Friendly Staff, Great Beach, Mediocre Food

Plenty of reviews have already noted that this is a 3 star hotel at best. To add to that, the food in Hemispheres restaurant is more or less run-of-the-mill standard fare, nothing to get excited about, but of course there is plenty of it to go around. The extra US$20/person to eat at the Italian restaurant was definitely not worth the expense; meager portions sizes and exceptionally slow service; dinner should not take in excess of 2 1/2 hours from start to finish. Having to ask 3 times to ha [... read more]ve your water glasses refilled is inexcusable. Nightly entertainment was provided by a variety of bands but could they please update their music selection from something other than the 1960's? Steel drum band and the fire-eating limbo dancer were exceptional performers. Rooms are adequate; bathrooms are very much in need of updating. Concierge service was outstanding in arranging for a full day island tour with a side-trip to Stingray city. Lastly, much is forgiven with the beach, and it truly is an amazingly long one.

My wife and I returned to Jolly Beach after 8 years and found we should have stayed away.

There were many issues with this trip and unfortunately most of them lay with the resort. I have documented most of them below and while some were minor, the constant issues diminished the value of our vacation. My wife and I returned to Jolly Beach after 8 years and found we should have stayed away. The resort is showing its age and very dated. Part of the issues could stem from the changing of owners; however, that is little comfort for the guests. We were downgraded to a standard roo [... read more]m for the 1st night and told we would be “credited” back the difference. Of course nothing was mentioned about compensating for the lost day (Monday) while we waited for your room to be changed. The Good: The beach, most of the staff, the weather and we got a blanket when we asked for one (there was only a sheet on the bed). Issues: · Over-booked room categories even though the resort was NOT busy · Too many surcharges (safe $15US/week, wifi $10US/day, food $15-$25/item, wine $10US/bottle, etc.) · Food was poorly cooked and lacked any variety · Nearly impossible to “book” reservations as required at the restaurants · Renovations happening without any warning signs (i.e. painting walkway side rails, rooms torn apart) · Noisy A/C units (one guest told us they had an A/C that actually started smoking!) · Undrinkable tap water and huge surcharge for bottled water. · Foul odor throughout the property during mid-day SUNDAY: We arrived and after over 20 mins waiting in line to check-in (only 3 clerks) I was told I needed to speak to the Manager. They had "accidentally" over-booked the Queen Superior rooms and needed us to move to a "Standard" room for the night. My 1st question was if they meant a "Super Saver" (closet sized) room and was assured no it was a regular Standard room and we would be credited for the difference in rates between them. The next question was when we would be moved to our booked room category... "well check out is at noon so we will try to have you moved by 2". At this point we don't have much choice so off we go the "Standard" room. As expected no dresser, no mini-fridge, shower only bathroom, concrete furniture (yes that is NOT a typo), an old tube TV unit (again, not a typo), basically a slightly larger version of the "Super-saver" room. Obviously we can't unpack so we use our "just in case" shorts/shirts from our carry-on. We go get supper at the buffet (you need to per-book the other three restaurants the day before) and are asked if we would like a bottle of wine for only $10US (so much for all-inclusive!) MONDAY: We are told by our rep that the room water isn't really safe to drink... we figure our Brita filter bottles should work... we were wrong! As we burn through time waiting for the room change... while walking around the resort we run into some wet paint (no signs) and since I brushed against it I just ruined a pair of $80 pants! We also discovered that the block of rooms just down from us were all under renovations and completely uninhabitable (again, no signs and not blocked off). At 1:30 (after lunch) we check on the room move and are told to check back between 3 and 4... burn through some more time... at 3:30 we are told "room changes happen after 5pm" at which point I ask to talk to the Manager. The Assistant Manager pushed getting our room ready and was upset about the paint issue (he called the grounds supervisor and did some chewing) but didn't offer any compensation. We went back to the old room and got things ready for the porter who took us to our new room at the other end of the compound... 