Starfish Jolly Beach Resort & Spa - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

• 

  It's ok but be aware of the not so good things!

  We stayed for one week at the end of September 25. Check in was fine, we were offered a fruit drink/rum punch. No issues with check in. We were in a super saver room and this is where it went a bit downhill. The room itself (2245) was awful. Extremely tiny, no fridge, no coffee making facilities. Hardly anywhere to put your clothes, basically one wardrobe with two shelves. I lived out of my suitcase the entire week. The bathroom had to be the worst I have every experienced in a hotel, extremely small, the shower curtain was a dingy yellow and was hanging off one of the rings. The inside of the shower was really tired and I felt like I needed to wear those shoes you wear when going into the sea. The floor of the shower had a nasty yellow stain on. The water was hot and the shower itself was ok but honestly it was not nice.The bathroom door was on a rolly thing and kept coming off. The towels were not changed the whole week, there was zero room cleaning the whole week. Rubbish built up and ended up taking it to the bins ourselves. It was quite depressing. We could not sit out on our balcony as the mosquitos were a big problem so we may as well have not had a balcony!! The aircon was permanently on and was noisy and didn't work very well. We had to get maintenance to sort out the air con unit and the bathroom door. The room walls were like pebble dash. There were puddles of water outside some rooms where the aircon was dripping down, this then caused a build up of mosquitos. There was a part of the ceiling on one of the walkways that was not ceiled and exposed a good length of wiring. There was also rubbish bags outside rooms that people had just dumped outside. Next on to the food, when were were there there was only really the Palms buffet open mainly, although the Pizzeria doubled up as " a la carte " a couple of times. but it was cancelled one evening with no warning and we arrived and there was no one there to advise us so we had to find out the a la carte had been cancelled due to kitchen problems and so back to the buffet we went. The breakfast was probably the best of the food options, the omelettes were lovely, the fruit was fine and there was definitely something for everyone. The service was hit and miss, we even got told off for sitting on a table for 4 and got told to move even though it was empty when we got there. Some staff were pleasant but others were just plain miserable and maybe they were fed up but it wasn't the best. One day there was no orange juice at all. Coconut Grill for midday snacks was fine, burger and chips etc. Cant go wrong with that although we only had this once as we went out the hotel for the most part. Evening meals at the Palms, hit and miss, it was ok. Again service was hit and miss, some waiters niceothers miserable. On to the pools and beach. The pools are lovely and when we went pretty much empty. The beach is one of the best on the island. Calm warm waters. Plenty of sun loungers and shade. The all inclusive drinks, no premium brands and the soft drinks are local and not the best. the cocktails are nice. measures are strong. Beach towels easy to get and get changed as and when. Top tip, get one of those to have a shower with as they are nicer than the towels in the room! Margaret at the tours desk is lovely and we had a few great chats. Coffee shop - not really a shop more like a self service for teas and coffee. top tip bring your own coffee and a decent mug as they cups are really small. Mainly banana cake self serve but there was often none there. Overall, it's a budget hotel but not at a budget price coming up to the on season it does get fairly pricey. Top tip, you need to upgrade your room as the room can really make or break a good experience. i did speak to the manager about the room and he kind of smiled and he knew they were awful. The room spoiled it for us. We are Travel You Tubers and just want to let people know that the hotel is fine for the beach and the pools. The room, please upgrade you will be much happier. The food is ok, a bit samey and there are no premium drinks. If you want to have room cleaning you will need to pay extra and if you like clean fluffy towels changed daily this is not going to happen. jolly beach hotel is ok for a budget trip as long as you are aware of the not so good side.

  Oct 07, 2025
• 

  Great holiday no frills but very good value v price bracket.

