Galley Bay Resort & Spa

Location: Five Island Village, Saint Johnʼs, ag

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Property Type: Resorts

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 03:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Check-out: 12:00 PM

Amenities & Facilities

• Health or beauty spa nearby
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Fitness facilities (surcharge)
• Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Air conditioning
• Swimming pool
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Terrace
• Luggage storage
• Safety deposit box
• Tour desk
• Car hire
• Massage services
• Table tennis
• Board games/puzzles
• Evening entertainment
• Adult only
• Paid WiFi
• Outdoor furniture
• Coffee Shop on site
• Spa/wellness center services
• Beauty Services
• Manicure
• Pedicure
• Cashless payment available
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid kit available
• Invoice provided
• Smoke alarms
• 24-hour security
• Security alarm
• Aerobics
• Shopping on site
• Front desk (limited hours)
• Snack bar/deli
• Scuba diving on site
• Snorkeling on site
• Tennis lessons on site
• Self parking (surcharge)
• Beach umbrellas
• Free pool cabanas
• Pool sun loungers
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Beach yoga on site
• Private beach nearby
• Fitness facilities (surcharge)
• Internet access
• Housekeeping on request
• Concerts/live shows
• Wine release events
• Exercise/lap pool
• Japanese garden
• Fishing nearby
• Health or beauty spa nearby
• Swimming nearby
• Water sports equipment
• Beach club nearby (surcharge)
• Bicycle-friendly property
• Beach toys
• Paddle boating nearby

Rooms Available

• Superior Deluxe Beachfront Room

  All renovated with great views - Walk-in Shower, seating area and Outdoor Shower

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Minibar
  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Telephone
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Radio
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • DVD player
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Satellite channels
  • Private entrance
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Pool towels
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
  • Hand sanitiser

• Premium Beachfront Suite

  This suite features a patio or balcony, a separate seating area and a full bathroom with his/her showers. This unit is also equipped with an outdoor rinse shower and a soaking tub. Complimentary WiFi access is available.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Minibar
  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Telephone
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Radio
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • DVD player
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Satellite channels
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Pool towels
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
  • Hand sanitiser

• Gauguin Suite

  This suite has a private entrance, seating area , patio and outdoor Shower.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Minibar
  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Telephone
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Radio
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • DVD player
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Satellite channels
  • Private entrance
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Private pool
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Terrace
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Plunge pool
  • Pool towels
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
  • Hand sanitiser

• Gauguin Cottage

  Features a private pool, woven bamboo ceilings and outdoor Shower. Complimentary WiFi access is available.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Minibar
  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Telephone
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Radio
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • DVD player
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Satellite channels
  • Private entrance
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Private pool
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Terrace
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Plunge pool
  • Pool towels
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
  • Hand sanitiser

• Deluxe Beachfront Room

  This tropical-style room has a balcony with ocean views. An iPod dock, flat-screen TV and coffee-making facilities are provided. Complimentary WiFi access is available.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Minibar
  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Telephone
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Radio
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • DVD player
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Satellite channels
  • Private entrance
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Pool towels
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
  • Hand sanitiser