4pm on our 2nd day and we can finally unpack! The room was nice (six dresser drawers, a mini-fridge, tub and shower, flat screen tv), it did not have the king bed we requested but we could live with that. The TV remote didn't work so the desk sent 2 maintenance guys to look at… they called a 3rd and finally got it working after about 15 minutes. It stopped working again the next day so I just programmed my tablet to work as the remote. The A/C was very loud and the ceiling fan kept "clicking" but we can live with that... TUESDAY: We are both feeling a bit off so we decide to go off property to buy some bottled water now that we have the mini-fridge. The toilet handle breaks so we couldn't flush it without pulling the flapper by hand... they replaced the toilet, but the new toilet had a leaky flapper so the water would run to top up the tank every 8 minutes... we can live with that. WEDNESDAY: Water issue gets worse... yellow water coming from the taps and it is clearly NOT good to drink. We could buy bottled water from the bar for $2US for a 1 liter bottle but we know it is cheaper off property. We bought the bottled water off property for $2.50US for a 5 liter bottle! THURSDAY: We tried to book one of the restaurants for dinner on Friday but by 8:30am they were “already full except for the 9:30pm sitting”. As this was too late for us we decided to give up on eating anywhere but the buffet. Then while speaking to one of the staff they arranged for us to have a 6:30pm table at the same restaurant we were told was fully booked (thank you to the staff). FRIDAY: Not the resorts fault but... while at lunch someone came along and moved our beach chairs, which had our towels and books on them still, into the sun to take the shade spot we had left the chairs in... they wouldn't move when we returned... some people are just rude! At dinner, the one we were able to booked thanks to the helpful staff person, we noticed the restaurant was only ½ full… and it was still only ½ full when we left an hour later… so much for “fully booked”! The A/C noise reaches the point where it is just too much... so I turn it off about 11:00pm and go for a walk, to the front desk. I ask them to fix it the next morning. I also discover that at 11:30pm there is NO PLACE TO GET EVEN A POP! SATURDAY: The resort ran out of glasses (plastic actually) by 3pm and were serving in the small disposable plastic cups. That is fine for a pop or beer, but not for a mixed drink or Pina Coladas. We hadn't received our exit documentation by the time we returned from dinner. Having changed rooms we 1st went to see if it was stuck in the door of the original room, it was not, then we went to the front desk to ask about it... they had it in the back office. The "fix" the staff did for the A/C was to turned down the fan to low. At this setting there were two issue; it isn't strong enough to cool the room during the day and when set to "Cool, LOW" the unit will not turn off when the set temp is reached (I tried setting it to 30C when the room was 25 and it still kept running). We just let it run all day but at night with the outside temp lower it actually had the room down to 22C (it was set for 24C) by 11:30pm when I turned it off after we woke up chilled. SUNDAY: We checked out and I got a bill for $40US... $25 for the "surcharge" for one meal and $15 for the "safe lock rental". I asked where I send the bill for the $80 pants that were ruined by the wet paint and the assistant manager did offer to pay the $80 if I left the pants with the resort (I did!). ================================================================= Needless to say this vacation did not come near meeting our expectations. We have been on over 25 Caribbean and sun destination vacations ranging from 3 star to 5 star resorts as well as self-cratering facilities and this was the most disappointing trip.

Very friendly staff

The resort and the rooms could use some upkeep, but this is a 3+ star resort. It was high season (Dec 25 - Jan 1), and the resort was surprisingly empty. No problem finding pool chairs or beach chairs on any day. The staff is incredibly friendly. The nightly entertainment was good. The New Years Eve party was exceptional.

Relaxing place, needs TLC, but you get what you pay. Overall we had a great time!

