Our 11 day trip to Antigua started not on very good note.
Our American Airlines flight from Newark, after numerous delays, was finally cancelled around 11pm and we were put on another flight to Antigua for next morning but from JFK airport. American arranged transportation and hotel (on them) to JFK so we finally got to our room around 1am. Very long day. Woke up to receiving a message from AA that our 8:40am flight was delayed till 2:30 pm, so went back to bed to catch a couple more hours of sleep. Finally got to our resort in Antigua around 8pm, tired but happy to finally be there.
I booked 11 night stay at Galley Bay resort which is higher end mid size all inclusive resort. The crowd seemed to be 100% American with a lot of young honeymooners the first week and an older crowd the second. It appears to have maybe 60% occupancy rate.
The service was a first notch though couple of nights the service at their main restaurant was slow as they were overwhelmed but no worries there were plenty of wine to keep us happy. At the time we were there they were running two restaurants for dinner every night, main one and alternating the other two. Food was very good at all of them, we stuck to the main one for dinner every night as we didn’t feel like trekking down to the far end of the resort but did have a couple of lunches there. The resort is pretty spread out so if you have mobility issues ask for the room closer to the main facilities. Though the resort can provide a golf cart transportation on request.
They provided entertainment every night, different musicians every night played at main resort area from 8pm till I think 10, we never stuck around that late, enjoyed our pool instead.
We opted for Gauguin pool suite. Each suite has private plunge pool that come in two sizes. Some more like a hot tubs with sitting bench all around perimeter and some are bigger in size and more like a mini pools. We asked for a bigger one so we can kind of swim around. So if size is important request the one you want. The pool deck was pretty private with fence and vegetation surrounding it, suitable for skinny dipping if so desired. The water was very warm, bath like and very enjoyable.
The room was well stocked with soft drinks, beer, bottled water and coffee fixings. They also provided two bottles of wine and a bottle of champagne per stay. Other stuff was replenished daily.
The suite was very clean, nicely laid out and very comfy. It has separate bedroom, large bathroom and sitting area in between, fully air conditioned.
The ocean was pretty warm too and was easy to get in and out. No big waves. I read a lot of reviews saying that Ocean could be rough there so I don’t know if it depends on the time of a year but it was pretty calm when we were there first and second weeks of June.
Overall resort is very well kept and very lush with tropical vegetation.
All help is very friendly and polite and helpful.
They take Covid precautions very serious, all employees wear masks all the time, hand sanitation stations all through out public areas and for guests masks required in enclosed areas. We felt very safe and comfortable.
Resort arranges on-site Antigen Covid test at $60 per person to get back to USA with results within few hours, very convenient.
I would definitely recommend this resort for someone who is looking for a lay back relaxing vacation with everything provided. If you are looking for a high pace place with a lot of action, loud music at the pool and a party atmosphere with multiple bars-this place is not for you! But if you want to stay active there are plenty of different water sports toys, day sail with captain Sean and other excursions that can be arranged to keep you busy.
And now that our trip to Antigua comes to conclusion, we hope our next onward journey is not going to be with as many glitches as we had getting here! Winair flight to St. Maarten to our “home away from home” Beachside Villas for the next 10 glorious days! SXM HERE WE COME!

Jim and Luda

Thanks for the report! Sounds good. Are you here now?

Yes, we are in Antigua now, leaving for SXM BSV on Saturday. How is the beach and waves?

TODAY it is extremely windy. By far the windiest since we have been here. The first several days there were almost no waves, but today the waves are very high.

Thanks, hopefully wind calms down soon.

The water has been dead flat calm until today. Wind has been decent, but kind of blowing a gale today.

Stayed at Galley Bay for a week in late 2014 - good to hear that’s it’s still great and doing well. Antigua flies a bit under the radar screen but it’s an excellent trip….