First time to the Caribbean

[Not Ideal]

Hi all - just booked a week in Antigua for next year.

Staying here www.hermitagebay.com/ if anyone has had any experiences..??

Also going 3rd week of March. Am I right in expecting a bit of rain every day..??

Thanks for help/advice..!!

[Zod]

Been to the Caribbean a lot and Antigua twice, but only Jumby Bay and Carlisle Bay.

Rain showers tend to be hard and short. There is not much in St John's.

Carlisle Bay is excellent. I've heard good things about Hermitage Bay.

[Not Ideal]

haha cheers lads more info than I had before so thanks.

Yeah I looked at Carlisle Bay and it looked lovely but fancied something more private and without hoards of kids bombing in the pool.

[influential]

Staying at Galley Bay in Antigua as I type. Decent enough place, when considering Caribbean standards - very quiet, only couples etc. It's in a bay though that gets fairly rough water even when the other bays are perfectly calm - not ideal for swimming.

Not as nice as Hermitage by all accounts, so you should be well placed. Island is desperately quiet despite peak season hitting pretty much now. Many hotels have closed, tour companies have almost given up etc. They've all got fingers crossed that tourism picks up very soon and I hope it does for their sake.

Having travelled in from Barbados, I have to say Antigua is a bit disappointing. This is a poor country, entirely reliant on tourism, and struggling as the tourist $ isn't flowing too well. Even in Barbados, jewellery/watch income is down about 50% year on year with tourism footfall down about 20%, and I'm guessing Antigua is suffering at least as much if not more. St John has a shopping centre (well, a large building) that thrives on the cruise ships - very little being sold as far as I could see.

Small island, easily visited in a decent day trip, with some lovely sights and very lush/green. Ideal for a cruise stop-off I'd say.

Personally, I won't be coming back to the island though as there are definitely nicer places to go in the Caribbean. Sorry to say that as you've just booked it, but would rather be honest.

[Not Ideal]

Influential thanks for the reply buddy.

I've booked 7 nights at the Hermitage Bay and don't plan to leave the hotel once in that time so hopefully should be ok as heard the island is pretty poor and there isn't a great deal to do or see. The hotel looks set up for doing absolutely nothing and just relaxing so think i've booked somewhere that suits.

I thought i'd got a good deal as I booked 60 days in advance but if things are that bad out there perhaps I should have booked a bit more last minute.

Enjoy it bud - is comedy cold here at the moment..!!

[casbar]

Got back last month from 7 days at Galley Bay, it was our second vistit to Galley Bay, I thought it was really good, quiet and the staff were really friendly. Having done Antigua twice now, will probaly try somewhere else next time.

Book the Eco Adventure boat trip, its a good trip, only about 25 on the boat, and you do some quiet good stuff, including snorkelling on the reef. Much better trip than the Cat trips everyone seems to do. Also the land safari, is a good way to see all the island, we did ours in a 4x4 with a guide, so got quite a lot out of it.

Shirley heights ok, but a bit commercial. St Johns, isn't very good at all, but English Harbour is worth a visit.

[influential]

Minor update - have been in St Lucia since the Antigua week and it's a more interesting (better) place all round - staying at Rendezvous (LeSport fully booked). Hermitage in Antigua looked really nice so you'll enjoy your 7 nights of complete relaxation.

Right, I'm off to check out the duty free stores on the island...

[Johnniem]

Have a look at the reviews for your hotel and destination on www.tripadvisor.com

I have no connection with this webbie but have found it very useful when booking holidays, pretty much anywhere.

BTW, you're gonna lurve Antigua!

[Not Ideal]

Johnniem said:

Have a look at the reviews for your hotel and destination on www.tripadvisor.com

I have no connection with this webbie but have found it very useful when booking holidays, pretty much anywhere.

BTW, you're gonna lurve Antigua!

Cheers buddy - im a big buyer of Tripadvisor - would never book anywhere without looking at it first.

[Not Ideal]

influential said:

Minor update - have been in St Lucia since the Antigua week and it's a more interesting (better) place all round - staying at Rendezvous (LeSport fully booked). Hermitage in Antigua looked really nice so you'll enjoy your 7 nights of complete relaxation.

Right, I'm off to check out the duty free stores on the island...

Thanks amigo - much appreciated. Glad you're enjoying.