St. James's Club & Villas

We spent a week here with our 8-year-old and had a wonderfully relaxing stay. The resort makes a strong first impression with beautiful, well kept grounds and genuinely welcoming staff. Quick thanks to Alton and reception desk. There’s a noticeable culture of friendliness, staff and guests who greet each other, which creates a pleasant atmosphere. Our villa was spacious, spotless, with stunning balcony views. Dining across breakfast, lunch, and dinner was varied and enjoyable, and the dining team were consistently attentive, special thanks to Chef James, Hushane and Milton for thoughtful touches during our stay. The resort also did a fantastic job with the Super Bowl and Valentine’s celebrations. The beaches and pools were great for families, cocktails were refreshing (mobile bar nice touch), and the café was ideal for a quick snack or coffee/tea served by very friendly staff. The Friday beach party buffet was another highlight, combining great food with lively entertainment. You could get involved or sit on the sidelines. Thanks to the GM Riann for arranging the sunset cruise boat ride at the last minute, beautiful scenery, friendly crew, and great snacks and drinks (though the return trip was a bit wavy!). Overall, we would absolutely recommend this resort for a relaxing, well-cared-for getaway in Antigua.

“Absolutely magical! From the moment we arrived, the lush gardens and ocean views set a tranquil tone for our stay. The spacious suite was immaculate, with plush bedding and modern touches that made every night pure bliss. The staff went above and beyond—attentive without being intrusive, arranging a private beach dinner that was unforgettable. The spa treatments melted away all stress, and the gourmet dining options were a highlight, fresh and flavorful. This resort redefined luxury for us. We’ll be back soon—10/10!”

Do not come here. The staff was so rude and unhelpful. The food was not good at all for the price we paid to stay here. The rooms were nice except I didn’t appreciate the bug I found in my tea kettle. My family is convinced the water made us sick, because online it states that the water is safe to drink, but after asking a local we trust, she even said she drinks bottled water at her home. We had to drink tap water because the filling stations were typically empty and they only gave us one water bottle per person in the room. The sit down restaurants we good but the buffets were not good at all. Hands down gross. The lounge entertainment was nice and pickleball was fun. Again with the staff, I felt like everytime I asked for something they would sigh and not seem happy to be there at all. Our flight was also cancelled and they wouldn’t cooperate with us even though they had extra rooms they wouldn’t let us stay at the resort. Spend your money somewhere else that is actually worth it. We got a new travel agent after this trip.

Do not come to this resort if you expect good food, pleasant staff or a nice room/suite. The food was average at best and inedible at worst. Dining at the à la carte takes at least 3 hours and the wait time is not worth it as the quality of the food is poor (seems as if the dishes are prepared in the afternoon and reheated at dinner ). Buffet served the same dishes for an entire week and the wait staff are either indifferent or downright rude (especially if you ask them any questions about the menu/food). The room we stayed in at the Royal Suites had no hot water, a broken screen door, a toilet that didn’t flush and dresser drawers that would not shut. Despite reporting these issues multiple times nothing was done to resolve them.

Writing this review after my 3rd stay at this resort. It is a mid priced, all inclusive venue. Caters for American culture, which is a majority of the guests. You can always find a quiet area, with both a lagoon sheltered side and atlantic beach. Finding a sunbed and towels is never an issue. Service is mixed. Helpful and hardworking, to rude and lazy. Waited 2.30hrs for a room upon arrival, with no acknowledgement as a returning guest. Not great after a long flight from UK. I never complain but did on this occasion after being dismissed by reception staff - management sought to put it right. The category of rooms are not advertised anywhere onsite or online, so it is impossible to know whether room allocation is correct. This is important during peak periods as temptation is to provide a room that is available rather than correct. There are only two small pools at the resort with general access. Pleasant grounds with some interesting wildlife. Taxis on site but more expensive than local operators. My advice would be to explore the island early into the holiday via excursions or hire a car (I found the driving fine, just pothole dodging, they drive on the correct side of the road). Pidgeon and Gallion beaches are a must visit. English harbour not far by taxi for a visit. Pros Great coffee shop with an outside seating area (nice staff). Both lunchtime restaurants are decent. No issues obtaining drinks. Good trips run by hotel (evening cruise and stingray snorkelling recommended). Excellent gym, with other sports facilities. Negs Front reception is always chaotic (every visit). Evening meals are passable. Piccolo restaurant is best but comes with $50 additional charge per person and probably more aligned to my expectations for a holiday resort evening service. Cocos is the worst, avoid, not worth booking. Service can be mixed. Beds need upgrading and replacing. Some rooms look tired now. Very limited evening entertainment. This needs to be improved. By this I mean a local band playing live music is sufficient, perhaps at different locations within the resort each evening to cater for different tastes. I like Antigua, explore the island and get off the beaten track to find gems. Some local restaurants offer good food / value and welcome the business. I always found it a safe island with helpful locals. St James Club is a mid tier Carribean resort, just manage expectations.