Galley Bay Resort & Spa

This place was like heaven on earth. My husband and I wanted an adults only stay without our kids. We read the reviews for this place and decided to book. We arrived around 4pm on a Monday afternoon and left at 1pm for the airport by Thursday afternoon - quick trip - but we really lost track of the world in the short time we were there. I didn't understand the reviews on here that complain about silly things. This is a 4 star resort with 5 star service. This is a boutique resort, not a Ritz, Four Seasons, Waldorf, etc. The towels are not going to be luxurious. They were slightly rough - that is not going to be a complaint from us like it was from others on here. I really didn't understand that one. The food is excellent, especially for all-inclusive. I've stayed at Royalton all-inclusive and the food was terrible. I've been on Disney Cruises and stayed at Hyatt Ziva/Zilara all inclusives and the food has been wonderful - the food at Galley Bay was def top notch. Nothing to worry about as far as food is concerned. They had live music every night, which was great. There was a female vocalist who was outstanding and I wish I got her name! she performed on Wednesday, August 12th with a bassist, drummer and keyboard player. This is not a party resort. It is a relaxing resort so expect to swim at the beach or pool during the day, take advantage of the resort activities at your leisure, visit the spa, have dinner at night and listen to the live music. I enjoyed the lack of party atmosphere, but more of a relaxed setting. We were visiting during the off season and the resort was only half full so it felt super private and low key. The layout of the resort is super cute. We were in cottage 54, upper level with a balcony and it was more central to everything - great location. Rooms are very large and comfy with a large closet and oversized bathroom. Beds were very comfy and we slept well. I'm a bed snob and was not disappointed. It was so hot and humid and our air conditioning in the room was amazing and felt like a tundra which I really appreciated! Housekeeping was exceptional. They mopped our floors every single day. The room was very clean. The man came by each day to restock our fridge, which was very welcomed. Every morning at the coffee shop, Claudia made the best iced caramel latte I've ever had anywhere. I also saw her experimenting with drink recipes which I thought was going the extra mile - showed she really cared about her job. Gilbert and Alfred the Great :) were super helpful with the golf cart and getting us where we needed to go when I had heels on and didn't want to walk the entire length of the property at night. I saw the head chef every single morning and sometimes at lunch - Jeremiah. He was always very concerned about our experience and what dishes we ate the night before and what we liked the best. Aliah the bartender made the best guava daquiris and played good music and we enjoyed the friendly banter with her. Delbert and Zornel took great care of us at the water sports post, especially when I freaked out over the jellyfish. I also wanted to note several of the staff who made our stay a great one: Annika, Ray, Bri, Samantha, Stuart, Laddona, Ladonia, Braeden, Pearl, Vaughn, Dasani, Sadi, Sonia, Andrea, Colina and Dayton. Everyone works so hard here and does a great job - please be sure to tip and tip well. They deserve it! I really cannot say anything negative about Galley Bay - I only wish I would've tried the spa services. It was such a fantastic stay. I only have 2 suggestions: put baskets on the bikes and a small teak stool in the shower for women shaving their legs. I rode a bike each morning and didn't have a purse with me and wanted to take my phone and room key so a basket would've been helpful. It was a little challenging to ride the bike holding a phone, but I wanted it with me so I could take pictures of the beautiful scenery and wildlife I saw as I was riding around! Thank you so much for a memorable and relaxing stay!

A great example of old school Caribbean hospitality, Galley Bay Resort fronts a mile-long white sand beach with turquoise sea and its own reefs. The staff are informal but attentive and friendly. The food is excellent, particularly from the Gaugin and Ismay’s, for which the latter there is a $50pp premium, which is well worth it. Day time food is more casual and provided by the Seagrape restaurant, Barefoot grill and Upcycle Cafe, all of which are good quality. There’s beach service also, all day. The watersports crew are great and the Hobiecat sailing was enjoyable, with good wind every day. Worth spending the extra money on a premium room.

We had a wonderful and very relaxing stay at Galley Bay. The resort has a beautiful, laidback feel, and from the moment we arrived it was easy to settle in and unwind. Our beachfront suite was spacious, comfortable and nicely appointed, with the beach just steps away. The beautiful white crescent beach is definitely one of the highlights of the resort and creates a fantastic setting for a relaxing Caribbean getaway. There is a good variety of restaurants to choose from, and we also really enjoyed being able to explore the property using the hiking and biking trails. A particular highlight of our stay was a tour with Dave, one of the resort’s gardeners, who showed us around their impressive 13-acre farm. We were amazed by the abundance of fruits, vegetables and herbs being grown and really enjoyed learning more about how the farm supports the resort. He also shared some insight into their sustainability initiatives, including the sorting and recycling of paper, plastics and bottles. It was a great experience and gave us a real appreciation for some of the work happening behind the scenes. Overall, we had a wonderful stay. Galley Bay is a beautiful, peaceful resort with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the surroundings. We left feeling refreshed and can’t wait to return.

