked a private taxi transfer through Virgin (£40 per couple return) as we expected to have to wait for a full coachload of people and then drop off at several resorts. As it happened this was a waste of money because small minibuses/taxis took around 8 people straight to their hotel, and a number of people who arrived with us actually got to The Beach Club earlier than us using the free transfer!
On arrival we had to wait in the reception area for well over an hour until around 5pm for our room to be ready which wasn’t an ideal start but we were determined to be laid back about everything!
We were in room 348 which is the end top floor room in Mango (middle) block. We were told by a regular visitor to the resort that the end rooms are slightly larger.
The room was large with a high vaulted ceiling, huge balcony, large bathroom, plenty of storage space, iron and ironing board, coffee maker, fridge, king-size bed, settee, 2 chairs and coffee table.
We preferred Coco’s beach to Mamora Bay as it was windy and therefore cooler. We only spent an hour or so on Mamora Bay beach as it was far too hot.
We used the Hobie Cats there but as there was little wind it was hard to get any speed up.
It was great fun watching the pelicans dive for fish – sometimes they would dive just a few feet away which gives you a fright if you’re not expecting it!
The only pool we used was the adults only pool which was great – really quiet and with great views over the bay. You need to take your own drinks or buy from the deli as there’s no bar there.
Coco’s pool was small and we were told the water was too warm.
The kids pool was always empty when we walked past, and the main pool was apparently very busy mornings and late afternoon.
We ate at Coco’s most nights as this was our only option staying at the Beach Club, apart from Mondays at Rainbow Garden and Thursdays at Docksider.
Coco’s buffets were good and there was plenty of choice for us as we eat most things – choice of 4 salad dishes, cold meat, cheese and soup to start each meal, choice of fish, 2 meat dishes, chicken dish, potatoes, rice, veg and pasta for the main course, and sometimes a carvery, plus 4 or so desserts and cheese & water biscuits.
At lunchtime in addition the the buffet, there was also a menu with burgers, hot dogs, ribs and catch of the day with fries.
We found Coco’s a la carte evening meals (twice a week) were not as good as the buffets.
However after 2 weeks of eating there at lunchtime and most nights the food was a bit repetitive.
Both Rainbow Garden buffets we had were very good and the Docksider (Thursday night buffet with live steel band) was particularly good – we were disappointed that it was closed on our last night and we had to eat at Coco’s again – the ambience wasn’t the same.
We ate at Piccolo Mondo twice, once was complimentary (through Virgin) and once we paid a $35 surcharge each and thought that this was the best restaurant of the 4.
Coco’s bar was fairly quiet and laid back. There was entertainment every night it was open, usually a singer, guitarist/singer or keyboard player & singer duo.
There was also a magic show and International crab racing which was good fun.
Jacaranda lounge at St.James Club was better for entertainment, especially the music quiz on Saturday night which I won – but I won’t spoil the surprise by telling you what you win and what you have to do to get your prize!!!
I think there’s also a karaoke night and disco there.
The cocktails were mediocre – the Pina Colada tasted to me like a childrens slush drink – just like crushed ice with no taste of rum at all.
I was however very impressed with the all-inclusive sparkling wine/champagne, which was not included in any previous Caribbean all-inclusive holidays I’ve been on, and the red wine was good also.
I’m not a beer drinker but was reliably informed the Red Stripe was warm and the Wadadli an acquired taste!
Drinks cart was very welcome on the beach – they serve rum punch, fruit punch, beer, water and soft drinks.
On the subject of staff, we found 90% to be friendly and polite, but a few were very surly and one young girl was downright rude (on more than one occasion) , mainly in Coco’s bar and restaurant.
I won’t bore you with the details but will just say these people didn’t get a tip!
We didn't let this spoil our holiday and it doesn't really affect my opinion of the resort.
The staff who served us in Piccolo Mondo, Rainbow Garden, Docksider and Jacaranda bar were fine.
The Deli and Logo shop were handy if you wanted newspapers, toiletries, sun cream, drinks, chocolate, crisps etc , although fairly expensive.
The grounds were beautifully kept and it was a pleasure to walk around them.
We booked 2 trips through Virgin – Excellence Barbuda and Excellence Circumnavigation (Virgins Ahoy!).
We had planned to book the circumnavigation with Wadadli Cats but believe the Excellence to be a far superior trip.
The crossing to Barbuda takes about 90 minutes across rough open sea so not recommended if you get seasick. It was well worth the crossing to see the beautiful pink sand beaches and a visit to the Frigate bird sanctuary.
The staff on the boat were very entertaining and looked after us all very well - they served a great barbecue lunch, plus drinks were included all day.
The Excellence circumnavigation trip was even better, although the snorkelling at Green Island was disappointing.
Shirley Heights on a Sunday is not to be missed - we booked on the 5.30 minibus/taxi from the hotel, returning at 9pm which costs $10 per person.
The steel band are on 4-7 and the ‘reggae’ band 7-10.
The 2nd band were fantastic - 2 female singers plus 4 or 5 other band members - they did songs by Bob Marley, Damian Marley,10cc, Amy Winehouse, Pink Floyd, The Commitments and even a very good cover of Bohemian Rhapsody.
The band (and maybe the rum punch!) had many of us up dancing, and this night was the best of our holiday.
It was hard to leave at 9, we should have booked our own return taxi at 10. Just wish we had returned on our 2nd Sunday.
We hired a car through Lion’s Car Rental (at tour desk in St.James Club reception) for 3 days and managed to see a lot of the island as it isn’t very big.
It cost around £98 for a basic air-conditioned car for the 3 days and we only used about £12 in fuel.
We had planned to hire through Virgin but overheard the reps talking and saying that a Dollar hire car hadn't turned up AGAIN so we opted for Lion‘s.
Main places of interest were Shirley Heights, St.Johns, Devil’s Bridge, Fig Tree Drive, Betty’s Hope, Nelson’s Dockyard.
Beaches we visited were:-
Half Moon Bay – beautiful uncrowded beach with derelict hotel (destroyed by hurricane in the 1990's) – very eerie.
Long Bay – lovely beach – we went twice and ate at The Beach House restaurant where you can use their recliners/loungers free of charge if you buy lunch (otherwise $10 each).
Note - this beach gets busy and noisy with local children at the weekend!
Darkwood Bay – good quiet beach with loungers to hire – recommend eating at nearby OJ’s.
We have previously been to Mexico, Jamaica and St.Lucia and enjoyed Antigua the most.
Would definitely return to The Beach Club but would maybe only stay a week and have a week in St.Lucia as well next time.