Guest Reviews

• U4913XSmarks (10/5): It was all we dreamed it would be! - It was all we dreamed it would be! The management, staff, location and facilities were all fantastic. Special thanks to the following who went "above and beyond": 1. Mr. Vincent who arranged all of the necessary details to make sure our special anniversary dinner on the beach still took place on the correct night even though the normal venues were already booked. 2. Adalia who made our dinner on the beach feel extra special and showed true care for us 3. Ms. Susan (Food & Beverage Coordinator) who was so patient with all of our questions and concerns before we even arrived and then was so accommodating to our special requests that she made sure were waiting for us upon our arrival. It was all delicious! 4. The waitress Samantha who was so understanding, accommodating and truly concerned about my wife’s vegetarian diet restrictions. She is a true treasure!
• Eric (10/5): Great,will be back! - Everything was great. Service, Concierge, Spa excellent. The Friendliness of the staff excellent. the portions of room service. could be a little larger
• Alexander (10/5): - Lage, Beach, Personal War alles perfekt!
• clairewils1984 (10/5): A truly excellent resort - This is a truly excellent resort. I stayed in a Superior Deluxe Beachfront room which looked and felt new, was very well equipped, very clean and with perhaps the best view I've ever had from a room - walking straight out onto the beach never got old. The rest of the resort was also lovely - an incredible beach, a really nice pool, and beautiful grounds. We visited the spa twice and the treatments were very high quality. We were there for 10 nights and the dinner menu in the main restaurant (Sea Grape) was a little repetitive so it was great to have two other restaurant options. Also shout out to Captain Sean who operates a really great boat trip from the hotel. The only downside is that while many of the staff were brilliant, there were 2 or 3 who were not and were consistently rude / stand offish. But all in all, we had an amazing stay and would recommend this hotel.
• Travelxpert123 (10/5): Going to Antigua - For those still deciding, here’s the basics you need to know for a great stay in Antigua. First if all there is no need to book transport ahead, it’s a few steps to exit the airport and taxis are always available immediately outside, we take USD (rather than GBP) cost approx $30 On arrival at Galley Bay, you receive a drink and towel and warm welcome, and if your lucky Andrew will be on duty that day and will show you to your room and a overview of the resort. First timers it’s well worth attending the orienteering the next day. Premium beach front and superior rooms are ones we have stayed in and directly on the beach. We prefer premium beach front suites. You have a dedicated sun shield and beds identified with your room number. There is a drinks service on the beach and beach bar not too far away. There are various restaurants, all fantastic!! 1. Sea grape is the main restaurant and food is Cooked to order and excellent. 2. Gauguin, individual tables in separate cabanas 3. Ismays which is a bit special with awesome service and creative dishes.Extra $50 pp 4. Beach food if you prefer not to change for dinner Premium drinks available all day Lobster is extra and worth every penny Entertainment is great on Saturday and Monday evenings, the rest of the week it’s very low key and may benefit from a little more variety but it’s easy listening. Days out: must do’s 1. Shirley Heights on Sunday evening 2. Nelson’s Dockyard 3. Boat trip around the island 5. If you like church, the Salvation Army in St John’s at 10.30 Sundays No need to take beach towels as they are provided as is a hairdryer which didn’t work too good, but the good thing about Galley Bay is it’s fixed with a new one on the same day. Advise tipping at the end of the holiday Best thing about Galley bay is the fantastic beachfront location and the people especially when they interact with guest in the evening. Only one niggle: in the evening Galley Bay goes up a level In dress code it’s so nice to go somewhere where guests make an effort. so ladies be prepared with your best and men, trousers with shirt or polo - tops must have a collar. Although it says that during the day beach wear should be dry and covered, the reality is that people put on shorts etc with oil on their legs m/backs etc, the pads on the chairs are the same day/night. We did hear a few moans about this but didn’t take too much notice until I sat down one night on a wet sandy seat in a silk dress. Yes it would be an investment but it would not take much to have a difference set of seat pads for the evening You will never be disappointed by a stay ant GB indeed it’s guaranteed you will want to come back, probably several times. Overall another outstanding stay at Galley Bay and we will be back !!
• Pricilla (9/5): - Galley bay was everything you could want in a vacation. Stress free, beautiful location, delicious food and relaxing atmosphere.
• Jenniehan (10/5): Incredible stay! - My husband and I have just returned from a stay at Galley Bay and we were extremely impressed from the moment we arrived. Upon arrival you are welcomed by lovely staff and a rum punch to enjoy while you check in, you are then treated to a golf cart ride across to the main resort where you are greeted by the most stunning view of the beach, which has soft sand and the bluest sea. We had a Premium Beachfront Suite which led straight out onto the beach, where we had our own sun loungers and umbrella, along with sun loungers on the veranda. The room was lovely with a comfy bed, lots of space, an amazing bathroom and it was kept exceptionally clean while we were there – Dailey was a fantastic housekeeper and I looked forward to her visits, she always came with a smile on her face and we had lots of laughs together! The food and cocktails were exceptional every mealtime; there was lots of choices to cater for everyone and the variety in restaurants allows you to pick and choose. We had some of the best food we have ever eaten in the Seagrape restaurant, which is the main restaurant which doesn’t require prior booking – so I wouldn’t say you need to prebook Gaugin or Ismay’s to guarantee amazing food. The staff in all bars, restaurants, coffee shop and gift shop are fantastic. Really helpful, make you feel very welcome and enjoy a chat. The groundkeepers, maintenance staff and water sport staff are all very friendly and work extremely hard to ensure the resort is kept beautifully clean, well maintained and that customers are having a great experience. Dasani, Alex, Sandy, Karel, Mayna, Unique, Claudia, Stuart Browne and Elizabeth went the extra mile to make sure we had everything we needed, were helpful in their advice on where to visit and who just generally brightened our days with their conversations. Someone that does also require a special mention, is Captain Sean. He operates out of Galley Bay and offers boat tours up and down the coast - you will find him either walking up and down the beach offering these tours or sat by guest services. We decided to go on one and it was brilliant!! He shows you beaches that you can’t get to by road (as there are no roads built to them) and provides you lots of information about the island and what you are seeing. After stopping to snorkel, he provided us with a lovely cooked lunch to eat as we were sailing back to the resort. I would highly recommend one of his boat tours - it was quite reassuring to see that he is well known across the resort and picks you up straight from the beach. Another journey we did was into St Johns, guest services arranged for one of their partnered taxis to take us into the main town and the taxi driver told us where to meet him and at what time so that he could take us back to the resort. While this did cost $60USD for a 20-minute round trip it was a great way to get into St John’s and to have comfort knowing you had a taxi back and knew who to look out for. Personally though, I think the gift shop at the resort has really nice stuff, better than you find in St John’s or the airport! We can’t wait to return to Galley Bay very soon and we couldn’t recommend this resort highly enough.
