Week in Antigua

Coconut Beach Club is supposedly rated a three-star hotel, but it actually is a high 1 or low 2 star, based on my experience at the hotel. Below is a breakdown:

Bathroom: dingy. The first room we stayed at had an awful odor - urine-scented is not at all appealing!

Towels: the front desk claimed the towels were two weeks old as of 5/26/2006, but how could two week old towels be gray, and have holes in them?

Sheets: had a weird smell

Balcony: all balconies are ocean-front and most have a hammock

Dining: this hotel offers a European plan and an all-inclusive plan. DO NOT opt for the all-inclusive plan. The food was awful:

Breakfast is $12 per person: selection was not great—bacon, eggs, fruits (with flies swarming over it), sour juice, and Folgers coffee. You might as well drive elsewhere and get a better breakfast for a cheaper price.

Lunch: didn't even bother to dine

Dinner: $40 per person—a la carte menu. Bad selection of food. The bland food was presented in such a way that it seemed like they were "trying too hard."

Drinks at the bar: they use the cheapest alcohol so you're bound to get a headache after your first sip.

House Wine : awful

Staff: Rude

Renovations: the site says they renovated the hotel in 2004, but the staff said that they only renovated the third floor rooms.

Overall, I would not recommend this hotel to anyone. Fortunately my boyfriend and I were out and about during our entire stay so the only time we stayed in our room was when it was bedtime. If you had to stay in this hotel—avoid 202B

Russell's is situated in Fort James in a restored fort. Upon entry, we heard soothing jazz music playing, saw local musicians drinking and eating at the bar and Russell chatting with customers. We ordered conch fritters as an appetizer and for the main course—the fish specials for the day—fried red snapper and Mahi Mahi. While dining on our amazing food and sipping on our Carib and Wadadli beer, we watched the sunset over Fort James Beach. For dessert, I had an ice cream with calypso coffee (a strong concoction of liqueur, coffee, whipped cream and sugar).

Stop by Sunday nights and listen to live jazz musicians play.

Half Moon Bay, which is about a 5 minute drive from Freetown, was rated as one of the best beaches in the world. Waters are clear...hardly crowded...good snorkeling...and a beautiful sight to photograph.

During my stay in Antigua, we visited this crescent shaped beach almost everyday. The center of the crescent is most active—people body surf here. The northern end is the calmest point, where people just sit back and relax. Reef is just a few feet away from the shore. Expect to see babies swimming around, tangs, and flounder. I saw a barracuda and quickly swam back to the shore.

By the abandoned hotels is a trail. Didn't get a chance to hike it, maybe next time.

I'm a coffee lover, and during my stay in Antigua I had to have a cup of joe. On the road to Falmouth Harbor is an itsy-bitsy sign that points to Carib Bean Coffee, a small coffee roaster on the island. At this shop you can pick up pound bags of a variety of coffees. You can also order a cup of coffee and sip on it while watching the staff roast coffee beans. I recommend their iced coffee which is about $7 EC - $2.60 USD.

If you have nothing planned for Sunday afternoon/night, head to Shirley Heights. On Sunday afternoon, fires are started for BBQ served to the many people—residents and visitors—who just want to satisfy their hunger. While munching on the delicious barbecue ranging from steel-band music to reggae to soca. Hotels often arrange a trip out to Shirley Heights from 4 to 7pm. If you have a car, go for it...watch the sunset. The party really starts after dark when the tourists leave.

My suggestion: Jerk Pork, which comes with Salad and Fries.