Jolly Harbour Villas

1 reader found this review helpful

Caribbean with Kids.
Getting there - Virgin Atlantic cater for kids very well. Autistic children especially with priority early boarding, TV channels and food they actually like.
Jolly Harbour is a large well maintained villa complex on the west Caribbean coast of Antigua - about a 20 min drive from the airport, it is particularly suitable for children due to its good facilities onsite and the self catering options available. It is a large complex with many amenities, including shops, a splendid well stocked supermarket, bank, choice of restaurants and bars. There are 2 swimming pools and a kids club on the complex, sports facilities, entertainment at night, babysitting and a Casino and nightclub for the adults.
The villas either overlook one of the two beaches (depending whether you’re on the North or South finger) or the Marina. Each villa sleeps up to 5 and is well equipped with cane furniture, fridge freezer, cooker, satellite TV etc..and a back veranda. Ours was lapped by the waters of the Marina (but there is a lockable gate and trellis fencing to keep the kids out of the water). They were built approx 15 years ago, so whilst reasonably modern they could probably benefit from a bathroom overhaul. The deluxe villas have the benefit of air conditioning, which you really need if it’s hot, so opt for one of these if possible, it’s worth the extra expense.
Hire a golf buggy to get about if you don’t like walking as the site is quite spread out, although we quite enjoyed the 15 walk into the centre, there’s also a courtesy shuttle that runs frequently too. If you’re going to really make use of the kids club opt for accommodation on the North finger as that’s nearest to the club, but for the majority the South finger is better as it’s nearer to the resort centre and the best beach - which joins onto the Jolly Beach Resort. Kids will love the Dogwatch Tavern - their English Chef does the best homemade Chicken Nuggets and Chips - none of the usual fast food rubbish it’s thick pure breast meat.
The staff are all friendly and helpful, there’s good security and you can arrange to do lots of activities like boat trips, tours or take a helicopter flight over Monserrat’s still fiery volcano. Off the complex and on the public beach areas you are likely to get hassled by touts trying to sell you anything from boat trips and trinkets to coconuts and Aloe Vera. Whilst there you must take a taxi (or catch a bus) and see some of the Island, St Johns is great for shopping (avoid Thursdays if possible as its very busy with cruise ships this day).
English Harbour and Nelsons Dockyard make a great day out, especially if combined with the Shirley Heights bash on a Sunday Evening and the drive through the "rain forest". Turners Beach is quieter and has a good eaterie, Dickenson Bay is also nice but gets crowded as Sandals and some of the other resort Hotels border it.
The sand and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean can’t be matched by anything in Spain or the Med, the kids absolutely loved it there and are begging to return.