From April 20-28, 2012, I had the pleasure of vacationing at the all-inclusive Jolly Beach Resort & Spa in Bolans Village, St. Mary's Parish, Antigua. The resort is located about 20 minutes from the capital city of St. John's and 30 minutes from the V.C. Bird International Airport. Jolly Beach Resort is Antigua's largest hotel with 462 rooms in low-rise buildings set in tropical gardens on a 40-acre property. There is an 8000 square foot Fantasy Pool with a waterfall and a jacuzzi. The resort boasts 2 swimming pools, 4 tennis courts and 2 basketball courts.

When I was pricing my trip, the cost of staying all-inclusive here was about the same as staying elsewhere with NO meals or drinks included, so my choice was easy. From the moment I arrived in resort, everyone from the front desk folks to the servers in the restaurants to the bartenders to my room attendant, Henrietta, was extremely friendly and attentive and willing to help with anything I needed. Island hospitality is definitely at the top of the list here. The resort is extremely clean and the grounds very well kept. The pools are immaculate, though I didn't spend much time there because the beach is absolutely gorgeous, clean and well kept...literally the stuff of every Caribbean postcard you've ever seen. No rocks, clear blue/green sea, no waves...like being in a bathtub. The resort has five restaurants: Utsav, Bocciolo and Lydia's which require reservations, and the Coconut Grill by the pool and Hemispheres which is buffet style. Some are open all day and evening, some evening only. Definitely do NOT miss the Sunday brunch at Lydia's. For the most part, the food was very good and plentiful and I think even the pickiest of eaters won't have a problem. If you get desperate for snacks, there is a grocery store, the Epicurean, right across the street from the resort that has lots of American brands that you'll recognize and a good selection of beer and liquors as well. Now, mind you, this is NOT a five-star resort; please do not go there expecting it to be. It is geared to the more budget-conscious travelers...there were a lot of British, German and other European tourists there as well as Americans and Canadians. Budget, though, does not mean unclean with a lack of service. Again, the service throughout the resort was impeccable and my room was always clean and kept stocked with fresh towels, soap, shampoo, etc. I stayed in a smaller, no frills room...very basic but more than adequate for what I needed. Besides, how much time do you really spend in the room anyway? I was traveling solo, though there were many families at the resort and the kids that I saw didn't seem to be bored; in fact, the resort has a game room and a teen club. Neil was extremely friendly at the main bar and he makes a great Mudslide! Every evening there was entertainment, though most evenings I retired by 11:00 as my days were always busy and active with tours, shopping, etc. Although the resort has a truck that goes around spraying every evening for mosquitoes, I do recommend that you stock up on insect repellant as the mosquitoes on Antigua show no mercy! Bottom line...the Jolly Beach Resort is NOT the Ritz, but it IS great value for the money. I have traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean and Mexico and have stayed at many different hotels. Good service is important to me no matter where I go, and I must say that the service I got at Jolly Beach was A+ all the way. When I return to Antigua, I will most definitely stay here again.