I often wonder why people write reviews and fault things like sea weed on the beach or palm boughs on the ground. Most resorts that my wife and I go to tend to try and exist in harmony with the natural surroundings. What could be more natural than sea weed on the beach? My point is, reviews must be taken with a grain of (sea) salt.

When we viewed the St. James Club it was hard to know really what to expect. Fortunately for us, we know several couples who had previously visited this resort and they all had good things to say about it.

My wife and I stayed for eleven nights and the only thing I can say that could even come close to anything negative was that it was very windy. We expected it to be breezy being on the Atlantic side of the island. It was however unusually windy and we can't fault the resort for that.

The rooms were large, very clean and comfortable. Rooms have a safe, a hair dryer and iron. You can get a fridge if you want one. We were on the second floor with a nice balcony but we were rarely in our room. House keeping staff was friendly and efficient. Any requests were quickly dealt with.

It is a very large property with two main beaches. One is on the Atlantic and one is on Mamora Bay. One is breezy one is sheltered. Both have very nice sand.

Food was quite good and there is a choice of four main dining areas. We ate at all except the PICCOLO MONDO as there is a $50.00 per person surcharge to eat there. We were told though that if you sit through the time share sales pitch you get coupons to wave that surcharge. I was told it isn't a bad sales pitch either. No pressure.

Like I said food was always good and in great abundance. Drinks were also good but I find that after a few days I don't drink much any way. They have top shelf but you usually have to ask for it. Wine selection is limited but according to my wife (she is the wine drinker) the wine was satisfactory.

The pools were all clean if not a bit chilly. I guess they are not heated. There were not that many children there when we visited but those that were seemed to be well behaved. I think that it might be a bit boring for the average teenager. They do have a teen’s club and nice tennis courts.

All in all it was a wonderful and relaxing vacation. The hotel seems to go out of their way to make you happy. In fact, our travel agent short changed us a room for one night and the hotel came to the rescue and gave us the room for a very good rate for one night. Friendly staff for the most part. Even the manager(s) walk the property and restaurants chatting to the patrons, quizzing them on the quality of their stay etc. Not very often you see that. There was the odd one who seemed to be having a bad day but I wouldn't dwell on that.

I have recommended this facility to all of my friends and co-workers. One family has already followed us down and also came back with nothing but good things to say about the St. James Club.

My wife and I vacation at least three times a year and at least one of those trips is to the Caribbean. We are in our mid fifties so now you can maybe figure where we are coming from as far as what we like. Peace and relaxation.