I believe the resort rating is reflective of which area you accommodation is. We fortunately were located in the nicer update rooms numbers 18-28 or so. They had great beach access and little to no bugs. The rooms were updated and nice, air-conditioning worked very well. Food was good, if not great. There are two free restaurants and one that is a $50 per person upcharge. We found the menus broad and changing with plenty of options. in addition, there is a coffee/gelato shop open most of the day where you can also grab some small snacks and pastries. The gift shop has basic sundries and snacks. Not much, but some. If you want specific groceries/wine/liquor stop at the Epicurean Grocery Store on the way to the resort. It was great with everything you would need. The pool is nice, didn't use it much. the beach was nice and we enjoyed just lounging in donuts. We tried the spa. Its really just an outside area but the charges were really affordable. 80 minute couple message for $280. Cannot beat that. Would I go back? Maybe. While it was a nice beach, there are some that are bit better on the Southwest corner of Antigua. I was happy with the value I got for the price.

My husband and 2 adult daughters visited the Galley Bay Resort at the end of July 2026. I am giving it a 5 star rating for the gorgeous location and really great food, but they definitely have a few things to work on. The pool area needs work, drink service (even at meal times) was inconsistant and sometimes lacking and some of the staff (specifically at the coffee shop and Barefoot Grill) seemed really unhappy to be there. Our rooms (deluxe beachfront) were clean and comfortable with beautiful views just steps from the beach, right outside our door, just as advertised. All of our meals were excellent and we especially enjoyed our dinners at The Gauguin and Ismays. The nightly entertainment was hit or miss with only 1 or 2 nights of music we particularly enjoyed. We ventured out to the nearby shipwreck to snorkel but there were too many jellyfish and poor visibilty however our cataraman guide, Romeo, was fantastic! We tried yoga (as first-timers) a few mornings with MacKenzie and now we are fans!!! She made it easy and relaxing and a great way to start the day before heading to breakfast. This vacation was restful, quiet and relaxing which is exactly what we were looking for!

We think that was probably our 11th trip to Galley Bay. This time for 18 nights. Somehow the team manage to incrementally improve the guest experience each time. The managers and front of house staff were as brilliant as ever so they naturally get most of the attention from the guests. But this time, I’m going to specifically express a vote of thanks to Kurt and his gardening team. Against the odds of encroaching beach etc they manage to provide much of the vegetables used by the chefs whilst growing trees and plants in the on-site nursery to keep the beautiful gardens looking immaculate. They are some of the Hotels ‘unsung heroes’. There is only one irritation that we would mention and that is the daily resort tax. Originally introduced during COVID I think, it has remained in place in one form or another. Personally I wish the Hotel would build it into their basic tariff somehow if they have to, rather than leave it as a significant charge to pay when checking out and it is very significant when staying for an extended period. That is our only issue but it has been an irritation for a few years now. Anyway, back to the positives. Next years booking is already confirmed. Geoff & Jayne

Just returned from a week’s stay at the Galley Bay resort and spa. It’s our second trip there as we really liked it the first time around. It’s a lovely boutique hotel and ideal if you want peace and quiet and a great beach stay. Antoine, the resort General Manager, Is very welcoming and has a great team working with him to deliver very good service right across the resort. It’s hard not to go back next year! If you are there try the Sandy cocktail…..even better when she makes it 😁.

