Curtain Bluff Resort - All Inclusive

We left this hotel halfway through our holiday because the experience fell far below what we expect from a Relais Chateaux property. It was our third such hotel that year, and we normally stay at five or six annually. We chose it for the RC name and were very disappointed. The facilities and location are excellent, and the Spa was friendly and well run. The main restaurant waiters were charming, and Danny led his male team with kindness and humour. Jackiel Benn, Hendred, Africa, Brian at the Beach restaurant, and Glocester were also fantastic. Henry kept our room efficiently and was friendly and engaging. Brian was the reason we didn’t leave on day one, although he was later moved to the back office. The chef Chrisoph was helpful and good, but the food needed more variety for an RC hotel. Lunch felt like a school or office canteen despite the lovely setting. Dinner at the beach was efficiently handled by Auslando, but a curtain separating the bar from the restaurant made the space feel less special, and more staff were needed. The front desk was best avoided unless Zain or Carl were working. They were warm and eager to help, while others often ignored greetings. The manager and MD seemed charmless. Our ocean-front room had an updated bathroom but was otherwise dated. Shutters replaced glass in the windows, the air conditioning leaked out, the mattress had a ridge, and the linen and pillows were poor. Sinks and the toilet drained badly, and the matting and sheer privacy curtain were grubby. The curtain was necessary because staff and guests used the footpath outside our balcony. The diving team was friendly but cancelled too readily, four times in six days. They wouldn’t offer a beach dive when the reef boat couldn’t go, so serious divers should use an outside provider. Pool staff at the adult pool were consistently late and unhelpful. The attitude to guests was summed up when I requested a quick room clean before 10:00 a.m. My husband needed the room in about an hour and a half, but at 9:50 it still hadn’t been cleaned. Reception replied curtly, “It is 9.56.” The manager never answered my email complaint. She did introduce us to the chef and bring a fan, but then became unavailable and gave us no alternative contact. She had twice ignored our greetings, and even arrival was poor, with three staff nearby while we handled our own luggage. Other guests confirmed similar feelings. Some return every year, but I wonder whether they have low expectations or haven’t explored the alternatives.

The setting is beautiful once you’re inside, and the rooms are immaculate, but the food was the worst we’ve ever had. The included drinks didn’t cover familiar cocktails, only the resort’s own “special blends.” Even the ice cream sundaes were just scoops, with no bananas or mangos, which seemed especially strange in Antigua. It might suit people used to package holidays, but for a British guest it falls far below standard. The local female staff also seemed to have serious attitude problems. The entertainment was lovely, but we were left starving.

“And relax” really captures Curtain Bluff. The Caribbean is difficult to beat, but this hotel is the finishing touch, a kind of time machine that makes you feel calm almost immediately. Anyone considering one of Antigua’s best hotels should be very happy here. It’s a high-quality all-inclusive that puts in a lot of effort. Its private ownership also gives the way it treats guests and its many friends a sophisticated feel.

Small, quiet resorts are exactly what this place does well. We were greeted with smiles and respect as soon as we arrived. The beaches were amazing, the rooms spotless, and the infinity pool gave us a spectacular ocean view. The food was unbelievable, and the wine tasting was even better. We can’t wait to return.