Shhh… don’t tell anyone! Galley Bay is one of those rare places that feels like a secret you want to keep to yourself. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, everything about our stay was perfect.
The Team – Outstanding Hospitality
First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to the entire Galley Bay team. Every single member of staff was warm, welcoming, and consistently smiling. They made us feel like part of the family from day one. While there are too many wonderful people to name, a few truly stood out:
Reception & Guest Services: Dante (who kindly drove us to our room several times), along with the lovely Elisabeth and Alec, were amazing.
Bars & Restaurants: Friendly, calm, efficient teams everywhere. Special thanks to Samantha and Pearl for their kindness.
Housekeeping: Always ensured our room was spotless and inviting.
Gardens: A huge mention to Curt, the head gardener, and the entire gardening team who maintain the stunning grounds and grow the vegetables and greens used in the restaurants. True farm-to-table freshness.
Arrival & Check-In
Our pre-booked taxi ride from the airport was fun and gave us a great first glimpse of the island. Arriving at Galley Bay, we were welcomed with cold towels and a glass of champagne—perfect after a long flight.
Dante gave us a quick tour en route to our room, pointing out key areas such as the lagoon, dining room, and bar. We stayed in Room 88, located at the far right end of the beach near the Gauguin restaurant. The room was spacious, beautifully air-conditioned, and the view from the balcony across the entire beach was simply breathtaking.
The Beach & Grounds
The beach at Galley Bay is spectacular—long, peaceful, and used only by guests. Even when fully booked, it never felt crowded. Each villa has its own sunbeds, and the setting is serene and unspoilt.
Although we had a few red-flag days (the sea can be rough), safety is prioritised and well communicated. We preferred lounging by the Barefoot Grill as it was close to food and drinks.
Dining – Fresh, Delicious & Varied
Food at Galley Bay exceeded expectations:
Seagrape Restaurant: All meals were excellent. Breakfast offers a combination of à la carte dishes with buffet extras. Lunch and dinner were consistently delicious with plenty of healthy, fresh options. Portions were perfectly sized—satisfying without being overwhelming.
Gauguin Restaurant: A lovely alternative for lunch or dinner, with a more intimate atmosphere.
Barefoot Grill: Great for relaxed lunches—tasty sandwiches, burgers, and the most addictive plain or Cajun chips.
Coffee Shop: One of the hotel’s gems. Open from 7 am–10 pm, offering coffee, snacks, overnight oats, fruit, homemade cookies, and even ice cream for 15 hours a day! Heaven.
We enjoyed lamb, chicken, fresh fish, and wonderful desserts throughout the stay. The garden-to-plate vegetables were a highlight for me.
Activities & Excursions
We did several activities and highly recommend them:
Captain Sean Sunset Cruise: A fun, memorable trip with strong rum punch, cold beers, and Sean’s delicious chicken with rice and peas. Don’t miss this one—he’s often around the bar for bookings.
Barefoot Antigua (Shared Trip to Barbuda): An unforgettable day with stunning beaches and BBQ lobster for lunch. Absolutely worth booking directly—Yensa is fantastic.
Island Taxi Tour: Organised through the hotel, our driver Ronnie was brilliant and gave us a great insight into Antigua’s history and culture. We had lunch at Roti King in St John’s—authentic and delicious.
Relaxation & Final Thoughts
The last few days were spent unwinding on the beach and by the pool, enjoying fantastic service, great food, and perfectly mixed drinks.
Galley Bay is just the perfect side of perfect. We truly hope to return and become part of the Galley Bay family once again.