• carlanneh2017 (10/5): A Favorite Antiguan Resort for Rest and Relaxation - This was our third visit to Galley Bay. we love having our room open immediately on to the beach; so convenient if you forget something! Be alerted to the fact that this is an adults-only resort; I expect one major reason for this is that the water rolls in pretty furiously at times. Even strong adult swimmers are challenged! Note that it's good fun to watch the massive cruise ships sailing into and out of St. John's; we prefer our room on solid ground! The rooms are spacious with a step down between the bedroom area and the sitting area; there's a corner where you can make your own coffee and tea; a small refrigerator holds wine and water/soft drinks and beer (the latter are restocked daily). The closet space is a bit small but there are lots of hangars which is a plus; the safe is in the closet and there is also a cupboard in which you can store things. The bathroom is large, nice big tub and two sinks with adequate counter space, good mirrors and decent lighting. My one complaint about the bathrooms is that only one towel bar was installed for 2 large bath towels, 2 hand towels and 2 wash cloths! Maybe the extra $24 a day we are charged on top of a considerable daily fee for room/board could be multiplied by the number of nights we stayed (for us, that would be 10 X $24=$240) and a couple extra towel bars could be added! The major restaurant is The Seagrape. Breakfast is buffet (great croissants!) with a fruit bar, small hot selection, various baked items and cereal/juice are also on the buffet. Of course, cooked breakfasts are available and my husband very much enjoyed those. Service is friendly and pretty quick (better than the 1st 2 times we were here). Once a week The Seagrape has a barbecue; the restaurant is open to the outside, so service is within the restaurant, buffet style. At one end of the beach is a smaller restaurant called Gauguin. You may make reservations, early morning is best, on the day you wish to have dinner at this venue. Seating is within open air "grass huts". The food is on a par with The Seagrape and makes for a nice change. At the other end of the beach is what is considered the high end restaurant for Galley Bay; if you are a 2nd time or more visitor to the resort, there's no cover charge. It is $50 per person if you are staying at the resort for the first time. If you're a returning guest, there's a cocktail party and dinner in this restaurant you are invited to but be aware if you want to go to The Ismay again, then you'll pay $50 per person cover charge. The cocktail party we attended was pleasant BUT because we all were seated at the same time, service took a long time; my swordfish was dried out and the topping overdone. We decided to dine once more at The Ismay and went the last night of our stay; service was fair, meal okay but for the extra $100 charge, not worth it. We were nicely surprised by the kitchen presenting us with a special anniversary dessert - a nice, parting thought winding up our stay. I have been pleased to find that Galley Bay has an excellent hair stylist in Tracy; kudos to you, Tracy - hope to see you again! The staff of a resort can make all the difference in the world as to the overall experience. Nearly everyone we encountered were accommodating and friendly. My only suggestion would be that the check-in/check-out women at the front end of the resort put on a friendlier demeanor rather than being so very businesslike. We are, after all, on vacation!! Yes, we will most likely go again!
• ry75atlanta (10/5): Excellent Resort - We had an excellent stay at Galley Bay and would highly recommend the resort overall with just a few minor issues. Rooms/Beach: Excellent. We stayed in a premium suite and the room was clean and comfortable. The beach is very large, not crowded at all and feels very private and secluded. The ocean was nice, we had green flags every day of the stay except one day with yellow flag. We were able to enjoy swimming in the ocean every day and it was not rough at all. Enjoyed snorkeling right off the beach near the rocks on the far right side of the beach. Saw alot of colorful fish. This was one of the best beaches we have ever visited. Tip: Rooms to the right of Guest services (premium suites 17 and higher) we felt like were more secluded and sit a little further back from the beach. Restaurants/Food: Very good overall. Breakfast at Sea Grape is very good and we enjoyed it the most. Had breakfast at Gaugin one morning and it was good but still enjoyed Sea Grape better. Lunch was hit and miss at both restaurants. However, the best lunch we had was at Gaugin. Dinner at Ismays was worth the surcharge and we would recommend it. Also, we really enjoyed the coffee/snack shop. They had fresh pastries and deserts everyday that were very good. We typically visited each afternoon for a snack. Our favorite was a chocolate/banana tart that was fantastic. The only complaints about the food was a lack of fish at most restaurants (except Ismays). They had swordfish one day but it wasn't great. I would have thought there would be more fish like mahi or snapper. Also, the grill was a big disappointment. The only food options were burgers, wings, fries etc. Nothing Caribbean and again no fish options. I had the chicken thigh sandwich which was not very good. This makes it difficult to hang out on the beach all day because you have to change to go to one of the restaurants for a decent lunch. The grill is just subpar. A few other thoughts on the resort in general. The staff were all really friendly and made the experience more enjoyable. They have bikes to use on the resort and we enjoyed riding, especially around the lagoons and farm. We would recommend a tour of the farm. Dave gave us a personal tour and were able to see all of the fruits and vegetables being grown which the resort uses in the restaurants. Very cool to see. The entertainment was decent but typically low key. The band was livelier one night and we enjoyed it. If you are looking for an adults only, very quiet and low-key resort, I would highly recommend Galley Bay.
• BrianandNaomi (10/5): Paradise! - This was our 12th visit to Galley Bay and it did not disappoint! The staff are amazing. While the location (the white sand beach and turquoise water is to die for!) and the amenities are phenomenal, the staff play a key role in our enjoyment and our desire to return again and again. The team is led by the seasoned and unflappable GM, Cedric. He takes the time to be visible and meet with the guests which is very classy. We very much appreciated the fact that our room request was honoured - the location is really important to us - thank you for making that happen! We had the opportunity to dine at all 4 restaurants (including Barefoot for quick lunches). The repeaters dinner at Ismay’s is a really nice touch. The food at all of the restaurants is creative, delicious and nicely presented. One of the other things that keeps us coming back is the quiet atmosphere. We are grateful it’s an adults only and that it is so peaceful. I enjoyed the morning yoga at 8am with Ivana - it was a great way to start the day. My husband was able to get out on the hobie a few times which he loved. We also went out with Captain Sean on Beats Workin’ (an experience not to be missed!). Tip: we used Natasha’s Taxi service to get to and from the airport. The service was friendly and reliable (and the vehicles they use are very comfortable). It was much less chaotic than taking the taxis and we thought it was reasonably priced. We would highly recommmend.
• Jim007 (10/5): Fourth Visit Did Not Disappoint - We stayed in a Superior Deluxe Beachfront Room for the Fourth Time and it was Great 👍 The food actually keeps on getting better, if that is possible. Some of my personal favorites were the yellow fin tuna, roasted BBQ Pork, all the fruit , and the pastries. The croissants & pain au chocolat were Beyond Excellent 👍 Each night for dinner I enjoyed a spinach salad, fish of some type & a Nice French Wine 🍷 The staff is Great and it was nice to see Chelsea, Tarick, & Michael our drink guy again👍 Only one minor issue… I wish they would bring back the Cajun Fish Sandwich for lunch at the Barefoot Grill.
• ian_clayden (10/5): Quiet understated luxury - Away from cruise ship people, Understated luxury, Quiet unspoiled beach, Food second to none, Ideal for a quiet relaxing vacation, We did two centre holiday along with Admiral inn Recommend both highly.
• marknN7940BK (10/5): Heaven on Earth - This is the perfect place to come, relax, eat, drink and be merry. Most rooms are open and few steps to the gorgeous beach with your private lounge chairs, umbrellas (if you wish) and beach towels. Its all inclusive so plenty of amazing food, drinks, desserts are available from morning to after midnight. Its adults only so kids will not fit in or want to be here so leave them home. The staff goes out of their way to make you happy and all water sports are included including, sailing, snorkeling, kayaking. Will be coming back, and again.
• V234KIjanets (10/5): Just Fantastic - We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. Galley Bay is just so consistently great. This was our 10th visit and it was so relaxing and enjoyable as always. We noticed that the menu was expanded, and as usual, our room was spotless all week, and the grounds were beautiful. If you just want to get away to paradise for a week and forget about winter, go to Galley Bay.
• Phylers2 (6/5): Galley Bay is in a great location. Logistics were not what we expected as a group. - We were four couples that requested to be setup in the same building. Even at check in, we asked and we were told we were all in the same building. Unfortuately, we were all seperated into different buildings with one of the rooms not available in time. Some rooms had issues like low water pressure, AC not working properly, showers not working at all. All issues were brought to the GM's attention and worked after he got involved. On the plus side, the rooms were large with ample storage and great views. The food and drink was very good and the staff were very friendly and helpful. Not a lot to do in the resort in comparison to other resorts we had all stayed in the past. We noticed some communications breakdown when ordering some food or drink. We were not sure if there was a language issue or not. Resort could use another restaurant as there were two that were included in the all inclusive and one that had an up charge of $50 pp.
