Grand Royal Antiguan Beach Resort

Antigua

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*What a hole!* Visited: October 2006
Posted by george_and_annie,_uk
	We had to spend one night here because Caribbean Star (so-called) airline (another institution to be avoided like the plague) stranded us in Antigua en route to Dominica. They paid, and a good job they did, because I wouldn't have! I have had better bed and board at a Pontin's Holiday Camp. The only good thing about it was the setting, and Mother Nature did that, not the people who own it.
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*Don't waste your money.* Visited: April 2006
Posted by shaggydoo2
	We found the hotel to be run down, empty and many of the services advertised were not available. We also thought the service was poor. At the time we were here, there were only 40 to 50 seemingly unhappy guests at this large hotel. We thought the service was unfriendly and slow. The local beer was good. Mixed drinks were not. Only one bar out of the three had a blender. The Beach Bar and Grill was not open. As for the food: at an all inclusive, you would expect to have food available most of the time. This was not the case here. The Beach Bar Grill was never open. They advertised three restaurants, but only two were used - one at a time. Barringtons was the more formal dining area which had bland food. Andes, which sat on the water usually had good pizza and burgers and was the place to eat lunch in. Our room was a good size and decorated in typical Caribbean fashion. There were several problems in the room, though. Many outlets in the room did not work; the tiles were cracked outside the tub which allowed water to stream on the floor after a shower; there was no safe in the room, but you could get one for a few dollars per day behind the front desk; and there was no hairdryer. On the positive side, the rooms were cleaned daily. The tour desk consisted of a few pamphlets with no tour desk operator. Depending on who was working at the front desk, you could get them to call and setup a tour. However, in most cases they were uninformed about the tours. The beach had a nice view. Snorkeling was about average for off a beach. Most beach cabanas were falling apart, and many had missing portions allowed the sun to come through. At the end of the beach was the public area which was littered in trash bags. The pool was very rough - the edges cut my foot. Also, the pool had dark spots all over the bottom and sides. We did not see the casino open for the entire trip. As for the entertainment, one night there was a steel drum band in the dining area. The main entertainment was listening to the other guests complain about the hotel I would not recommend this hotel.
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*We received great service, despite the renovations.* Visited: March 2006
Posted by vmarrtin
	My spouse and I stayed here for five days. The hotel was undergoing a face lift, as the grounds needed more attention. However, our stay was great! The room was clean, and the meals were wonderful. We enjoyed the pool and the beach, and the staff was friendly and helpful. Yes, we will return in spring 2007 with the kids.
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*The staff was very frendly - there was always someone there to help.* Visited: November 2005
Posted by janiswilkes
	My husband and I got to the hotel late Sunday, October 30th. We were met with a warm welcome and a drink, and shown to our room. It was very clean, and all we needed was in there. It was over looking a large hill. There was only one snag - it had no balcony. I asked the next day if we could have a room with a balcony, and we were moved to the front overlooking the sea. Our room was cleaned every day, with clean sheets and towels. The food was very good, and the staff was very frendly. We would go again after the refurbishment.
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*Hotel is shabby especially Garden Rooms* Visited: April 2005
Posted by maxinec
	Don't book at garden room - you'll be looking out directly onto a rusty old water tank and scrub land. Particularly if you are on level 1. Very expensive for what it is. Everybody who had booked a Standard room immediately paid to upgrade from this affront - the management were raking-in the $ from dis-satisfied customers paying to get something halfway decent.
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*The people were delightful, but the hotel property was tired.* Visited: March 2005
Posted by jdassocs
	I just returned from a one-week, all-inclusive (definitely the way to go) vacation here. I went with my 12-year-old daughter, and was glad to be at property with its own beach that was difficult to access from outside. The beach was secluded, and the local vendors seemed to watch out for you if you make the effort. Frenchie was the beach ambassador, and very helpful with tours, keeping track of my 12-year-old and offering a warm hello anytime of day. Francine did the best braiding--see her at the last hut, and Jackie always gave us a friendly welcome and helped us when we were ready to buy our souvenirs. The hotel staff seemed to try very hard to overcome property issues - like a power outage one night for an hour, and moldy air conditioning--our room was changed upon request. The hotel looked like it definitely needed an upgrade. Spa services were spotty; reflexology on the beach was fabulous, but the manicure was not. We will definitely go again, and hope that the property is in better shape.