Starting with the good, and there are a fair number of things that are excellent. This is overall a quiet, serene and relaxing vacation destination. The beach and water are stunning. There are some rocks so you need to be aware but the water is so clear you can see them all! The room: Premium Beachfront Suite with a balcony and it was beautiful. Amazing view from the balcony, you can actually hear the waves crashing against the sand while lying in bed, it’s incredible. Giant bathroom, bidet, and as a very nice touch for a resort with a dress code, a hand held steamer to keep you looking crisp. The food is unquestionably the best all-inclusive food I’ve eaten. The food at Gaugin is worth multiple visits. We ate some delicious meals using local ingredients including produce from their farm and local spices. I would have been happy to eat those dishes anywhere. The Sea Grape is very good for breakfast and has more hits than misses for lunch and dinner, but two meals were disappointing overall. The BBQ for lunch on Thursday was great, delicious ribs and roast pig. Some lovely sides. My only complaint was that I couldn’t eat enough as I would have ended up napping the rest of the day! The staff who run the water sports were informative and helpful, and the variety is exceptional considering it’s all included. This is more in line of what I’d expect for the extra money you pay to visit Galley Bay. The gentleman who ran the area took us out to sail and snorkel, both outstanding as well, and he was a great guide. My SO said yoga was very enjoyable and genuinely looked refreshed afterwards, but a little early for me at 8am. The farm on site is definitely worth visiting! Very interesting to speak to the gentleman there about how everything works. Now the not so good to downright disappointing. Remember, you pay a premium to go to Galley Bay, it isn’t a cheap or even middle-range resort, and people are paying 5K+ for a week here. My SO went to book a spa treatment on the Saturday before we left and the woman taking the booking would not even LOOK AT HER the entire time we were there. We don’t think we’ve experienced this level of cold, rude and dismissive service before. Truly made us feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. Huge disappointment. There were in fact multiple times I witnessed someone approaching a bar, standing there waiting and the bartender not even having the courtesy to look up and acknowledge them. Very very poor service which unfortunately took away from the other half of the staff who were lovely. Food knowledge was also very limited which is a shame considering it seems so much care goes into the preparation. It would be nice to know more about the food you’re eating. Definitely a failure of training by management. The Barefoot Grill is a completely wasted opportunity for something that could be special. There isn’t a single seafood dish on the menu, a simple grilled fish sandwich, something! Instead I ordered a chicken thigh sandwich which was very disappointing. For some reason the thigh was sliced up, and served COLD without a hint of sauce or condiments to give it any taste. I would never consider serving that to people for free let alone at premium resort. The pool is just sad. I admire the signage requesting people don’t play music which is wonderful, but the landscaping around the pool is tired and worn and there was zero draw to be by the pool. Very surprising just how run down the whole area looked. Speaking of signage, during orientation we were told there are multiple signs on the grounds reminding guests not to feed the ducks who sometimes wander the grounds. In our week there we didn’t see a single sign and as much as we hated seeing unknowing tourists feeding them, they had no warning not to. One lunchtime we ended up leaving the Sea Grape with no food at all, as it took them an hour to tell us our orders had been forgotten even though we asked several times for an update. They just kept stalling instead of being honest when we told them we’d be happy to go elsewhere, just tell us what’s happening. Again, this is not service worthy of a premium price tag. Even worse, this is when we decided to leave and go to the grill where that sad chicken thigh sandwich awaited. You can sign out a bike and tour the grounds but it’s not nearly as pleasant as the pictures would indicate. You’re basically on service roads with no aesthetic appeal. Also, the tire pressure is so low on the bike tires they’re difficult to manage. This may sound like a nitpick, but if you’re paying a premium premium these are the types of details that should be noticed. Charging people $50USD/pp to dine in the 3rd restaurant was another disappointment. People have shelled out 5K+ to visit Galley Bay and then you’re nickel and diming them to have access another restaurant? This is a very low end money grab. We rented a transport to St. John which cost us $40. OK, not a big deal, except that when it was time to return, our driver told us we’d have to wait 30 minutes for another couple who were also going back to the resort, and who no doubt also spent $40 on what they thought was a personal transport. This felt very deceptive and like another underhanded money grab. The only reason I decided to write this lengthy a review was to give people an idea of what they can expect. This is without a doubt, a quiet, relaxing, serene spot with a beautiful beach, lovely food and a number of activities to keep you busy. Is it worthy of a premium price or a five star review? Given the number of oversights and not infrequent rude and dismissive attitude of some of the staff, I’d have to say not.

Very good time, first praise to the people behind the scenes, culinary security grounds keepers and cleaners. One of the cleanest places ive stayed in my 30 years of traveling! Outstanding people Dacie our room house keeper Bartender Shaquan waiter Jahquan but to be honest Ismay and Seagrape staff were awesome all of them! Gonquin was hit and miss only place needs improvement to be 5 star and it was ok just not caliber of a location thats amazing no fighting for huts with butlers 5am !!! Very romantic quiet clean stay And hello to Alfred our cart Driver awesome employee !!!! Ill he back !!