• Wilton2 (10/5): Fabulous Stay - Our 1st visit and were here for 9 nights. Lovely welcome upon arrival with cold towels provided along with a glass of champagne. Nice touch. We had prebooked a private taxi from the airport as we were aware that there could be long lines otherwise. We used Natasha's Taxis and would thoroughly recommend. Very reasonably priced, nice vehicles and punctual - waiting for us a we came through arrivals. https://natashataxiantigua.com/ Also used for the return trip and an island tour. Our accommodation was an upper deluxe. It was lovely and spacious with an excellent air conditioning unit plus overhead fan which allowed us to maintain a nice room temperature. The bed was very comfortable with lovely linen and pillows. Bathroom was very spacious with a walk-in shower - one negative was the shower had to be run for ages before hot water appeared plus the pressure was poor. Room was serviced every day with fresh towels provided - staff were wonderful. Large balcony with 2 sun beds. Views were stunning. Sound proofing was also great as no noise from other rooms - just the gentle rolling of the sea could be heard. Meals were excellent. We ate at all 3 restaurants. The extra $50 pp for dinner at Ismay's was worth it as it was that extra bit special. We ate at Gauguin a fair bit - breakfast, lunch and dinner. We enjoyed its setting and the more personal feel as it is a lot smaller. Sea Grape was also excellent and had a bit more buzz about it. Drinks were of a good quality and the wines provided were lovely. Good range of cocktails and mocktails. Beach was excellent with each room having its own numbered umbrella and sun loungers. Staff were on hand to deliver drinks which was great - smoothies were brilliant. Sea was nice and warm although you had on occasion to be careful of the waves. Evening entertainment was provided which ranged from single performers to 5 piece groups. All very traditional. If you're looking for lots of noise and heaving dance floors this isn't for you. WiFi - excellent in our room and on the beach and generally OK. However, disappointing with poor or no signal in the restaurants - but guess we should be socialising and not be on our phones! Had discussions with lots of other guests. Most were repeat visitors with some 15/16 times. So that tells you the attraction of this resort. Staff on the whole were superb and we had lots of lovely interactions with many of them. They really helped make our stay so enjoyable. Our 1st time at an all inclusive resort and it was great being able to go about every day without the need for cash or a credit card. At the end of your trip there is a box at the checkout desk should you wish to leave a general gratuity for all staff and/or place cash in an envelope if you wish to recognise a particular member of staff.
• X712SIsuev (10/5): Best place to destress and enjoy beautiful Antigua - Galley Bay is extraordinary. My brothers and our spouses went for six glorious nights to Antigua and Galley Bay. My husband and visited 13 years ago and were hoping this would be as good as it was then. We were not disappointed. We stayed in unit #10 where we were in the sand as soon as we opened our door. The room was great. Clean and simple. Bathroom was great with a very large shower and equally large closet. The beach and pool were great. We loved being at the pool in the afternoon to experience the peace and "Zen" we were looking for. The whole resort is so peaceful and as super place to destress and also have fun. I would describe it as kind of "old time Caribbean" with space to enjoy and breathe. The resort has only 100 rooms over close to 1/2 mile of beach, and that beach is incredible. I cannot vouch for the water as red/yellow flag warnings were up most of the week. On departure day, it was calm with many people in the crystal blue water. So, we missed out on that but the sound of the waves breaking all night made up for it. I have never slept so well. The cost of this resort is well worth it. So...all beautiful but the people made it better. The only cranky person we met happened to be the check-in person. But maybe the six of us excited people in Antigua hats with a good cold beer in our weary travel bodies might have overwhelmed him. (If you are looking for a good transport, try Eagle Transfers and Tours. I asked if they could arrange for some adult beverages and Antigua baseball hats for a surprise for my brothers. They more than met our expectations. Drivers were excellent and delightful.) Back to the people. They were great. We had two favorites--Samantha and Sadi. They were funny, remembered our drinks, and always had us set up at a special round table for six. The service was very good yet not intrusive. The food was very good--such a nice variety each day for lunch and dinner. Nice Caribbean music after dinner. I hope we get an opportunity to go back to this beautiful gem where serenity and fun are equally balanced.
• doubledayt (10/5): All about the beach - Galley Bay is located on an amazing beach with crystal clear water and fine golden sand. The resort is all about the beach. The rooms are for the most part in 4 roomed villas spread along the large sandy beach. They are very spacious and well appointed with huge bathrooms. Each room has a dedicated umbrella and sunbed beds right outside the door. All the restaurants are right on the beach with stunning views. The resort never feels over full and there is never a tussle for a good seat or sunbed. The resort has a very relaxed and relaxing vibe. It has a rustic charm with lots of bare wood, ropes and greenery. The gardens ( which are exceptional and full of little humming birds) and buildings are constantly maintained and very clean. The food is of a limited choice but a very good quality as are the house wines. If you want jump to service and busy, swanky bars this is not the place for you but if you want a very chilled holiday on an exceptional beach then you won’t go far wrong. We will certainly return
• AMBHF (10/5): Read the reviews and you won’t be disappointed - It’s hard to find fault. What we love is the sit down service in every restaurant, served in the main by delightful staff. There is the odd one that can be a bit grumpy but most are amazingly helpful, cheerful and know their stuff. Often people react to how they are spoken to. The food is very good, and beautifully presented. Yes an older clientele but we still like to have fun! There is entertainment every night. Low key but good. The hotel setting is stunning and the pool area is tranquil and plenty of sun beds so no one needs to rush down in the morning. Many clients use their sun beds outside their beach front rooms with a fabulous view of the cove. Someone complained there was no music at the pool-most people just want to relax with no noise. You can use your own ear buds/headphones. Service around the pool was very good. The pool itself is cleaned everyday and the water is clear. Rooms are immaculate and everything is replenished daily. Yes there can be red flags up on the beach from time to time as the hotel takes safety seriously. I fail to understand how you can mark a hotel down due to the weather. They are good at Galley Bay but cannot control the weather fronts and water currents. There are many returning guests. That speaks for itself. No hotel complex can please everyone all of the time. If your preference is a dress code of vests and shorts at dinner, with a buffet with people moving up and down throughout the evening then Galley Bay isn’t for you. If you like leisurely meals, and tranquility then it is the perfect place.
• 466lyn_ (10/5): Wonderful resort - Beautiful resort. Amazing garden. Good served food so not for buffet devotees. Gauguin restaurant has great food for every meal and the other ones as well! Great choice.
• travelreview122 (6/5): Not worth the price point - The resort is very beautiful and well laid out. We loved our room, just steps to the beach and ocean, simply gorgeous. We loved listening to the ocean as we went to sleep. Where Galley Bay falls short of thier top tier claim, however, is in the food. It is simply mediocre. There are three restaurants to choose from, we ate at two, and both were just ok. The staff was hit or miss. Some people were very friendly, while others seemed like our requests or questions were bothersome. For the price, we certainly would choose another all-inclusive next time. When we arrived, we asked guest services for two requests that were never followed up on. The nightly live music was a nice touch, although it is a much older crowd. This was not a problem, just something to note. I will add that the spa is spectacular. We had a couples massage in a beautiful outdoor hut with outstanding massage therapists. Overall, the trip was very pricey for the service and food provided.
• Coffeeman1960 (10/5): Just amazing! Go here if you can. - Our third visit to Galley Bay and ten years since our last. Our stay was everything we remembered from last time and more. We had a Deluxe Seafront room (on the first floor). This was beautifully specified and the outlook over the beach and bay were amazing. Other accommodation is available but frankly we wouldn't advise that you pay extra to 'trade up' unless you have mobility issues on the steps (which can be a little slippery when it rain showers). All the food was a la carte (with the exception of a small number of breakfast items) and the service was always friendly and prompt. There is plenty of space to relax - designated loungers on the beach in front of the room and always space around the pool. Galley Bay truly feels like a place where you can rest assured that everything is taken care of in a super-chilled atmosphere. It's under-stated luxury and truly a stunning location. We will surely be back again!
• VesperGirl (10/5): Awesome Resort! - This is a top notch hotel in Antigua! We stayed 8 nights and everything was lovely! The hotel grounds were immaculate; the staff very friendly and welcoming. The room itself cannot be beat - very spacious and clean. The food and drinks were amazing! I will definitely return here in the future. Big shout out to: Benita Ingia Sadie Nayma Sandy Vincent Alaska Nola Quaciann Gaye-Sheree Ashton Ebony Alfred Thanks for your hospitality!
