St. James's Club & Villas

We very much enjoyed our 8 days at the St James resort 1st week of April. So much so that we plan to be back next year. Everything from its location,large spotless grounds, choice of clear blue water Mamora Bay or the Ocean beach, friendly laid back staff, large Royal Suite (including huge bathroom/walk-in shower), good choice of food, bars with fantastic views (especially sunsets), large up to date fitness centre with A/C, lent itself to our most relaxed vacation ever. Our Royal Suite was clean, turndown every day, A/C worked well and the view on the baclony outstanding. The loungers were plentiful and barely saw a another soul around. My wife started early every day with a latte that the server remembered by the second day, said hello to all the birds and proceeded to walk the length of both the Atlantic side and Mamora Bay side, 4,800 steps for those who count them. Yes there was sea weed in the morning on the ocean side,it is an ocean, but the staff worked hard every day to clean the beach and it was clear by late morning. On Mamora Bay the Royal suites adult only pools and bar was great to have and as in all good bars you need a top of their game bartender. Looch (Lucciano) was my guy and kept the danger of dehydration at Bay while keeping my Yeti topped up. Lots of choice for dinner, just need to know the schedule to decide what you want for the next evening. For those expecting a 5 Star Hyatt posh experience, this will not be for you. What you will get is great value, a beautiful location, a true laid back Carribean vibe with lots of smiling faces, good food, drinks, pleasant guests, and we look forward to our repeat visit next year.

This was our 4th time in Antigua, but first at St. James Club. Rooms We booked a beachfront room, and we absolutely loved it. While the bathroom was a bit dated, they were working on the section next to us, so assuming they're updating the rooms. The king size bed was comfy, the balcony large. I think the only thing I would have liked was more lighting in the room and maybe a makeup mirror. We did view the premium rooms, which were nice and located closer to the main lobby and Rainbow restaurant. The junior suites were nice, bathrooms updated and spacious. The Royal Suites...their bathrooms were enormous with a nice soaking tub and walk in shower. The view is Mamora Bay and lovely. We did not get to see the Villas, but these are overlooking Mamora Bay and looked beautiful from the outside. The beaches: Coco's beach is lovely, a bit rocky, so bring water shoes. Unfortunately, our 3rd day there, we had a bad storm that brought in the sargassum. The workers worked tirelessly cleaning the beach daily, but we were unable to go into the water for the rest of our stay. Our last day they were making great progress, and while we were told it could take weeks to clear, it took them less than a week. On the other side of the hotel is Mamora Bay. While beautiful to look at, it was more like a large lake and just not for us, as we are definitely ocean people. This is where you'll find the snorkel gear, sunfish, kayaks, etc. Restaurants The first night we ate at Rainbow (this restaurant is open for buffet breakfast daily) and it was fabulous. That was the only night it was open for dinner, but they "opened" down at the Docksider Restaurant for certain nights (as Rainbow) and reservations were needed. By far the best menu and the food was delicious. Shout out to Joel and Vallie, you made our stay even more memorable! Cocos We ate there only once (and that was enough). Twice they got my order wrong and when it did show up, it wasn't worth the wait. Eleven-11 Great place for lunch and the food was great! Beach Bar and Grill Next to Docksider, great little place for lunch, best hot dog ever! Docksider When it's not Rainbow (and again, you will need reservations it is, contrary to what the website says) it's a buffet. Food was always good and so many choices. I have to mention the coffee shop. It's so pretty, built around trees and you feel almost like you're in a treehouse. The pastries changed daily and they were fabulous! The coffee was strong, and the refreshers were delicious. Picolo Mondo-we did not try this as one couple said it was good, but didn't find it worth the upcharge. The pools 6 pools, 4 of which we could use (2 are for guests of the Royal Suites and looked rather small). We used 2, one near the Eleven -11 and the largest one near Rainbow with a bar, which was beautiful. Activities There wasn't much going on at night, or maybe we were just tired from all day in the sun and we missed it. They're was a band one night and always someone on stage singing during dinner at Docksider. We did not make use of any of the non-motorized sports nor the tennis courts. The Spa We did go for a couple's massage and it was fabulous! They were having a 50% off special and we made use of it. Quite possibly the best massage ever. Very quite and serene, located under the Picolo Mondo restaurant. The Staff Most everyone we came into contact with was wonderful. Most always said"good morning, how are you", etc. I think the only people that may need to "cheer up" were the people at the concierge desk making dining reservations. They appeared bored to me and while they got the job done, they added nothing at all to the experience. Shout out to our taxi driver Benji, he was wonderful. He took us into English Harbour and was right there within minutes when we called for our pickup. While the hotel appears to be large and spread out, you'll find it's quite walkable and we discovered many shortcuts to where we wanted to go. All in all our stay was wonderful and the people of Antigua are fabulous (which is why we keep returning).