Rooms - Rooms are very small and basic, however all have a great view of the ocean. You only sleep in them so it was not a big deal. Would be nice to have some drawers to keep your clothes out of your suitcase. Food - The grill by the pool has the best jerk chicken. Overall besides the grill, we were not a huge fan of the food. It was simple, but we were ready for a change. Pool - Pool needs some TLC, however it was great for the price we paid. Lots of room, could always get an umbre [... read more]lla and great music. There was two pools, one quite and one by the beach for those with kids or wanting pool games or music. Staff - Great staff, very friendly and willing to help out. Location - About 25 minutes from the airport. The island and people themselves was a great place. It was a safe place to travel outside of the resort, even with a young child. The grocery store is only takes a few minutes to walk to so it is nice to get some snacks. Beach and Ocean are great. Some locals on the beach as they are public beaches, but for the most part they were nice and would leave you alone. Overall for the price you pay it was a great and relaxing vacation. If you are expecting something fancy and nice, this is not your place. If you want to get away, experience the island, enjoy the beach and go for a swim for a reasonable price this is your place.

Wonderful Staff

JOLLY BEACH RESORT, ANTIGUA November 27 – December 4, 2016. Overall review: The staff were wonderful, friendly, and helpful. The pool bar was great for entertainment and music. The beach was beautiful, postcard like. The water was clear and calm. The hotel and grounds were clean and well kept. Detailed review: The Air Canada plane was surprisingly clean and spacious. I have heard horror stories about filthy planes, rude staff, and cramped seating. We arrived on [... read more] time and there was an Air Canada representative waiting to meet us. The taxi to the hotel was included in the package price however, the taxi drivers will ask for money. One couple paid $24 US and found out after they arrived at the hotel that the taxi was included. The taxi driver leaving the resort, after our vacation, tried to charge us $24 US but we told him no. He also had a list of passengers that were included and 'forgot' to check it. The resort was very much a 3 star hotel. There was a charge, in US dollars, for most things. The key to the safe in our room was $7 per day. To upgrade our room was $40 US per day. We booked a super saver room. This room has one double bed and 1 foot of room around the bed to move around. The shower was stand up, no tub, and was about 1 ½ feet by 3. It was a triangle shape, with three sides and little elbow room. The upgraded room, for $40 US per night, was exactly the same however, there are 2 single beds pushed together. Same space, 1 foot of room, around the beds. After seeing the room with 2 single beds, we did not upgrade. There were no mini bars in either of these rooms. To have a bottle of water in the room there was a charge of $2 US. The bottle of water can be bought at the bars that open at 10:30 am and refilled for free. There was no room service. In room Wi-Fi $10 US per day or free only in the lobby. There were three al la carte restaurants. The Italian restaurant was $20 US per meal and only opened for dinner. It was the only restaurant that has air condition. We did not eat at the Italian restaurant. The other eating areas, the buffet, Indian, and Lydia's seafood, did not have AC. It was cooler in the evening and I personally did not need the AC. The food was good. There was not a large selection. The Indian restaurant offered an "exotic" fruit plate. It was watermelon, cantaloupe, honey dew melon, and dried coconut shavings. We never actually saw any exotic fruits at any of the restaurants. We called the front desk twice and both times someone appeared almost immediately. The first time was because there was no toilet paper in our room. The second time because our remote control for the TV did not work. There were no do not disturb signs. Housekeeping regularly interrupted nap time. There were no covered walkways for rainy days. There were not enough umbrellas or shaded areas at the beach or main pool. There were not enough public washrooms. None on the beach and nowhere near the main pool. There was no 24 hours drink or food options. The bars open at 10:30 and when they are closed there was no other option to get drinks. Same for the food, when the restaurant's close, no more food. We arrived at the airport three hours before our departure flight. There was no running water at the airport in any of the washrooms and none of the toilets flushed. The toilets were still being used and they were filled with waste, paper, etc. It was the topic of conversation for all the tourists waiting for their flights.

You get what you pay for.

