Occidental Grand Pineapple Beach Hotel, St Johns A&B, Antigua & Barbuda
Hotel Information
Recent Price: £265
Hotel Class:
Hotel Description:
A striking and colourful first class hotel in a lovely, tranquil setting offering excellent personal service. Understandably a favourite. loading...
Nearby Hotels Viewed by Other Travellers
Rating: 7 / 10
Sandals Antigua Caribbean Village & Spa Hotel
St Johns A&B, Antigua & Barbuda
Distance: 5.3 km / 3.3 mi
Occidental Grand Pineapple Beach Hotel Reviews
" Wedding 10/10
We went to... "
Wedding 10/10
We went to the grand pineapple beach resort in July. We got married in the hill top gazebo. If you want to get married in paradise then this is where you should go!
The wedding it's self was lovely. Novella our wedding co-ordinator was brilliant she took care of everything. We had to make a trip into st Johns to do the legal paperwork in order to get our licence; Novella came with us which made the whole process very easy. We were literally only in their 5 minutes.
Novella even picked the best minister on the island who was so lovely and her words to myself and husband were really nice. It was not someone reading from a script certainly not a conveyor belt wedding.
The pictures we had taken were beautiful and the button holes, bouquet, cake and all the other reception stuff were of excellent quality.
The gazebo we selected for the wedding was decorated in fresh tropical flowers in the same colours I selected for the cake and buttonholes and bouquet.
I selected pink which looked fab. If you want a private wedding without the rest of the hotel watching and amazing pictures then the hilltop gazebo is excellent. We also had pictures taken at the reception gazebo and beach.
We were the only wedding that day, in our two week stay we saw about 4 weddings. Never more than one a day.
Hotel 7/10
The hotel is not massive in comparison to other Caribbean hotels I have visited. We stayed in a ground floor beach front property, which had a lovely view of the beach and ocean. It was lovely only having to travel outside the door to get on to the beach.
My family stayed in the ocean view rooms at the back of the complex, which were slightly nicer (newer) but were quite a long walk away and up many stairs.
The hotel it's self is very Caribbean (brightly coloured inside rooms and out) we found this just added to its charm.
The beach is pure white powder soft coral sand. You will struggle to find a better beach anywhere. This beach is huge and is not crowded at all. The hotel is the only resort on this beach. So it is not packed with other tourists. You will not struggle to find a sunbed.
Food was lovely, drinks are amazing, Champagne is included in the all inclusive.
Only thing stopping me rating this resort 10/10 is the birds at breakfast. There are loads of them. If you get up to get a drink you will find a bunch of birds eating your breakfast. You do get use to it, and it is fine as long as you don't move away from your drink and food.
The staff were trying to get them out of the restaurant. Lunch and dinner time were a completely different story with no birds at all!
We did a helicopter trip around the island which was beautiful and would thoroughly recommend.
We went to the grand pineapple beach resort in July. We got married in the hill top gazebo. If you want to get married in paradise then this is where you should go!
The wedding it's self was lovely. Novella our wedding co-ordinator was brilliant she took care of everything. We had to make a trip into st Johns to do the legal paperwork in order to get our licence; Novella came with us which made the whole process very easy. We were literally only in their 5 minutes.
Novella even picked the best minister on the island who was so lovely and her words to myself and husband were really nice. It was not someone reading from a script certainly not a conveyor belt wedding.
The pictures we had taken were beautiful and the button holes, bouquet, cake and all the other reception stuff were of excellent quality.
The gazebo we selected for the wedding was decorated in fresh tropical flowers in the same colours I selected for the cake and buttonholes and bouquet.
I selected pink which looked fab. If you want a private wedding without the rest of the hotel watching and amazing pictures then the hilltop gazebo is excellent. We also had pictures taken at the reception gazebo and beach.
We were the only wedding that day, in our two week stay we saw about 4 weddings. Never more than one a day.
Hotel 7/10
The hotel is not massive in comparison to other Caribbean hotels I have visited. We stayed in a ground floor beach front property, which had a lovely view of the beach and ocean. It was lovely only having to travel outside the door to get on to the beach.
