We just loved the place. Quiet, Gentle Quirky, Off Beat..
Do not go here if you want mass produced food , noise , regimentation and lots of people.
The staff problems are all resolved and we found everyone, without exception to be happy and friendly.
We had a small amount of banging from where the "Verhanda Hotel " is being finished off, it was not excessive, no loud music, yes the cruise ships did bus some of their passengers along to the beach, why not? it is not an exclusive beach ( the same happens all over the Carribean) It added a bit of interest and colour and was only for a short time.
Charlies food is to die for, sadly I am now on a diet. Sam and Sandra always attentive Dave a lovely guy and Gary and all the girls just good at their jobs and helped to make our holiday.
Mosquitos!! I have yet to go to a hot country where they cannot be a pain they are only to be expected... This happy bunny and her husband are planning to go back early next year.,

Although this review is generally about the Verandah resort in Antigua; I think our families holiday experience, is important, for those who are planning a trip to Antigua. Our family did not stay at the Verandah but this new resort, along with other local noise issues, did adversely affect our visit to Antigua negatively.

In the interest of full disclosure I should write, we were actually guests at Long Bay hotel a small hotel very near to the Verandah, I thought though, it would be more appropriate to write a review here about the Verandah as it was the new Verandah, which in the end, finally broke my spirit, spoiled my families’ holiday and prompted this review.

I think to be honest and place facts in context I should paint a picture of my visit to Antigua. Our families’ visit was during the Christmas Holiday, we are a family of five, the holiday started out most pleasantly and we were enjoying ourselves when the first sign, we might be in for a shock, showed up. The sign was when 600 or so Cruise ship passengers descended onto the Long Bay beach on Sunday December 23rd. turning it into the mad house, we were most assuredly, escaping. To our joy, the mayhem only lasted for a few hours that day and soon the area and the beach were returned to their peaceful state. A few days later, on Boxing Day we were once again chased off the long bay beach because we were assaulted by the unbearably loud music that was being played at the public beach during the Boxing Day holiday. This noise prompted a decisive response from my wife.

My wife who could not believe the noise, forced me to get the hire car, pile us all into it, to search for a quiet beach to spend the rest of our spoiled day. We finally after much trouble and time stumbled upon Half Moon Bay Beach which was very nice and most importantly for my family, free of loud pounding awful music. My older children were very happy with the surf at Half Moon but my youngest wasn't able to enjoy the water as it was just too rough. Finally and this is where the Verandah Resort came in, we returned to Long Bay to enjoy our evening and some light entertainment, a good meal and an early night. After retiring to our cottage for some much needed sleep we were once again assaulted by loud awful music this time the music was emanating from the Verandah Resort, I couldn't believe my ears; first we were assaulted by the Cruise ship passengers, then the Boxing Day Holiday noise at Long Bay Beach, finally we were disturbed by the noise from the Verandah Resort which was so loud I thought we were part of the Verandah's entertainment.

It was all TOO much!

On speaking to Chris, the manager at Long Bay, about these upsetting events he told me that he had made several attempts to speak to the management of the Verandah resort but so far he had seen no change. He also said that he had spoken to the local government about the problem but that so far his efforts had been useless. My question to the management of Verandah and the government of Antigua, is why, do they have to spoil the wonderful Antigua experience that could be enjoyed by all on Holiday, with too much loud noise?

It would seem evident to me, that all hoteliers and Antiguan's would want every guest in Antigua to go back home with glowing reports thereby ensuring that positive word of mouth advertising would increase bookings for all hotels in Antigua and Antigua as a whole.

I do hope someone with some authority reads and acts upon my comments.

This was our third vacation at Long Bay and it just keeps getting better! We stayed at the View House which offers an excellent view of the sun rising over the bay and setting over the ocean. Chef Charles provided a wonderful variety of meals. Even though it was the first week for the new wait staff, they were very pleasant and helpful. We were so pleased to reacquaint with Chris, Dave, Sam, Gary, Roma and Sondra (who rather than say "goodbye" at the end of our week, referred to our "going on vacation back to the USA, and coming home to Long Bay again next year!") The staff left us wanting for nothing going above and beyond to see to our comfort. Of course the ambiance can't be beat. We look forward to returning in the autumn of 2008. Long Bay Hotel is truly a gem on the island of Antigua.

3 January 2008

We are a family of four and have just returned from a 16 day trip to Antigua and Montserrat. For the Antigua leg we stayed 7 days at the Long Bay Hotel, (our second time there) and really enjoyed it. It is a great place to wind down. We sat and read, (though I jogged most mornings) or took the car on trips out. Our two boys (12 and 10) spent most of their time between the lagoon side (sailing and kayaking) and the beach side (swimming, snorkelling and fishing).

Service provided by the friendly staff was excellent, and the prices were very fair. We (Dad and two boys) went on two water trips (fishing and island snorkelling) with Robert, the in-house watersports supervisor, and he made them both interesting and exciting for all participants (and reassuringly life-jackets worn). Inside the hotel, the children enjoyed the sitting room and the games area (we used pool table, cards, chess and rummikubs although others as well) . Mum and dad liked that room for the huge selection of books.

The constant sea breezes ensured that we did not overheat, and in fact those - in combination with the room fans - were a better option than air conditioning. Environmentally we felt a lot better too about this more natural approach. All rooms are fine, but we have stayed in View House and Cliff House which seem better for a family, and they also have longer range views and the hilltop breezes.

We would recomend the hotel unreservedly for those looking for a traditional (non-bling) hotel with great core values, a strong service ethic, and great food. Before our first time there, we were bothered about the lack of a pool - but having been and experienced the proximity of the lagoon and the totally safe beach, this is simply not an issue. Anyway, whoever heard of making sandcastles by the pool ?

Younger son has just tipped my scoring from 'above average' to 'excellent' and, of course, he is quite right.

We will be back.


Stephen Collier