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Have you visited Halcyon Cove by Rex Resorts? We'd love to know what you think...
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 I would go back. Visited: June 2007 |
| Posted by barryedwards |
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My partner and I had a 14-night stay here, and I also found it rather tired. But despite this, the staff was the business. They were polite, efficient, and courteous at all times. The cleanliness was at a high standard with no complaints at all.
We went room only after reading the comments, and ended up doing the American plan (three dinners and seven breakfasts). Yes, the food was repetetive, but enjoyable. If I were to nit pick, they did not fill the coffee pots enough times.
The Lobster Shack close by was a regular dining haunt, as well as The Bay House. Both were a short taxi ride away. Sandals next door is expanding big time, and this may affect the space on the beach.
Also, the local bars were very friendly and attentive.
I would go back again - especially if they gave it a massive face lift to bring it up to date (particularly the very dated bathrooms!). |
| 4 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. |
 I found it to be tired and faded. Visited: November 2006 |
| Posted by happy_tr |
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I stayed here November 2006. The hotel was tired and faded.
The staff was very friendly, but sometimes ineffective. A couple of the reception staff were quite surly when asked to deal with problems (i.e no towels in the room several days running, remote for TV not working for three days, and TV reception awful for most of stay with only news channels available).
The rooms were comfortable and clean, but the bedding sheets had holes in them! Also, the bathroom was clean but very old.
The food was okay. Warri Pier was excellent. We only dined three times at hotel as we were "room only".
The guest suite upon checkout was woefully inadequate. The shower was dirty, tiles were chipped, and there was only one female and one male shower provided. Also, the room was full of mosquitoes and there was no air conditioning. A radical re-think is required.
It is a great pity, as upon talking to locals, Halcyon was the place 20 years ago. It had a great location, the beach was fabulous, and the locals were very friendly. Also, the vendors were no hassle - they were only trying to earn a living, and the services and products provided were cheaper than in town.
Check out Sneaky Pete, Marvin, Marcus and Smokey - they were great guys.
We had a thoroughly enjoyable holiday. I just hope that Rex will invest some serious money and put the hotel back were she should be! |
| 11 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. |
| It was a good hotel overall, but the bathrooms need some renovations. Visited: August 2006 |
| Posted by john_tho |
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We enjoyed an all-inclusive package.
It was a good spot, with a lovely beach. The staff was efficient and friendly, and the food was pretty good. Warri Pier restaurant was very good (an extra charge for AI).
It lacked a little atmosphere, though. Also, the bathrooms were very basic and old - but functional.
We would return. |
| 10 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| It's a bit "shabby chic", but needs an upgrade to the pool/garden room. Visited: February 2006 |
| Posted by karl1 |
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We just returned from a week at the Halcyon Cove. We stayed in the standard accommodation which, unfortunately, backed onto a road and the employees' meeting place. It was noisy up until midnight.
It was standard, and the choice of food was satisfactory to good. Service was good, personnel were excellent, and the position of hotel was excellent.
We would stay at the hotel again, but would upgrade to a poolside/garden room. The hotel has just been re-decorated and was basic, but very clean. |
| 4 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
 I suggest you stay away from this hotel. Visited: August 2005 |
| Posted by sahela |
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I just came back from a nightmare vacation at the Halcyon Cove Hotel. There was no running water in the rooms for six of the eight nights I stayed here. We showered with bottles of water and used the bathrooms in the common areas.
We had a no-meals plan, so we only had breakfast, which was bland, repetitive and expensive. The management of the hotel was very poor and was not able to face the no-running water emergency other than saying that they were repairing the pipe system and that the government was not supply enough water. Nothing else was done.
The only positive thing we found of the hotel was the beach, which was fantastic. Antigua was a wonderful island and this hotel ruined its reputation for us, and seemed discouraging for first comers.
I have been to Antigua more than 15 times and been all over the Caribbean, but I have never experienced such an uncomfortable situation anywhere. |
| 5 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. |
| the rex Visited: November 2004 |
| Posted by mattj |
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just got back from the rex, staying one week. Had a bit of a frosty reception on arrival. realy miserable receptionists.
dickinson bay is nice not much beach at times but sea is lovely and warm. the rex is ok but its a bit like a 3 star a few years ago that has been left with no new ideas or enthusiasm. the rooms are ok, not special....the bars are rubbish, really boring (like a crap hotel bar) and the restaurants are overpriced for the quality. its basically the cheapest produce thay can get away with to make a profit on the al inclusive.
'the beach' restaurant at other end of bay (2mins walk) is good (sudo european) 'Coconut Grove'a bit further on is great really friendly and good foood!
get a jeep and get out of there! (drive yourself there arent that many roads to get lost)
Harmony hall is a great restaurant (italian) and art gallery.
devils bridge woohooo we went in a tropical storm.
fig tree drive we took the 4x4 for all it was worth driving through flooded rivers and sreams (great fun)
Dont go all inclusive unless you're sure of the quality of the food. we didn't and were really glad to be able to go to other places to eat.
njoy
mattj@rushes.co.uk |
| 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
 It was excellent. Visited: June 2004 |
| Posted by kelly_bu |
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My stay at the Rex Halcyon Cove was great. The rooms were always clean, and the staff was extremely friendly.
