Jolly Beach Resort & Spa

We went the first week of September and it was classed as out of season so had a very quiet resort. John and his team made us feel welcomed and looked after- we love Delicia and the lovely ladies who made us an omelette every morning. While the rooms are in need of a refresh, they are fine but you won’t be spending a lot of time on them as the beach is amazing. And a minute walk from reception. The beds were comfortable and the house keeping staff were more than happy to give us extra pillows etc. Everyone was friendly, food was decent- especially the Caribbean buffet with a steel band playing! While my husband loved the breakfast as it was a good start to the day.|We would come again

The positives of this hotel has got to be the view from the room, the food and the cocktails. Shout out to ALL the staff at the long bar and June at the pool bar. Also a mention to the staff at the information desk where you could book trips and collect towels. The beach is gorgeous with plenty of sun loungers and little huts where you can buy gifts to take home. The swim up pool is very busy and loud, so we chose to stay at the other pool which was always quiet and we usually had it to ourselves, however, you did end up with blue feet which was really funny!!|The negatives are, the hotel has no lift and we were on the 4th floor. It has very narrow corridors too! Our room number was stuck on with tape and kept falling off.|I called the room the "elf house" with nowhere to put your clothes, apart from a small wardrobe and some flintstone looking shelves. The room was dated and the bathroom door kept falling off, as did the patio door. The shower is tiny and again nowhere in the bathroom for your toiletries. We had to ask for towel changes on day 5!! They did supply toiletries which were really lovely.|The reception staff were quite rude and never smiled and some of them were very unhelpful. You always felt like you were "bothering them" if you asked for information.|The WIFI is pretty rubbish too....Do not try and post photos on your social media as it takes so long.|They also need to try and sort the bird problem at the coconut grill. I refused to eat there as you had to guard your food, or they swooped on you.

This was our third trip to the Jolly Beach Resort but the first since Covid when the resort closed and was reopened when the property was purchased by the Pineapple Resorts. |I am sad to say that while the beach is still one of the best we have ever visited the resort itself is a shadow of its former self! Jolly Beach was never a five star resort with modern spacious rooms and fine dining but if you were looking for a reasonably priced vacation with a beautiful beach and good food then Jolly Beach was a great choice! That is no longer the case!|The buffet breakfast at the Palms restaurant was always good (see Miss Jo’ann for a delicious omelette to start your day). |Lunch at the Coconut Grill was usually good to excellent (ask for a fresh cooked burger not a precooked one) with a good variety of choices and hot crispy French fries (unfortunately they no longer serve nachos or cheesy fries). Kadie at the Pool Bar makes the best mixed drinks on the resort!|Dinner was the issue. The pre-Covid dinner choices included Mexican, Italian, Seafood and the Palms buffet. Today’s choices are the Italian restaurant on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays. They serve what I would describe as frozen dishes you get at the supermarket (we ate there once, it was just ok). The Palms buffet is your only choice for four days of the week and while I am not a picky eater on a few occasions it was difficult to find something to eat! Mangroves restaurant is located at the south end of the resort but it was sold after the resort was purchased by the Pineapple Resorts. While you can dine at Mangroves it is not part of the all inclusive package so there is a cost and other than chicken wings the menu is almost identical as the buffet. We did not eat there so I cannot critique the food.|Be advised the rooms are small and antiquated (but we knew that when we booked) but every room has at least some view of the beach / ocean. Also if you want your room cleaned it costs $10 per cleaning! This is the first time in over 30 vacations that we would be charged for that service. To be honest we did not miss having our room cleaned everyday, clean towels were supplied on request and it was kind of nice to not have to tip the maid.|A thank you to Margaret who did triple duty as the excursion desk, the restaurant reservation taker and the fresh towel person. She was always willing to try to help us make our vacation better.|Also a thank you to the head housekeeper Maria who seemed to be the only person who had any idea how to take care of guests or how a resort should run.|I say this with a heavy heart but the bottom line is that unless the resort adds some more food choices it is highly unlikely we will return.