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*It's a beautiful setting, but a shame about the hotel!* Visited: March 2005
Posted by jbrom43271
	This hotel definitely needs its forthcoming facelift. The bathrooms are a disgrace, the baths have some kind of paint on that floats off when you fill the bath with water. The grouting is dreadful. They indicate that the hotel is wheelchair accessible, but there are no handrails to help less able people get in and out of the pool. There are steps in one of the restaurants with no ramps. There are also steps for the pool toilet. The all-inclusive package stops at 15.00 yet you don't get picked up until 16.30, so are expected to pay for your drinks. How mean and petty is that? There are also no safety deposit boxes in the rooms, but it is $3 US per night for one downstairs. The free water sports are poorly run. The man in charge seems to spend more time running his own business. The catamaran never left the beach while we were there. If you do go, upgrade to a balcony room but wait until next year when the refurbishment is supposed to be finished.
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*We had a great holiday.* Visited: March 2005
Posted by mikejrose15
	I just returned from a week's all-inclusive holiday at this hotel and absolutely loved it. I found some of the criticisms on this and other websites a bit harsh. Everyone we spoke to during and our stay liked the hotel and exceptions were made for the state of the hotel as they knew it was to be upgraded. The staff was very helpful, polite and friendly when you were the same to them. Our room faced the hill at the back, but guests can upgrade to a room with a balcony to look out over the lagoon for an extra cost. We didn�t have any problems with our room, it was always left very clean, the beds were good and everything worked well (TV, hairdryer and air conditioning). Wristbands were given to AI guests, which was a great way for the staff to know which people were entitled to which offers. The food in all of the three restaurants was excellent, plenty to choose from with two of the three open on any one night. Local dishes were on offer within all of them, which was a real treat. The lagoon caf� offered a wide selection buffet for lunch and dinner, with certain theme nights making a change. However, the meals did change nightly. The Andes restaurant on the beach had a set menu for lunch and dinner when open, the Caribbean BBQ buffet night was very good. We ate at Barrington's one night during our stay, found it a bit dark inside. All-inclusive guests were given $30 towards their meal. All of the restaurants had dress codes - trousers and shirts for men at night with closed shoes needed in Barrington's. The bars were good, the staff was friendly. The pina coladas, the local Wadadli beer was good, and the wine was very good. The beach next to the hotel could be one of the best on the island, although a few �hawkers� were on the beach. They were not too pushy, and if you were polite to them, you were fine. The view from the neighbouring Barrington's Fort across the beach and over the surrounding area was great and well worth the walk/ climb. The hotel pool was okay for those not wanting to go out of the compound. It was clean and cool, and there were plenty of sun loungers available throughout the day. We went on a few excursions. We were well looked after on all of them. The trip to Shirley Heights on a Sunday was a must. The eco jeep / kayaking trip was great. The Wadadli cat tour around the island was good with the best snorkeling on offer. We also went on a cat out to Barbuda for the day it was well worth it to go to the 17 mile stretch of unbroken pink coral sand beach. If we ever went back to Antigua, we would definitely stay at this hotel again.
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*I will always stay at the Grand Royal Antiguan.* Visited: January 2005
Posted by lowarne
	I have been to the Grand Royal for the last ten years. My last stay was my 13th, and I stayed for five weeks. I am very upset by some of the comments made by people about the hotel. It was sold last year and is to be undergoing a complete overhaul. I have never been able to fault the food in any of the restaurants. The beach vendors are very friendly and watch out for you if you are alone on holiday (as I have been on several occasions). I have always felt very safe at the hotel and indeed on the whole of Antigua Island. The views from the front bedrooms are spectacular. The staff have never been anything but friendly and very obliging. Yes, there was a slight issue with replacing towels the last time I was here, but that was the first time in ten years that this had happened. If people who book on a room-only holiday find the drinks and food expensive at the hotel, why not try some of the places in town such as Big Banana where you can get very good food for an extremely reasonable price. There are a lot of very nice restaurants on the island, so why not give them a try? Sunday nights at Shirley's Heights is a real good jump-up with locals and tourists, and an excellent Bar-BQ and steel band. There is a lot of places to go on Antigua and everywhere that I have ever been, the locals have made me very welcome, so much so that I am intending to go to live on the island. Well done, The Grand Royal, for giving an insight into what I hope will be a wonderful life on your island.
