This was our 2nd visit but my first review for Reefview Apartments as I do not normally bother being a busy mum with two active children (11 & 13). However I just felt I needed to let others know about this tropical haven which was yet again perfect for us as an outdoorsy active family who love the water. We love the well equipped very clean accommodations (we rented the beach cottage for the kids and a seaview apartment for us). They could of slept on the extra pullout sofa in the apt, but Karol offered us a special family rate for both, so we thought why not now they are older. This was indeed a good call as my husband and I got some quieter together time in the morning and enjoyed drinking our tea on the patio watching all the humming birds flitting around between the jasmine and frangipani blossoms. Our children loved visiting the multi coloured resident parrot/macaw every morning as she talks and of course they have begged us since to buy one hmmmm. She is located in the top of the gardens like a jungle setting near to the main gate and loves to say "hello" in case you want to chat.....too funny. I cannot ooze enough about the gardens they are really lush and we were fortunate enough to witness a flowering cactus under the full moon, it was spectacular and only blooms at...This was our 2nd visit but my first review for Reefview Apartments as I do not normally bother being a busy mum with two active children (11 & 13). However I just felt I needed to let others know about this tropical haven which was yet again perfect for us as an outdoorsy active family who love the water. We love the well equipped very clean accommodations (we rented the beach cottage for the kids and a seaview apartment for us). They could of slept on the extra pullout sofa in the apt, but Karol offered us a special family rate for both, so we thought why not now they are older. This was indeed a good call as my husband and I got some quieter together time in the morning and enjoyed drinking our tea on the patio watching all the humming birds flitting around between the jasmine and frangipani blossoms.
Our children loved visiting the multi coloured resident parrot/macaw every morning as she talks and of course they have begged us since to buy one hmmmm. She is located in the top of the gardens like a jungle setting near to the main gate and loves to say "hello" in case you want to chat.....too funny. I cannot ooze enough about the gardens they are really lush and we were fortunate enough to witness a flowering cactus under the full moon, it was spectacular and only blooms at night once a year ~ amazing!
The location here in Cades Bay is just fabulous if you love beach walks, hikes, snorkeling, nature and swimming which is why we went back again as it is a marine reserve protected area. The beach is literally just in front down the lane. We have observed so many tropical fish, turtles, octopus, squid, lobsters, starfish and rays during our very many snorkel trips and found some beautiful empty shells as we love beach combing. We often were the only ones on the beach which always makes this a very special place and there is now a private cabana plonked right next to the waters edge. This was also one of my favorite spots to sit with my tea in the morning watching the herons, gulls, pelicans, whistling ducks, and just gaze at the panoramic vista, and yachts sailing by.
We did a competent crew sailing course which Karol arranged for us whilst we were here and the sailing is really wonderful in Antigua.
We also chartered Capt Nick & Karoll to take us out in their speedboat to Cades Reef as the kids were ready for a bigger snorkeling adventure. Nick stayed on the boat and Karoll led the way through the coral heads WOW WOW WOW was the general consensus of all of us! We have snorkeled and dived the Great Barrier Reef, Mauritius/ Maldives (edit - Add) and this was by far the best snorkel trip ever, and even more so sharing it with our children of course. The highlight was Karoll spotting for us a 3ft baby nurse shark ~ it was disappointing that the GoPro battery had not charged on our new camera! We would recommend this snorkel trip to everyone and the homemade cake and rum punch afterwards was delicious.
Karol also took us to another special beach and took time to point out so many species we had not seen before like arrowhead crabs, coral banded shrimp, spotted drum fish and my favorite of all was a little triangle shaped trunk fish. Something amazing happened on our very last day at this same place that a huge MANTA RAY was in the bay swimming up and down and my son did have the GoPro with him. We all managed to see it - everyone on the beach was in awe plus the staff in the beach bar as they are never seen here. We felt so lucky yet again to observe something so special.

We did hire a little runaround picanto through Karol but the buses had been fine too, we just wanted to see more of the island and visit Stingray City which was also a fun family day out where you get to hold them and feed them if you wish.

Chappys on the marina was our local haunt for quite a few meals which were excellent value for money and just on the doorstep. A very varied local menu for all with me preferring fresh fish and veggies and the kids wanting something with chips! Beers were 75 pence each and a large G & T was $2.50 - Our meal for 4 with drinks came to about 25 pounds each time. There was other choices but we liked our spot here and they even put flowers on the table for us. The villagers are all so pleasant and helpful and really make you feel welcome.
There are also 2 bakeries in the fishing village, the closest being a hideyhole of a bakery which you would never find without Karol giving you the village tour which she does when she collects you from the airport. The lady baker is called Henrietta and she offers a treasure trove of freshly baked goods other than just the fresh hot bread from 5.30am - I think we tried them all - pies, pastries, cakes, rolls, buns, turnovers, meatballs, patties, sausage rolls, fried chicken, banana fritters, pumpkin pancakes and everything is between 50p and no more than a pound.
We found this perfect to pack up a bag full as we headed off for the day so we had snacks at hand as we explored further afield.
Of course we must not forget the yummy welcome bbq that our hosts prepared for us with everything homemade and sourced locally or taken from the garden. Karol and Nick definitely like to cook and we really did appreciate all the extra yummy treats that just appeared at the right time. Also all the little things that they did for us by lending us rash vests, sunglasses, hats, beach bags, snorkel equipment which as a busy mum I had just forgotten to pack. Nothing is ever too much trouble.
Would we go back - You bet we will - thank you for having us.More