Our third visit to Antigua took us to Cocobay Resort for ten nights. The experience was overwhelmingly positive, with a handful of minor hiccups that didn’t outweigh the many highlights. Below you’ll find a quick snapshot, a heartfelt shout out to the staff members who made our stay unforgettable, and a balanced list of pros and cons.
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Staff Highlights:
Jarrod & Shaneika: Warm hearted welcome, smooth check in, thorough explanation of the Starfish package, and constant assistance throughout our stay.
Kashiri- Reservations: Turned a chaotic travel mishap into a seamless extension of our vacation, personally visited us with a hug, and handled every request with patience and a smile. You're very fortunate if you get to work with Kashiri for your booking and reservation needs.
Jermaine A.: Saved me from a dangerous slip on the cliffside stairs—caught me like “the Hulk.” That man has some serious strength! Always greeted us with a hug and a friendly smile. Was really hard to say goodbye to him when we left. He's a beautiful soul.
Lisa: Our favorite bartender. Crafted any drink we imagined, even off menu creations, and kept the bar lively after dinner.
Mr. Reid-Beach Drink Service: Chill demeanor paired with perfectly mixed beach drinks; his vibe added to the relaxed atmosphere.
Efay & Topaz-Spa Therapists: Their massages filled with the ocean breeze—truly relaxing, with the scent of salty air lingering. You won't regret visiting these two.
Derrick (D Rock), Kerry, Denise, Shawnann, Samantha W., Shavel, Delleeka, All consistently upbeat, attentive, and eager to make guests happy. Their genuine enjoyment of work shone through every interaction.
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Pros
• Food = Exceptional
o The all inclusive menu topped any other resort we’ve tried.
o Starfish package: daily cliffside lunch and complimentary steak at dinner (normally an extra charge).
o Choice of distilled or sparkling water at every meal.
• Coffee Shop Convenience
o QR code ordering from the room; freshly brewed coffee delivered each morning to the porch.
• Stunning Views
o Panoramic ocean vistas from the porch, bar, restaurant, and especially the cliffside lunch area (the water there is the deepest blue we’ve seen).
• Rain Day Entertainment
o Even on a full washout we stayed entertained: bar area games (tic tac toe, Jenga), plus our own games we brought, music, and comfortable lounge seating.
• Impeccable Grounds & Service
o Five star level maintenance, friendly greetings from every staff member, including the grounds crew.
• Nightly Entertainment
o Live steel drum performances (we saw them twice) were the highlight of evenings.
o Only minor let down: one night the dance band packed up at 8:30 p.m., cutting the party short when the dance floor was just heating up.
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Cons (Minor Gripes)
1. Room & Plunge Pool Expectation
o Booked a Waterfront Pool Suite (Starfish) under the “Azure” category, expecting a private plunge pool right off the porch. That is what is advertised the most on the website, and social media.
o The actual layout had the pool on the far side of the porch, and too cold for regular use (we only got in a few times for a short period).
o Two lounge chairs were requested rather than a daybed before arrival but not provided; a daybed occupied the left side of the porch. There was no sun on our porch, so we had no choice but to go to the pools or beach for sun and lounging. We were in Yabba (pics attached). When we first walked in, I immediately said "Oh, I am sorry, we are in the wrong room. We have the waterfront pool suite" thinking right when you open the doors, we would see this plunge pool on the porch with 2 lounge chairs on a deck in the sun. I could actually feel my eyes watering up a little because it wasn't anything I had seen in the videos or social media. The plus side were the views from the room, and it was right next to the restaurant, coffee shop, and close walk to the beach.
2. Beach Chair Availability
o After breakfast we’d pack the beach bag, only to find many chairs already “saved” with towels, forcing us to walk to the far end of the public beach. Further down, there is public parking, so it gets a bit crowded at times. We did see people putting towels down at the pool as well, then going to breakfast.
o Non guests (families with kids) occasionally occupied resort chairs, which conflicted with the adults only vibe we paid for.
These issues were inconsequential compared with the overall enjoyment, but they are worth noting for future guests who prioritize pool access and exclusive beach seating.
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Bottom Line
Cocobay delivers a social, picturesque, food lover’s paradise with a staff whose warmth makes every guest feel like family. If you’re a foodie, love ocean views, and don’t mind sharing a few beach chairs, this resort is an excellent choice. For those who booked a private plunge pool, clarify the exact layout beforehand to avoid surprises. It didn't work for us, but hopefully they can accommodate for some guests.
Highly recommended for pool goers, food enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a vibrant, scenic Antiguan getaway.
