ANTIGUA & BARBUDA ACCOMMODATION ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
IndexRoyal Antiguan Resort Home

Royal Antiguan is a sprawling 150 acre resort with a half-mile stretch of white-sand beach, three restaurants, a stylish pool, a bar you can swim to and one of the finest views of the West coast of Antigua. Rooms are all air conditioned and you will also find eight tennis courts, water sports, natural walking trails, volleyball, table tennis, horseshoes, croquet, electronic casino, disco, shops and a fitness center. It's also Antigua's tallest hotel so if your looking for something intimate you might do better looking at Antigua Resorts' Galley Bay. It is located on a at Deep Bay about 20 minutes from V.C. Bird International Airport and 10 minutes from the capital city of St. John's.

The 282 rooms are divided into four categories. All accommodations feature air conditioning, private bath with shower and tub, two double or one king-size bed, direct dial telephones and cable television.

• Mountain View - These are the rooms that back into the hillsideand have a limited view. Of course most of the time a guest is in the room they are sleeping as there is lots more to do outside. But if this is likely to trouble you ASK for a Bay view or Ocean view room. Maximum occupancy is four persons.
• Bay View - lower floors of the main tower overlooking the lagoon. These have a balcony or patio. Maximum occupancy is four persons. Connecting rooms are available.
• Ocean View - As the main tower is on 7 floors, the higher you go the better the view of the idyllic Caribbean sea. If you're likely to be aggravated by occasional "minor elevator outages" choose a lower floor. If you feel the view is really important this is the class for you. You'll be rewarded with spectacular 180º ocean views, a balcony (I believe) and a mini-fridge. Maximum occupancy is four persons.
• Cottages I believe these ar what used to be called the suites and are really 2 story blocks of 4 appartments (each located on one level). These are near the pool and much closer to the beach than regular rooms, (further from the tennis courts). One-bedroom cottages feature a private bath with shower and tub, one king-size bed and balconies or patios. Maximum occupancy is four persons.

Nearby is historic Fort Barrington perched on a hill overlooking St. John's Harbour and I understand that the hotel organizes guided walks there. At the height of England's struggle with France to control the smaller islands of the Caribbean, Antigua was the most fortified place on earth and from Fort Barrington you can see the remains of other forts too. Fort Barrington is the only part of Antigua to fall to the French.

Antigua Resorts specialize in romantic tropical weddings in beautiful surroundings. A gazebo overlooking the sea is very popular for that purpose but you can be married on the beach if you like. They do a package for U.S. $660.00 which includes registrar costs and ceremony charges, government fees, garden flower bouquet, boutonniere for the groom, wedding cake, a bottle of champagne, taxes and gratuities. This MUST be prearranged through the hotel's US. Reservations office and directed to the wedding coordinator. The package is FREE if you booked 13 nights or more of Bayview or Oceanview all-inclusive Plan.

Quality: I was involved with the hotel when It was first being built about 12 years ago and I supplied most of the artwork in the hotel at that time. Over the years I have seen many changes and the passing of a few management companies but I haven't heard as many tourists expressing their belief that the hotel provides good value for money as I have since Antigua Resorts took over operations there. Antigua Resorts offer a range of 4 hotels in Antigua each with a distinct personality and different levels of cost and exclusivity. Royal Antiguan is their economy hotel and if economy is your criteria then you should be pleased with the great deals that let you visit paradise so inexpensively. 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. A few tourists have criticized details and a few staff members who perhaps needed to improve their guest relations but the truth is that you get what you pay for.... if you are picky, UPGRADE. Galley Bay is more intimate, up market and VERY popular. St James is more formal and mid market. Jolly Harbour is practically a town!

 

• The Royal Antiguan boasts 3 restaurants each with a distinctly different atmosphere and menu.
  • The Lagoon Cafe - Breakfast buffet daily and theme buffet dinners nightly. Al fresco dining.
  • Andes on Deep Bay - A cute and casual wooden beach front grill built over the water in the bay where the sound of lapping ocean serenades your meal. Caribbean specialties and live entertainment.
  • Barrington's - An upscale indoor and more formal dining with gourmet dishes created by the hotel's executive chef. Reservations are required.
• Meal plans...
  • European Plan is included at no extra charge but subject to 18.5 % tax and service charge.
  • Royal Inclusive Plan also includes all meals, house brand liquor and non-alcoholic beverages by the glass, and all hotel taxes and service charges. Restaurants are not ALL open EVERY day. Check the schedule to make the most or possibilities.

