The previous reviewer, rosscully, seems to have had the same experience as my husband and I did. I could almost write his review word for word.

Dian Bay is a lovely, quiet place and a wonderful get-away for de-stressing from the daily grind.

My husband and I had a great room (I believe it was #213 or 214) with a lot of privacy and beautiful views of the bay, though it looks like the rosscully's room had an even better view;). The rooms are spacious but simply furnished and many rooms have twin beds that are put together. The beds were fine, though.

Housekeeping was fine. Rooms were kept sparkling, etc.

There is a coffee pot in the room and I could sit back and enjoy the morning sunrise while sipping my cup of joe on the terrace.

I also agree that Amy deserves more thumbs up for her culinary abilities. Loved those omelettes in the morning and the fish was delicious. I also had the best lasagna at Dian Bay.

Shout-out to Franklyn--he drove us everywhere.

We went to Shirley Heights twice. The first time we saw the steel drum band and could stay only for the first half hour of the reggae band (the reggae band starts at 7). The second time, we arrived a little later and stuck around until 10. You see more locals if you stay for the reggae.

We also swam across the bay to the new development. This is going to be a problem. It was so lovely swimming the bay and not worrying about motor boats, skeedoos, etc. but the new development will most likely change all this. I spoke to an engineer working on the new place and he said it will be ready around August of 2007.

First of all, let me say that this is not a sophisticated hotel but it is a wonderful, simple place. It didn't have all the modern facilities and services that others may boast but this only helps it to be a great place to escape for a while!

My girlfriend and I desperately needed to get away from the rigours of our hectic lives at home for a while and after reading the reviews here decided to give the Dian Bay a try and we're very glad we did!

Dian Bay and the Resort and Spa that take its name are hidden away on the Atlantic side of the island of Antigua. It is VERY quiet there but we loved it that way. With an adults only policy, a small number of rooms and discreet integration into its surroundings, the Dian Bay gave us the space and quiet that we needed to thoroughly relax.

Aside from the quiet, the other aspect that certainly deserves a mention is the staff, who were always really friendly and helpful towards us, whatever our unreasonable demands were! Special mentions have to go to Brenda (who kept us well supplied at the bar), Jay (who we thought was highly under-rated in her role as assistant Chef), Franklyn (the resident taxi driver who helped rescue us from a CARICOM VISA nightmare), Shona, Dolston & O'Conner (who always greeted us with a smile at breakfast & lunch) and finally Denroy & Eric (who entertained us on the beach).

Brian the manager threw a BBQ one night and mixed with the guests to hear how we were enjoying ourselves and to hear our thoughts and recommendations but otherwise kept out of sight and we had no reason to call on him.

We both thought that the selection and quality of food was generally good but that Andrew the chef was a little over-rated. Only on one night did he really prove his worth, with a fab grilled lobster! Watch out Andrew, Jay cooks a mean fish!

Our room did have it's quirks and some might find these annoying, others might think they add character. We stayed in room 114 and it seemed that a local dog had decided that it's bedroom should be just outside our block, which meant that each morning we had a canine alarm call at 07:00! The room also had an adjoining door through to the next room (why would you need this for an adults only hotel?) which wasn't well acoustically insulated and the bed mattress could definitely have used an update. But aside from these small issues, the room was generally clean and pretty, with a wonderful view of the bay.

The small beach was clean, tidy, generally well catered for and never felt crowded. Dingy sailing, kayaking and motor boat trips were available and there were also plenty of small fish in the bay, some of which would eat bread from your hand. We even saw a stingray on one occasion! The only suggestion that I would make is that it could've used a few more parasols.

Across the bay an American developer is building a resort of several hundred chalets up on the cliff and I imagine that this is going to radically alter the feel of the bay. I swam across to Lover's Beach on the other side of the bay, which is largely used by locals at the weekends, and looking at the mangroves (or lack of them) and development overspill thought that it won't be as pretty as this for much longer. I think the Dian Bay Resort & Spa will have to change in order to compete with this new development and hope that it does not lose it's simple charm in the process.

On the whole we had a lovely time at the Dian Bay Resort & Spa and Antigua. We can recommend visitors check out St John’s, Devil’s Bridge, Shirley Heights, English Harbour & Nelson’s Dockyard, all are worth a visit.

Thank you for a wonderfully, simple holiday!

This is an idealic location if you are seeking complete relaxation with no interuptions. The hotel is small and relatively basic. The rooms were simple, don't expect a comfortable bed, fridge or mini bar! they were, however, cleaned each day. Whilst we were there, there were 8 couples who had money (some substantial amounts) stolen from their safe, police were called and it came to light it was one of the reception assistants. Nasty business!

Unfortunately, one of the real disappointments for me was the staff. Not all, but most wwere very saltry and gave you the impression that everything was just too much trouble, not a lot of 'service with a smile'. At times, you almost felt guilty asking for a drink at the bar, that was assuming you could find somebody to serve you, it was inevitably deserted. If you are on an all inclusive tariff, you are positivley discouraged from drinking, for instance, at dinner, wine is not left on your table and wine glasses are more like port glasses so you continually have to wait for attention for a refill. There is no service on the beach, which would be nice and there are no snacks even ice creams anywhere during the day or evening, it is 3 square meals a day! Food was sometimes hit and miss, lunch menu are static each day, evening menu were quite good on carte nights but really bad on buffet nights.

Aaamazine...................My Husband ans stayed for 11 days and it was incredible. Upon arrival we were greeted by Shondell at the front desk with a welcoming smile. The room is a typical caribbean room nothing spectacular, but comfortable and clean. The food!!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!! FANTASTIC, Chef Andrew changes his dinner menu everyday, he is not the type of chef that stays behind the kitchen you actually comes out and speak to you, which I have never seem anywhere else. Brenda the bar tender was always a pleasure and she NEVER forgets what your drink or forget your room number, Very nice lady. Dolston also a bartender never let your glass go empty and Marlon is crazy funny, there is never a dull moment when he is behind the bar, that guy made the bar hopping and have people laughing their hearts out, Great guy.. If ever I am in Antigua no place like Dian Bay.

On thursdays you'll meet the General Manager Brian Meade for cocktail in the bar where you can give him your compliments or complaints, which is fantastic, usually the General Manager hides in their offices.

They also have a small little boat that can take you over the next beach call Lover's beach, it's just a swim over, if you are not a stronger swimmer, I suggest taking the boat
I loved that hotel it's fantastic. Thanks Chef Andrew. I hope you guys read trip advisor. We'll be back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lyle and Tess