It is a beautiful hotel in a beautiful location. We stayed in a Gaugin Suite. The staff at the hotel are always on hand to help and in the main give service with a smile. The restaurant caters well for our needs and we love the à la carte menus which can be adapted as necessary. There was a large pool area with very comfortable beds. There is none of this 6 o’clock in the morning racing out to put towels down which is absolutely wonderful and whatever time of day youarrive there are always vacant chairs. The whole field to the place is one of relaxation but there have been one or two occasions where people who want to sit at the bar all day long have become a bit rowdy in the afternoon. Overall, you can see the quality around the hotel in terms of everything that’s offered, like premium drinks, good quality food and nice little touches in rooms. As far as our suite is concerned. We are a little disappointed that the plunge pool is so small and the main lounge area is not Aircon, although there are a couple of fans. There’s a massive TV in the bedroom but I think we would’ve preferred it in the lounge, although I think we spent more time in pool area than we did in our suite, which maybe didn’t meet all of our requirements..

Recently returned from a 10 night stay. Check-in/out takes place at a pavilion near the entrance and then you are taken by buggy to your room. The resort directory is available by scanning a QR code on your room key plus there is an orientation meeting at 10am the following day for new arrivals which had lots of useful tips and info. A taxi costs $30 USD for 2 from the airport, just go across to the taxi desk when you exit the arrivals hall and the hotel will arrange one for your return journey but we prebooked one with Natasha’s taxis to avoid any waiting and were very pleased with the service. Room: we stayed in a ground floor premium beach front suite midway between the main building and Ismays restaurant. This was very spacious with a comfy bed and pillows and excellent a/c! There were 2 USB ports, one in the wall near the bed and another in the alarm clock. The hairdryer was OK for my thick hair and supplied toiletries (body/hand wash, shampoo and conditioner) were a decent quality but I always use my own conditioner anyway. The bath towels are large but very thin probably due the fact if they were any thicker they would not fold and fit on the tiny bath towel rail! Three was plenty of storage (loads of hangers!) in the walk in wardrobe and drawers in the bedroom plus plenty of storage in the bathroom too. We really enjoyed being right on the beach right off our patio with our own sunloungers a few feet away. We did notice that some of the loungers and sunshades (fixed) were quite close to each other but it was never a problem as despite a high occupancy level (90%) we rarely saw any of our neighbours on their loungers so it was a lovely relaxing atmosphere with bar staff coming by every so often to take drink orders. The sea was calm and we had excellent weather during our stay, just a couple of short showers. We had a mini bar stocked with soft drinks, beer white and red wine and water which was refilled daily and there were a couple of water bottles for guests to use and refill around the resort – nice touch! The cheerful housekeepers kept the room very clean, usually while we were at breakfast (use the button by the side of the bed to let them know!) or just after and there is a turndown service but timing wasn't great for us we were usually getting ready for dinner. Food: We thought the food was of a very high and consistent quality, very tasty and nicely presented. We had breakfast in Sea Grape and the cooked to order food arrived promptly with excellent eggs benedict among others! There was the usual self-selection items; pastries, cereals, fruit, juices etc again all of a good quality. The a la carte Lunch menu in the Sea Grape barely changed during our stay but it was nice to have the choice of eating at the beach grill (open noon – 5pm) or grabbing something light at the Coffee shop (open 7am to 10pm). The latter offered drinks, ice-creams, pastries, fruit and cookies all day and a selection of tasty sandwiches, wraps, cakes and deserts from noon. Dinner menus changed daily at Sea Grape with a daily soup, a couple of appetisers and salads followed by a “steak”, fish, “chef special” or daily pasta main with the addition of a few vegetarian options. We ate dinner at Gaugin once and although the setting was very nice we found the food and service not as good so didn’t bother going back. You need to book for dinner at Gaugin and as it’s not open every evening you are booking at least a day in advance of not knowing the daily menus (which are displayed every morning for that day at guest services). We had an anniversary meal at Ismays which was very good in terms of both service and food and worth the supplement. I’ve attached some menus for anyone that’s interested. We also received a bottle of sparkling wine and chocolate covered strawberries on our anniversary from the hotel, a very nice touch! The included wines (type varied but always 3 whites, 3 reds, a rose and sparkling available) were very drinkable and glasses constantly topped up during meals. A good selection of cocktails was also available but they did vary depending on who was making them! Activities: This is quite a relaxing hotel aimed at couples, mix of all ages during our stay but there is plenty to do if you so wish, bikes available to cycle around the lovely and well kept grounds, croquet, tennis, games, yoga every morning and live music/singers every evening from 8.30pm. There is a spa but can’t comment as didn’t visit and the hotel offers a wide selection of excursions. The main pool is a very quiet area so don't expect organised pool games! We hired a taxi/guide for the day from the hotel and had very nice day out touring the whole of the island. A nice lunch was included but was surprised we had to pay entrance fees ourselves to a few of the places we visited as we were not told in advance though thankfully we had cash with us. Captain Shaun offers boat trips directly from the beach and non-motorised equipment can be hired from the watersports centre. Snorkels/masks are available in your room to use however given how close the jet skis from nearby resorts came to the beach and the near misses we saw with guests on the SUPs and kayaks we decided not to risk it :( Service: Overall the vast majority of the staff were friendly, hardworking, efficient and happy to help however there were a couple who were clearly not happy in their role and perhaps should address whether a customer facing position in hospitality is for them. We also had issues with beach towels being taken away at turndown and not being replaced either at the same time or during morning housekeeping so we would either have to chase them up or try and hide them from previous day to use the next! The mini bar wine was never replaced despite asking in person at reception or phoning guest services. Our worst service issue was the time it took to get food served in the second half of our stay - we had several long waits, E.G. a 70 minute wait for a burger from the grill and then the order was still wrong, 45 minutes wait for lunch in an empty Sea Grape restaurant and a couple of times desert/coffee just never arrived! Mr W had a long chat with the F&B manager to understand what the issues were and our final day we did see some improvements so hopefully they’ll have all the issues in the ordering system fixed now! In summary we really enjoyed our stay and would recommend and as we brought the shortfalls above to the attention of management there will be no excuse now for a less than perfect stay for all future guests!

