ANTIGUA & BARBUDA ACCOMMODATION ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
IndexJolly Beach Resort Home

Jolly Beach is a huge complex with a beautiful beach on the idyllic leeward side of the island where sands are golden and the water is a perfect shade of turquoise. It has been under new management since 2001 and I'm pleased to report that the tourists I talk to in my St John's gallery have been very satisfied. If you are looking for an up market hotel this isn't it. But I am told by guests that it is excellent value for money.

Located 7 miles from the capital of St. John's and 9 miles from the airport, Jolly Beach Resort is Antigua's largest Resort. 462 rooms are set in 40 acres of tropical garden with the longest white sand beach on the Island. The "all-inclusive" package includes air-conditioned rooms with television, direct-dial telephone and hair dryer. Pretty well everything is there and the added shops, sports, golf and restaurants of Jolly Harbour are a walk away. Jolly Beach is a gregarious place where the LARGE beach style bar encourages guests to mingle. It is very informal and a good choice for singles.

Kids are welcome all year round and they even do supersaver rooms with no single supplement which can be useful if you have lots of kids.

ALL INCLUSIVE: all your food and drinks are included... you just go to the bar and get one/ two or what ever you wish. The same is true for the meals. The extra costs include things like phone calls home which are very expensive in Antigua!!!

Accommodation: There are five room categories and all include air conditioning, hair dryer, TV, direct dial telephone and in room pay safe...

• Supersaver Oceanview - These rooms are NOT big. They are similar in size to a large cruise ship cabin but incorporate one double bed with a shower and balcony or patio. They are best suited for singles (no single supplement) or intimate value-oriented couples and are located on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors
• Standard Oceanview - These are larger than the supersaver room with one king size bed, a shower and a balcony or patio. Best suited for singles or couples they are located on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd  4th floors.
• Superior Oceanview - All rooms have two queen beds, shower and bath, a refrigerator and balcony or patio. Best suited for couples, three to four friends traveling together or families with children over 16 years of age. Located on the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd floors with an oceanview.
• King Superior Oceanview - are situated in a separate romantic enclave of the resort best suited for romantic couples, newlyweds and honeymooners. They are the resorts most spacious ROOMS with a sitting area, king size beds, shower and bath, refrigerator, balcony or patio and are located on the 1st and 2nd floors only with an oceanview
• Junior Suite Oceanview - All junior suites have a SEPARATE living area, king size bed, refrigerator, shower and balcony. They are designed with couples in mind and are located on 2nd, 3rd or 4th floors

  Blocks of rooms are named after Caribbean countries... Barbuda, Antigua, Grenada (near Lydia's) St. Croix Etc. MOST rooms face the sea, but shrubs and buildings may block the views on lower floors. The higher floors have spectacular views. Superior rooms are located near the Italian restaurant. Blocks don't have elevators so if your on the forth floor you will also get a free workout climbing stairs.

  Walking: Be prepared to walk. The grounds are spacious and facilities are spread out. There are footpaths that take you all over the hotel and if you follow them you will not get lost, in addition there are signs with all the facilities in that area listed, look out for them.

  Food & drink: If there is one criticism of this hotel it is probably the food. There are several restaurants and a huge open bar. Most include meal upgrades for those who want items that are more expensive than the "all in" rate allows for. This is further inflated by the 10% service charge and an 8% government tax. Portions tend to be smaller than many tourists hope for but if you get a dinner reservation for about 7:00 p.m. and are still hungry you can always get something at the buffet (Hemispheres) which serves until 10:00 p.m..

  Hemispheres buffet is open every night but there is a schedule for the restaurants which open on different nights and serving from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m.

• Italian (generally the most popular), We have heard that the lobster is huge. This is the only air-conditioned restaurant and the only one men are required to wear long pants. Antipasto bar which you can help yourself to.
• Lydia's (seafood) There is a $US 15.00 surcharge for shrimp, steak and lobster. Usually Steel Band on Sundays.
• Olive's(Greek). Surcharge for shrimp only last time we heard. Tasty steak.
• Hemispheres Buffet is open for breakfast from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. but after 10:00 a.m. it's only a continental breakfast.
• Coconut Grill by the Splash Bar open 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, fish and chicken sandwiches and grill cheese.
• High tea is served each day around 4:30 p.m. near Olive's. Tea, sandwiches, scones and cookies.

  Liquor is not brand name so if you are picky you will need to take your favorite bottle. Rum and Vodka are cheap in Antigua to that's not such a hardship. Most people are happy though although the draft Wadadli beer can be a bit flat. Around the resort are pina colada machines with a bottle of rum to the side.

  Watersports - Water Sports Center include Sunfish and Hobie Cat Sailing, Pedal Boats, Windsurfing, Kayaking, Banana Boat, Surf Bikes - Water Skiing is available at an additional charge. Banana boat rides were $10 each . Private vendors will also rent Wave Runners/Jet Skis for about $35 an hour and parasailing for $50 per person. .