  This is one of the few hotels with a published DRESS CODE. Generally dress is casual during the day provided that you wear shoes and cover ups in the restaurants and lobby. However they say "After 6:30 PM, for men - slacks or tailored Bermuda length shorts are fine, along with collared shirts (no "short shorts", cutoffs, jeans, T-shirts or tank tops, please). For women - dresses, skirts, slacks, culottes or tailored Bermuda-length shorts are wonderful (but please, no "short shorts", cutoffs or jeans)." Barrington's is the only formal Restaurant, Men may wear sleeveless shirts and/or tailored Bermuda-length shorts in other bars and restaurants.

  MORE....

• Facilities include:
  • WATER SPORTS: snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing and kayaking.
  • FITNESS CENTER: With cardiovascular equipment, free weights and exercise equipment.
  • Two beaches,
  • Championship tennis courts (five of which are lit for night playing), and pro shop,
  • Volleyball, croquet,
  • Karaoke
  • Children's playroom
  • Foosball and table tennis.
• 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 and a pirate cruise with Jolly Roger. The RA offers shuttles to Shirley Heights on Sunday evening for $20 per person. They take you down at 4:00 and bring you back at 8:00. There is a great barbecue there for about $10 per person and drinks if you want them. Go, it's a fun time and the views are wonderful.
  • Island Arts UNIQUE Star Wars gatherings with Antigua's YodaGuy (who contribited to Yoda and the other SW creatures) are a MUST for fans of the classic trilogy.
  • Shopping trips to St. John's (see HeritageQuay.com and RedcliffeQuay.com)
  • Golf (the course is about 4 miles away)
  • Rental cars
  • Trips to King's Casino in downtown St. John's
• contact...
  • bayres@antigua-resorts.com or reservations@antigua-resorts.com
  • write to 1065 S.W.30th Ave, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
  • Phone: (954) 481-8787
  • Fax: (954) 481-1661
  • European Office - Phone: (44) 20 8350 1001, Fax: (44) 20 8350 1011/2. Email: mki@ttg.co.uk
  • Reservations1-800-345-0271
  • Public Relations - Peta Phipps, Phone: (954) 382-4565, Fax: (954) 382-4483, Publicrelations@petaphipps.com

REVIEWS:

From: dccindy@hotmail.com

I was very pleasantly surprised . We were greeted with rum punch (what else ?) upon arrival and our check-in went smoothly. We got a free upgrade to a balcony room with a nice view of the lagoon and bay. The porter who took our bags to our room was very friendly and informative, pointing out all the amenities of the resort, etc. All the staff that we came into contact with was friendly, courteous and efficient - had some minor annoyances but nothing of great importance.

Our room was nothing fancy, or posh, but the bedding and curtains were a nice, bright tropical print with lots of storage room and nice and clean. The shower (unlike many hotels I have stayed) was great - with good water pressure and plenty of hot water) Hint for the ladies: Bring an extension cord - the 110 outlet is on the floor along the baseboard and it would make it a bit hard to blow-dry hair without the x-cord. Good AC, basic cable (who comes to Antigua to watch TV anyway ?) and as I mentioned earlier a nice view from our balcony. We also got a great deal on SkyAuction so we were not expecting a five-star hotel, and pretty much used the hotel for our base to sleep, shower and change.