Another lovely 12 night stay at GB, still maintaining high standards. On this occasion we took up the option of renewing our marriage vows, and it was arranged just perfectly by Colina. GB have a renewals package, which we thought was exceptional value and made our stay just that little more memorable. My only reservation about going back is the future pricing, which is pushing us towards other alternatives maybe we will go again but for a shorter duration.

Another lovely week spent at Galley Bay & everything was pretty much as we remembered from our first visit 3 years ago. We had requested a room in the same location as last time which, although not guaranteed, upon check-in we were pleased to find was allocated to us. We particularly like the upstairs premium beachfront (room 50) as they have a vaulted ceiling & a large verandah which gets a great breeze. We were close to the Seagrape restaurant so central location in the resort. We also liked the improved cushions for the allocated beach sunbeds. As returners this time we enjoyed a dinner at Ismays which was very enjoyable but overall we preferred the Seagrape for breakfast & dinner & even the odd lunch - the bbq lunch was excellent. Generally we preferred the atmosphere there & the charm of waitresses like Samantha who serves with a song! We didn't think the service or food was as good down at the Gauguin. We have to agree with a few comments about the Teepee bar - there definitely seemed to be a bit of stress going on amongst the staff there & no more than minimal interaction with guests. One day we had a bad experience at lunchtime when ordering from the Barefoot Grill menu at the Teepee. Our sandwich just never arrived after waiting an hour & something was certainly array. As it was early pm by then, luckily the coffee shop has a selection of sandwiches & sweet treats - & very efficient aircon! (We did report this experience to Guest Services at the time, so not just mentioning this on here). Sometimes the little niggles stem from other guests who seem unable to adhere to polite notices, ie no drinks to be taken in the pool! We not only saw this on numerous occasions but one man rinsed his glass out in the pool as he walked up the steps! There doesn't seem to be anybody monitoring such behaviour. Overall the staff work incredibly hard to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible & were a pleasure to speak with. Make sure you do the Garden Tour on a Tues morning where you will also see the hard work that goes into growing their own delicious produce. May's a great time to visit as the humidity isn't too high & there was a nice (sometimes strong!) breeze. We noted a recommendation on TA re airport transfers so also booked ourselves through Natasha's Taxis for the four of us. It was nice to be greeted & walk straight out to the vehicle on arrival after the long flight rather than wait in line for the taxi rank. USD60 for 4 pax/40 for 2. In summary you will almost certainly have a lovely holiday at Galley Bay but it's doubtful we'll make the journey to return again.

