- Antigua Holidays
- Dickenson Bay
- Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa
Nestled on an island of 365 beaches, one for each day of the year, the hotel will steal your heart with its magnificent gardens and tropical flowers, which line a path to the clearest of aquamarine seas. Set on breathtaking Dickenson Bay, the island's best and most famous beach, this romantic getaway offers all the charm of a quaint Caribbean village. Situated on 19 acres of Antigua's most spectacular and celebrated beach, Dickenson Bay, the hotel is just 15 minutes from Antigua's V.C. Bird International Airport.
This city hotel comprises a total of 193 rooms on 2 floors and facilities on offer include an entrance hall with 24-hour reception, a hotel safe, a currency exchange facility, 5 bars, a disco, a casino, a games room, a TV room, a restaurant, conference facilities and public Internet access. For an additional fee guests can make use of the room and laundry services, and there is parking available for those arriving by car.
Accommodation is offered in nine categories at the Caribbean Village. All rooms include air conditioning, a four-poster king-size mahogany bed, a ceiling fan, an amenity kit, a hairdryer, a telephone, an en suite bathroom with bathtub and shower, a safe, a CD clock radio, an iron and ironing board, cable TV, a coffee and tea maker and mini-fridge, restocked daily. A balcony or terrace also comes as standard.
Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments and facials. You're sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, which include 6 outdoor swimming pools, a 24-hour health club and an outdoor tennis court. This property also features complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services and an arcade/games room.
Due to the surrounding area and the number of steps around the hotel, it may not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
This is my 3rd year in Antigua and I found a noticeable decline in Sandals. Nearly an hour after checking in still had no luggage and no access to WiFi which was again pretty poor throughout the holiday, similar experience last year with continual drop off. Room was good and room service and drinks provision was good but only 1 change of toiletries in the whole week. Found many of the restaurants closed and the ones open had a reduced food offering. Only managed into Elenors once in the week as it was either closed or fully booked. Buffet table removed in Mario’s so staying a week meant repetitive lack of choice with limited food options. Also noticed food and drinks left lying around the pool regularly which probably led to the fly infestations that we experienced around the pool, didn’t have this last year. Our experience last year was almost every member of staff we met was helpful and happy, didn’t find that this year and staff didn’t seem happy around the resort. Also felt service in the restaurants was slow at times, tables were slow to clear and quality of food was down on previous experiences and surprised to see cockroaches daily around the Bayside . Ordered a Philly cheese steak for lunch one day at the courtyard bistro with no onions, took 30 minutes to arrive and was full of onions when it finally arrived. Several other guests complaining about the time taken to serve really simple, fast food. Also noticed too many cracks and missing tiles around the pool, feels like the resort is well behind in maintenance and overall offering and yet prices went up Only highlight was the water sports staff who were exceptionally friendly, always happy and smiling and offering great service.
On checkout day I used the departure lounge, a dedicated area so you can check out your room and have a shower before eventual departure. Of the 3 showers, all were broken, with a trickle of cold water and no clean towels, shampoo or soap. Again seems like substantial neglect from the offering a year ago.
Not sure we will return as our week was nowhere near as enjoyable as it was the previous year and we paid quite a bit more. Didn’t expect service to have dropped off so much and the food offering was an embarrassment for a resort like Sandals
This was our first stay at Sandals and it definitely won’t be our last! We had such a relaxing time and were genuinely blown away by how friendly and accommodating everyone was. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble.
A huge part of what made our stay so special was the butler service. Geoffrey, E’Cosi and Marvin were absolutely fantastic and went above and beyond for us throughout our stay. They took care of everything, from organising our days to saving our preferred sunbeds each morning, which meant there was no need to rush down early and we could properly relax. I would definitely recommend upgrading to the butler service – it really does add something special to the experience.
The food was another highlight. Chef Julien was amazing and created bespoke meals for us pretty much every evening. We felt incredibly looked after. There were so many dishes we loved – the fried macaroni at Barefoot, zucchini dumplings, arrabbiata, some fantastic curries and lots more. The Caribbean restaurant was one of our favourites, particularly the curry, and the Tex-Mex restaurant was delicious too.
The Japanese restaurant was such a fun experience with the live chef, and we were even treated to a private dining experience in the end, which was such a lovely touch. The coffee shop was also great and became a regular stop!
The resort itself is beautiful, with gorgeous sunsets and a really relaxed atmosphere. The pool is quite shallow, but lovely for lounging and cooling off. The sea was warm and enjoyable, although it was a little murky during our stay. I did unfortunately get stung by a jellyfish, but it settled down after a short while. They’re pretty harmless. We also loved that snorkelling and diving are included, which is a brilliant addition.
What really stood out, though, were the people. The staff were so, so friendly and there was a genuine feeling that they wanted you to have the best possible stay. Geoffrey, E’Cosi, Marvin, Chef Julien and the wider team really went over and above for us.
We came away feeling completely relaxed and very well looked after. For our first Sandals experience, it certainly set the bar high.
