We spent ten nights at Sandals Grande Antigua on Dickenson Bay in March 2024. We’d go back to Antigua: we really enjoyed it, and found the people very friendly. Here’s our honest review of the resort, including the things we’d want a friend to know before booking.
Can we manage this?
The flight. We flew British Airways business class. It’s about 8½ to 9 hours direct from London.
Booking. We booked the hotel directly with Sandals.
The transfer. Around 30 minutes from V.C. Bird airport.
Walking. It’s a big resort but fairly flat. From our room, the beach and the restaurants were only about 5 minutes’ walk, so everything was easy to reach.
Pace. As slow as you like. Meals, drinks and the water sports are in the price, so there’s very little to organise.
Who’s there. Couples only, adults only. When we were there, couples of all ages.
March turned out to be a great time to go: warm, low humidity, and a pleasant breeze off the trade winds that kept it comfortable.
Our room
We stayed in a Sunset Bluff Honeymoon Luxury Club Level room. We usually try to book Club Level wherever we go, for the extra perks that come with it. We chose this resort because it’s the only Sandals on Antigua and it ticked our boxes. The Club Level perk we used most was help booking the restaurants, which matters here (more on that below).
Our room was quiet, as it was away from the main areas. Evenings were what you wanted to make of them: lively in some areas, quiet in others.
The resort was busy. We really struggled to get a sunbed on the beach and by some of the pools, even getting up at 6.30am. The smaller pool by our room did have beds, although it tended to get very hot there, as there was no breeze.
Worth knowing: Sandals offers a discount for the military and the emergency services, which was very helpful for us. If that applies to you, ask about it when you book.
The beach
The resort sits right on Dickenson Bay. The sea was reasonably calm, and the beach was lovely for a stroll, but the sunbeds there were busy. One thing to be aware of: the bay can get very busy when a cruise ship is in port.
Eating and drinking
We didn’t eat out once. Every meal was in the resort. Book the restaurants ahead, because they get booked up rather quickly. Eleanor’s was our favourite, and you do have to dress up for some of the restaurants.
Diving and water sports
I was going to go scuba diving, which I believe is included at Sandals for qualified divers, and there are several shipwrecks off Antigua to explore. In the end I didn’t get round to it. Another guest we met had been, and he told us they were some of the best wreck dives he’d ever done. If we go again, I’ll definitely dive.
If you’re a diver, check what’s included and what certificate you need when you book.
Getting out: half a day round the island
We booked a half-day tour through Sandals with a private driver, and it was really worthwhile. It was the only thing we paid extra for. Betty’s Hope, the old sugar estate, is definitely worth a visit to understand some of the island’s history. Then came Devil’s Bridge, where the sea crashes through the rock, and Shirley Heights, with a breathtaking view down over English Harbour. We finished at Nelson’s Dockyard and drove back to the hotel along Fig Tree Drive.
Our tip: Shirley Heights gets very busy, especially at sunset. We went in the morning, when it was quieter, and were able to enjoy the spectacular views.
There’s more on the day, stop by stop, in our Antigua guide.
Who it suits
Yes: couples who want sun, friendly people and very little to organise, and anyone who likes Club Level comforts.
Be aware: it’s a busy resort. Sunbeds go early, restaurants need booking ahead, and cruise-ship days make the beach busier still. Shirley Heights is best in the morning.
Antigua or St Lucia? For a first all-inclusive we’d point a friend to Sandals Halcyon in St Lucia, because it wasn’t as busy as Antigua.
Stay dates March 2024. Details are from our own stay and may have changed since.
