Click here to book Galley Bay Resort & Spa from only £2,556pp
We booked four nights at the Galley Bay Resort & Spa, Antigua in a Premium Beachfront Suite. Having received so many positive reviews from clients and staff we arrived in anticipation of something special. From experience, arriving at a resort with such high expectations is usually a mistake. In Galley Bay’s case we were absolutely elevated to a high satisfaction level in minutes! We were welcomed with a cool fresh towel and a very simple check in process; minutes later our bags were loaded onto the back of a golf buggy and we set off along the bridge over the lagoon to the resort, taking in a guided tour of the property along the way.
The resort are very proud of their natural setting & operate a very Eco-friendly policy that’s explained well for guests to embrace. On arrival we stopped to see the Tortoises and West Indian Whistling Ducks. The resort has a very tranquil setting with a host of local wildlife that instantly creates the feeling of being in the perfect natural tropical island paradise.
Once at the beachfront your eyes need a few moments to adjust to the spectacular contrast of colours. The beach is idyllic; like the deserted island setting you dream of. The beach is spectacularly white and the ocean colours are vibrant. The camera just can’t pick up the explosion of colours; I spent four days trying to capture the perfect picture, but it’s just going to have to stay in my memory bank.
All round the resort has natural Caribbean Rustic charm, it’s certainly not like the modern mainstream resorts you find in the Caribbean. I’m so pleased they kept this resort genuine, you can’t fail to love it’s rustic caribbean charm. This resort is a haven for couples who want peace and tranquillity whilst feeling like you are on an island hideaway. It’s a long journey to the Caribbean so feeling like you’re in paradise is important; so many of the mainstream hotels leave you feeling like you could be on a beach anywhere, but not Galley Bay. Here life goes on in a quiet peaceful natural way, everything you need to refresh yourself is here.
The pool area is certainly one of my favourites in the Caribbean, it’s not the largest of pools but for the number of guests it’s perfectly in proportion. Randomly positioned all around the pool area you’ll see pairs of sun-loungers positioned under thatched palapa parasols. They are super comfortable extra wide wooden loungers with padded covers and are nicely spaced to maintain privacy. The pool is pure tranquillity and the days drift by to the sound of nature; palm trees rustle gently in the breeze which drifts across the pool from the Caribbean Sea. The scene is complete with the beautiful rock waterfall that completes this oasis.
I would certainly recommend the Beachfront Rooms; it’s a stunning location and opening the curtains each morning to be presented with that spectacular view makes it worth every penny. The rooms are super comfortable, very spacious with everything you need to enjoy a memorable holiday. The air con and ceiling fans help to continue the mood of calm relaxation and the bathroom is vast with a large tub for two.
Every meal was a highlight with three restaurant choices and the barefoot grill; there was exceptional variety with a beachfront setting wherever you dine. Gauguin’s and Ismay’s are located at opposite ends on the beach, both offering stunning oceanfront views. Gauguin’s creates a couples private dinner on the beach feeling, there are multiple round Palapas across the edge of the beach which gives that intimacy of a private dinner. We all know that at many hotels they charge $250+ for a beach dinner experience, at Gauguin’s you get a similar feeling at no extra cost and as many times as you want during your stay. Ismay’s does carry a cover charge of $35 USD pp but it’s well worth it. This is a signature restaurant with personality; very attentive service and spectacular dining with subtle lighting and flaming torches.
Although a very tranquil resort there was still enough to entertain us, they had the very English afternoon tea every day at 4pm, but we also enjoyed watersports, tennis, gym, mountain bikes, pool table, the evening Caribbean vibe of a local band with guests dancing on the deck and the West Indian Whistling Ducks were constantly entertaining following us throughout the resort. A truly memorable four days and no doubt like so many other travellers we met at Galley Bay, we will become repeat guests very soon.
