Royalton Antigua

We arrived at the hotel in the evening of Thursday 12 March and first impressions were good. The overall location/set-up was stunning. The first 3 days were as it should have been, good food and service but things went rapidly downhill. The restaurants were closed one by one without any notification from the hotel, no entertainment and only one bar which was not manned. As each day progressed things got worse and worse very little choice of food, fruit and drink. Problems with sewerage pipes which meant all toilets on ground floor and pool area could not be used. Water coming through ceilings and flooding certain areas. The beach and pool area sun loungers etc. were packed up around us and filters turned off in the main pool so we couldn't use it. Even on the last day the hot water in the hotel was turned off preventing us from showering before we left for home but after a heated discussion with a manager of sorts it was turned back on. We appreciate the unusual situation but to be treated as we were really is not acceptable, they had had our money but we didn't get what we paid for. What should have been a fabulous holiday was nothing short of a shambles. The management team could never be found to voice concerns to, in which case to my mind should be replaced. The reason we chose this hotel was because we have been to the Royalton in St Lucia (which was run far better the this one) and really enjoyed it. We are thoroughly disgusted by the way the hotel literally closed around us.

After a bad experience at Royalton Negril we took the plunge to do another Royalton. Although not open long, the place was great. Clean, tidy, great views, layout was good. It was a smaller Hotel for a Royalton compared to others so the restaurant smaller and lesser food but still good. A nice selection. Little cards of what was what would have helped, sometimes these were out, others you had to guess! All bars ran out of drinks often, daily almost however they would be restocked later that day or the next. Everyone has a second option, if you don't then I suggest you have one before coming here!! The coffee shop was amazing but under staffed!! The hotel pools and beach were clean and tidy. A lovely walk on the beach and if we weren't so lazy we would have ventured up to the lookout point!!! You can be surrounded by fish in the sea, it was nice and clear. We upgraded to Diamond Club although our swim up room didn't get much sun so we didn't spend much time in it. The grounds were kept tidy and people up and down all day with fresh towels and restocking. The butlers again weren't all that great. Reservations for dinner appeared to be a problem, three times we booked places to not actually have a table booked but as they weren't open during the day, it was difficult to book yourself. Timing wasn't always on, one night we waited almost an hour later but its holiday, it didn't matter!! The jerk chicken at the DC beach bar was amazing! Our luggage got lost when we arrived and after numerous trips back and forth to reception finally they were located! A difference of opinion with the reception manager and her poor attitude, saw us upgrade just to get a room without an interconnecting door even though previously emailing requesting this then being told I hadn't emailed was not the best start! However, slight dramas aside, 2 days in after finally being given what we asked for, having our luggage and could finally relax we genuinely had some wonderful experiences at this hotel, we won't ever forget. I would go back, it was a quiet hotel, comfy and pleasant.

We visited this hotel just before the Convid 19 pandemic broke out. After being told the hotel would be running like normal as there were no cases on the island. Upon arrival 1 the restaurants were told to close early. This was only the start by the end of our 9night stay we had a limited menu and 1 restaurant open. On the day they would chose which restaurant it would be and would notify us. Leaving guests guessing. We were unable to get basic foods such as apples, bananas, cucumbers, toast and many more as they said they couldn’t get the food. All markets in the town were full of fresh produce. The children’s pool was switched off and sun beds and umbrellas packed away with 4 days still left to stay. My child could there then not use this facility. On this day many of the staff were told not to return to work this then left the beach bar being surrounded by staff enjoying the alcohol and not serving paying guests. The next day the main pool filters then were also off. Making it unsafe for any pools to be used. Staff were packing up the hotel around us not even leaving sun beds or umbrellas for any guests. Managers and staff would laugh about this hiding round corners I find that behaviour disgraceful. Not once did any member of management apologise or inform us of the facilities closing. Not only this our room was broken into whist out for dinner and we were moved to another room which front door which could be pushed open from the outside. Maintenance was meant to arrive and fix but at 4pm still no sign of it being fixed. Our room was missed 3 times off being cleaned and again trying to find staff to notify as they did not make there selfs present. Would not recommend this hotel to anyone the staffs behaviour was disgraceful. Completely disappointed and disgusted by the way these issues were handle and the management in the hotel couldn’t not even apologise for the staff or their behaviour. Would not recommend this hotel to anyone, yes the beach and pool area is beautiful, but guests should feel welcome not uncomfortable like they are being pushed out of the door.