  Firstly we had a great holiday but….Front desk experience not great Jaana in particular being almost no help and a very poor attitude considering the first face that greets you on arrival.On top any info requested was almost always answered with ‘No’. The only other negative was the dated rooms (not dirty but tired) and non existent WIFI in the rooms away from the main reception. June at the pool bar was amazingly good and super friendly the drinks were great full range of cocktails served at the pool bar along with spirits beer and wine. Madison in the Italian restaurant was great also. Buffet food hit and miss breakfast great a decent range and always eggs cooked fresh to order. Sometimes lunch a bit same goat on the menu most days curried or stewed. Poolside coco grill great for snacks all day burger hot dog jerk chicken wraps n fries no issues tasty and fresh. The beach is amazing water clear and warm,local buses stop at the end of the road for a couple of dollars to St John’s verses 30 dollars each way for a taxi buses were fun safe and friendly. Night time there is “entertainment” other than the steel band nothing really party-ish and no one getting the mood going. This isn’t an issue as the heat sans sea pool and cocktails during the day are enough and by the time the sun goes down it’s nice to chill and listen to the ocean. Would defo recommend this place keep an open mind and use the room To sleep and shower and you’ll be fine. This isn’t Sandals but is isn’t Sandals price either and it’s mush better than “you get what you pay for” We would go back for sure.

  Oct 04, 2025
• 

  First time at Jolly beach

  Booked this holiday at Jolly beach as Pineapple beach club was closed for renovations, we had visited jolly beach previously and knew it was a stunning beach with a calm clear sea. We had also seen the hotel open previously and how it had reopened and was being renovated. As we knew that Ellite Islands resorts were managing the resort we were expecting great service from what we had experienced at st James club and pineapple. On arrival at the hotel we waited in reception to check in, this was the slowest and unhappy checkin I have ever experienced in a hotel. After waiting 30 mins we were all told that we have to checkin online before getting to the receptionist. Unfortunately check in wasn’t happy and welcoming and focussed on pre charging for taxes and a §200 charge as insurance for any damages. Also no rum punch as a welcome which some guest reference. We also asked at checkin if we could upgrade to a refurbished room, we had emailed in advance ask8ng if we could do this and have never had a response. The upgrade proved to be too difficult to accommodate so we gave up. During our stay any interaction with reception felt like they didn’t want to be there and there were never any smiles. We reported a leak one day which was coming out of the ceiling on a walk way in front of some hotel rooms. We didn’t even get a thank you from the receptionist. Thes people are the face of the hotel and really aren’t helping to promote the hotel. The room was clean and functional, good new air con but very data, with a shower that leaked over the floor each time it was used and pipes sticking out of the wall. No daily cleaning, new towels or rubbish collection. Only on day 7 of the holiday. Towels were rather used.by that stage, being white they really did look terrible. The communal areas of the hotel are clean, beautiful gardens and 2 good pools. The beach is amazing and easy to find a bed. The biggest problem is some of the beach vendors constantly asking if you want to buy drugs or asking guests to get them free drink or food. We did enjoy jolly beach resort and ai am sure that in the future as the hotel upgrades and developers it will improve and make the most of the location. In terms of staff interactions were mixed, some staff who had worked in other elite resorts tended to be more approachable, accommodation and just nice to talk to and find out about them and the island. Others just didn’t seem to want to be there. People to really call our as being outstanding were: June at the poolside bar, Winsome for the egg station and snack bar, Joanne who was over from pineapple at the egg station, she welcomed us back to Antigua like a friend as we had met previously at Pineapple beach club. Margaret ar the tour desk, towels and restaurant booking was also amazing. The resort has a buffet that is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are choices for all but the food becomes a bit repetitive after a few days. There are bootable restaurants but you have to be up and in a line before 8 to make sure you get a booking. The pizza factory is mainly Italian food most of the time open apart from on Saturday when it was just pizza. The food is ok but the pizzas are tiny, Mango is another beach restaurant which felt nicer and the food was good. The snack bar by the pool was good and the staff great.

