The Verandah Antigua

The private beaches and pools are the real highlights of this beautiful 30-acre resort. We especially enjoyed kayaking along the cliffs, walking to Devil’s Bridge, and following the path toward Long Bay. Animal lovers might also want to pack food and treats for the many friendly resort cats. The main frustration was how difficult meals could be to organize. The buffet is often closed at lunchtime, and the posted schedules didn’t always line up with what was actually happening. With breakfast starting at 7:30, an 8:00 AM excursion pickup can feel rushed because you may not be eating until 7:45. Staff experiences varied a lot. Most people were kind, but some seemed indifferent, and a few members of the Beach Grill team were quite unfriendly. One small room-related tip, the balcony chairs are too low to see over the railing, so bar-height chairs would be much better. It’s a lovely place, though the uneven service and rigid dining arrangements still need attention.

The bay is beautiful, and the hotel beach was especially nice because there was no seaweed. The property was clean, including the buffet area, which looked very good compared with other resorts. Our room was clean too, but it clearly needs updating. The light beneath the counter didn’t work, a number of outlets were faulty, and there were noticeable gaps around the door. It’s a quiet resort with only a small number of restaurants. That could be fine for a short stay, but if you want lots of variety or plan to stay longer, it may not be the right choice.

The grounds were beautifully maintained, and whenever we stopped to chat, the grounds staff were happy to explain what they were working on. There were also plenty of activities and facilities for games when we wanted a break from the beach. Our room was spotless throughout the stay, with housekeeping coming in every day. The staff were friendly without exception, with Theodore the waiter and Tristan the buggy driver deserving particular praise. We looked forward to eating here. Sails and Tails was our favourite, and Portofino was good as well. The beach grill was more ordinary, though there was nothing wrong with the food. We paid $50pp for dinner at Nicole's, but it wasn’t better than the other restaurants. Drinks could sometimes take a while to arrive at first, although that didn’t happen every time. The room felt a little tired and the restaurants could use more character, so the resort isn’t flawless. Still, the food, service, and overall stay were thoroughly enjoyable, and we’re thinking about returning next year.

We spent a week at The Verandah at the end of Feb 2026, three girlfriends in our 50's who are still young at heart. Some of the reviews had made us hesitant, but we decided to go and were very glad we did. The balcony view was stunning, and our room was comfortable with good facilities. Between the two private beaches and the various pools, there were plenty of spots for a lazy day with a cocktail. People had mentioned rooms not being cleaned daily, but ours was cleaned every day. Food and drinks were a strong point. We especially enjoyed dinner at Sails and Tails and lunch at The Beach Grill on Rasta Beach. We only ate at the buffet for two dinners and breakfast every day, and found the selection tasty and varied enough. The cocktails were great too. If the drink you want isn’t listed, the bar staff will usually try to make it when they have the ingredients. Service wasn’t always enthusiastic. Some staff would bring what you needed but seemed ambivalent about serving you. Others were fantastic. Keisha made the best breakfast omelettes, and Theodore and Angel were excellent wait staff. Leon and Andre were great at the main bar, Adaina looked after us wonderfully at Sails and Tails in the evening, and Nicole was lovely at Portofino. The young man preparing prawns and seafood to order at the buffet was also very good, though I don’t know his name. I think the lady at reception was Susan, but I’m not sure. Devon from Heaven on the entertainment team stood out too. Most of the resort drivers were friendly, although I can’t remember their names. Management should give these people a pay rise, they deserve it. Yes, service can be slow sometimes, but you’re on holiday in the Caribbean. Have a drink, enjoy the surroundings, and leave the rush at home. If you need to be somewhere, arrive at the restaurant half an hour early. There was entertainment every evening, and most of it was pretty good. The beach party on our last night was a fabulous finish to a wonderful week. Outside the resort, I’d recommend Sting Ray City and the Sunday night Sunset Party at Shirly Heights. If the reviews are making you nervous, ignore them. This is a fab resort.