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Antigua & Barbuda Hotel, Resort & Villa Reviews
Jolly Beach Resort 08/10/2003
Reviewers Rating:  Great
"..Can't Get Over It."
From: Walt, wzw@aol.com
Trip Report: Antigua and Jolly Beach Resort
When someone says,"Caribbean Vacation," what images come to mind? White sandy beaches? Breathtaking views? Warm and friendly locals? Music? Tiny streets shared by people and livestock?
Antigua is all this and much more.
We arrived without trouble on AA through San Juan. After we found some blank Immigration forms, we breezed right through the lines. If more planes had arrived at the same time however, it could have been a longer wait.
Our prepaid shuttle took the four of us directly to JBR. The drive was just long enough for us to get a good look at Antigua and to realize we were far from Connecticut.
Rum punch was waiting at check-in and we were driven to the Hispaniola building on the far right side facing the sea. We were assigned to 222. There was a bottle of JBR rum waiting, along with a freshly sliced pineapple. A noisy fan in the A/C got our friends moved down one room to 220. Both rooms were clean and spacious, with vaulted ceilings, coffee makers, irons, refrigerators and tons of storage space. The view was excellent.
It took us a day to figure out the shortest routes around the immaculate grounds. The landscaping is well done and diverse. The wedding Chapel is set above the fantasy pool and is stunning. The aesthetics of the resort are equal to or better than most Caribbean properties.
We enjoyed the food at all three ala carte restaurants and especially enjoyed the brunch on Sunday at Lydia's. Breakfast was fine, with an egg station and either a pancake or french toast station along with bacon, sausage, beans, potato and scrambled eggs.
Lunch at the pool grille and the buffet was good as well. Dinner buffets were not as extensive as at some Caribbean all-inclusives, but was always good and varied.Service was generally excellent, more like ala carte than self-service. Bartenders were the friendliest I have ever met and the drinks were good at all bars.
Entertainment was fun each evening. There was a mix of local and popular styles with some good natured games thrown in. The casino nearby was open if you needed more to do after the nightly show.
There was never a problem with biting insects. There were crabs of all shapes and sizes, along with green lizards and a few mongooses.
Shirley Heights is breathtaking and worth a trip. Safari 4x4 Adventures was the most fun we ever had on a tour. Gareth was an incredible guide.
Vendors were friendly and nonintrusive. See Claudia, near the pool and talk a while. Walk all the way to the Crab Hole and find the Massage Hut and Bernice. You will be glad you did. Try to catch a sunset. Talk to folks from all over the world. We are as alike as we are different.
When someone says, "Caribbean Vacation," to me from now on, I will have a mental picture of Antigua, the wonderful people and Jolly Beach Resort.
Walt
Walt
 Read more Caribbean Travel reviews at TripAdvisor
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