  Sep 28, 2025
• 

  Read before going so you know what to expect

  Arrival: I’d read that every guest was given a delicious rum punch on arrival. We were given nothing. We were then told the local tax charge per person would be charged to our credit card (which we were expecting) plus a $200 deposit incase of damages to the room (which we wasn’t expecting). We were given a leaflet re our welcome meeting with a rep the next morning which stated 9am. We arrived at 9am next day only to find no-one was around. Later found out it had been moved to 10.30 but no-one told us! Beach: Absolutely Stunning - oh my - crystal clear blue water, all sand & no seaweed - it was paradise & apparently the best on the island. Always cabanas & loungers available & spread well apart. The ocean has 50 shades of blue - this I will miss the most - the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen. There are vendors selling trips etc on the beach but we found them polite & courteous so didn’t have a problem with them at all. Room: One word “Basic”. We were checked into room 2241 with partial sea view but the next day we were asked to move by Reception due to a serious water pipe leak downstairs. Although this cannot be helped, we asked to be upgraded as we’d spent hours unpacking upon arrival the day before & really didn’t want to re-pack & then unpack again without a little sweetener. After a bit of a battle with the Receptionist, the lovely DM got involved & he moved us to room 2013 - the view & closeness to the beach was WOW! Room was slightly better but nothing really amazing. It was brighter though. Room was only cleaned once during our 2 weeks stay, 4 days before we were due to leave. We had to use one of our hand towels to keep the floor clean which we did every day as the floor gets dirty & sandy after a day on the beach. When our towels began to smell we phoned Reception & requested a fresh set which were promptly delivered to our room. If you need more toilet paper again, ring Reception! They do act promptly but so strange that you have to do this. iOur small bin was overflowing frequently so we emptied it ourselves every other day in one of the public bins outside our block of rooms. This is very disappointing though - I’ve never stayed anywhere where the towels or bedding don’t get changed, or your room not cleaned. No kettle or Fridge in room. The latter is essential to keep your water or snacks cold. The air con was ok but not cold enough. We complained 5 times to Reception where each time they called Maintenance but they never did turn up! Gave up in the end. There is an iron, ironing board & decent hairdryer. Food: The breakfast buffet in Palms Restaurant served fresh omelettes of your choice (which were nice), pre-cooked pancakes, french toast, toast (you do yourself), hard boiled eggs, baked beans, scrambled egg (which you could bounce off a wall!), breakfast potatoes, then we go on to spinach, leftovers from last nights dinner (yes really) curry, fish etc & a few random cereals. There were only 2 types of fresh fruit available (Watermelon & Pineapple) which was a real disappointment considering bananas, coconuts & mango’s are freely grown everywhere on the island & in abundance so I didn’t understand the lack of it. The Flies loved the 2 uncovered fruit bowls though. Nothing was covered so that wasn’t hygienic at all. Palms Restaurant is in dire need of refurbishment - it’s old & tatty with a sticky floor. So much of the food (whether breakfast, lunch or dinner) is uncovered so flies are everywhere all over the food! Food covers are so cheap so this is not acceptable. Evening dinner in Palms is hit & miss, mostly miss - some days it’s “ok” & some days we struggled to find something appetising. Such strange concoctions. Deserts are very sparse & strange (& again not covered) & not a scoop of ice-cream in sight in the entire complex - oh but you can purchase a lolly from the shop!!!! During our last week when the buffet was closed, we had 3 evenings of al la carte in The Pizza Factory Restaurant (which needs a much nicer Italian name) & this was both fabulous & delicious - what a treat. You were given a menu & you choose a starter, main & desert. The choices were brilliant. This was the best food we ate on the entire holiday & service impeccable. Really lovely. Wish that option was available every night. There was only 1 restaurant open at any one time so no choices available which was a shame. You had to go where what was open that night - mostly Palms buffet. Mangroves Restaurant has a beautiful setting on the beach - we ate there twice. It’s open sided but roofed & we had a couple of themed nights in there which were enjoyable. The steel drum band were amazing. The view of the