Have you checked out Skyauction? Sometimes you can get some great deals...

Italian.....I can tell you it is a task to do Antigua affordable! But we managed to come in around $3000.00 for the trip and spent about $2000.00 there for a week. We stayed @Dickenson Bay Cottages and they were lovely. $110.00 a night and they were perfect. We used the kitchenette for breakfast and lunch and ate out 4 times. Read my report under DBC w/. pics. We never shared the pool w/ anyone else and the cottages are spacious. Have to walk up a really steep hill to the beach but we were thoroughly pleased w/. the accomadations. Have a great time you will love Antigua! Also make sure you Shirley Heights Sunday. Beautiful views and great music. The Antiguan people are some of the friendliest in the Caribbean.

You might try Rex Halcyon Cove on Dickenson Bay - they are all inclusive, and seem like the lower end of the market.

I feel all inclusive is NOT the way to go..you miss out dining and in one case someone here referred you to a has been dreary place with mediocre at best food. Is that what you work so hard for? Find a travel agent who knows the island and can find a cottage or condo in your budget. Go to Epicurean, prepare breakfasts and another meal and have lunch out or dinner. There are fun cheap eats like Roti King, the Chippie Van and so many more.

Look on the site Antigua Nice, there is info on all types of accommodation, including apartment rental etc.

When are you thinking about going dates and time of year are a big factor... what is your budget? This can help us to make better suggestions. But if you like to eat and drink I would go with AI

Have a look at The Suites at Jolly Beach:

http://www.jollybeachvacations.com/

They are self catering suites set within the grounds of the Jolly Beach Resort.

You should be able to book your flight and accommodation seperately and save on your vacation agents fees.

Also, the rooms are much better, more spacious, fresher than the rooms at The Jolly Beach Resort.

You can book the all inclusive aspect on arrival. Either a day pass/week pass/evening pass etc etc.

Good Luck

The previous poster writes about Jolly Beach Vacations. We just booked our one bedroom suite on Skyauction - I think we got a great deal. We won't do the all inclusive aspect, but it sounds like there are many restaurants around the area.

Good luck.

I'm not really familiar with Sky auction...what is it?

Skyauction is kind of like e-bay. You bid on your room. You will want to read the fine print very carefully looking for any additional fees. Some only have a tax included ($32-49 per night), but some of the larger resorts also have seasonal surcharges (which really add up and make it not worthwhile). You can bid only once, or put in a auto bid "top limit" of what you are willing to spend. If you win the bid/auction, Skyauction sends you an e-mail requesting information. You put in your dates that you want to stay, and your CC info. IF the resort is NOT available at the time you requested - you are not charged. If the resort does have availability, you are charged. At that point in time, there is no changing or canceling anything - you are locked in. We tried it for the first time over a year ago and LOVE it! We got a cottage on a beach in Grenada for 7 nights for about $300 (total) - great deal. It just depends what you are bidding on, and who is bidding against you how high the prices go. Since then we have used it three more times - all very successfully.

I always make sure I look at the hotel/resort website; figure out the real cost; figure out what I am willing to actually pay; and set my bid accordingly. I guess it depends how much you want to win...

Might try it - as I said, we have been very happy! Just make sure you read the whole thing before bidding looking for taxes and seasonal surcharges.