• G2207 (10/5): Gorgeous GB - We absolutely loved GBR and can see why so many people visit and return so much. The resort itself is beautifully maintained (do the garden tour it is fabulous) and the service was generally brilliant-friendly, kind and professional). The food was fantastic. Every meal was beautifully presented and absolutely delcious. We didnt have an average meal there, it was all excellent. Breakfast was simple but tasty, we had a beautiful meal in Ismays once, and generally ate at Gaugaun (for the breeze and elevated experience) but did love SeaGrape too. The seaside shack was great for lunch and the coffee shop was a great bonus. I really feel for men having to wear trousers, such a shame they can't wear smart shorts. Cocktails were fantastic, being picky the inclusive wine could have been q little better but the cocktails were great. The rum shack was excellent, and we had many a wonderful evening doing different tastings. Although as it wasn't open every night if a slightly better sipping rum could be available in the main bars that would be perfection! The pool was lovely and we always managed to get good loungers, and no hogging! Pool and beach service was excellent. We stayed in a Premium Beach room, with a balcony which we loved, room 18. Our sea view was slightly obstructed by the seagrape trees but we still loved it. The housekeeping and replenishment of the mini bar was outstanding. An extra bottle of fizz for our anniversary and our anniversary cake was a lovely touch. The sea was really rough and red carded our entire stay, which meant we didn't get to use the water sports which was a shame. If your a confident able swimmer you could still go in, but clearly a risk. My husband did most days...I went once and absolutely got taken out by a wave (although wave jumping was fun lol), so please be warned. Whilst it was a shame it didn't detract from a wonderful holiday Most of the guests were significantly older as well, which also leant to a very quite vibe. The evening entertainment sounded great although we were so shattered...or at the rum bar lol that we didn't really make the most of it. The spa was outstanding too, and we loved our treatments. Finally, we had lots of opportunities to walk and wonder up and down the length of the resort, which we loved (but golf mini carts are available if needed). We loved this resort and will absolutely be back!
• lorrainesfavourite (8/5): ticks so many boxes but sea was very rough - the resort is kinda picture perfect with a delightful beach , rooms facing the beach are fabulous and the restaurants each have an enchanting outlook hotel does seem to cater to an old crowd and they seem to have many regulars northwest winds made the sea uncomfortably rough the staff are freindly BEWARE they have an additional $25 per day resort fee which feels cheeky ......am no fan of hidden extras the food is fine and the wines decent i understand why the resort is poular but if you are younger or want to swim think twice
• alisonmS9559VX (10/5): Beautiful, Relaxing, 5* Resort - We have just returned from two weeks at Galley Bay - you certainly won't be disappointed if you visit here. We had the most relaxing two weeks ever! The resort is fantastic. We stayed in a Premium Beachfront Suite which is worth every penny, it is kept spotless by housekeeping each day and fridge restocked with beer/wine/water/cokes. We loved being able to just walk out from our room, from our veranda, straight onto the beach onto our own sun loungers, so no battling over beds. The thing that makes this resort however so brilliant is the Segrape Restaurant where the food is superb. Every evening, we had the most delicious meal, lots of choice, portions not too big but perfect, all inclusive wine is very good too. We didn't bother eating at the other two restaurants for dinner as we loved this restaurant so much. We did eat at Gaugain Restaurant for breakfast a couple of times for variety, superb and a truly beautiful quiet setting. Gaugain is much quieter than the Seagrape, food equally as good. The resort is definitely quiet (if you are looking for a party resort, this is not the place for you). There is really good live music each evening, dancing some nights, but finishes at about 11pm which suited us! (Note that the average age of guests is around 65-75 although there were a couple of younger couples). The resort gym is small with poor air conditioning but adequate for what we needed. The equipment in the gym is up to date but only one of everything (eg. one treadmill, one cross trainer etc). Plenty of room for weights though. The beach is beautiful, very clean and well kept and bar staff that will come and serve drinks. There are watersports each day although some of the days were red flags during our stay so unable to go into the sea. The sea is gorgeous for swimming otherwise, clear waters, very quiet beach and private. Most of the staff are very nice and helpful. The only negative for the resort that I must mention is that sometimes service is slow but you are on holiday, so we didn't mind very much. However, I agree with a couple of previous reviewers, a small number of staff are miserable and can come across as rude. One morning, we were kept waiting for over 20 minutes to even get acknowledged at our table at Seagrape - when we asked for service, Stuart (the Restaurant Manager) was SO rude and dismissive, we actually left without breakfast, which we have never done before anywhere else!! It really ruined our day as he was nothing but downright rude. I do think Management should address and improve the attitude of a small number of staff to make the resort even better than it already is. However Stuart was in the minority, most of the staff are lovely. All in all, you won't be disappointed to stay here, the resort is overall marvellous and we would definitely love to return.
• cherylmT4007FE (10/5): Fabulously relaxing trip - Wonderful rooms really get on the beach. Great food and fun bands. Staff was excellent. !Due to unfortunate circumstances we had to leave 2 days early. Hope to come back again
• Tbharris22 (10/5): Unbeatable beach with great couples amenities. - If you are looking for a pristine beach with amazing rooms and a low key getaway, I don't think you can do better than Galley Bay. First and foremost, the beach is unbelievable. It is so clear and we never had a red flag day for the 4 days we were there. I could have spent all day in the water. The beach itself is white sand and clean. You get a couple of lounge chairs dedicated to your room on the beach, so you never have to worry about finding a spot. Their is bar service to the chairs, but walking down to the bar is just as easy. The rooms are spacious and nice. We had the premium room with a sunken living room and updated bathroom. We were on the second story which offered amazing views, but we will likely do first story on our next visit. The bathroom had a spacious shower and bathtub as well. While being outside is the point of going, retreating to the bathroom for a bath was relaxing. The beds were super cozy and the noise from the wildlife didn't seep into the rooms. The fans were strong, and I also enjoyed that they threw in some aluminum containers as well for water. The food was outstanding. Breakfast was a bit simple, but tasty, and for lunch, there are plenty of options. We stopped by the grill daily because hey... it's next to the bar and the beach. There is an option for an added cost dinner at the Gaugin that we did not do as we found the provided meals tasty. Make sure to stop by for a rum tasting, and maybe have some food beforehand. While the rum was delicious, it for sure had me dancing a little more to the band than I would have previously anticipated. Side note: we left later in the afternoon, and they let us shower in the workout facility and keep our stuff at the front for no cost. It's little things like this that made us feel cared for. We are for sure coming back for 6+ days in the future. It's a no brainer.
• G9938SDrandyb (10/5): Will exceed your expectations - This is my first time writing a review for any resort. My wife and I stayed a week at Galley Bay Resort in one of their Premium Beach Front Suites. We had never been to Antigua. From the moment we arrived, it exceeded our expectation. The room was fantastic. The weather was fantastic. The beach was fantastic. The food was the best food we have ever had. We have been on ocean cruises, European river cruises and stayed in other premium resorts. Without question, the food at Galley Bay Resort was the best food we have ever had. The staff is incredibly friendly. We met many people who were returning guests. After our week, we understand why. If you are looking for a wonderful romantic vacation, on an incredible beach, this resort is for you. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. If you like swim up bars, wild party life and tons of people, this is not a place for you. Very quiet and exclusive (there is a reason why Giorgio Armani had his house here). Do your spouse, or partner, a big favor and go to Galley Bay Resort.
