St James Club, Antigua - Anybody been

[jenkel]

Long shot but has anybody been here, I've seen some mixed reviews - English seem to love it, American's arent so favourable. We are looking at going with a 3 1/2 and 2 year old. Chill out kind of holiday (as much as poss with 2 small children), lazing on a beach with a bit of exploring, kids club isnt essential, not sure if they would want to to do it but if they do it would be a bonus. Thinking of booking the 2 bed villa.

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I think that Soupdragon has been there.

Yep, just checked - (have a search of archives). She did go and loved it.

Me! Me! We loved it so much we bought a timeshare...

Kids club is fantastic because it's so laid back - you can just drop them off for an hour or so to do the activities you think they'll be interested in and they'll take them in the evening and feed them dinner so you can have an adult meal.

Children have to be toilet trained to use the club (although they took 2yo DS2 when we went on the proviso we came to check and change his nappy).

With 2 children I wouldn't bother going all inclusive as you have to pay the AI fee for them too and it simply isn't worth it. The drinks van that travels round the beach rarely remembers to charge you as most people are AI and the bars and beach front grill don't always remember either. Also, there are some nice restaurants in Falmouth/Nelson's Dockyard and the BBQ at Shirley Heights is not to be missed.

The beaches at the club aren't the best on the island - you'll need to hire a car to find the drop dead gorgeous white sand/turquoise sea ones but the bay is completely child friendly because it's such a shallow slope and completely calm.

IIRC, the Americans don't rate it because it's not the level of service they would expect. The British tend to be happier with the more laid back Caribbean service. It can be quite lively round the main pool but there are 3 others (one adult only) and the beaches are quieter. When are you thinking of going? It was busier when we went in March and very low key and quiet when we went in August.

We're off there this summer oddly enough

I could talk for hours about the St James club... If you can, go with Virgin as they check you in for your return flight on site.

Oh thanks Soupdragon, feel a bit happier now and probably will go ahead a book, we are thinking of going late April early May. Have you stayed in one of the Two Bed Villas?, we would probably drive around a little anyway to explore other beaches. Any more hints will be gratefully received.

That depends if they're the 2 bed villas which are in the "village" These are the timeshare ones but are, I think, available to rent too. We've stayed in those.

Having looked at the website, I see the villas are all in the Village area. Ours is a beachfront one and it's fabulous. All the villas are excellent (we viewed a couple of them!).

The VIllage site is situated on a hill though so some of the villas might be up steps/slopes from the beach but you can get a golf buggly lift from reception

Soupdragon, just to let you know we have booked with Virign, thanks for your help.

Going last week of April, so I'll let you know what I think.

Eeek! I hope you like it now I've raved about it!

I'm sure we will, just a few dodgy reviews on TripAdvisor about the resort, but vast majority of those reviews were Americans, sorry any Americans out there, looking forward to it now