My family stayed in the ocean view rooms at the back of the complex, which were slightly nicer (newer) but were quite a long walk away and up many stairs.
The hotel it's self is very Caribbean (brightly coloured inside rooms and out) we found this just added to its charm.
The beach is pure white powder soft coral sand. You will struggle to find a better beach anywhere. This beach is huge and is not crowded at all. The hotel is the only resort on this beach. So it is not packed with other tourists. You will not struggle to find a sunbed.
Food was lovely, drinks are amazing, Champagne is included in the all inclusive.
Only thing stopping me rating this resort 10/10 is the birds at breakfast. There are loads of them. If you get up to get a drink you will find a bunch of birds eating your breakfast. You do get use to it, and it is fine as long as you don't move away from your drink and food.
The staff were trying to get them out of the restaurant. Lunch and dinner time were a completely different story with no birds at all!
We did a helicopter trip around the island which was beautiful and would thoroughly recommend.
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- Date of Holiday:Jul 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" Have just returned today 23/06/07... "
Submitted By: Mr T Heeps
Have just returned today 23/06/07 from the Grand Pineapple beach resort, and I’m having withdraw symptoms already.
I can’t fault this hotel at all!
Yes there were birds in the morning, but you soon forget about them, and there has been hotels that I have stayed at with a far worse bird problem! So don’t let it put you off!
The food was faultless (ask for Lobster), the choice of drinks very impressive (ask Everton do make one of his famous cocktails), and list of activities endless (See Jules)!
Definitely go snorkelling on the coral in Long bay, just follow the pelicans, and you won’t go wrong! Lots of Fish!
I can’t recommend the hotel enough, so if you’re considering it, do it! You won’t be disappointed!
I can’t fault this hotel at all!
Yes there were birds in the morning, but you soon forget about them, and there has been hotels that I have stayed at with a far worse bird problem! So don’t let it put you off!
The food was faultless (ask for Lobster), the choice of drinks very impressive (ask Everton do make one of his famous cocktails), and list of activities endless (See Jules)!
Definitely go snorkelling on the coral in Long bay, just follow the pelicans, and you won’t go wrong! Lots of Fish!
I can’t recommend the hotel enough, so if you’re considering it, do it! You won’t be disappointed!
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- Date of Holiday:Jun 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Virgin
" This resort is very well presented.... "
Submitted By: Miss K Leeson
This resort is very well presented. When we arrived we were greeted by friendly faces who dealt with us very quickly and professionally.
The food was very good but they did have a bird problem, as the main restaurant was open air.
The room was very clean and spacious with an amazing view of the ocean.
The pool was very sharp based and quite small but the beautiful ocean made up for this.
The bar maids were very friendly it was like you had known them for years.
Plus they liked my funny t shirts they were great.
The pool buffet was open from 12pm to 4pm then 11pm to 1 am the food here was fab (especially the brownies)
Though I must say the best place in the hotel was Mary’s Outhouse. This lady was very friendly and the food was lovely. It had a wonderful view.
Also when you visit the Outhouse you can write a message on the wooden wall and you can read everyone else’s messages.
Overall this hotel was great and I would like to go back again for sure.
The food was very good but they did have a bird problem, as the main restaurant was open air.
The room was very clean and spacious with an amazing view of the ocean.
The pool was very sharp based and quite small but the beautiful ocean made up for this.
The bar maids were very friendly it was like you had known them for years.
Plus they liked my funny t shirts they were great.
The pool buffet was open from 12pm to 4pm then 11pm to 1 am the food here was fab (especially the brownies)
Though I must say the best place in the hotel was Mary’s Outhouse. This lady was very friendly and the food was lovely. It had a wonderful view.
Also when you visit the Outhouse you can write a message on the wooden wall and you can read everyone else’s messages.
Overall this hotel was great and I would like to go back again for sure.
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- Date of Holiday:May 2006
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" We have just returned from The... "
Submitted By: Mrs L Jeffreys
We have just returned from The Occidental Grand pineapple in Antigua.