The grounds at the RA were absolutely lovely, with lots of flowering bushes and plants, with a lovely gazebo used for weddings. The pool was very nice, although to be honest we did not spend any time there - with the Caribbean right at our doorstep who would want to ? The beach was so beautiful and very clean, and although I would prefer a beach with less vendor activity, those that were there were very friendly, and not at all pushy, with some lovely jewerly and wares to sell at great prices. They had about every watersport "toy" you could imagine, and you could book any trips you wanted from the vendors, although I did most of our bookings myself ( you can sometimes get discounts if you book in person)

We are not on the all inclusive plan so did not eat many dinners or lunches there ( dinner on our first day only) and only one lunch at the Andes ( pass on the desserts, they were disappointing) but we did eat breakfast there almost daily and it was very good and service good as well. We chose to soak up Antiguan culture and food instead of hanging around the hotel much, which was good since the entertainment was pretty lame ( Karoke and the like) and the lobby bar was not condusive to "hanging out" in. If you are looking for exciting night-life, the RA is not "it", but since we were out every night seeing Antigua this was not all that big of deal for us, but for some on a strict budget, it might be. The other guests were very friendly however and we really enjoyed getting to know them - lots of Brits with a few Americans sprinkled in.

The guest liasion desk was for the most part very helpful with the exception of assisting us with sending some art pieces home, and a weird policy of cash vs. travel checks. But no real complaints there - they were quick to attend to our needs for the most part. I got a massage on our last full day there ( it was the only day it rained) and ladies (and gents) if you book a massage, you must request Conrad (Hilroy is his Antiguan name) - it was heavenly!

Taxi drivers are always readily available and were great (expensive though) -they were good about pointing out the sights, etc. "The General" was our favorite driver.

Took a Kokomo Catammaran ride to Bird Island to do some snorkling - loved it! We were hoping to take both the cat ride and Eli's tour on Tuesday, but waited to book both until we got there, so we could see what the weather brought us - unfortunately Eli was booked and we did not get to take it. The Kokomo ride was a blast though - Paul, the charming owner and his crew were great fun and gave me and Skip dance lessons on the return trip back..thanks Debbie. I thought I had rhythm until I got to Antigua. Lots of sun and rum - and I got my first sunburn ever in my whole life (just on one shoulder though) - I get very tan and didn't think I was in danger of burning, but the sun is definitely stronger there, so take heed.

The StarWars party at Island Arts was one of our highlights ( if not THE highlight) of our trip). Nick Maley and his gracious wife,Gloria have a lovely home/gallery at Hodges Bay and we were greeted by the squaking of parrots upon our arrival. It was a small group and I got to meet Pirate (from the Forum) and his lovely wife - and his wife wanted me to remind everyone how much he looks like a young Burt Reynolds...he does, only better. :-) It was great meeting Pirate, as we had emailed back and forth a few times. Nick gave a fabulous and very interesting talk, not just about StarWars but about his career and life - loved the story about how he and his wife met. Folks, if you are not a huge StarWars buff, you will still enjoy these parties. Where else will you ever get a chance to sit down and talk with a man like Nick who has such a respected and interesting history in movies. After Nick's talk, and tour of his gallery, most of us went to dinner (Nick,Gloria,Pirate and Mrs. Pirate, and me and Skip) back to CHUTNEYS, where we ate and drank the night before. Richard greeted us like old-time friends, which is exactly how we felt. More fascinating stories by Nick and Gloria that included not just movies, but about Antigua politics, their rescue work with animals and just a vast array of topics - it was a magical night with good friends, good food and good wine - a perfect last night in Antigua. Thanks again Nick and Gloria. I do hope to see you again someday.

So, all in all I can recommend The RA with little if any reservations to others. I realize we were there at a "down" time, but we did not experience any of the negative things that others mentioned. The next time we will probably stay at the Hawksbill or one of the resorts with a more expansive view of the Caribbean than the RA provides, but that would really be the only reason.

Stephanie writes:

We stayed at the Royal Antiguan in Jan 02' and honestly it wasn't all that bad. it had it's good and bad qualities to it. First the room was great I thought. I don't know what room some of the people who wrote poor reviews stayed but our room was great, nice view, clean, well cared for. Now the Service was a different story apparently they were short staffed because it was slow, it took and hour to get a thing of coffee sent to the room. But if you don't sweat the small stuff it is fine. We loved the beach but you must realize they are all public which means there will be vendors just say no thank you and put your head down. I would stay there again the people were nice the room was great.

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