This vacation was a surprise birthday gift for my boyfriend's 30th birthday. He wanted to go somewhere that we both have never been too. I did a lot of research on Antigua and Jolly Beach Resort was the most affordable. I was definitely sold on the pictures I saw online and everyone commented that this resort had the nicest beach on the island. As soon as we arrived, I noticed how outdated and run-down the resort was compared to the pictures I saw online. What I didn't like from the get-go w [... read more]as that upon check-in, you have to provide a credit card in case of any extra charges, damages, etc. I have never had to do that at a resort before. Everything was always settled at check-out. So make sure to bring a credit card with you. They don't offer food all throughout the day. When we arrived it was around 4:30/5:00PM and they were offering "tea-time" in the court yard. We had to wait until 6:30pm for the buffet to open. It was inconvenient to say the least. The food is not the greatest at all. If you don't eat pork, you won't be eating much all week unless you go to the Coconut Grill at lunch time. Another major annoyance was their a la carte restaurants. Half the menu was "all inclusive" .. the other half was food options that you had to pay for, and there were plenty. I've been to resorts where if you wanted lobster, you pay extra for just that. It seemed that this place really wanted you to fork out as much money as possible even after paying for an "all inclusive" resort. Another inconvenience is that the resort store closes at 7:00PM every day. If you don't stock up on snacks or water to keep in your room after everything closes, you'll be super dehydrated and hungry until the morning. The entertainment shuts down around 10PM every night and the bar is usually running until 11PM .. sometimes midnight but that's not every night. We found that this resort was more for an older crowd. If you're younger and like to party, this isn't the place to go. And the cab drivers will give you crazy rates to take you anywhere to enjoy yourself at night time. My boyfriend and I ended up renting a car to take ourselves around the island at our leisure which worked out to be cheaper and better than what locals were trying to charge us. We got to tour the entire island in the 4 days we had the rental and it was amazing. We also got to go out at night and enjoy the nightlife around the island. The room we had was super small - opt for a standard room or a suite. Our room was the size of a jail cell. We had constant issues with our toilet, and it took staff all day to fix the problem. We had a leak under our bathroom sink everyday. There is no mini fridge in the room, and even though they provide ice buckets there is nowhere to get ice other than the bar and it will melt overnight. The bed was super uncomfortable. It felt like we were sleeping on a concrete slab every night. As soon as we checked in, the front desk staff gave us a flyer regarding Zika Virus and how to protect yourself. You'd think it would be common sense that when house keeping cleans your room everyday, they'd keep the doors closed. Nope. We would come back to multiple mosquitoes in our room everyday. It was super annoying. The resort had a funky odor throughout it and at times, it smelt like fecal matter. It was not pleasant at all. The main pool was not cleaned properly or daily. Both pools close at 6PM every day, and the main bar closes around 5. The only nice thing about this resort was the beach. I definitely wouldn't come back to this resort. It wasn't worth the time or money at all. It's more a motel than a resort.

Fantastic holiday!

We just returned from a 2 week holiday at Jolly Beach and wish we were still there. The people we met were fantastic. The staff were wonderful. The food was good. The beach was amazing. Next time I will bring my own pillows (but that is an issue when you are over 50) The value was very good for the price. The room seemed small upon arrival but we quickly forgot about it. Our view from our balcony was lovely. We had a day long tour of the island with Ralston (Taxi #76) with a catered lunch tha [... read more]t was really wonderful. I cannot begin to name all the great staff met Neil, Zauda, Marcia, Lisa, Keeshan, Samantha, Quint, way too many to talk about. If I am supposed to list negatives.......forget it....the experience for the value completely negate it. Would we go back? YES!

Good times!!!

The weather was great. The beach is stunning! The staff were super friendly, upbeat, and fun to hang with. Food was great at Hemispheres restaurant. Mine was a Supersaver room, which was a bit dated, with a hard bed...only complaint, but it was my choice to book that room for cheaper. Loved it!!!

Great Getaway

The hotel was great. It'seems situated on the best beach by far. The staff were friendly and entertianing and the food was really good. View from our room was of the pool and beach. Couldn't ask for anything more!