We have had the most wonderful holiday. The resort was faultless-the location spectacular. Having paid for only a standard room we were immediately upgraded to a garden view on arrival which not only had views of the marvelously kept gardens but of the beach as well. The bay was fantastic for swimming -very calm sea and also there were plenty of sun beds on the beach and around the pools. The quiet pool which was adults only was also very welcome.
The food was wonderful - all freshly cooked and with a marvelous variety. Booking was only necessary for Chef Pietro or the pineapple grill but The Topaz which was mainly A La carte and which we found to be our favourite needed no pre-booking. Our only complaint about the restaurant being that the dress code was not strictly maintained and people were allowed to dine in shorts/tracksuit bottoms in the evening which lowered the tone for those who did wish to make the effort to dress appropriately.
Yes, birds were abundant especially at breakfast but this is a common problem throughout the Caribbean and certainly at most of the previous resorts we have stayed at- you just have to be careful to cover any drinks or food before leaving the table for the buffet!
The staff were all very friendly and helpful and loved to have a chat and a laugh with us. Particularly lovely was Barbara who had a huge smile and sang gospel to serenade you at breakfast on Sunday mornings which was wonderful.
There were lots of activities arranged whereby the winners could obtain of bottle of Antigua rum or trips.
An organised walk to Devil's bridge on Tues and Thurs mornings at 0730 hrs was well worth doing- the entertainment en route being provided by Jules who had lots to say to amuse you on the hot walk.
Evening entertainment was reasonable with steel bands, karaoke, a pianist and jazz bands and the bar was well stocked and generous- how many other bars do you have to ask to please be given a smaller measure?!
On the whole I think the holiday was excellent value and extremely enjoyable.
We have had the most wonderful holiday. The resort was faultless-the location spectacular. Having paid for only a standard room we were immediately upgraded to a garden view on arrival which not only had views of the marvelously kept gardens but of the beach as well. The bay was fantastic for swimming -very calm sea and also there were plenty of sun beds on the beach and around the pools. The quiet pool which was adults only was also very welcome.
The food was wonderful - all freshly cooked and with a marvelous variety. Booking was only necessary for Chef Pietro or the pineapple grill but The Topaz which was mainly A La carte and which we found to be our favourite needed no pre-booking. Our only complaint about the restaurant being that the dress code was not strictly maintained and people were allowed to dine in shorts/tracksuit bottoms in the evening which lowered the tone for those who did wish to make the effort to dress appropriately.
Yes, birds were abundant especially at breakfast but this is a common problem throughout the Caribbean and certainly at most of the previous resorts we have stayed at- you just have to be careful to cover any drinks or food before leaving the table for the buffet!
The staff were all very friendly and helpful and loved to have a chat and a laugh with us. Particularly lovely was Barbara who had a huge smile and sang gospel to serenade you at breakfast on Sunday mornings which was wonderful.
There were lots of activities arranged whereby the winners could obtain of bottle of Antigua rum or trips.
An organised walk to Devil's bridge on Tues and Thurs mornings at 0730 hrs was well worth doing- the entertainment en route being provided by Jules who had lots to say to amuse you on the hot walk.
Evening entertainment was reasonable with steel bands, karaoke, a pianist and jazz bands and the bar was well stocked and generous- how many other bars do you have to ask to please be given a smaller measure?!
On the whole I think the holiday was excellent value and extremely enjoyable.
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- Date of Holiday:May 2006
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Kuoni
" Fantastic location in Long Bay, beach... "
Submitted By: Mrs S Cannon
Fantastic location in Long Bay, beach was clean, food excellent. We stayed in a superior ocean view room, and it was very clean and spacious.
The First Choice flight was first class, and transfers quick and easy in a private taxi, which we didn't book, wonderful surprise. The hotel complex was well staffed and equipped, and all the staff were friendly - especially those on the 24 hour snack bar.
The water sports facilities were all free and they had a comprehensive activity programme every day. The hotel also supplied a shuttle service to St John the capital at a reasonable $10 per person.