The food was a bit of a let down, though. It was a little basic, but overall, I had a great holiday. |
| 2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| Don't go - it is awful Visited: November 2003 |
| Posted by debbie_c |
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The beach is lovely, the weather was great, but the hotel was dreadful. Rather than a warm caribbean welcome,we were greated by a rude receptionist whose first words were "an upgrade is $50". Needless to say, after one night we took them up on the offer. The rooms were very dated, similar to old style hotels in the costa del sol, sparsely furnished with a clapped out air conditioning unit. Although the brochure indicated there were three restaurants, only one was ever open at any one time. One of the 'restaurants' was a 'clapped out' ice cream parlour called 'Frosties' that served afternoon tea.
Given that our holiday was all inclusive, we were not expecting the food or drink to be a la carte, but on the whole the food was tasteless, and if you are staying longer than one week expect the same menu to be repeated the following week. The free wine was undrinkable (coming from someone who is Irish that is saying something). The staff in the restaurant generally ignored you or were rude. Tea and coffee was sloshed into your cup from a flask, and it was usually lukewarm. The entertainment was also awful.
Even though we paid all inclusive we ended up eating in the Wari Pier and a fantastic beach bar at the end of the beach past sandals(although this was very expensive) We also purchased a day pass to Sandals where the food is absolutely excellant and the staff couldn't have been more helpful - quite a contrast!! In short, is there anything good to say about Rex Halcyon Cove? Sorry, but no. It has now become shorthand in our vocabularly for a bad holiday - hopefully you will not make the same mistake. |
| 3 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
| The Rex Halcyon Cove was a "ten" out of "ten"! Visited: October 2003 |
| Posted by marieshortland2000 |
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This was my best holiday ever.
The staff was lovely and very helpful. Also, the rooms were very clean and tidy, and were cleaned every day. And the food was nice, with lots to choose from.
We are coming back in October 2004 and cannot wait! |
| 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| Past its "sell by" date. Visited: September 2003 |
| Posted by lilacflowerfairy |
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This was our first trip to Antigua, which was beautiful, but we were very disappointed with the Rex Halycon Cove. The pool area had broken tiles and seemed very dangerous. The wall between the beach and the bar area looked like it was falling down. The food was basic and unimaginative; it was always the same at lunchtime. The staff was always friendly and our room was clean--although we had a constant pool of water on the balcony from the air conditioning unit. We had a lovely holiday, but have had much better hotels in the past for less money in the Caribbean. This hotel is in bad need of refurbishment or rebuilding. |
| 0 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
| It was paradise. Visited: July 2003 |
| Posted by nottsgal42 |
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We stayed at the Rex Halcyon July 2003. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a fruit punch drink which was very welcoming after such a long flight.
The standard room was pretty basic and the safe was not working, so we upgraded to a poolside room (do this when you get there as it is cheaper than doing it through travel agent).
The food, people, location - everything was fabulous. It was so fabulous that we are now seriously contemplating going back for our silver wedding in July 2004. This was the one place I would not mind spending such a happy occasion, plus it will be my husband's birthday, too. A double celebration - heaven! |
| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| Don't bother, one of the worst places I have ever stayed. Visited: June 2003 |
| Posted by kerryreynolds |
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We booked a two-week all-inclusive break at the Rex Halcyon Cove and I have never been so disappointed in my life. You had to upgrade just to get a decent room, we upgraded to a a poolside room which was very nice but after 6 days we had to move, as the repair men had drilled through a pipe in the room above which flooded our room. We understand that accidents happen, but the way in which the staff handled the situation was dreadful. We were made to wait an hour before anyone would come and look at the room and were then moved to a room where the air conditioning, safety deposit box and shower didn't work. When we asked for a room where the air-conditioning at least worked, they said that they had none available and were very rude. We complained every day and their attitude was to simply shrug their shoulders, nothing was ever done about it.
The food was simply not worth bothering with especially the beach BBQ food, which was left out in the heat and we had upset stomachs as did most of the other guests at the hotel. The only decent place to eat was the Warri Pier, but that wasn't included in the all-inclusive package either although they give you an allowance of £12.50 each per night and they still charge you for drinks. If you want something nice to eat and won't make you ill don't bother with eating at the hotel. They are simply not bothered with vegetarians either and on many occasions there was nothing to eat other than salad surrounded by the local fly population!
