After my visit to Antigua with work I had always planned to take my husband there one day and this was our chance to visit Sandals Grande Antigua.
24 hours before my holiday started I checked in online from home and re-confirmed the seats I had chosen with Virgin Atlantic, this online check-in facility is free of charge (you get complementary drinks on board with them too). The baggage drop off at Gatwick was simple and we went straight through customs, with time to hit the shops and get breakfast. Our flight arrived on time; as we were walking onto the aircraft I noticed that it was a new plane that had been refurbished and looked amazing. We had chosen to save money and not upgrade the flights on this holiday, instead use it for the right room type at the hotel, so we were well chuffed the planes had been refurbished. In economy there were new cushion head rests and new seat back screen entertainments with stop, play, pause and 50 movie channels to choose from. There were also tv programs, games and kids channels etc., also a usb port and other gadgets that my husband was impressed with (so much better than my last flight with Virgin). The flight was easy and only took under 8 hours, a shorter time than the pilot expected . We got off the plane and were given fruit juice drinks by the airport staff as we entered the passport control area.
Once we had collected our luggage, we walked out of the air conditioned airport into the Antiguan heat. We walked directly across the road from the exit to the Sandals desk and within 5 minutes we were picked up by shuttle bus to travel to the Sandals Grande Antigua with no stop offs. Around 15 minutes later we were there. We had a concierge room in the Mediterranean Village section and it was the quickest check in I’d had in a hotel for a while. We were given a glass of champagne, cold towel and some hors d’oeuvres. As we checked in the sales team for sandals came to greet us personally and thank us for all the business we have done for them. It was nice to be recognised for all our hard work over the years since my last visit to this hotel.
Finally we got to our montecarlo sunset oceanview room, we entered and at once walked past the stunning bathroom and the king size four poster bed and straight to the focal point of the room, the stunning beach and ocean view as we were on the 7th floor. As soon as our bags were delivered we left the room to make the most of the sunshine; we found some loungers and had a dip in both the sea and the pool. A waitress brought a few drinks to our sun beds and we were truly relaxed. It was a chilled out first day, the sun went down at 18.30 so we headed back to the room to get ready for our meal that night. With being in a concierge room the restaurants are pre booked before you arrive at the hotel just so you don’t miss out on the speciality restaurants.
The next day was again a chilled relaxing day by the ocean and at 4pm we left our hotel and got a taxi to Shirley Heights to join in the sunset party atmosphere there with a steel band playing. After a few rum n cokes we left there at about 20.30. A half hour later we were back at the hotel for late tea (there is always somewhere serving food till late at this hotel).
Monday was excursion day – We set off on a catamaran trip on the excellence round the island, taking in views of the 365 beaches in Antigua, also Nelson’s Dockyard and even seeing Eric Clapton’s cliff top mansion. We also stopped for snorkelling. Monday night the hotel had a cocktail evening and a chance to meet the staff , which was very nice.
The rest of the holiday was me and my husband enjoying quality time together, eating great food and enjoying the hotel’s facilities. There are activities going on if you want to take part, but in that heat it wasn’t for me. My husband used the gym each day to get out of the midday sun and we did use the free Sandals boat for snorkeling on a nearby reef, which was a nice morning experience.
Since I last visited there is a new addition to the hotel which I love called the Cafe de Paris which is the coffee shop that serves free cakes and cookies and ice creams all day and opens till late evening.
The food was brilliant and if you fancied a snack there was a pizza area where you could eat the meal or order a take away and take it back to your room or around the pool in pizza boxes.
We took a taxi trip to St John’s for a nosey and managed to see a ship docking. It is always good when a ship docks in Antigua, the whole town comes to life with market stalls etc.
Also we did a trip back to Grand Pineapple Beach hotel where I stayed a few years ago with work, I took my husband to show him what he missed out on. Arriving at Grand Pineapple Beach, the atmosphere is lovely, a very friendly Caribbean hotel with charm and character. We met with Nouvella, who showed me around the rooms that have been refurbished. Getting a drink and chilling for a while, you can understand why this hotel is a bargain for an all inclusive stay. It is a true Caribbean experience for the money – we said we might go back there in a few years and take a few friends.
Last day was nice, being used to travelling for a 7 night break I always treat the last day as a sunbathing day and checked out of the room at 11am which was quick. Luggage was taken from us as we did not have to leave the hotel till 2pm. We then went back to the beach, had a few cocktails and had a few more hours in the sun. Sandals have a departure room where you can shower and freshen up before you leave so no need to keep your room on. Transfer back to airport quick and simple, checked in 2 hours before flight time – flew from there back to rainy England.
To sum up our experience, it was another fabulous holiday to remember. Antigua is a beautiful island and I cannot wait to revisit soon.