The First Choice flight was first class, and transfers quick and easy in a private taxi, which we didn't book, wonderful surprise. The hotel complex was well staffed and equipped, and all the staff were friendly - especially those on the 24 hour snack bar.
The water sports facilities were all free and they had a comprehensive activity programme every day. The hotel also supplied a shuttle service to St John the capital at a reasonable $10 per person.
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- Date of Holiday:Sep 2005
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:First Choice
" A wonderful location in the middle of... "
Submitted By: Mr S Pope
A wonderful location in the middle of no where, there are no other facilities around it! The staff are excellent and friendly and will try hard to make your holiday a good one.
The all inclusive drinks were very good, often well known brands being used. The rum punch does wonders for the system!!
The hotel tries to be a bit formal, dress for dinner and casually elegant (whatever that is!) for drinks with the management. The food is of excellent quality but they have a major bird problem in the main restaurant, birds are flying around whilst you eat, if you leave the table with a plate of food on it then the birds will have a go at eating it. Little seems to be done to discourage them.
There is also a very time consuming process whereby you have to book your evening meal each day.
We had a beach room which essentially meant we were close to the beach which we were. The bedroom was excellent and spacious, the bathroom was small, dank and frankly unpleasant.
The beach was excellent, plenty of sun beds and regular activities for those who wished to use the many facilities.
We enjoyed our holiday but felt that it did not represent good value for money.
The all inclusive drinks were very good, often well known brands being used. The rum punch does wonders for the system!!
The hotel tries to be a bit formal, dress for dinner and casually elegant (whatever that is!) for drinks with the management. The food is of excellent quality but they have a major bird problem in the main restaurant, birds are flying around whilst you eat, if you leave the table with a plate of food on it then the birds will have a go at eating it. Little seems to be done to discourage them.
There is also a very time consuming process whereby you have to book your evening meal each day.
We had a beach room which essentially meant we were close to the beach which we were. The bedroom was excellent and spacious, the bathroom was small, dank and frankly unpleasant.
The beach was excellent, plenty of sun beds and regular activities for those who wished to use the many facilities.
We enjoyed our holiday but felt that it did not represent good value for money.
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- Date of Holiday:Mar 2006
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
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The hotel itself is wonderfully colourful and extremely clean and is in the best location imaginable. Situated in Long Bay it has a perfect white beach and the sea is clear and warm. In fact the beach is so good that we didn't go in the pool once, as it was so much nicer to bob around in the sea drinking our Strawberry Daiquiris (my recommendation for top cocktail).
We had a garden room which had wonderful views past the wedding gazebo to the beach & sea. The rooms are a good size and although they are basic they are very clean and the beds are comfortable.
The food at the hotel is great with a choice of restaurants. Our favourite is the Pineapple Grill, firstly because the food is great and secondly because it's air conditioned! People have commented about the birds but to me they add to the character of the restaurant and so long as you cover your food with a napkin when you leave the table they'll leave it alone.
The breakfast buffet is excellent and you have to be careful not to eat too much otherwise you spoil your appetite for the rest of the day.
Top tip - try some Aunt Susie’s Hot Sauce on your omelette, but not too much! By far the best place in the resort is Marys Outhouse, which when we've visited is always quiet and makes you feel a million miles away from the rest of the resort. Mary is a wonderful lady who always greets everyone with a big smile and a laugh and her barbecued chicken & ribs are to die for.
The bar is excellent too as you don't have to stick to local drinks but can choose from brand names too. The cocktails are great, but don't just stick to the ones on the board, as they will make any cocktail you want. Steer clear of the Long Island Ice Tea though as the measures are so generous that it's hard to drink!
The staff are friendly and extremely helpful and definitely make the hotel a happy place to stay.
All in all I would recommend this hotel to anyone who wants to go to Antigua. It's a good size without being too large and if its relaxation & a friendly atmosphere you're after then you couldn't do much better.
We're now looking forward to going back there next year for our holiday in paradise.