Hawks Cay Resort

Before booking your holiday at Hawks Cay please filter the Tripadvisor reviews down to the 1 and 2 star ratings and read them thoroughly.  The overwhelming majority of the negative reviews raise the same concerns, and based on our experience, those concerns are entirely justified. We are genuinely stunned by the number of positive reviews for Hawks Cay. We stayed for just over a week and, by the end of the trip, we could not wait to leave. From the moment we arrived, the experience was disappointing. If you are unlucky enough to encounter the young man stationed at the entrance, you may receive a particularly poor first impression. He appeared completely disengaged and seemed to have little understanding of how to interact with guests. Perhaps this is not entirely his fault, but as one of the first points of contact for arriving guests, it is difficult to understand how this standard is considered acceptable. Things did not improve at reception. We were told that $2,000 would be held on our card for incidentals, only to discover that $5,000 had actually been ring-fenced. We were told this could not be corrected until checkout. That is completely unacceptable. What happens if $5,000 represents the majority of a guest's available credit for their holiday? Our travel agent became involved, yet the hotel showed little inclination to resolve the issue. The accommodation was particularly disappointing. We stayed in a “Two-Bedroom Premium Villa” — but the word premium is seriously misleading. There was nothing premium about it. The villa was cramped, tired, dated and uncomfortable. We actively tried to stay out of the room for as long as possible each day because returning to Villa 5015 was something we dreaded. The televisions appeared to belong in a museum. Streaming services were effectively out of the question, and the equipment was so outdated that our five-year-old found it fascinating simply because she had never seen anything like it before. Cleanliness was another major concern. The floors were filthy, and the top of the refrigerator had clearly not been cleaned for months. We were provided with just five clothes hangers between three people for an eight-day stay. When we asked for additional hangers, the initial reaction from reception was one of apparent disbelief rather than a straightforward attempt to resolve a very basic guest request. Because of our dissatisfaction, we were shown alternative rooms. Unfortunately, what we were shown did nothing to change our view. The alternatives were equally tired and disappointing. We also ate at Salt & Ash. We had been given the impression by staff that this was a Michelin-star restaurant. To be clear, the chef associated with the restaurant is Michelin-starred; the restaurant itself is not a Michelin-starred establishment. The distinction matters. The food certainly did not live up to the expectations that had been created, and the excessive use of salt did little to improve matters. Angler & Ale was the only real bright spot from a dining perspective. The food was perfectly fine, and the staff were noticeably more cheerful and welcoming. Rohan was the standout - went beyond to ensure we were welcomed and enjoyed our time there. The gym is reasonably well equipped and appeared clean, but again, the level of service was disappointing. Do not expect a greeting when you arrive — the staff seemed far more interested in their phones than in acknowledging guests. The pool towels were another low point. Perhaps they were luxurious in the late 1990s, but they are now little more than worn-out rags. The lagoon was also visibly dirty, with what appeared to be questionable debris floating in the water. We were sufficiently concerned that we did not allow our daughter to swim in it. The pool bar was equally unremarkable, with staff who generally appeared disinterested. For families, the lack of a genuine kids' club is a significant issue. What is described as children's entertainment is essentially a basic arcade. If it had not been for Jet around the pool, our five-year-old would have been extremely disappointed. She is accustomed to hotels that provide high-quality children's clubs and genuinely engage with their younger guests. Jet was, without question, the standout member of staff during our stay — a genuine ⭐️. Unfortunately, we understand that the hotel is losing her, which is a significant shame. Ultimately, our experience was not the result of one isolated issue. It was the cumulative effect of poor accommodation, disappointing cleanliness, outdated facilities, weak guest service and a general lack of care and attention throughout the resort. What is particularly frustrating is that this could be fixed. One capable, experienced and genuinely motivated manager, empowered to engage with guests and drive standards across the resort, could make an enormous difference. The underlying potential is there, but the current execution falls a long way short of what guests should reasonably expect from a resort of this type and price point. We were so unhappy that we brought our flights forward by 24 hours, at considerable additional expense, simply to leave Hawks Cay. For us, Hawks Cay was an expensive, deeply disappointing holiday that we were genuinely relieved to end.

Our spa day was amazing. Elizabeth was very helpful with making our reservations at Calm Waters Spa. We left feeling very relaxed!

Jacob was so so amazing. He was at the tiki grill the first night my fiancé and I got checked in, and he kept everything so nice and clean and he was a great person to chit chat with at the bar. He made our first impressions of this place amazing, definitely worth it already!

Jacob is absolutely without a doubt the best bartender I’ve ever had. He should have all the shifts and he made our stay truly exceptional. His professionalism , genuine hospitality, and attention to detail elevated the entire experience. We also want to recognize GM Bob , Resort Director Honor and Fb director Israel for leading such an outstanding team. A truly luxurious and unforgettable resort experience.

Amazing experience staying by the pool and being service by Jacob at Tiki Bar! Really completed the whole staying at the resort amazing!!!!