Just had a remarkable two weeks in Antigua with my wife at the ReefView Apartments. Karroll and Nick, our hosts, made us feel right at home at their wonderful accommodations.

Lorna and I love going to the beach. After Karroll's quick lesson on the local minivan busses, that run all over the island, we were off. For about $1 US you can meet the friendly locals and ride all over the island. We would take the bus to a different beach every day and spend a wonderfully relaxing day floating in the 80 degree water with the noodles Karroll provided. By the end of the first couple of days the bus drivers knew us and we no longer needed to say "Bus Stop" to have the bus drop us off at the ReefView. By the way there is a lovely beach 100+ feet away from your room if you want to avoid the travel.

There is a marina with a fish market and Chappy's restaurant and bar just short walk from the ReefView. If you want a great local experience walk down to Chappy's in the afternoon, tell him what you would like for dinner and what time you'll be back. Friday and Saturday night is party night with LOUD music and dancing with the locals.

The ReefView is not an all inclusive five start resort. If you want that, do not stay at the ReefView. If you want fully equipped apartment that is spotlessly clean, run by 2 people who couldn't be nicer or more helpful in an area that is quiet and where you can get to St Johns, the capital, and some of the nicest beaches you will ever see then the ReefView is for you also forget the resort restaurants and enjoy Karoll's barbeque.

Make sure you talk to Karoll about a trip to Barbuda. It is a beautiful island with a fascinating history and make sure you bring a bathing suit and towel, another beautiful beach in paradise.

Just returned from a quick week in Antigua, we stayed on the south coast in Cades bay where we snorkeled every day from the shore in front of the cottage that we booked through an Internet search for snorkeling in Antigua and found ReefView Apartments with Karoll & Nick. It was perfect for us and we enjoyed the views of Montserrat volcano from our upper level each morning whilst deciding what beach to visit. We loved hiking around the headlands of this interesting and untouched coastline. We saw such a variety of corals and tropical fish, lobsters, Rays, crabs, turtles and several magnificent eagle rays. We threw something on the grill most nights which we bought from the local fish market in the village. Then most evenings we went and sat on the coconut thatched cabana right at the waters edge with a bottle of wine and stargazed . The highlight of our trip was living locally in the village and visiting the bakery and eateries and feeling very relaxed. We will definitely go back but for 2 weeks next time!

Hello TripAdvisor readers. I write you from the United waiting lounge at Antigua airport. Karoll just dropped me off. I am fighting the impulse to reschedule my flight, taxi back to the ReefView penthouse, run down to the beach, catch the sunset over Cades Bay, eat Karoll's key lime pie, and ply Nick with questions about fishing, sailing and diving, all of which he will answer with profound expertise. Mind you, there is only one more night available this week. But it would be worth it, were it not for my students and dean who will be angry if I choose the sweet island ambience of Reefview over the start of spring semester.

My goal in booking Reefview was ten days to write, wander the surf, have distance from the tourist crowd, absorb the real Antigua, learn some fishing and enjoy peace, quiet and solitude. ReefView rewarded me with all that and more. My accommodations were lovely. Karoll could not do enough to assure I was comfortable. Each day, after a morning of writing, I walked the beach and met local fishermen, conch divers and boat captains. Most evenings I cooked-in, except when Karoll and Nick barbecued or we ate local food at one of the great haunts just down the road. At night, fragrant breezes lulled me to sleep. The Sunday morning singing from the windows of St. Joseph's Church filled me with joy.

I just read the tiny number of complainers here (5 out of 225) and had to laugh. If you want New York accommodations with artificial island extract added, go for the hotels. But if you want an authentic Antigua holiday, hosted by a couple whose two decades experience are available to you just by yelling "Karoll" or "Nick" from the porch, this is your destination.

United just announced my flight. Boy, am I tempted . . .