All in all, the food is awful as were the staff and the hotel was overcrowded. It was more like a low-budget break to Spain where you have to get up early just to get a sunbed, not a luxury Caribbean break! Don't waste your money and time going to this hotel most of the guests were very unhappy. My advice, “do not bother,” which seems to be the attitude of most of the Rex Halcyon's staff anyway! |
| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| What, no water?! Visited: April 2003 |
| Posted by explora55 |
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We had a wonderful holiday in Antigua. The beach and location are fantastic. The local restaurants and people are wonderful and there are lots of really exciting tours and trips by boat, car or helicopter. We actually took the helicopter tour to Montserrat, which was an unbelievable experience.
As for the Rex Halcyon, well fortunately we went on a room-only basis because we like going out into the local bars and restaurants rather than eat three times a day for two weeks in the same place. Are we ever glad we did.
The hotel is well past its ?sell by? date when it comes to ambience. It is outdated both in structure and in staff service. The management borders on incompetent and on one occasion, was downright vulgar and rude. They actually ran out of water and we had no sanitation or bathing water for a full day! Then they had the nerve to tell us all that it wasn't their fault it was the government?s, which turned out to be total nonsense as it transpires. I would not go back to this hotel; it needs knocking down and rebuilding. I cannot fault the housekeeping staff however because they did the very best they could for us.
This is an ageing hotel operated by a top-ranking group, but it has poor management who appear to lack focus and incentive. |
| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
 It was wonderful. Visited: March 2003 |
| Posted by rcwatch |
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What a wonderful place to vacation! The staff was superb, the food was marvelous and the grounds were beautiful.
The vendors, however, were annoying. But, a simple "no thank you" seemed to make them go away.
My husband and I can't wait to come back next year.
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| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| I had a brilliant holiday and can't wait to go again. Visited: February 2003 |
| Posted by jobyrj |
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We got married here, and it was the best day of our lives. They couldn't do enough for us from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. The food was great and the staff was brilliant. We recommend the Rex to everyone. |
| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| We had a great holiday at Rex Halcyon Cove. Visited: October 2002 |
| Posted by lbarnett |
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We got married here in October 2002 with a party of 20 guests (all-inclusive). We had a superb time, the weather was to die for and the sea was lovely.
The food was great - we had a different theme every night. A couple of nights we ate on the pier, which was worthwhile as well.
We got married here, and the hotel wedding co-ordinator (Maketa) took care of everything. We even hired one end of the pier for our wedding reception, which they provided staff for. They organized a decorated arch in the gardens and the the signing on the pier.
We had such a great time and would go back tommorrow. |
| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| It was perfect. Visited: September 2002 |
| Posted by lynnersfitzp |
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We just got back from Rex Halcyon, and I miss it so much already! The hotel was excellent, and the staff was very friendly - especially Elwin and our two new friends, Norma and Eleanora.
The food was delicious, with a different theme each night. There was so much to do, we couldn't fit it all in the two weeks. A must was the catamaran trip with Wadadli Cats - the crew was hysterical, and they brought us right up to Nelsons Dockyard and Shirley Heights, the view was spectacular.
We had great fun in the pool during a brief tropical storm. The rooms were excellent, very clean and comfortable. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone. The only way to experience it is all-inclusive. It was a great value for the money.
The beaches were very clean, and the vendors didn't annoy us in the slightest. A guy called Mouse, who we met on the beach, was great fun and helped us out with whatever we needed.
All in all, it was a perfect holiday. Just one word of caution - bring plenty of suncream! Trust me! |
| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| I thought that it was just awful! Visited: August 2002 |
| Posted by jeanniesimon |
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I have reading this forum since my daughter decided to get married in Antigua. We decided to stay there to be close to Sandals. This resort was just awful. The rooms were dirty so you have to upgrade just to have a fair room. The food was awful with only one resturant and no activities, so you might as well pay more to stay somewhere where water sports are included. This resort was not cheap. For the money, pick another place on the island that is not so dated and cleaner with better food. The people are not friendly either. |
| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| A fabulous setting and service - true luxury! Visited: July 2002 |
| Posted by feldong |
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The Halcyon is a true Caribbean getaway for anyone wanting the ultimate "R and R" holiday. The setting couldn't be better and the service is second to none. It is clean, friendly and an exceptional value for the money! |
| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| The best holiday I've ever had! Visited: June 2002 |
| Posted by feldong |
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The Rex is a clean and friendly hotel and, when on all-inclusive, real value for money! The beach and sea could not be nearer the picture perfect postcard image, and the hotel is clean, bright and airy.
The staff is incredibly friendly - my family still keeps in touch! The staff will do anything for you - normally without you having to ask.
The only down side is the beach vendors, but this is by no means a problem restricted to this hotel, they are to be found all over the Caribbean and a simple "no thank you" will more than suffice!
I've been back since and have booked for summer 2003 as well.
It is well worth it! |
| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
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| A lively resort that appeals to couples and families alike, Halcyon Cove comprises low-rise buildings, set in landscaped tropical gardens, directly on the beautiful Dickenson Bay. Just 7 miles from the V C Bird International airport, (20 minutes drive) and 4 miles from the islands’ capital, St. John’s. ... |
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