Jolly Beach Antigua - All-inclusive

The beach and the tepid turquoise sea are among the best on the island, and the staff are amazing. We also watched the sunset every day during our week here. The room is very basic and needs updating, but it was clean. The bed was comfortable, the shower was excellent, and there were plenty of hangers and drawers for storage. We didn’t have a single bad meal. The Palms restaurant has been updated and refurbished, and it’s a lovely buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with lots of dishes to choose from. The Pizza factory must be eaten in as well. This is a 3 star resort, and that’s what we knew when booking. Don’t expect a 5 star room, but I can’t recommend the place enough. It didn’t disappoint.

The beach is the real star here, with beautiful water, and I would come back, so it’s not that bad. The hotel staff are lovely and helpful too. The building feels tired and needs a facelift and some maintenance, although it is clean. When something is wrong, they are quick to deal with it. Breakfast is the best meal, along with the pool BBQ. The food is otherwise okay. The main problem is the waiting, which can put you off when the line takes 35 minutes. There’s also an Italian à la carte restaurant, but you have to book at the tour desk at 07:30 the morning before. The line starts at 06:45, and places run out. Drinks are plentiful and large. In short, it’s a 5 star beach and a 2 star hotel, but I’d still return.

Parking was easy, and finding the beach was straightforward. The beach itself is long, with soft sand and clear, shallow water reaching about 20 metres out. There are lots of bars, food choices, and facilities spread along it. Walking north makes the atmosphere noticeably calmer and more relaxed. The central and busier section wasn’t really for me. Of all the beaches in Antigua that I’ve visited so far, this one had the most people, including cruise ship passengers, day visitors, and guests from the beachfront hotels. Jet skis were constantly moving up and down the shoreline, creating too much noise.

The natural setting is beautiful. Jolly Beach has white sand, a long gently curved shoreline, calm sea, and shallow water that’s comfortable for swimming. Unfortunately, the crowds, steady foot traffic, noise, and commercial activity make it hard to relax. Getting there is simple by taxi from the cruise port. A shared ride costs USD 10 per person, and the taxi leaves you at a parking area about 150 meters from the beach. The central section rents two loungers and one umbrella for USD 30, though the equipment is quite old and worn. On the left is a large resort with private access and a USD 75 day pass that includes food and drinks. There’s an informal bar selling drinks, food, and souvenirs, with the feel of a small family-run operation. A separate proper bar on the right brings in more visitors. Wi-Fi is presented as free by everyone, from the taxi driver to the staff greeting visitors and supplying loungers. In reality, you only get access after buying something from the bar, such as a USD 4 beer. Even then, the connection is very weak, unstable, and extremely limited, so it shouldn’t be relied on. Nature deserves 5/5, but the facilities and organization are closer to 2/5. The scenery is impressive, yet the overcrowding, worn setup, and conditional internet reduce the experience.