We’ll definitely be back! ❤️
Went on the garden walk activity at the resort offers during the week. Learned about the many beautiful plants and botanical blooms found in Antigua. My tour guide, Bobby was very knowledgeable and was able to answer all my questions. Ended the tour with a beautiful bouquet of all the plants I learned about.
Visited Sandals Grande Antigua for the second time for 2 weeks at the end of August/early Sept. As this was our second visit in 2 years we had a very good knowledge as to what to expect. Unfortunately as with a number of posts written recently EVERYTHING was underwhelming and not a patch on what the resort was like in October 2024. Our issues were the same/similar to other guests. Room Hot water was not working and the safe was not working upon arrival Room not cleaned or made up - Drinks not replaced - Balcony not tidied on certain days. Basically everyday seemed like we were just waiting for an issue to occur and Club Sandals were less than helpful/friendly. The room was tired and certainly showed wear and tear from our visit 2 years previous
Food Very Poor choices, very poor quality. My wife returned 2 meals in 14 nights and could probably have returned more. Restaurants were running out of choices, No AirCon restaurants apart from the Pub. Difficulty getting reservations (more on this later). Delays in being seated. One evening we were told our table was ready and as we stood up to go to it a Butler arrived with guests and proceeded to the same table. Embarrassing we were then ushered to another table that had a reserved sign on it. So clearly the Butler just decided to take his guests to the best table and not the designated /reserved table for his guests
Marios Restaurant This was closed the day we arrived, which we had no knowledge of before arrival. It felt like closing this main restaurant took away the heart and energy of the resort. Marios is a central hub in the resort and alot of the atmosphere was lost because of this closure as well as a dining option which then made everywhere else busier or unavailable.
Staff Some staff probably trying there best but asked to do to many jobs or jobs they werent used to which led to mistakes and countless apologies. Again I was embarrassed for them having to apologise all the time. At 1 meal the guy made 7 apologies for things he got wrong or things that werent right!!! They didn't seem like the happy Antiguans that they used to be. They seemed like they had been demoralised and were 'just doing their job' Basically the bare minimum. One stand out person was in the piano bar where when we asked for 2 cocktails should had a face of complete disdain that we should ask for 2 drinks. Where has the Antiguan spirit gone with Sandals staff????
Service However far and away the worst service I received was from Club Sandals. I had a need to contact them 4 times. Each time I approached the subject with politeness and positivity and after each interaction I was left annoyed frustrated, disappointed and angry. My Examples are. Rang Club Sandals about the safe not working was told they would be there immediately. Rang again after 1 hour to say nobody had been. Was told they went to the wrong room!!!I'm thinking if you knew that why not send them back to the right room? Waited another 30 mins still nobody rang again - they are on there way. It took nearly 2 hours to sort this. However the worst service was still to come. Went to Club Sandals to book 2 restaurants. The member of staff was less than helpful. Only 9pm available for one. OK I'll take that. The other one is fully booked!! Went outside to main concierge desk to book and was told that restaurant bookings for the night I wanted was not available to book until 3pm. Went back and 3pm and booked!!!! The lady at club sandals was really horrible and I left that office really annoyed with her attitude. I DO NOT GO ON HOLIDAY TO BE MADE TO FEEL LIKE THAT.
Having had all the small issues during 10 days this was the final straw and she made my mind up for me that I shall never return to Sandals Grande Antigua. It is a shame as we having been visiting Antigua for 40 years and love the island and the people.
I must agree with another posts something is going desperately wrong here and I can only assume the issue lies with the LEADERSHIP and whatever they are doing/ have done in my opinion has had a detrimental impact on Staff, facilities and service. This resort could not be further away from the quality and standard it was at in October 2024.
I also agree with another post that no doubt management response will be 'thank you for your feedback and we are sorry if the resort fell short of your expectations'.
Please do not give me this stock response. Rather than this basic generic type of response that means nothing - please answer this question.
As a guest from October 2024, excluding the refurbed rooms that we did not stay in What 3 improvements to the resort should we have experienced on this trip compared with Oct 2024?
Dear ALL, If U Want Sunshine, A White Beach, Beautiful designed Flora Gardens around Well Lit Footpaths, An Ocean View to Die For & Staff To Pamper You & Serve You To Their High Standards + A Chill Factor Holiday To Remember......Not Asking Much Are We?....Then Sandals Grande Antigua is a must Destination For YOU!!!
YES! SANDALS RESORTS will cost you more BUT....there are other Costs that you will not incur because they are already included in your package deal.
For Me (Roman) & my Beautiful Wife (Halyna) it was our 4th visit to Antigua in the last 7 years, the first as a couple, the other 3 times, with our 2 grown up daughters. Antigua & Barbuda Nation is a real gem of a place in the Caribbean in the Lesser Antilles.
10thg Sept - 20th Sept'26 we stayed on the Ground Floor, Room 5004, Mediterranean Oceanview Village, ideal for Me and my New Total Knee Transplant I had earlier this year. We arrived at VC Bird Int'l Airport and the Taxi Service was waiting to take us on our 15 minute transfer to Sandals Grande Resort - Perfect Start. Arrived at the Upper Consierge Level 3, Reception, book in 'smooth as butter', everything politely explained by Dillon and we were taken to our room, which was a short walk to the Elevator on Floor 3, down to the Ground Floor, Our Cases were delivered very quickly by an attentive Staff member. Apologies for not remembering All The Staff Names, there are so many.
