Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa

Absolutely beautiful place and staff are amazing We ate at Eleanor’s most morning as the staff were the most attentive and engaging a big shout out to Racquel she is the most lovely lady we have met here along with a lady in the Drunken Duck sorry I’ve forgotten your name but due to have a baby very soon (best wishes) We ate in all the resteraunts Jamaine was so much fun in the Tex Mex Would recommend the 360 catamaran, so much fun. Not keen on Shirly heights… Thank you to all the staff Read less

The resort is incredible. The food / drinks was truly rewarding, however The Staff hospitality was the things that made this trip amazing, From Khalil and Kim at the Front Desk. Ms. Kimberley, Ashante, Nerissa, Braymel at Mario’s / Pizza station. Shanake, Violet, Akilah at Elanors. Our Chef Lloyd at Kamono, and Maura at the Resort Shop. I don’t want to Forget Lyndisha who ensure our room was spotless everyday. This trip was great. Read less

This was our first Sandals experience and not sure I'm convinced of the hype of an all-inclusive (mainly because never overly impressed with the food), but overall we did have a good time and would be willing to try another location in the future to compare (as many couples we met during our stay have been at several sandals resorts and were loyal fans!). Arrival: getting through airport customs was fine. make sure to fill out the form on arriveantigua.com before you go to make the process smoother (and make sure to keep your QR code as you'll need it again for the depature); shuttle to the resort was located ride outside the airport doors across the small road to the right so was easy to find. A few couples to a van and we were off. Shuttle drive was terrifying. He drove reckless and we were not happy with that. Check-in at the hotel was easy, with our delicious welcome drink and cool towel and we were escorted to our room. Room: We stayed in a Medi Club level room in the large building on third floor. It had an elevator or could take the stairs. Was right near Marios and 5-7 min stroll to the other side of the report restaurants. Room was spacious with a small balcony with a drying rack and 2 chairs and bistro table and nice view of the resort. Mini bar was stocked but besides water, didn't partake as needed that short amount of time in our room to be detox time :-D Bed was comfortable, pillows not so much, but were fine. Not many TV stations (basically just CNN, BBC, ESPN, and TNT) - which was fine as weren't there for TV but did want to watch some of the NCAA basketball/World Baseball Classic but couldn't - not a big deal listened on the radio from the phone). Bathroom was large and shower had a nice rain shower and good water pressure. Toilet area odd as was super small with two french doors that came in so hard to maneuver in/out - for a bathroom so large felt the layout could have been better there. Again just noting it - not any major concern. Was excited to have bathrobes and slippers (bathrobe was so fluffy and comfy). Lots of fluffy towels too. Oh and happy there were lots of hangers in the closet. Beach: The star. Nice comfy sand and blue water, although when we were there was a bit 'cloudy' - we were told because the fine sand stirs up in the water. It is really hard to find chairs with an umbrella. We could not figure our how early people were getting there to put down their towels and walk away. As day 1 we got there at 9:30am and got the last seats and kept trying earlier and earlier. On one day we set the alarm for 5:30am and got there in the dark and still weren't the first ones. The butlers take up a lot of them but not all. thankfully we did get seats every day so wasn't an issue, but imagine could have been. There are the peddlers on the beach as is public, but they weren't overly aggressive. We tried the snorkel boat one morning. Water was a bit rough for the snorkel and difficult to get on the boat when we finished snorkeling. We did get to see some squid and tropical fish. Was perfect amount of time. Not sure if it's because the boat people don't tips, but they didn't seem to be watching us or help us get on the boat after the snorkel. All the guests were just helping each other. We did the hobie cat twice, which we enjoyed (both time with help from the beach staff - who were both lovely). We took the kayak once too. It was great all these things were included! A few couples took the all day around the island cruise which was extra (both did it with the external vendors on the beach as Sandals was upcharging). I just love the beach! Pools: Again difficult to get chairs as guests were putting down towels. Didn't spend much time there though as more of a beach person. Did the water aerobics each morning which was a good workout and only 30 mins so not much of a commitment :). Water is really cold though so took a bit to get used to (not sure how they keep it that cold)! Cats: If you are a cat person you will love this resort. I am allergic to them and frankly not a cat person and they are everywhere. I went to the pool and one jumped on my chair (i later found out the person there before me was feeding it). I guess that was my main issue. Because guests are feeding the cats they think everyone wants to do that and would beg at your chair at dinner, etc. they were everywhere we went. all around the upstairs at kimonos. at Eleanors, bayside, the pool, the walkways. thankfully not inside marios or where we were staying. they mainly didn't bother you so if you kept your distance you were fine (and thankfully other guests called them to them to keep they away from me). Activities: Loved they had so many options. we mainly stuck to the beach in the morning, but did make it to pool volleyball most days which was fun and did regular volleyball a couple of times when they had enough people to participate. Nighttime entertainment was decent. Singers good. Oh and the beach party was a surprise. We didn't know it was going on, but walked down there and was surprised by tasty ribs and chicken skewers, and shrimp/sausage (actually that was our best food of the week!) . Staff: We found pretty much all the staff to be really pleasant! Tamisha at Elenor's went above and beyond for us the one night. The Drunken Duck staff were also so wonderful. Ok the food and drink: Drinks were good - whatever you wanted. Drink of the day was always nice to try. Breakfast was the best meal of the day. A la carte at Eleanors was good and first day we went was quick but second time took so long we decided not to do that again as didn't want to spend our whole morning at breakfast. So we stuck to the buffets - we preferred Marios. Same general spread, so no real reason! Lunch was probably worst meal of the day - got a fish sandwich the one day but was fried and was told was tilapia and not local. pizzas were just ok (we are from NYC so pizza snobs) - we think it was the tomato sauce that made it bland; the one with fresh tomatoes slight better. they were fine, just not great. Got the hot dog one day which was fine (it's a hot dog). American Buffet was not very tasty (different theme each day). Rest of the time just stuck to the caeser salad with either chicken or snapper added. Wish though there were more simple options - like grilled chicken or summer salads or fresh fish sandwich; or maybe just a BBQ grill where grilling up hamburgers/hot dogs/chicken - everything was either covered in sauces or spices. And then dinner. We went to every restaurant, but Ok Corral and the Duck. Nothing really stood out to us. they were all just ok - not great/not bad. My partner doesn't eat seafood so stuck to chicken and steaks. All which were overcooked and generally bland despite claiming there were sauces. I tried all kinds of fish and seafood options, mainly which again were all over cooked. My lobster first time at bayside better than second (as second was so overcooked). Tuna roll at soy was my tastiest bite of the trip (was our last night so wish knew sooner as would have gone earlier). Kimonos with Jason was entertaining, but steak and chicken so overcooked. Shrimp and veggies the standout. We did love that they had Kirin and Sake (a great change from the rest of the restaurants). Marios antipasto buffet was best part of that meal - i think next time will just do that as the dinner with maybe a pasta. Barefoot was probably best all around with best appetizer choices and liked the fresh fish choice with chosen sauce. The cafe for ice cream and coffees each night was a nice end to the nights (i do wish they had waffle cones :)). Check-out: so the check-out paper told us to allow 3 hours for the airport and we got worried so looked that up ourselves and tons of reviews said actually took 3 hours to get through security (so we took that seriously given we were leaving on a Sat - the busiest day). The issue was the shuttle was only getting us there for 2.5 hours. When we asked the front desk and a manager whether we could take an earlier shuttle we were told there was none and that we would have to pay for that ourselves if took a taxi. Given their paper said allow 3 hours and they weren't accommodating that for their guests that put a very bad taste in our mouth as the last experience in the hotel. After spending so much money for the week them crediting us $25 would have been a nice gesture. But they refused. They should offer a shuttle 15-20 mins earlier. I think other guests would have taken them up on that as they were also standing there when we left. Read less

