Have Baby Will Travel’s trip reports for Antigua are organized alphabetically by city or region within the country. Simply scroll down to read them all. Each trip report has been provided to Have Baby Will Travel in hopes of giving other parents a clearer picture of what to expect when traveling to Antigua with a baby or toddler.
(5 reports)
DICKENSON BAY: HALCYON COVE BY REX RESORTS
October 2007
Derby & Family
My wife, baby and I went at the end of October 07.
The hotel settings are lovely but the hotel has seen better days.
With having a baby we thought we would go all-inclusive but the first obstacle we encountered was to make milk for him using a coffee-making machine to boil the water, as there are no kettles on the site. Take a travel kettle with you if you’re going with a baby.
We asked to be moved as the phone didn’t work and the wardrobe doors were a hazard – they kept coming off the runner at top and could not be fixed. The coffee machine had a mind of its own, you could switch it on and five mins later it would start working.
We got upgraded to a beach-view which was like a palace in comparison to room 223, but it still needed updating.
The staff in the restaurant were great – they couldn’t do enough for you, especially Enette, she was lovely. If you go, try a meal on the pier the steaks are lovely.
Hire a Jeep because roads go to tracks, and I mean dirt tracks. There’s great scenery and lovely beaches but jellyfish are about – BEWARE!
The people in Antigua are some of the nicest you will ever meet. Beware of mosquitoes, a right pain this time of year if you suffer from them.
Enjoy your hols!
ST. JOHN’S: VERANDAH RESORT & SPA
December 2008
Maria & Family
We just returned from a week at the Verandah. It was quiet and relaxing, perfect for my husband and I and our infant daughter. It was before high season so we may have beaten the rush, but the resort could not have been more laid back, relaxed and peaceful.
You could hear a pin drop at the pool and the beach, which allowed for a lot of napping.
The location is lovely, beaches are clean and relaxed and the National Park next door adds to the natural surrounding.
At the buffet, the food was mediocre, but you could tell they tried — it is difficult to make great food for a buffet and a crowd, I don’t think it would be better elsewhere. That being said, we always found something edible and the a-la-carte restaurants and services were much better. Drinks were strong and plentiful and the bartenders were great.
Rooms were clean with a lovely bathroom and balcony. Warning – this place is not the Four Seasons, you may find a few ants in your room, a mongoose or two at the beach bar and a goat may wander over from the national park, but we took that as part of the charm of being in the Caribbean and next to a national park. The beaches were not huge, but clean and well designed for relaxing and water sports.
All-in-all a very relaxing vacation and definitely recommended for someone looking for a chill vacation. I would not recommend for young people looking for nightlife because there is no disco or party scene.
ST. JOHN’S: ANTIGUA’S YEPTON ESTATE COTTAGES
May 2007
Zhara & Family (baby 7mos)
My husband and I took our seven-month-old son to the Caribbean and stayed at Yepton for a week. We had a fabulous time. The owners Gabriela and Douglas looked after us really well. The baby had a great time sitting on the veranda every morning looking at the birds, enjoying the breeze and eating bananas that Gabriela had picked for him off of her tree. A total bonus is the barbecue and the hammock on every veranda.
While a sea view would have been nice the sound of the ocean and the view of the lagoon made for an incredibly peaceful time. I can’t say enough good things about the cottages or the owners. We would love to go back.
There are two lovely beaches that are easy walking distance and St Johns is a 10-minute cab ride away. Cabs are expensive so if you are planning on exploring I would have Gabriela rent a car for you.
If you can’t be bothered to stop and buy groceries at the Epicurian grocery store on the way from the airport you can probably get everything you need from the fish and vegetable market and Grand Union grocery store in St John’s.
ST. JOHN’S: ANTIGUA’S YEPTON ESTATE COTTAGES
August 2007
Jenn & Family
We have just spent an amazing three weeks at Yepton Estate Cottages. We wanted somewhere to relax, as we were combining a family reunion with a holiday.
The cottage was one of four in a beautiful setting around a lake where we watched Pelicans feeding each morning. There were humming birds feeding from the tree blossom right next to our terrace. We had relatives who live in Antigua over several times for a meal, they were pleasantly surprised by the location it is neatly tucked away from the busy St Johns but only a 5 min drive to town. It was the most peaceful place we have ever stayed at.
Naomi the maid is amazing, she even had the cooker looking like brand new after we had used it.
We miss Penny the dog who came to visit us most mornings, that made us feel even more at home as she was a good substitute for our puppy who we had to leave at home.
Best of all were Gaby and Douglas who gave us every assistance with maps and local information, even providing a phone for our use, all of this without intruding on our privacy.
Would we go again, you bet your life we would. Only one word can sum up our experience PERFECT.
ST. MARY’S, ANTIGUA: CARLISLE BAY
July 2007
Tayla & family (baby 13mos.)
Our 1st family holiday with our 13 month old daughter was very special and relaxing. The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming and our every need was catered for enabling us as first time parents to relax and unwind. We used the same baby sitter every night, Donna, and she was lovely (hugged us all goodbye on the last night!).
The food was stunning – although we were only there for a week and I feel maybe having being there for 2 weeks meant I would have needed more of a variation. The staff were sometimes a bit slow with service but made up for it in friendliness – Antigua time I guess!
The second room in the beach suite was most welcome as a place for our daughters cot and also for storing our clothes out of sight. The beach was awesome and pool gorgeous. The water was a bit warm but best that way with a baby.
We hired a Jeep to tour the island, which was great fun. Driving through St Johns was hair-raising but a great way in general to see the island. We travelled out of season, which sadly meant many attractions, galleries and beach stops were closed but then, of course, we had no crowds and probably a quieter and more relaxed stay. We would definitely return!
Comments are closed.