We returned home yesterday from a week long vacation at Galley Bay. We loved it! We stayed in the Gauguin Suites and enjoyed having our own pool and the nature (birds, mongoose, geckos). The restaurant’s, pool, and landscaping was lovely. We have stayed in numerous all-inclusive resorts and never have we ever met such a welcoming group of people. There were only a few changes I would have liked #1. The people who book beach front rooms are assigned seats at the beach, however Gauguin guests have to get one each time thru the sports centre. This made it inconvenient, as there are only a few and the umbrellas are not a permanent fixture and struggle to stay fixed on windy days. #2. We visited the coffee shop often, they have lovely pastries, sandwiches and drinks. They are soo popular that there was sometimes a lineup. It would probably benefit to get a second staff and fridges where customers could help themselves. #3. The bedroom doorway in our cottage was low for my 6’1 husband and he had to be careful every time he used it (he hit his head the first time.) The farm was a great addition to the resort and the walk and self tour was a great learning experience. I would definitely recommend this resort to people who want a quiet, clean, and welcoming vacation.

The location is sensational, right in the heart of everything yet peaceful. What truly stood out was the atmosphere: every single staff member was so genuinely kind and welcoming. My room was wonderful and spacious (the bathroom was a dream—huge!), and the whole place was spotless. Visiting out of season meant it was very quiet, which I loved as a solo traveler. Value is absolutely okay for what you get. Service was exceptional—attentive without being intrusive—and the amenities surprised me in the best way. Highly recommended for anyone traveling alone!

A Caribbean all inclusive on a gorgeous beach is hard to beat, and it would be very hard to beat Galley Bay Resort and Spa. Attractive and comfortable rooms fully decked out. Each room is on the beach and your umbrella and chairs, directly in front of each room, are numbered and reserved for your own use…great idea! It was so relaxing….we did not do more that eat, drink and lounge around but they did offer boat rides, sailing, croquet, volley ball, table tennis etc. Each room had snorkels and masks for their guests use. Food at all restaurants was delicious, there’s a coffee shop as well with great coffee and pastries and fruit and ice cream! They do their own farm to table fruit and veg as well. Above all, what stands out in our experience, was the service..so friendly and kind and nothing was a problem! A+++ 🤗 Internet was a little iffy from time to time…just an observation! We’ll be back!👍

It was all we dreamed it would be! The management, staff, location and facilities were all fantastic. Special thanks to the following who went "above and beyond": 1. Mr. Vincent who arranged all of the necessary details to make sure our special anniversary dinner on the beach still took place on the correct night even though the normal venues were already booked. 2. Adalia who made our dinner on the beach feel extra special and showed true care for us 3. Ms. Susan (Food & Beverage Coordinator) who was so patient with all of our questions and concerns before we even arrived and then was so accommodating to our special requests that she made sure were waiting for us upon our arrival. It was all delicious! 4. The waitress Samantha who was so understanding, accommodating and truly concerned about my wife’s vegetarian diet restrictions. She is a true treasure!

This is a truly excellent resort. I stayed in a Superior Deluxe Beachfront room which looked and felt new, was very well equipped, very clean and with perhaps the best view I've ever had from a room - walking straight out onto the beach never got old. The rest of the resort was also lovely - an incredible beach, a really nice pool, and beautiful grounds. We visited the spa twice and the treatments were very high quality. We were there for 10 nights and the dinner menu in the main restaurant (Sea Grape) was a little repetitive so it was great to have two other restaurant options. Also shout out to Captain Sean who operates a really great boat trip from the hotel. The only downside is that while many of the staff were brilliant, there were 2 or 3 who were not and were consistently rude / stand offish. But all in all, we had an amazing stay and would recommend this hotel.