Great Getaway

The hotel was great. It'seems situated on the best beach by far. The staff were friendly and entertianing and the food was really good. View from our room was of the pool and beach. Couldn't ask for anything more!

Fantastic beach!

Had a great time - people were friendly, the beach awesome. Food was good and really enjoyed the entertainment. The resort is a little dated but know that going in and have a mindset of you are just going to enjoy yourself and you will.

Awsome

Beautiful island, good people, so much fun! Would go back in a heart beat! Lots to do and very safe, sailing,fishing,and every kind of water sport you could ask for. 365 beaches, white sand and sunshine!!!!

Lovely Resort

Great value for a lovely little 3 star resort on a fabulous beach. The hotel is undergoing some much needed renovations, but the friendly staff, well prepared variety of food choices, and gorgeous setting still stand out. We thoroughly enjoyed our vacation at Jolly Beach and would definitely return.

Relaxing and enjoyable!

Awesome beach - actually considered to be the best on the island. Food just okay, a bit boring, most meat overcooked, fish a better choice. Super saver room not recommended - clean and functional but tiny with hard bed. Entertainment good. Sand fleas at dusk and dawn seem to affect some, me particularly but not my husband.

Never Again

Won't go back &would not recommend, supposed superior room was less than standard at any other resort. The resort is dated even rooms they say have been renovated are stuck in rhe 70's. Picked up in van for 9 people & their luggage piled up up over their heads.

R&R in Antigua

This resort is a little dated and the rooms are small. However...the beach was phenomenal, the grounds were wonderfully maintained...and the staff...they made the trip!! They are all fantastic!!!!!!! Find the bartender Neil...makes a mean Kamakaze shooter!! Joice is just a delight...her Bloody Mary drinks will wake you up and get you ready for the day! You are on island time....relax....rest up...and dance like no body is watching...OR....dance like you will never see these guests again!!

Older resort about 40 years

Super clean, they are always doing something to keep it in good standing, painting, reburishing rooms Well worth the money, they are there to please, and the food is great Lovely beach, lots of shells

Jolly Beach Hotel

We loved the hotel, the staff and the food was very good. Antigua has beautiful beaches and the people were very nice and we felt welcome at the Jolly Beach Hotel. I was travelling with my 13 year old daughter and it was my first holiday in 4 years and we loved it . I am definitely going to try my best to come back next year! I also felt safe there with my daughter which was a concern with me when I planned this trip.

Good place to vaction for the price

What an amazing beach. The water is so blue and being on the Caribbean side, there were no waves. Lots of shells on the beach but not enough to warrant taking water shoes. Staff was super friendly. We were there when the cricket tests were on so 2/3 of the resort was from England. They left at 8:30 and returned at 6:30 so the resort was very quiet during the day - no need to save chairs at the pol or beach. No one at the swim-up bar. No line - ups at any bar. Only 25 minutes form the airport an [... read more]d shuttle was great. Buffet was good, the ordinary expectations for breakfast -eggs -scrambles, fried, poached, hard-boiled or omelets plus sausage bacon, a bead station, a sweet station and a fruit station. Enough choices and a variety of themed through out the week for sinner Italian restaurant was excellent as well as seafood . Indian was a treat -a bit spicy As many reviews stated this is a dated resort -it is a 3 star. The rooms have an older feel but they are clean and we were only in our room to sleep and to change.

Basic Resort

For a 3 star resort, it was acceptable, but don't expect more. The food was limited, but very good. Drinks are also basic, don't expect premium booze. A few of the staff are very friendly, but for the most part I don't think they like being there and don't always pay attention - overall acceptable. Pool needs to be cleaned. I don't think it was done once the entire week we were there. DJ loves his rap and caters to staff instead of patrons. Would have been nice to hear some Caribbean music. Abso [... read more]lutely beautiful beach. Easy bus ride to St John. Book a 3 star, get 3 star accommodations. All in all it was clean and acceptable but not fancy.