The Verandah Resort & Spa

Just returned from 9 nights at the Verandah with my wife and 4 year old daughter. Having read some mixed reviews before our departure, I'd have to say I was a bit apprehensive about what we would think. Overall we were pleasantly surprised. We were upgraded on booking to a Waterfront property and the views were great. Yes the rooms are in need of some much needed updating (which is coming in September) but the bed was comfortable and the room was clean. Beaches were good but spent more time by the pool really. Would recommend Shirley Heights on Sunday evenings and a Catamaran trip to snorkel at Green Island. Overall we found the food good, yes it's not 5* but it offers good variety for adults. Kids could be better. We particularly liked the omelette station at breakfast. We tried both Buccaneers and The Beach grill for dinner. I would recommend the Beach grill but wouldn't bother with Buccaneers. You might as well just eat in the Seabreeze. We didn't try Nicole's as it doesn't cater for young children. I'd agree with the comments about in indifferent service levels. Some of the staff are excellent, I would single out Shaville (thanks for the Whiskey Sours!), Miriam and Iran in the restaurant for all giving great service everyday. Sadly however, some come across as disinterested and sometimes rude. Some things that could improve the overall experience... (1) Someone to be take drinks orders and serve you by the pool. (2) Better selection of food for children. (3) The pool bottom and stairs are too rough and need to smoothed out or tiled. (4) Better afternoon snack options. (5) Bottled water to be available from the bar. In summary I would say the Verandah offers good value for money. I think for 9 nights, all inclusive with good flights at just over £4K, it did offer good value. If you book this resort expecting 5* service and food, you will be disappointed but remember you are not paying 5* prices. If you want a nice and relaxed family friendly resort that offers good food, drinks and entertainment then you won't be disappointed. We'd definitely consider returning.

2nd trip to Verandah and it is even better The staff are excellent and Miriam has been great as a team leader. Hat off to Noel and Dayton seriously professional and charming gentlemen. Some of the reviews are barmy- the food is excellent and there is a great variety Bar staff exceptional and the music/ entertainment great. It's a beautiful complex and surroundings and we will definitely be coming back!

We just returned from 14 nights at Verandah (we are a family with 2 kids, aged 8 & 7) and have had an amazing time. Relax if you have read a few mixed reviews, there are certainly a few niggly things but overall this is a fantastic place and if you are booked to go, you will have a brilliant time. Just to get the 'constructive' feedback over with first: It would be great to have bottled water in the room or available from the bar. The only water has to be taken from the bar in glasses and has a taste of treated water. Secondly, the spa treatments are extortionate, e.g. US$120 plus tax for a 55-minute massage which with our weak £ made it crazy to book anything. Thirdly, there are just a handful of staff who really shouldn't be in tourism! 90% of the staff are lovely but there are a few who are either lazy or rude (like the woman who was supposed to manning the afternoon tea area who refused to get more English teabags so my husband went up to Seabreeze to get some!) and a few staff at the kids club who don't even acknowledge you or your kids let alone crawl off their beanbag when you arrive. We were never asked to complete a registration form for the kids so they had no contact details/allergy info etc. (not that ours have allergies but you get the point). So those are the minor niggles - on to the positives! The complex is beautiful, stunning grounds stocked with trees and shrubs, immaculately maintained. 2 gorgeous beaches, wonderful food, great quality drinks, huge comfy beds, massive pool which is warm (yay!), lots of friendly, helpful staff (Miriam, Tanya, Iran, Dayton, Vonetta to name but a few). Certainly there is a different cultural approach to service in the Caribbean, we arrive from the UK slightly stressed from the manic pace of life here and it takes a few days to relax into their slower, calmer ethos. I think some people mistake this for apathy but it isn't, so our advice would be to slow down to their pace not expect them to match ours! Overall, we had the best time (make sure you do Stingray City) and can't wait to book for next year. Thank you Verandah - we miss you already!

Great employees except the front desk. Low end medium hotel. The food is terrible unless you go to Nicole's but that is not open every night. No decent wine anywhere in the resort but if you like beer and cheap rum drinks this is your place. This hotel is in the middle of no where so finding a ride into St. Johns's takes some work. Do not shop in St. John's especially at Diamonds International. They are a total rip off and do not stand behind their merchandise. My advise is go some where else.

We visited with our three older kids aged 22, 18 and 16 from 5th - 12th August, we were celebrating our silver wedding anniversary and "Andrea" was our contact. She made sure we had a fabulous time. She arranged little surprises and made us all feel so special. Thank you so much Andrea you made it all perfect. We had a fabulous holiday here. Seriously did not want to leave. This resort is beautiful. The gardens are gorgeous and the flowers smell wonderful as you walk through the resort. The accommodation was very clean, beds were comfy and air con was wonderful! There were little flowers everywhere throughout the accommodation when we arrived, it all looked so pretty. We stayed in a two bedroom villa room "412" which was close to the family pool. It was a perfect setting. The food was very high quality! Especially at Buccaneers and Nicole's restaurant. The rest of the food was really good too! Shout out for "Caris" in the Rasta snack bar - she works so hard and the snacks were tasty - thanks Caris! The bar staff in the main bar were fab! So much fun watching them dance and sing to the music as they are preparing cocktails in the evenin. They work so hard - yet still manage to have fun whilst working. All the staff on this resort are super friendly and helpful - a cheery hello wherever you go offering a ride if you weren't keen on walking (we didn't take them up on it). The water sports are an added bonus, we had lots of fun kayaking, snorkelling and sailing on the hoby cat boats. This resort was paradise - our only complaint was that we had to come home :( Although we will definitely be coming back!!!