For those still deciding, here’s the basics you need to know for a great stay in Antigua. First if all there is no need to book transport ahead, it’s a few steps to exit the airport and taxis are always available immediately outside, we take USD (rather than GBP) cost approx $30 On arrival at Galley Bay, you receive a drink and towel and warm welcome, and if your lucky Andrew will be on duty that day and will show you to your room and a overview of the resort. First timers it’s well worth attending the orienteering the next day. Premium beach front and superior rooms are ones we have stayed in and directly on the beach. We prefer premium beach front suites. You have a dedicated sun shield and beds identified with your room number. There is a drinks service on the beach and beach bar not too far away. There are various restaurants, all fantastic!! 1. Sea grape is the main restaurant and food is Cooked to order and excellent. 2. Gauguin, individual tables in separate cabanas 3. Ismays which is a bit special with awesome service and creative dishes.Extra $50 pp 4. Beach food if you prefer not to change for dinner Premium drinks available all day Lobster is extra and worth every penny Entertainment is great on Saturday and Monday evenings, the rest of the week it’s very low key and may benefit from a little more variety but it’s easy listening. Days out: must do’s 1. Shirley Heights on Sunday evening 2. Nelson’s Dockyard 3. Boat trip around the island 5. If you like church, the Salvation Army in St John’s at 10.30 Sundays No need to take beach towels as they are provided as is a hairdryer which didn’t work too good, but the good thing about Galley Bay is it’s fixed with a new one on the same day. Advise tipping at the end of the holiday Best thing about Galley bay is the fantastic beachfront location and the people especially when they interact with guest in the evening. Only one niggle: in the evening Galley Bay goes up a level In dress code it’s so nice to go somewhere where guests make an effort. so ladies be prepared with your best and men, trousers with shirt or polo - tops must have a collar. Although it says that during the day beach wear should be dry and covered, the reality is that people put on shorts etc with oil on their legs m/backs etc, the pads on the chairs are the same day/night. We did hear a few moans about this but didn’t take too much notice until I sat down one night on a wet sandy seat in a silk dress. Yes it would be an investment but it would not take much to have a difference set of seat pads for the evening You will never be disappointed by a stay ant GB indeed it’s guaranteed you will want to come back, probably several times. Overall another outstanding stay at Galley Bay and we will be back !!

My husband and I have just returned from a stay at Galley Bay and we were extremely impressed from the moment we arrived. Upon arrival you are welcomed by lovely staff and a rum punch to enjoy while you check in, you are then treated to a golf cart ride across to the main resort where you are greeted by the most stunning view of the beach, which has soft sand and the bluest sea. We had a Premium Beachfront Suite which led straight out onto the beach, where we had our own sun loungers and umbrella, along with sun loungers on the veranda. The room was lovely with a comfy bed, lots of space, an amazing bathroom and it was kept exceptionally clean while we were there – Dailey was a fantastic housekeeper and I looked forward to her visits, she always came with a smile on her face and we had lots of laughs together! The food and cocktails were exceptional every mealtime; there was lots of choices to cater for everyone and the variety in restaurants allows you to pick and choose. We had some of the best food we have ever eaten in the Seagrape restaurant, which is the main restaurant which doesn’t require prior booking – so I wouldn’t say you need to prebook Gaugin or Ismay’s to guarantee amazing food. The staff in all bars, restaurants, coffee shop and gift shop are fantastic. Really helpful, make you feel very welcome and enjoy a chat. The groundkeepers, maintenance staff and water sport staff are all very friendly and work extremely hard to ensure the resort is kept beautifully clean, well maintained and that customers are having a great experience. Dasani, Alex, Sandy, Karel, Mayna, Unique, Claudia, Stuart Browne and Elizabeth went the extra mile to make sure we had everything we needed, were helpful in their advice on where to visit and who just generally brightened our days with their conversations. Someone that does also require a special mention, is Captain Sean. He operates out of Galley Bay and offers boat tours up and down the coast - you will find him either walking up and down the beach offering these tours or sat by guest services. We decided to go on one and it was brilliant!! He shows you beaches that you can’t get to by road (as there are no roads built to them) and provides you lots of information about the island and what you are seeing. After stopping to snorkel, he provided us with a lovely cooked lunch to eat as we were sailing back to the resort. I would highly recommend one of his boat tours - it was quite reassuring to see that he is well known across the resort and picks you up straight from the beach. Another journey we did was into St Johns, guest services arranged for one of their partnered taxis to take us into the main town and the taxi driver told us where to meet him and at what time so that he could take us back to the resort. While this did cost $60USD for a 20-minute round trip it was a great way to get into St John’s and to have comfort knowing you had a taxi back and knew who to look out for. Personally though, I think the gift shop at the resort has really nice stuff, better than you find in St John’s or the airport! We can’t wait to return to Galley Bay very soon and we couldn’t recommend this resort highly enough.