• D9674CSlouisep (10/5): A Truly Wonderful Caribbean Experience - We had an exceptional stay at Galley Bay over Christmas 2025. The management and staff at the resort are what make this place so welcoming and relaxing. The rooms are beautiful and clean and are serviced every day. The food in all three restaurants is outstanding and the bar staff mix the most amazing cocktails (and anything you might like to ask for as well). We would like to extend our particular thanks to: * The lady on the guest services desk on Saturday 20th December (I cannot remember her name unfortunately) for helping me to confirm two excursions I had booked prior to leaving London and Joan, also on the guest services desk, who followed up the confirmations with the excursion companies two days later. * Alaska, for coming to find me in the bar one evening so that I could watch the last of the turtle hatchlings being released into the sea. I have wanted to see this all my life and Alaska made sure I did not miss a dream come true moment. He also checked in with us every time we saw him to make sure everything was going ok with our holiday. Vincent, for his exceptional food knowledge and cooking tips! We had the most wonderful conversation with him at the resort 'returners' party'. He made sure we had a booking at Gaugin restaurant to experience the most beautifully cooked curried goat. Gwen, (I think) for cooking the most outstanding curried goat (and everything else we ate at Gaugin restaurant. Sandy, in the Teepee Bar for making so many of our wonderful cocktails (and for making sure we didn't miss out on your Sorrel Christmas Juice)! Shane, for keeping us topped up with cocktails every day on the beach. Sadi, who lost her voice on Christmas Day and Boxing Day but who still showed up for her shift when she should have been at home in bed getting well! We hope she is fully recovered now. Natasha, for the mixology session and for creating 'Natasha's Special' cocktail which we hope gets put on the resort cocktail menu for future guests to enjoy! Chef Travis, for the amazing Lobster Plantain Carob cooking demonstration he gave! Wow! What a fabulous dish he made! I shall definitely try this at home! This resort succeeds where so many others fail. The attention to detail, the thoughtful surprises for guests and the desire to make your holiday the very best it can be sets it apart from other resorts we have stayed at. We would like to visit other Caribbean islands, however, it will be very difficult to not come back to Galley Bay. Five stars to the management, the resort and the staff. We will definitely be back and I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone looking for a truly wonderful Caribbean experience.
• maryanna892 (10/5): Spectacular Galley Bay - Galley Bay is a beautiful resort with a great beach and watersports crew with a matching spectacular dining and bar service. Everyone who works here is beyond helpful and kind. It feels like home. New Year’s Eve was a wonderful evening filled with wonderful food, music, drinks and fireworks on the beach. When air space became suddenly closed reception went above and beyond to help those of us stranded in paradise. I look forward to planning our second homecoming!
• aln00ra (10/5): Home from home. - What a gem. Lovely setting - in addition to the beach, the hotel has extensive grounds with lush tropical gardens, big lagoon an organic farm and even a tortoise sanctuary! Definitely enough to do and a buggy to take you around if you don't want to walk The rooms are spacious with the beach just outside your room. Despite the hotel size, it's very intimate and friendly atmosphere and never seems busy. All the staff know you which is nice as a personal service. We had special dietary requirements which the executive chef Guven catered for - thank you! and to Chef Gwen for her loving touch. The room reservations manager, Nola, was very helpful and went out of the way - she and ther team helped a lot when we needed up in ER with blankets and food. Guest services also were very good - quick to organise and get things done special mention of Joan and Brie. Restaurant service can be slow with orders and clearing tables but special word for Sadie and Nayma who made sure we had a special breakfast eggs! and Samantha with her bright, cherry disposition dancing whilst working. Also Sharon and Bernardine from housekeeping for their continuous help. All in all an excellent place to unwind and soak in the sun. Only downside for us was that the sea was quite choppy a lot of the time with a red flag. But something out of control of the resort. Will go back for sure!
• Discover349282 (10/5): Pricey but sooo worth it! - Stayed Dec 25 - Jan 1 in room 4. Let’s get the cons out of the way as most of us just want to know that anyway. Bugs; you’re on a Caribbean island so expect to see a few bugs here and there. Nothing too crazy, just the normal ants, spiders and such. Mosquitoes were out in the evening so be sure to bring and use bugs spray with deet. It’s very expensive to buy there. There is a can of spray in the room to use around doors or to spot treat as need. We had a small cockroach fly into our room one day (yes they fly). The room was terrific and had everything we needed. I put this under the cons section due to how loud the surf was at night. We had red flag conditions all the way up to the Jan 1. The waves crashed hard a couple of nights to the point where you could feel it in the room and I kept having nightmares about thunderstorms! This was with a white noise maker running on our phones. We never ordered room service but apparently it’s $10 per tray extra. I would’ve liked to have had snacks available in the room like chips or crackers. We had signed up to eat at Ismay‘s restaurant, but after speaking with a few people, we decided to cancel and save the $50 per person. The “free“ food was terrific and we didn’t see the need to spend extra. Pros; Comfy bed, very clean, amazing staff, very nice beach, decently warm pool, never had to hunt for a place to lay in the sun, quiet, never felt crowded even tough we were told the resort was sold out over the holidays. There’s a couple of feral cats that walk around the resort at night. There’s also a tortoise sanctuary and a variety of birds… terrific for the birders amongst us. Watch for the mongoose… They’re elusive but if you look, you can see them. We flew Air Canada vacations that included transfers to and from the hotel to the airport. We had one stop on the way there, alone on the way to the airport going home. Save the cash and use the shuttle if available. We travel a fair amount every year and we agree that this is in the top 1% of the resorts we visited.
• BabySouthDakota (10/5): Wonderful Relaxing Vacation to end November 2025. - Just back from 11 wonderful, relaxing days at Galley Bay. This was our first, but definitely not our last visit to the resort. We stayed in a superior deluxe beach front room #15, which was a single-story room. The room was spacious and was spotlessly clean, big thanks to the cleaning staff. In the room there was a coffee machine as well as a fridge. It was restocked everyday water, sodas, beer and our choice of wine! The room opened out into a private patio with 2 sun loungers and a handheld shower. Each room has their own sun loungers and parasol on the beach as well. The air conditioning work very well. Expansive bathroom with 2 sinks and 2 showers which were fully stocked with all toiletries. The large closet was also in the bathroom. The restaurants on site were excellent, great variety of food, superbly prepared and presented. The Barefoot Grill was where to have lunch and highly recommend the Ham & Cheese quesadilla. Ismay's has a surcharge, so we did not feel like paying an extra charge for "fine dining" and also heard mixed reviews for there. The Tee Pee bar (Main bar) is the place to be throughout the day! Great views, drinks and laughs. Shout out to Terrick! Great customer service and very friendly. The evening entertainment was very good and enjoyable. All the staff were so friendly and helpful and made our vacation extra enjoyable. Beautiful beach resort for couples, wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for a visit.
• fredblogs123 (8/5): Idyllic location and a great hotel - Galley BAy is near perfect with beautiful location, great rooks, great food, great beach, amazing staff. The main issue is in the winter the sea has big waves and surf and the red flag is on nearly all the time. It can be dangerous to go in the water since you can get knocked over. All the restaurants are good but Gaugin with its thatched roof tables and great view is amazing. Its an expensive location but idyllic in many ways. There is also a lagoon with tarpon so you can get fishing tackle from the hotel and fish. The hotel has all kinds of watersports when the sea is calm except jetskis. There is some noise from jetskis from other hotels.The wave noise can be heard in the rooms especially at night
• 592juliev (10/5): Wonderful resort, made so special by the amazing staff! A real paradise. - First time to Galley Bay and can understand why there are so many ‘returners’. Resort was amazing. We were in a wonderful Beachfront Suite. Food was brilliant, great choice and amazing quality (Met Executive Chef many times, lovely man), plus extensive drinks choice. Yoga brilliant, thanks to the lovely Mackenzie. Watersports team a credit to you, the lovely Shiloh was so welcoming. Special mention to the hard working Sonia in the Upcycle cafe. Fun garden tour with Curt. Alfred on the buggies was lovely. My husband was made up meeting Amby and what an entertainer Ebony T is! Your star staff member however was Alaska, so lovely and personable. We were lucky to witness the baby turtles hatch too. It’s one big family and we will certainly be returning ourselves!!!!
• C4943AMmarkm (6/5): Inconsistent service in a beautiful locale - The setting is truly beautiful and I mostly enjoyed my stay. The food was quite good and most of the staff were friendly. However there are a significant number of employees who were simply miserable. In particular are many staff at the teepee bar. Some are wonderful but some will ignore you. On our last day we asked to place an order and the waitress said she would come back to us. She then stood at the bar talking to the bartender. We finally got up and left to go to the restaurant. She watched us do this without comment. This was a rather common attitude among the staff at the teepee bar. The woman who poured the wine at the Seagrape restaurant was perpetually rude. We would absolutely return given the physical beauty and the comfortable accommodations. However the inconsistent service is not acceptable we will absolutely look elsewhere for our next Caribbean vacation.
