Cocos Hotel

We had a wonderful stay at Cocos Hotel and would happily return. The food was one of the highlights. Everything was locally sourced wherever possible, with a real focus on sustainability. The chefs were very accommodating, catering for allergies as well as personal preferences. They were always happy to prepare a fresh fruit plate for me instead of a sweet dessert, which I really appreciated. Breakfast offered delicious local fruit juices, freshly baked pastries and a varied menu, so there was always something different to enjoy. We stayed in one of the entry-level cottages, which I deliberately chose as I was travelling with my elderly mum, who is careful on her feet. It was the perfect choice, with easier access while still enjoying spectacular views. We loved the hammock, the outdoor shower and waking up to the sounds of nature. Seeing all the local wildlife around the cottages was an added bonus. The views throughout the hotel are simply stunning—from the restaurant and bar to the cottages and the beach. Every area offers incredible scenery. The beaches were beautiful, with plenty of sun loungers available, so there was never any need to rush for a spot. One of the best experiences was being able to swim easily from the beach to the reef next to the restaurant, where we saw flat needlefish, creole wrasse and many other colourful fish. It was also noticeable how meticulously the staff cleaned all the loungers and water sports equipment every single day. Every member of staff was warm, friendly and professional, and always happy to answer questions or share recommendations about Antigua. A special thank you to Franklin, Loreen and George, who gave us excellent advice on other beaches with fantastic reefs to explore. If you're planning to explore the island, I highly recommend Nine (his nickname) from Really Taxi Service (phone: +1-268-725-2094 ). He was incredibly reliable, always arriving early for collections and making sure we got everywhere safely and on time including airport transfer. Nine is friendly, thoughtful, patient and great fun—we laughed throughout many of our journeys together, and he really added to our holiday. I'd also recommend Jermaine (phone: +1-268-775-3011), who can organise a wide range of excursions, including deep-sea fishing, zip-lining and other island tours. Rather than only visiting the well-known tourist attractions, we wanted to experience more of the real Antigua. Alongside the must-see sights such as Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights, we explored beautiful beaches on the east coast, visited local fishing villages and discovered some of the island's amazing tropical fruits. It gave us a much deeper appreciation of Antigua and its culture. Thank you to everyone at Cocos Hotel for making our stay so memorable. We left with wonderful memories and hope to return one day.

Pros: Great location on both Jolly and Valley Church beaches at the same time. Calm, warm and very clear water. Unbelievable views from cottages and the restaurant. Flowers are everywhere on the property. Food is great and feels high end at the restaurant. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Issues (like water or power) are addressed very quickly. Cons: With all beaches on Antigua being public, pushy jet skies rental people from outside of hotel are bothering guests daily trying to get you rent from them.

This place is pure relaxation. From the moment you step into your cottage, it feels like you’re in your own private world. Every room has its own pool and outdoor shower, making it peaceful, romantic, and unlike anywhere we’ve stayed. The staff was warm, accommodating, and genuinely helpful throughout our entire stay. Every meal was incredible—we cleaned our plates every time, dessert included! Thankfully, the walk back to our room after each meal helped us feel a little less guilty. With two beautiful beaches, two bars, yoga classes, and easy access to explore the surrounding beaches, there was always something to enjoy while still feeling completely secluded. 10/10 recommend. If you’re coming to Antigua to relax, fall in love, reconnect with your partner, or simply rest and see this island’s beauty, this is the place to do it. It’s quiet, breathtakingly beautiful, and just the right amount of sexy.

COCOS Hotel was incredible. The food, the service, the location - everything was perfect. We highly recommend a stay here.

One of the top three Caribbean vacations we've had out of the 20+ trips we've taking. 10 minutes in on the resort and we were already planning a return trip. In a few words, breathtaking, stunning, relaxing, calm, friendly, comfortable, indulging, and safe. After Grace Bay Beach (Turks) and Eagle Beach (Aruba), Jolly Harbor/Valley Church Beach are the best we've been on. Crystal clear, calm water; near-absence of any motorized activity; soft, deep sand; no crowds (just the Cocos' guests); no pushy vendors (just the same 2 respectful guys each day - jet ski and lobster guys). The only thing the beach lacks is an amazing sunset. Though the beach faces the west, due to some atmospheric blah blah blah, we never had a red or vibrant sunset. From the moment we arrived, we were catered to by the large staff. Their answer to every inquiry started with the word, "Yes," and they all seemed happy, friendly, and cheerful. While most of the staff was quick and on top of things, understand some do run on island time (this is not a gripe, just an observation). George, one of the managers, always seemed to be everywhere, and was always super friendly and helpful. Food was very good and there was a wide variety for each meal. Breakfast used the same large menu daily, with at least one special every day. Lunch rotated between two different menus, also with daily specials. Dinner rotated through a completely new menu for every day of the week, also with specials. While I enjoyed everything I ate, I found dinner to be much too frou frou for me. There were only 5 items each day, and with my pickiness, allergies, and preference for simple meals, I always had to ask for modifications to the entrees. Quite frankly, I preferred the food at the beach grill. We loved the privacy provided by the cottages. We typically never spend time in our vacation rooms, but we were sure to enjoy pre-breakfast coffee and nightcaps in the plunge pool. We found it impossible to set the A/C to a temperature or speed or direction where it did not blow cold air on us all night long. At no point did we have issues with bugs in the room or mosquitos any where on the property. Our phobias (cockroaches and big spiders) never made an appearance, though we did see a squashed tiny scorpion on a walkway. There are mongooses everywhere. They will run away at the sight of people. No matter where you walk on the property, be prepared to walk, uphill, both ways. Secure footwear with good grip did make the climbs less taxing than flip flops and sandals. We stayed in Cottage 50 - Bay View Pool - We had a fantastic view of the water and the setting sun. It was approximately 300 steps/3 minutes to Jolly Harbor Beach and the Spa; and approximately 500 steps/5 minutes to Valley Church Beach.