sunset & beach at Mangroves was very special. Coconut Grill is on the beach & open for lunch. Again a lot of flies around the food. Everything is pre-cooked & re-heated on the grill. Not a huge amount of choice for lunch so you get bored by the second week. Options were Jerk Chicken (not much meat mostly bone), Cheeseburger (which was actually quite nice), Hot Dog, Chicken Wrap (yuk - looked like sick inside & tasted like it) or a Ham & Cheese Sub - that’s it - all served with chips! Their grill is impressive so there is no need to pre-cook. The young lady chef there was so miserable which was sad. Please note - anytime you ask for anything ‘Chicken’ on the complex you get a boney piece of some part of a chicken with hardly any chicken - we called it ‘Chicken a la Bone’ & gave up having it. We wondered where all the chicken breasts went? Perhaps they sold them to Sandals on the other side of the island? Children under 10 are not allowed at this hotel so if you take slightly older children that are fussy eaters they will starve! No chips or chicken nuggets served here at night so they couldn’t even rely on that! Drinks: Water is safe to drink. Beer is decent as is the wine but the cocktails are the usual full glass of ice with a dash of this, a dash of that & they all ended up tasting the same. Very weak too. We’d read on a previous review to ask for a ‘Bob Marley’ which isn’t on the menu - now this was GOOD! Bar staff are lovely & if you ask for something off menu they will do their best to provide this - note: no branded alcohol on site at all. Big shout-out to Anestine who works in the Long Bar in the evenings. A lovely, happy lady who works so hard - she made the best cocktails & made our evenings so much fun - I miss her already. Swimming Pools: There are 2. The main one has a swim up bar & seating (in the pool) really nice BUT I felt the pool was very dirty & never saw it being cleaned once. The other pool is the original one but never saw anyone using it so you’d have it to yourself. Entertainment: Not every night. Loved the Steel Band - very Caribbean. Daine Barnes was a good singer with a good selection of 80’s music. DJ Kurt was annoying - you’d just get in to a good song & he’d change it! Hot Sauce Duo were awful & kept putting the Mike in people’s faces - it was like karaoke but worse! Mr Wonderful no comment! That was it. Very poor. It repeats the second week. This is when you need lots of Bob Marleys to get you through the evenings!!!! There is a decent supermarket a short walk up the road which stocks most things. Nice to take a walk up there to get some snacks (or a few packets of Lays) as there are no snacks available on the complex. Apparently our taxi driver told us on the way back to the airport that there is also a pharmacy just past the supermarket. Wish I’d of known this earlier as my husband was poorly the first week . The Antigun Government have recently announced that they have invested money Into this hotel however, this won’t be completed for a good 2/3 years but so good to hear as the position of the hotel is perfect & could be 5*. All in all would I go back - YES - the beach is the best I’ve ever been too & I can cope with the rest - just go expecting what I’ve said & you won’t be disappointed.

  Sep 27, 2025
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  Good Holiday at Jolly Beach Hotel

  Nice holiday spent at the Jolly Beach Hotel. We had read all the previous reviews and agree that this beach is fabulous and the hotel is a 3 star so we had no expectations to expect 5 star rooms and services at the hotel and we were happy with the price we paid which we thought was good value. We were satisfied with the room which was basic but clean and had a comfy bed and great shower. Food is good and we particularly enjoyed the A La Carte menu which was on for 3 nights at the Pizza Restaurant whilst we were there. Staff are generally really good, one or two could learn from the young staff who were enthusiastic and happy and always willingly offered to get drinks with a smile for us. I would give a big warning to stay well away from LYNDON the Lobster man who offers to cook and bring you a lobster meal on the beach and he also has been doing this at Cocos the hotel next door. He took money from us and some of our friends and also other people at Cocos but didn’t appear at all with the lobster meals. It is apparently a scam he is doing and the Police are aware and have spoken to us about it. DO NOT TRUST this man. Otherwise everyone else at the resort is great and we had a good time. I visited Bernice who has a hut near Mangroves restaurant for a massage and enjoyed it. All in all a good holiday on a fabulous beach with clear blue sea.

  Sep 21, 2025