• LindaAandMattyVLook (10/5): Utterly fantastic - An absolutely exquisite ,upscale boutique resort in Antigua WI. The vibe is expensive rustic , tucked into a tropical island experience. If you want cool/hip or a place to show off your designer duds and purses, THIS place is NOT it. But , if you want a serene retreat experience this is the place. Adult only, all inclusive resort. I decided to do nothing but watch the water and feel the heat and sun, but if you want all the water sports you can find it, not to mention the spa. I was gifted this trip with and by, a very generous friend, as it is very $$, so if you are in a high income bracket , you can experience this. Older crowd and honeymooners. Go there before you die!!!!
• johnrY1871GW (8/5): Winter Break - We went as a family with two older daughters. We arrived and waited too long for our room and without any welcome drink or explanation. Rooms were nice although rooms 70-88 were towards the end of the resort and lost the sun before 5pm. Food was good. Breakfast was great with a mix of buffet and served. Lunch was good. We ate dinner in Sea Grape a few nights but tried to eat in Gauguin whenever we could book. It was quieter with nicer atmosphere and more relaxed staff. Beach could be rough but you could swim most days . Jet skis from the neighbouring hotel were a nuisance. Too loud and driven far too close to the beach to be safe. As a couple under 60 I would say that we were the wrong age. If we had been 65 plus then we may have felt more at home. Unfortunately we overheard the odd rude comment from some of the elderly guests about the age of our daughters who were 26 & 23. Not sure what their problem was. A few large groups of friends who had stayed here and other resorts many times. Staff mostly cheerful and professional. Gym was good. Would be nice if crisps or snacks were on offer throughout the day to accompany your drinks. Suggestion to hotel - please serve tea in teapots. Plenty of champagne on offer. Bar staff always fun and efficient. Overall we had a good relaxing week.
• 319susani (10/5): Another perfect stay - in this incredibly beautiful location - From the moment we arrived till the moment we left we felt at home …… A wonderful location - fabulous staff who could not do enough for us - our room was very comfortable - not the one we asked for but still a great view - food and drink excellent as always and not to much liquid sunshine!! Which was perfect 🤭 Was really spoilt for my birthday so thank you all for your kind wishes and making me feel special xx Cannot wait to return in April God bless xxx
• DeliaandMick (6/5): It's Ok - The food at the resort was superb as was the sevice in the evening for dinner Housekeeping is excellent Lunch was a bit hap hazard sometimes good service sometimes not. Breakfast was chaotic and quality and choose thin Similar occurred in the tee pee bar, 3 consecutive evenings they forgot our drinks orders
• debbiebW9863FF (10/5): Exceptional - Exceptional resort. Adults only. Fabulous food, ambience, staff and activities. Such a friendly vibe here, our second visit and another one hopefully on the cards!
• V2949CFtoma (10/5): Outstanding Service, Incredible Dining, and a Special Thanks to Alaska - From day one until our final meal, the service was outstanding. The staff were exceptionally friendly and polite, and I can’t speak highly enough of their work ethic. The food also exceeded our expectations, and the surcharge for dining at Ismay’s was absolutely worth it—we enjoyed it so much that we went twice. There are countless other positives we could mention, such as how spotless our room was kept each day and how well-maintained the entire resort is. A special mention to Alaska as I clearly remember our first night after arriving late and heading to dinner. We stopped by guest services—probably looking a little lost—when Alaska happened to walk by. He was incredibly friendly and engaging, asking if it was our first time at Galley Bay and whether we were on our way to dinner. Instead of simply wishing us a pleasant evening, he walked with us to Seagrape, chatting along the way. Once there, he took our room number, seated us with an ocean view, and quickly brought our drinks. From that moment, I knew we’d made the right choice in coming to Galley Bay, and it’s a feeling I won’t forget anytime soon. A big thank you to Alaska for setting the tone for what became a wonderful honeymoon. The only real critique we had about the resort was the departure experience. We were kept waiting for over an hour, and the communication could have been better—otherwise, we would have rated it a perfect 10.
• AWCoz (10/5): “A Truly Perfect Stay – Galley Bay, Antigua” - Shhh… don’t tell anyone! Galley Bay is one of those rare places that feels like a secret you want to keep to yourself. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, everything about our stay was perfect. The Team – Outstanding Hospitality First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to the entire Galley Bay team. Every single member of staff was warm, welcoming, and consistently smiling. They made us feel like part of the family from day one. While there are too many wonderful people to name, a few truly stood out: Reception & Guest Services: Dante (who kindly drove us to our room several times), along with the lovely Elisabeth and Alec, were amazing. Bars & Restaurants: Friendly, calm, efficient teams everywhere. Special thanks to Samantha and Pearl for their kindness. Housekeeping: Always ensured our room was spotless and inviting. Gardens: A huge mention to Curt, the head gardener, and the entire gardening team who maintain the stunning grounds and grow the vegetables and greens used in the restaurants. True farm-to-table freshness. Arrival & Check-In Our pre-booked taxi ride from the airport was fun and gave us a great first glimpse of the island. Arriving at Galley Bay, we were welcomed with cold towels and a glass of champagne—perfect after a long flight. Dante gave us a quick tour en route to our room, pointing out key areas such as the lagoon, dining room, and bar. We stayed in Room 88, located at the far right end of the beach near the Gauguin restaurant. The room was spacious, beautifully air-conditioned, and the view from the balcony across the entire beach was simply breathtaking. The Beach & Grounds The beach at Galley Bay is spectacular—long, peaceful, and used only by guests. Even when fully booked, it never felt crowded. Each villa has its own sunbeds, and the setting is serene and unspoilt. Although we had a few red-flag days (the sea can be rough), safety is prioritised and well communicated. We preferred lounging by the Barefoot Grill as it was close to food and drinks. Dining – Fresh, Delicious & Varied Food at Galley Bay exceeded expectations: Seagrape Restaurant: All meals were excellent. Breakfast offers a combination of à la carte dishes with buffet extras. Lunch and dinner were consistently delicious with plenty of healthy, fresh options. Portions were perfectly sized—satisfying without being overwhelming. Gauguin Restaurant: A lovely alternative for lunch or dinner, with a more intimate atmosphere. Barefoot Grill: Great for relaxed lunches—tasty sandwiches, burgers, and the most addictive plain or Cajun chips. Coffee Shop: One of the hotel’s gems. Open from 7 am–10 pm, offering coffee, snacks, overnight oats, fruit, homemade cookies, and even ice cream for 15 hours a day! Heaven. We enjoyed lamb, chicken, fresh fish, and wonderful desserts throughout the stay. The garden-to-plate vegetables were a highlight for me. Activities & Excursions We did several activities and highly recommend them: Captain Sean Sunset Cruise: A fun, memorable trip with strong rum punch, cold beers, and Sean’s delicious chicken with rice and peas. Don’t miss this one—he’s often around the bar for bookings. Barefoot Antigua (Shared Trip to Barbuda): An unforgettable day with stunning beaches and BBQ lobster for lunch. Absolutely worth booking directly—Yensa is fantastic. Island Taxi Tour: Organised through the hotel, our driver Ronnie was brilliant and gave us a great insight into Antigua’s history and culture. We had lunch at Roti King in St John’s—authentic and delicious. Relaxation & Final Thoughts The last few days were spent unwinding on the beach and by the pool, enjoying fantastic service, great food, and perfectly mixed drinks. Galley Bay is just the perfect side of perfect. We truly hope to return and become part of the Galley Bay family once again.
• jeaux90 (10/5): Galley Bay Simply superb - Galley bay is that perfect collision of laid back charm with superb service. The food is wonderful and can I just give a special mention to the salads! Grown on their own site they are delicious as was everything else. Menus change daily with lovely fish and meat specials across all restaurants. Big shout out to Sea Grape, it’s the main restaurant and the food and service has been wonderful. We had a deluxe room on the beach, private patio and sun loungers which gave us the opportunity to just chill. No sun bed wars here, plenty round the pool and on the beach. Live music nightly too. Just also to say the staff here are amazing. Every single one of them. From the restaurant, bar, housekeeping, grounds staff (gardens are beautiful) Spa staff.