In general, I had a good time at the Jolly Resort. Best things there are the beach, plenty of shadow and space in any part of resort. The resort beautifully kept. Staff is very friendly. All rooms have a sea view. I liked white stones walls interior in the room and buildings. I was a solo, so, not perfectly closing door in the room was not bothering me and size of the room with spacious balcony was also good. More important that AC was working great. Unfortunately, there was only one place where I could charge the phone located high on the wall. The all-electrical switches were in bad condition, so my small travel kettle was broken on 3rd day. I had it to have a coffee in the room since you need to go for coffee outside which is inconvenient as first things in the morning for me. By the way coffee they have is literally awful, the worst I have ever had. They also do not have any kind of sparkling wine. But still I would really complain only about the food - this need to be improved. Breakfast and bakery food was ok. All other food was very poor in choices, no meat, small, strange chicken cuts. Pizza Factory restaurant is also no good, in spite they were trying to serve better. I found the great solution with food getting this at Coconut Grill - it was very good. You can comfortably eat on the 2nd floor at the hut under shadow with a lot of space, looking at the blue sea - that was a pleasure. So, except of the food and coffee all other things were very good. There were also a lot of fun at night with dancing, live music and singing. People of all ages were dancing and having fun. It was not boring at all in the evenings. In general, I still can say I had a pleasant time, and I would recommend Jolly beach resort, especially considering very budget price.

Have had a wonderful 12 days here at the Jolley beach. Yes the hotel is dated but so am I. The rooms are basic and need an upgrade but the beds are comfy and all you need is somewhere to shower and sleep. The food has been great especially the breakfast and the lunch at the coconut grill was delicious. What really stands out with this hotel is the staff. I found that they were all so friendly and always ready to help. Special shout out to Joanne and Winsome for the omelettes and Patrick at the long bar for the drinks. Margaret at he tour desk was really helpful. From the moment I checked in and the staff realised I wouldn't be able to manage the stairs to the original room and they went above and beyond to get me a ground floor one I knew we had made the right choice and I can see why there is so much repeat business. Would return in a heartbeat.

Review for Jolly Beach Resort: I stayed here for my birthday and honestly, I was disappointed. My room was up several stairways, far from everything. The Wi-Fi didn’t work in the room and was unstable around the property. The TV cable wasn’t clear, the shower was noisy, and the bathroom was very small. Lunch varied but was of poor quality. Dinner and breakfast were fine. The staff in the Palm Restaurant were respectful and polite, and the bar staff were great. However, the staff at the restaurant by the pool were not welcoming at all their attitude made the experience uncomfortable. I stayed my full three nights since it was already booked, but I won’t be returning unless things improve.

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1 out of 5 — only because zero isn’t an option) Our experience at Jolly Beach in Antigua was extremely disappointing. The customer service was virtually nonexistent — unhelpful and inattentive. The food selection was very poor, and items frequently ran out with no effort to restock. To make matters worse, the cleanliness was unacceptable. Our blanket had visible mildew spots, and my husband had to kill small bugs in the room. That alone made it hard to feel comfortable. Even basic amenities were missing — we had no lotion or proper toiletries. When we requested lotion, we were told it wasn’t available. For a resort, that’s completely unacceptable. We only stayed one night, and that was more than enough. I absolutely do not recommend this place to anyone. It fell far below even basic standards of hospitality.

Jolly Beach Resort, Antigua – A Caribbean Gem Jolly Beach Resort in Antigua stands as one of the island’s most iconic and well-known resorts, often recognized as the first and most mentioned by travelers worldwide. Situated on the stunning southwest coast of Antigua, it boasts a prime location along one of the island’s top three beaches. The long, powdery white sand stretch meets the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, offering breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences. This budget-friendly resort is highly recommended by guests for its unbeatable combination of affordability, natural beauty, and relaxing atmosphere. The Resort itself is rated five stars for location, price, and scenic charm, making it a favorite among couples, families, and solo travelers alike. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities including jet skis, kayaks, beach chairs, and umbrellas, ensuring comfort and fun under the sun. Local vendors set up near the resort, offering authentic souvenirs and crafts that reflect the island’s culture. Additionally, nearby local restaurants serve up delicious Antiguan cuisine and international favorites. Whether you’re lounging on the beach, exploring the clear waters, or shopping from friendly local vendors, Jolly Beach Resort delivers an unforgettable Caribbean experience. Its reputation, value, and stunning surroundings continue to make it a top choice for visitors from around the world.