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*I feel this hotel should not be open to the public!* Visited: January 2005
Posted by phillpsb
	We should have known when we decided last minute on a Caribbean holiday and could only find vacancies at this hotel that something was amiss. The hotel was in such terrible condition that management was only able to get 30% of rooms even marginally acceptable. The hotel looked like it had been run into the ground by the former owner. It was closed for a few months until re-opened by the current owners. No repairs seem to have been done, and mold has invaded the air-conditioning systems. We thought the general condition was deplorable. And when we made a demand of our tour operator to move us, of course there were no other accomodations available. We were told by management that they plan to spend $10 million on renovations. I would wait until after that to go!
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*A most awful place to stay* Visited: September 2004
Posted by sgdsgdsg
	Avoid like the plague!!!!
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*This place makes you look at life through different eyes.* Visited: August 2004
Posted by blondette_2
	When we first arrived, we took a look at the beach (only a few steps from the pool) and we were immediately asked if we wanted any hair braids, shirts, etc. The people were so friendly, and it was impossible not to meet any of the locals as the beach was public. But it added to our experience. I made so many friends on the beach! Also, the water sports were free (non-motorized equipment such as canoes). The jetskis were $50 for a half hour. I went swimming with the dolphins - it was amazing! We also spent a lot of time around the pool. I have to recommend the Tropical Crush drink! It was non-alcoholic and gorgeous! The only downside to the holiday was the evening entertainment. The karaoke was highly enjoyable, but that, unfortunately, was it. All in all, it was an amazing holiday which I would love to repeat. The other reviews about the poor quality of rooms and other things were just unlucky. My room was fine and I would think cockroaches would be expected (I only saw one) on a Caribbean holiday. We really saw a different side to living, and I loved it!
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*One night was enough for us.* Visited: June 2004
Posted by ahitchenor
	Okay , it was a cheap deal, but the hotel was in poor general condition. Check in for us was difficult, and be prepared to wear a red tag all week (can only be removed at the end of your stay) to signify that you are " all inclusive " . We thought the decor of the hotel was poor and was in need of a makeover. Our room was damp and musty with a great view of the sewerage pipes and the rubbish at the back of the hotel. Towels were hard to find and there was a hole in the bath. Also, after leaving our cases in the room (unpacked) we joined others in the reception/bar for a drink. Within 30 seconds of sitting down we were joined by a large cockroach that scuttled from under the soafa! We checked out the next day and stayed at another hotel. I wouldn't stay another night at the Royal Antiguan.
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*I thought it could be better.* Visited: March 2004
Posted by westda
	My wife, our two teenaged daughters and I spent one week at the Royal Antiguan in March 2004. I wouldn't recommend it as a place on a list of "must stay" hotels. On most days, the towels were removed from our rooms and we had to resort to getting the beach towels for the next day in order to take showers. We opted for the room-only basis, and wouldn't advise this option as the food and drink at the hotel were expensive to say the least, ($3 for a small (plastic) glass of watered down beer). Also, the rooms were in dire need of being brought up-to-date. On the plus side, most of the people we met were very friendly and helpful. The beach was nice, but not as good as some in other areas of the island.
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*This was the perfect wedding location.* Visited: January 2004
Posted by maurreenw
	We had our daughter's wedding at The Royal Antiguan in January 2004. From start to finish, the staff was superb. They could not do enough for us to make it the perfect day it was. Our special thanks to Fenella (wedding cordinator), Mandy Braithwaite (guest service manager), and Mr Brown (manager of Andes Restaurant where we had the reception).They all made it a day to remember. I would recommend this hotel to anyone wanting to get married.
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*We won't stay anywhere else.* Visited: December 2003
Posted by gilliegillie7
	We have been to the Grand Royal Antiguan nine times and are going back in February 2005. Yes, the hotel did need some work, but the service and the food were amazing. Fernella was our wedding coordinator in '97, and she still remembers us every time we go. Fiona, Ian, Sonia and all the others employed here always make our holiday a wonderful one and treat us like family. We have thought of going to another island or maybe staying at another resort but we know we would compare it to the Royal and we wouldn't feel like we were home. On our last stay, we arrived on Christmas day and we spent new Year's Eve here. It was the best New Year's we have ever had - and certainly the most memorable. We do not like all the bad reviews about this hotel and we can't wait to go back.