The Room was very spacious and clean. King Size 4 Post Mahogany Bed, Excellent Mattress & Pillows but if you are not a tall person, you've got a climb, as we both found out. Don't panic! The Staff provided Halyna with a 2 step ladder (wooden) the next day, Seriously!
The bathroom includes a Jacuzzi Bath + separate Sinks & spacious Walk-In Shower, lots of Towels, changed daily.
Our bedroom also included a double settee, table & chair, outdoor patio with 2 sun loungers, looking out towards the beach direction.
Room Bar, is restocked daily, has a Drinks Optic Selection of 4 different Spirits + Excellent Californian Red Wine and in your Fridge there is a bottle of Champagne + Californian White Wine, Beers, Soft Drinks & Bottles of Water, Coffee machine & Kettle for those who like their Cups of Tea.
Leave your Room and its a short walk to the Main Pool with swim up bar, plenty of sunbeds and a few meters more you will step on to the White Sandy Beach of Dickenson Bay, great for Walking, Running?, Swimming, no swimming shoes needed and plenty of Water Sports. Sandals provide twice a day (unless cancelled because of a rare bad weather day) Complimentary Snorkelling Trips not far out to sea. If you are not keen on Snorkelling, the ride Out & Back is worth it. The STAFF are BRILLIANT!! Jamal (Skipper), 1st Mates Big John, Steven & Other Attentive Staff Members (apologies, names forgotten) they are just the same If you want to take a Kayak Out, Paddleboard or Hobie Cats (One of the likable staff will take you out, complimentary/FOC).
For Diving Experience, especially for a Beginner, FERN is the very young lady with 25 years experience who could 'take a bird form a tree and turn it into an accomplished ocean diver' - just ask Jamal, Top Skipper to confirm. Halyna (my wife) decided to try, and FERN made her succeed even though Halyna wanted to quit more than once. There is a Cost to becoming a PACT Diver but once you've Passed, every time you book a holiday with Sandals, you can go out Diving at all their Resort Destinations - COMPLIMENTARY! YES! FOC (Free of Charge). Fees that you would pay at other Resorts.
In the evening the Whole Resort is Lit Up with a range of Lighting Colours & Lit Fires & plenty of seats to sit on and absorb the Quiet, Romantic Ambience.
We are Beach Persons, like to Swim, Kayak, just generally Cool off in the 20+ degrees clear waters. If you have aching joints, walk up to the small bar pool which has also a Hot Jacuzzi, No 17 on you Resort Map. The Water is Warm, 3/4 jets work n the Jacuzzi, Maintenance need to sort out the the other 5? and attend to the Right Hand Side Step Handle when you come out of the Pool, it needs to be more secure. You can alternate In & Out of the Hot Pool into the Colder Channel Pool which goes around the Bar Pool Area. Really works on your aching/stiff joints, especially with ones favourite 'tipple' in reach.
Vendors there are, a few have 'pitches' on this public beach, but answer to them politely, they will you politely leave you alone. If a vendor comes across abrupt, then they must have had a bad night/experience prior to sell their wares, just like we have, occasionally. Happy Days!
There are plenty of places to Eat & Drink around the Resort. YES! they list 11 Restaurants but not All are Open every day. Don't worry, you won't starve. Some you have to book but that is easy to do.
Food & Service is generally Good. But, there were occasions, when the Basics of looking after your Guests & Table, felt short of Sandals standards, which David the General Manager, excellent approachable person, acknowledged and was in the process of addressing. YES! Returning Sandals customers who have enjoyed & visited many Sandals Resorts, some multiple times at the same destination, accept that Staff changes can affect their previous experiences. I've listened to many of them on this our first trip to Sandals and our Impression is that they will still book with Sandals. SHENELL served us at Eleanor's Restaurant - Top Girl - Fantastic Service. TAERROLA at Bayside Restaurant - Top Girl again, thank you for looking after us and putting up with my cheek. There are so many more Attentive & Delightful Staff Members whose Names I can't remember. A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU ALL!
We spent 10 Nights and still only managed to take in Half of The Resorts Amenities on Offer. Definitely coming back to see the Rest of this Enchanting Resort. We met and spoke with many Likeable Persons from the Canada, & the USA, all seem to be Enjoying Themselves & so they should be.
APOLOGIES! for those who might have got bored with my Travel Log but another Positive with Sandals mentioned to us, was that after, You Have Completed 70 Nights with Sandals, you Automatically get 1 WEEK Complimentary & You Can Keep Going To Your Next Target for another 1 Week Freebie.
Just check All the Extras that are Included in Sandals Resort Holidays that are Complimentary and the Cost You Pay Initially - Doesn't Seem As Expensive As One Thinks.
Unfortunately, the less costly holiday destinations don't really exist in the World We Live In, anymore, thanks to Trump & Co Leaders, unless you are really lucky to find one. ENJOY WHAT YOU FEEL AND SEE - JUST BOOK IT!!!!