  Other resort features:

• The longest white sand beach on the Island
• Two Fresh Water Pools, including the biggest free-form Fantasy Pool in Antigua: 8,000 sq. ft., 500,000 gallons, featuring a Swim-up Bar, Jacuzzi, Volleyball and Bubbler Islands. 
• Wedding Arbor Chapel overlooking a cascading waterfall which flows into the Jacuzzi and Fantasy Pool. 
• Five Restaurants (Caribbean, Greek, Italian, International and Beach Grill)
• Seven Bars (including a Swim-up Bar)
• Disco
• Game Room
• Cyber Room
• Fitness Center, with Professional Cybex Equipment
• Nightly Live Entertainment, Staff and Guest Talent Night, Dance Lessons, Mixology Class and Aerobics
• Beach Volleyball and Soccer
• Table Tennis
• Conference Facilities (seating up to 500 people)
• World Class Cricket Center that allows Professional Coaching Sessions
• Four Tennis Courts lit for night play (Tennis Pro On Site)
• Jolly Kidz, exclusively for the children
• Two Wedding Gazebos - Optional wedding arrangements can be made by our on-property Wedding Coordinator 
• A tour desk can arrange optional services and excursions at additional charge including...
  • Island tours (A visit to Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights is recommended. So is AntiguaPaddles eco kayaking, round the island catamaran tours, Jolly Roger and Antigua's UNIQUE Star Wars gatherings with the YodaGuy are a MUST for fans of the classic trilogy)
  • Shopping trips to St. John's (see HeritageQuay.com and RedcliffeQuay.com)
  • Golf (at Jolly Harbour)
  • Horseback riding for about $35 each
• Adjacent Jolly Harbour Golf Club (18 holes) is located within walking distance. Last time we checked it was $30 for 18 holes plus $15 for the cart. Cedar Valley Golf Course (18 holes) is twenty minutes away

  Dress Code: It'd generally very casual though Olives restaurant requires long pants for men. Signs around the hotel say topless sunbathing is not permitted but often tourists ignore them. You need to remember that locals are pretty conservative and have a modicum of respect for other cultures. Be discrete and you'll usually not meet with problems. DO wear cover ups at shops, restaurants or in town.

  Vendors: Beaches are public so there's often vendors selling shirts, trips, aloe etc. The have an area called Crab Hole Village near Lydia's restaurant but you will still find some on the beach... usually close to the pool. Beach venders are like mosquitoes... somewhat aggravating but part of the tropical vacation package. Remember that they are just working people trying to make a living and courtesy usually prevails on both sides. If you are POLITE but firm about not wanting anything usually does the trick, as does pretending to be asleep! Most vendors are good natured but a security guard is usually on hand if you run into a trouble maker.

  Staff: I am afraid some staff in Antigua are a bit short of social graces but a friendly attitude goes a long way to brightening them up. They are dealing with hundreds of people and whenever I meet one with an attitude I always break the mood by asking them if they are having a good day... adding a little sympathy and then politely asking for "help" with my current circumstance. It usually works like a charm. Bartenders are reportedly a bit crabby but they are run off their feet much of the time. Maid service is said to be good. SEEKING OUT STAFF TO LEAVE A MODEST TIP WORKS WONDERS!

  Guests &endash; In general the hotel is often pretty quiet, accommodating around 200 guests when it can hold MUCH more. There is not usually many children but often quite a few sixteen to twenty year olds. Lots of Brits, Scots and people from Ireland. Generally the way the resort is run encourages visitors to interact so it's a good place for singles and everyone is usually very friendly. There are sometimes new faces of people with a day pass, which entitles them to a room, breakfast, lunch and access to the Coconut Grill, bars and pool.

  Notices & Guest Services: All the weekly activities and restaurant schedules/menus are listed on the notice board, which is on your right as you exit the lobby. There is another notice board upon entering Hemisphere Restaurant, which lists daily activities, and if you are at the fantasy pool they will also announce what's on for the day. Guest service is also centrally located, near the games room.

  Car Rental: Dollar Rental Car agency located at the hotel where you can rent a car.

  Insects: Yes, this is the tropics and you will run into a bug or two. Sandflies are usually not a problem at Jolly but the mosquitoes are around. Walk with insect repellent.

  Handicapped: There are ramps all over the property and there are bathrooms with handicapped access. Be SURE to advise your agent if you are traveling with a handicapped person so you stay on the ground floor.

  Snorkeling: There has been a lot of enquiries about snorkeling at Jolly beach. The water is beautiful there but is not clear and if it was there is little to see. It gets clearer if you walk up to Cocobay and there is a little snorkeling on the point there. Turners Beach is a short ride away and the water is very clear there.

  AntiguaToday.com note on quality: JBR is a hotel aimed at the economy minded tourist. If you approach your vacation with a smile and a laid back attitude you will be happy, because you get a LOT for your money... lots of features, a fantastic location, idyllic beach etc. at a great price compared with other hotels. A few tourists have criticized details and especially the size of the older rooms but the truth is that you get what you pay for.... if you are picky, UPGRADE

  Jolly Harbour there is a footpath to the vast Jolly Harbour complex as you exit the hotel. At the Jolly Harbour are shops, restaurants and much more.

  This is their official site.

  Contact: P.O. Box W2009, St. Mary's Parish, Antigua, West Indies - TEL: 268.462.0061 - FAX: 268.562.2302 - e-MAIL: info@jollybeachresort.com

  Want to know about SPECIALS available in Antigua?

  REVIEWS:

  Tracy Woolley writes:

  What a wonderful holiday we have had. The Views were wonderful from our hotel and the food, people,cocktails were first class. I am most certain that we will be visiting again in the very near future. To everyone at the Jolly Beach - thank you so much and see you again soon.

  ---

   

  ---

  AntiguaToday.com is not a booking agent and so does not profit from providing hotel info. As such unbiased assessment is assured. However, hotel information is collected from several sources... mainly the opinions of tourists staying at that hotel. Consequently we can not be held liable for the opinions of others can not GUARANTEE info is still current. We hereby disclaim any loss or damages caused by errors, omissions, misleading information or any potential travel problem, whatever the cause.

  ---

  All about Antigua & Barbuda - accommodation, links, news and more
   Want to know about our AntiguaNewsletter ?
   

This page is sponsored by the home gallery of Star Wars veteran Nick Maley