We recently visited Antigua and Barbuda and stayed at Royalton CHIC Antigua. The island is very clean and it was rare to see litter. The water is absolutely beautiful and crystal clear. The main downside is that the roads are rough and many areas feel a bit run down. There is a lot of potential here, but there are not many activities outside the resorts. The local people are friendly and welcoming, and with improved infrastructure, repaired buildings, more flowers, and better roads, Antigua could be even more appealing for tourism.
We only left the resort once to visit Shirley Heights at sunset. The taxi was $35 per person round trip, plus a $10 entrance fee that included live music. Food and alcohol were extra. We did not eat there, but the food smelled good. We noticed hamburgers were $15, rum punch was $5, and top-shelf cocktails were $10. Thursdays and Sundays seem to be the best days to get the full experience.
Most of the staff were very friendly and helpful, and we were asked several times if everything was going well. We were also approached three separate times by employees asking us to complete surveys about our stay. There were a few staff members who seemed slower or less engaged, but overall the service was good. Special thanks to Richard and Tracey in the buffet, who were especially kind and attentive.
Our room was in Building 1 on the third floor, technically a pool view but with a clear ocean view. When we arrived, there was food left in the refrigerator from previous guests. The room décor was updated and tasteful, but the pillows were very hard and the bathroom was quite small with poor lighting. The shower and sink need refreshed caulking, and ventilation in the older part of the hotel is not great. After showering, the room stayed very steamy and humid, and we could never quite get the temperature comfortable. The ceiling fan is on the same switch as the shower light and only runs on high. Housekeeping staff were very sweet and cleaned daily, including washing the floors, but we had to request extra towels every day. Standard service was only two bath towels, one hand towel, and two washcloths, and even when we asked, we usually only received two extra bath towels. I tipped daily to help keep the room properly stocked. We also had to have our key reprogrammed twice during our stay.
One thing to note is that there are no elevators on the older/original side of the resort, only on the newer side and Diamond Club buildings. We did not mind the stairs and actually enjoyed the extra exercise, but this could be an issue for guests with mobility concerns.
Food at the resort was good, not exceptional, but we were satisfied. We ate at Vespa, Haven Grill, and the buffet. We did not try the steakhouse, but met a couple who ate there every night and highly recommended it. Reservations must be made through the app, and most dinner times were 7:30 pm or later. We were disappointed to learn that Pescari costs $80 per person, which was not clearly disclosed on the website before arrival, and we did not feel the value justified the price. Cocktails were great throughout the resort, though I would recommend sticking with wine or beer at the buffet. The coffee and dessert shop needs more staff in the mornings, as only one person was working and waits could be long unless you arrived early.
Entertainment was one of the highlights of our stay, with dancers, live music, DJs, games, a foam party, and even jewelry making. The resort felt lively but not out of control, and guests were respectful. The crowd was a mix of older guests and people in their 30s, with a noticeably younger crowd from Thursday through Monday.
The lobby and lounge areas are very nice and we enjoyed spending time there. The grounds are well kept, but mosquitoes were an issue. Bring your own bug spray, as it costs $45 at the resort. Treating the grounds more often would help with this.
Overall, for an all-inclusive resort, I would give Royalton CHIC an 8 out of 10. It is not the Ritz-Carlton, but it is a fair value for what you get. If the resort offered a nicer, larger room upgrade without requiring Diamond Club, I would consider returning. I don’t need a butler or extra perks, just a better room option.
One final tip: be sure to officially check out and return your wristband and room key. Otherwise, there is a $150 charge, which was not clearly explained to us in advance. We almost threw ours away before realizing this.