Our new favorite resort !!! Slow start and a few speed bumps but at the end of the day....AMAZING !! My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Sandals Antigua. We love the beach, so we spent the extra $$$ and booked the oceanfront walk out room. AMAZING !! We had concierge ( Not Amazing ) check in with our room package, our concierge ( forgot his name ) lead us and another couple to their room, he said he would be right back once he checked in the other couple who's room was a bit further down from ours. We waited and waited, he never came back. LOL.. not the end of the world but to be honest and for a fair review, the concierge did absolutely nothing and is useless, wait, they did book our dinner reservations with them DINNER .... Probably the worst part of our experience at the resort. Although we went down the very next morning to book our reservations at their "specialty" restaurants (for the 6 nights we were staying ) , we were told NOTHING was available not ANY NIGHT during the week we were there ( we wanted to eat between 6-7pm ) until SATURDAY !!! @ 8:00pm at Elenors (specialty restaurant must make reservations ) we checked in on Sunday, this is Monday morning mind you ), we took it since we didn't have many other options leaving on that Sunday. This is unacceptable to me, especially when your paying 10 grand, I feel I should be able to make a reservation between normal dinner hours for each night I am there, wasnt happy about this process. MAKE NOTE, book your dinner reservations online prior to the week your going down. The Grounds - the most beautiful tropical grounds we have ever seen. Room - Clean and satisfactory Room Location - BEST !! - oceanfront walk out - Walked out our sliders, 20 feet in front of me was a pool then 20 feet from there you're on the beach. Only downside, it is a public beach so when the cruise ships roll in the brits descend on the beach, you go from peaceful ad tranquil to looking at the back of peoples heads, having to listen to the noise of their voices, wasn't peaceful and tranquil anymore but at least most of each morning was which worked for us. That's when we bust a move to get lunch and go hang out in the main pool with swim up bar. Service - While we found many of the staff workers to be miserable and unfriendly, there were two diamonds in the rough at this resort that should be mentioned for their outstanding service and friendliness. Alexia and Chad, We cant say enough about their service and friendliness, they rest of the staff should take lessons from these two.... they are the definition of friendliness and outstanding service. Special thank you to them both you made our stay there even more fantastic. Entertainment - Staff was friendly and outgoing Negative - Music - people want to listen to Caribbean Music around the pool, Little barb Marley, steel drums ect. You are stuck in the 80s ( I loved the 80s best decade ever but I can listen to that here at home. Hope this helps you make a change desperately needed ) Corn hole - Cmmmmon Sandals, where did you get those boards of plastic ? I think you can get a descent corn hole board on Amazon, those boards are pathic and you hold tournaments on them ??? Food/restaurants - Elenors, Japanese and OK Coral are the restaurants that require reservations..... ( Good Luck !! ) Elenors and Japanese were fantastic, Ok Coral, I am not a fan of Mexican food but they had on their menu surf & turff, Ribey with Shrimp unfortunately both nights we tried to eat there they tell us they are out of the ribeye, the first night it happen, ok i will take the replacement steak ( not too good ) the second time we went to eat there, we waited 45 minutes after we ordered to be told they did not have any ribeye left..AGAIN !! Not sure how this is possible and let management know my feelings of this being unacceptable. They apologized and tried to make up for it the last couple nights with outstanding service we got from the staff at Elenors and Japanese restaurants, again Chad making our evening at the Japanese restaurant that much better....Both Chad and Alexia deserve raises and I hope management is reading this review. Overall - we had a fantastic time and we will be going back in the future. Do we recommend ?? Absolutely 100% !! Aruba was our favorite Island in the Caribbean, Sandals Antigua is now our new Favorite Place !! Thank you Sandals. Read less