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*A tranqill, friendly hotel with few flaws and wonderful fellow guests!* Visited: August 2003
Posted by moonrieverview
	My daughter took me on a seven-day trip to the Royal Antiguan. I truly enjoyed myself. I will agree about the linen issue, that was sometimes a problem. But looking at the big picture, I would say it was a great deal. It was a little corner of paradise (minus the mongoose and jelly fish) which I not seen often, but made me timid when I did. I found the staff to be very kind and sweet people. They were always very nice to me. I didn't feel a need to leave the resort - one trip to town, one morning was enough for me. The beach was very inviting and I found great pleasure fron spending most of my time there. The food was good, I would agree with other reviews that the Andes was the best (of course the view you have while sitting there makes it even nicer). It was really best to get the all-inclusive unless you are someone who likes to leave the resort a lot. I did notice that some folks seemed to do that each day. I didn't care to leave! I would like to make special note of the lovely guests we met while we were here. They were all friendly, fun and likeable people. I enjoyed everyone I met. I would go again!
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*This is a great deal for the family.* Visited: August 2003
Posted by cpmurphy89
	The first night we checked in, we encountered some problems that made us very hesitant. But, as promised, the very next morning the problem was fixed. The grounds were well kept and the majority of the staff was very pleasant. My entire family (husband and two children) had a great time and we will be staying at Royal again next year.
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*Okay but not the best* Visited: July 2003
Posted by butterpecan
	My husband and I stayed at the Royal Antiguan and although it is rated highly we found it to be moderate. The grounds were lovely and very well maintained. The beach was also delightful and since we both did not want to do much on this vacation it was perfect. However I will say that the service left a lot to be desired. The staff was often rude and impatient. They are definitely in need of a hotel hospitality course. We would leave our room at 10:00 a.m. and upon our return at 4:00 p.m. or so, the room was not clean. Towels are a scarcity. A resort as big as that one should have more towels. The entertainment was also quite blah.. Even though during the day you could relax and find something to do, come nighttime and there was limited if any form of entertainment. The casino was a joke.. It might as well been a gameroom. I would not recommend the Royal Antiguan at all.
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*This is a good hotel if you can keep yourself amused.* Visited: July 2003
Posted by rhianne_l
	I have just returned from the Royal Antiguan, and after reading the reviews I found many of them to be unfair. I found the service mostly great and if asked if I wanted to go back there, I would defintely say yes straight away. I found that if you ate in the restaurants after 9:00 p.m., the staff tended to rush, but that was because they probably wanted to get home. I became quite friendly with a few of the bar staff and if you are polite to them, they will be polite to you. If you ignore them, they are not going to treat you better. Throughout the entire island, things were a lot slower, so don't expect quick service anywhere. I also found the housekeepers very polite and efficient. My room was clean and tidy every day. One of the only problems I found was that there was little evening entertainment. On a Tuesday night they had a steel band and on another night they had Karaoke. But other than that, there was not much to do. If you make friends with other holidaymakers, it was better. The bar stayed open until most people had gone to bed, but quite often that was not after 11:30 p.m. Also, the island was beautiful. I recommend the trip on the Excellence around the island. One last point. There was a boy named Sanga who worked at the hotel. He was the person who was everywhere. He was there every day tidying the beach, trying to get people to join in activities, emptying bins and ashtrays, (and was great entertainment- watch the steel band!). However, he could not talk. He was everywhere doing anything people asked him to do. There was a box in the lobby asking for donations to send him to Canada for speech therapy. Please donate. He was very sweet and he really does deserve it. If you had a good holiday then please just give him a little. Thank you.
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Grand Royal Antiguan Beach Resort Overview

The Royal Antiguan is located on Antigua's northwest coast at the entrance of Deep Bay, a secluded crescent of water. This resort is located 10 minutes from the capital city of St. John and the duty-free shopping at Heritage Quay and 25 minutes from the international airport. ...