Pools small, 2 of them are only for people staying in the Royal suites and 2 are inn” the village” .Food options limited, not much variety and service is hit or miss. Only place we always had good service was the coffee shop. Only 1 omelet station at the breakfast buffet, long line for it every morning. Hardly any activities during the day. Band at docksiders until 9:30 pm. Bar in the lobby dead at night, if someone is watching the TV in the “cinema”, they turn the music off. Could not get a mojito 9 times out of 10 because they had no mint, asked for a frozen drink and they frequently had no “ smoothie” , in the middle of the afternoon, so I couldn’t get that either. Beachfront rooms very dark with the curtain closed, only table lamps with low watt light bulbs, safe is a box cemented to the floor in the closet. They give u a lock and key at the front desk. Had to use the flashlight on my phone if I opened the safe because there is no light n the closet. Not many outlets in the room. There is one outside the bathroom, near the fridge. If you want to plug a charger in near the bed, you have to reach behind the bed and unplug the lamp or alarm clock. There is another outlet under the desk near the TV. Tub can be difficult to get in and out of for some people. It is very deep, about 22 inches and there is a tile “ frame” around it making it wider. If you have balance, mobility issues, do not get a room with a tub. Will return to Antigua, but not St. James club.

I wish someone wrote a review like I’m about to before I went. Elite Island Resorts auctions vacations off to this struggling resort to funnel people in, otherwise no one would go. If you look at their instagram (they just took down a post I commented on) you would think white sandy beach with blue water. In reality it’s sea weed on one side and brown water on the other. I travelled with two families and 5 children. I was very disappointed when they didn’t have a clean ocean to swim in. Upon check in we got a first floor walk out room, we went to the room it smelled like poop from what they said was the sea weed but I think it’s just sewage. My opinion. The smell was so overwhelming. I spent the next 1.5 days trying to switch rooms. We were promised a room with two full beds because we were a party of 4. We got one king and had to request roll outs that were legitimately springs, if you jumped on it you would fly off. Eventually we were switched but when I tell you I wasted 1.5 days I really did. The room should be condemned I wouldn’t stay there even back in my college fraternity days. On Easter we were by the main lobby and an older man fell badly and hit his head. He was bleeding heavily from his head. I am in law enforcement so I have knowledge on how to handle the situation and my wife is a nurse. I lifted him off the ground and got him in a chair while directing bartenders what to do. They have no medical training at all. My wife asked the family if he was on blood thinners and he was. Very serious situation. One of the staff was trying to just get them to bring him to his room. We pushed the family to understand how serious the situation is. I got a first aid kit and wrapped his head to stop the bleeding. We saw the family the next day and they said to my wife “your husband wrapped his head better than the hospital.” Things to keep in mind. The food is not only awful, you wait HOURS for service. With kids waiting hours is not a good time. I tried to stay positive but I couldn’t wait to get home. We took the pink panther excursion and again a disappointment. They drive you to Saint John’s which is supposed to be a shopping area. It was a desolate trinket area which didnt seem safe. I was approached by a drug dealer. The beach they brought us to was not great at all. On the ride there, my daughter saw a dead dog on the road and a dog eating dirt. I feel bad for the people of antigua. This is a real review and wish I had this before we went.

I would happily recommend St James Club. The food was very good as were the sport facilities the bars and the staff. Our room overlooked the ocean, it was spacious and had a fabulous balcony, our room and some facilities showed a little wear but this didn't detract from the overall experience.