This was our third visit to Galley Bay. we love having our room open immediately on to the beach; so convenient if you forget something! Be alerted to the fact that this is an adults-only resort; I expect one major reason for this is that the water rolls in pretty furiously at times. Even strong adult swimmers are challenged! Note that it's good fun to watch the massive cruise ships sailing into and out of St. John's; we prefer our room on solid ground! The rooms are spacious with a step down between the bedroom area and the sitting area; there's a corner where you can make your own coffee and tea; a small refrigerator holds wine and water/soft drinks and beer (the latter are restocked daily). The closet space is a bit small but there are lots of hangars which is a plus; the safe is in the closet and there is also a cupboard in which you can store things. The bathroom is large, nice big tub and two sinks with adequate counter space, good mirrors and decent lighting. My one complaint about the bathrooms is that only one towel bar was installed for 2 large bath towels, 2 hand towels and 2 wash cloths! Maybe the extra $24 a day we are charged on top of a considerable daily fee for room/board could be multiplied by the number of nights we stayed (for us, that would be 10 X $24=$240) and a couple extra towel bars could be added! The major restaurant is The Seagrape. Breakfast is buffet (great croissants!) with a fruit bar, small hot selection, various baked items and cereal/juice are also on the buffet. Of course, cooked breakfasts are available and my husband very much enjoyed those. Service is friendly and pretty quick (better than the 1st 2 times we were here). Once a week The Seagrape has a barbecue; the restaurant is open to the outside, so service is within the restaurant, buffet style. At one end of the beach is a smaller restaurant called Gauguin. You may make reservations, early morning is best, on the day you wish to have dinner at this venue. Seating is within open air "grass huts". The food is on a par with The Seagrape and makes for a nice change. At the other end of the beach is what is considered the high end restaurant for Galley Bay; if you are a 2nd time or more visitor to the resort, there's no cover charge. It is $50 per person if you are staying at the resort for the first time. If you're a returning guest, there's a cocktail party and dinner in this restaurant you are invited to but be aware if you want to go to The Ismay again, then you'll pay $50 per person cover charge. The cocktail party we attended was pleasant BUT because we all were seated at the same time, service took a long time; my swordfish was dried out and the topping overdone. We decided to dine once more at The Ismay and went the last night of our stay; service was fair, meal okay but for the extra $100 charge, not worth it. We were nicely surprised by the kitchen presenting us with a special anniversary dessert - a nice, parting thought winding up our stay. I have been pleased to find that Galley Bay has an excellent hair stylist in Tracy; kudos to you, Tracy - hope to see you again! The staff of a resort can make all the difference in the world as to the overall experience. Nearly everyone we encountered were accommodating and friendly. My only suggestion would be that the check-in/check-out women at the front end of the resort put on a friendlier demeanor rather than being so very businesslike. We are, after all, on vacation!! Yes, we will most likely go again!

We had an excellent stay at Galley Bay and would highly recommend the resort overall with just a few minor issues. Rooms/Beach: Excellent. We stayed in a premium suite and the room was clean and comfortable. The beach is very large, not crowded at all and feels very private and secluded. The ocean was nice, we had green flags every day of the stay except one day with yellow flag. We were able to enjoy swimming in the ocean every day and it was not rough at all. Enjoyed snorkeling right off the beach near the rocks on the far right side of the beach. Saw alot of colorful fish. This was one of the best beaches we have ever visited. Tip: Rooms to the right of Guest services (premium suites 17 and higher) we felt like were more secluded and sit a little further back from the beach. Restaurants/Food: Very good overall. Breakfast at Sea Grape is very good and we enjoyed it the most. Had breakfast at Gaugin one morning and it was good but still enjoyed Sea Grape better. Lunch was hit and miss at both restaurants. However, the best lunch we had was at Gaugin. Dinner at Ismays was worth the surcharge and we would recommend it. Also, we really enjoyed the coffee/snack shop. They had fresh pastries and deserts everyday that were very good. We typically visited each afternoon for a snack. Our favorite was a chocolate/banana tart that was fantastic. The only complaints about the food was a lack of fish at most restaurants (except Ismays). They had swordfish one day but it wasn't great. I would have thought there would be more fish like mahi or snapper. Also, the grill was a big disappointment. The only food options were burgers, wings, fries etc. Nothing Caribbean and again no fish options. I had the chicken thigh sandwich which was not very good. This makes it difficult to hang out on the beach all day because you have to change to go to one of the restaurants for a decent lunch. The grill is just subpar. A few other thoughts on the resort in general. The staff were all really friendly and made the experience more enjoyable. They have bikes to use on the resort and we enjoyed riding, especially around the lagoons and farm. We would recommend a tour of the farm. Dave gave us a personal tour and were able to see all of the fruits and vegetables being grown which the resort uses in the restaurants. Very cool to see. The entertainment was decent but typically low key. The band was livelier one night and we enjoyed it. If you are looking for an adults only, very quiet and low-key resort, I would highly recommend Galley Bay.