• jane170to (10/5): Don’t hesitate to book this place - Our 2nd visit to Galley Bay ..and it was as good as our first. The accommodation is relaxing and beautifully done - the air conditioner is a godsend. Walk out your door onto sand and steps to the turquoise water. The food is good to quite good. The vibe is super friendly and professional. Everything has been thought of to ensure you have a relaxing and enjoyable getaway.
• Q8452TPkays (2/5): Don't go if you're a non-smoker: smoking is allowed on balconies, in bar, on deck etc. - We holidayed at Galley Bay twice previously (and had a wonderful time) and had booked to stay there again. Unfortunately - because of Galley Bay's ridiculous policy of allowing people to smoke on balconies, in the bar, on the deck, etc etc, we have had to cancel our booking. We were so excited about returning to Galley Bay and bitterly disappointed to have to cancel but we cannot risk paying almost £16,000 only to be badly affected by smokers - as many trip advisor reviews bear out. On the first night of our holiday, I had an asthma attack as a result of someone smoking on the next table to us at the outside eating area of our holiday to Oludeniz in September, and then another asthma attack later in the holiday, again as a result of cigarette smoke. Having asked our travel agent to check on Galley Bay's no smoking policy with the resort and with Caribtours, they both gave contradictory replies. We then checked Trip Advisor reviews and were shocked at the number of complaints regarding - in particular - people on upper balconies having to keep doors closed because of smokers of cigars and cigarettes beneath their room. We therefore felt we had no choice but to cancel our booking. Statistics show that smokers are in the minority yet in so, so many places - including Galley Bay - they are better catered for! So unfair that health-damaging cigarette/cigar/vape smoking is allowed to adversely affect non-smokers. Constantly having to be on the alert in case a smoker sits near you, stands near you, or smokes on their balcony ramps up anxiety (especially for those with asthma!) and spoils the holiday. That non-smokers are made to feel that they are the problem if they say anything about being affected by smokers is so unfair. No doubt Galley Bay's smoking policy is all about money and not wanting to put smokers off from visiting. We are very disappointed! We are posting this review to help unsuspecting non-smokers.
• cruisinkim (10/5): It's become a home away from home. - What can I say as we are back to reality from our 5th visit since 2022. We always feel like this is going home and can't thank our Antiguan friends for the amazing time had. We stayed in one of the newly updated Premium suites on the Ismay's side of the property and loved it more than our last trip. It was quiet, comfortable and far enough to use the resort bikes to hop back and forth when we needed too. The property is always beautiful with landscaping everywhere you look. Due to some extremely high surf we had to cool off in the pool more than we wanted too, as we love swimming in the sea here, but the waves said otherwise. Even at their currently occupancy levels, no chair games to be had poolside. The pool was always open for lounging with great drink service throughout the day. I will note there were a couple entitled guests who thought they had the right to reserve chairs with only one pool towel and start a little squabble by the pool one day, but I assured them that the other 30 loungers open would work just as well. I think management got an ear full, but it was quite ridiculous. This was far from the regular clientele here, as we met some lovely guests during our week. The breakfast at Seagrape was delicious and fresh with the morning views of the Ocean in front. Lunch at the Beachside grill was always a treat, they are extremely accommodating. We say it at every lunch that we could sit and waste away all day at that view under the Tee-pee. We also thoroughly enjoyed the BBQ lunch on Thursday. What a treat! Dinners at Ismay's for the repeaters and regular nights are always a special night and it didn't disappoint. Don't miss the lobster. We unfortunately missed one of our favored meals the night before we came in and Chef Nathanial specially arranged it for us later in the week. Photo below!! We keep coming back here for the truly genuine staff of whom we look forward to catching up with at every visit. That initial golf cart ride over the bridge to the room immediately melts away the stress of the trip & the tranquil environment pulls you right in. A friendly "welcome home" from Alfred always helps too. This place is everything it advertises. It is the perfect mix of beachfront barefoot luxury, just enough activity if you want it, or nothing at all if that's what you need. We love the expansive property to walk & bike in the morning, yoga as well by the resident yoga instructor. I have to many staff to mention, but they all know who they are who make our trip to special from the moment we arrive to the sad last trip to the lobby. We will certainly be back. Thank you, GB!!!
• sanc935 (10/5): Unmatched Excellence – A Resort That Truly Delivers! 🌟 - After four visits to this island and stays at several other resorts, I can say without hesitation—this one is the best. From its unbeatable beachfront location to its warm, welcoming atmosphere, everything about this place is first class and worth every penny. 🏖️ Best Beachfront on the Island No elevators, no towering buildings—just charming rooms that open directly onto the waterfront. You wake up to the sound of waves and step out into paradise. The beach and pool areas are constantly patrolled by attentive staff offering drinks, making relaxation effortless. 👨‍🍳 Exceptional Staff & Management The heart of this resort is its people. A special shoutout to Vincent Andrew, whose familiar face from a previous resort was a welcome surprise at Galley B. His presence and professionalism added a personal touch to our stay. Chef Gavin, a Michelin-starred talent, went above and beyond to make my daughter’s white coat celebration truly special. His culinary artistry and gracious demeanor made every meal unforgettable. Mr. Henry took the time to understand my concerns as a proud father and offered thoughtful ideas to honor my daughter’s achievement. That kind of care is rare—and deeply appreciated. 💫 Gratitude to the Dream Team Huge thanks to Risa and Vaughn for their warmth and attention, and to Chelsey, the all-star bartender who kept the good vibes flowing. Every staff member was genuinely committed to making our visit enjoyable. 🍽️ Food, Rooms, and Service – Top Tier From the gourmet dining to the immaculate rooms and world-class service, this resort sets the standard. It’s not just a place to stay—it’s a place to celebrate life’s special moments.
• 468karenab (10/5): What a trip! - Oh my from arriving at reception and being driven down over the extensive lake we were not disappointed. Walked into room 43 overlooking the beautiful blue sea. Room bathroom is huge modern and ultra clean. Peeps can’t see in but be aware nighttime with lights on they can….. outside shower if not full on press little button on head to sort this. Each sea view room has allocated beds on beach. Dreamy😄! Beach bar tenders patrol beach but not so frequent as busy periods I’m guessing but you do have a full fridge… Pool not busy at this time of year has buzzers for drinks oh my! All meals a la carte if wished but we chose to eat from the beachfront grill at lunch time.Gin bar not open every day as low season but not a problem. Coffee shack always open fab ice creams. Gin bar every few days… low season…. Booked catamaran lobster lunch by deposit turned out that was a premium you could just have chicken and fish. Which was good as for the first time I was sea sick! Lucky we cancelled the lobster….. 50 dollars for two…. You need to be a strong swimmer on the reef. Entertainment fantastic always a different band. Bar drinks crazy every one premium brands no rubbish. We witnessed a turtle giving birth and helped with baby turtle release with Ashton, Fab time with zornel on a bob cat experience what a guy! All in all book a fantastic trip you won’t be disappointed will definitely be back in a few years …..
• C8423MSsallyw (10/5): PERFECTION - My husband and I had an amazing 10 night stay at Galley Bay last month. It was my husband’s third visit and I have been so many times I have lost count! Firstly the staff. They are all very special. To name just a few I will always remember Pearl with her lovely smile and the fact she got my husband a cushion at mealtimes to help with his bad back. The manager Cedric with his cheery wave and smile and always making time for a chat despite being very busy. Shiloh from water sports with his vast knowledge of Antigua and who hasn’t aged a bit in the 20 plus years I have known him and Niquan who took us out on a boat trip which was great. The food. The food is very good with plenty of choice from delicious steaks to amazing fish most of which we cannot get in the UK and the cakes and pastries are brilliant. The rooms. They are very comfortable and as we had a beach front room we could lie in bed and look straight out into the ocean. The bed is big and comfortable and as someone who doesn’t sleep well at home I find I always sleep well at Galley Bay. The wildlife. The tropical birds are beautiful and there are some lovely ducks wandering around and also a mongoose or two who say a quick hello and disappear. All in all Galley Bay offers charm, relaxation and quality. I can’t wait to return.
• C6417FGrileyh (10/5): The Perfect Honeymoon - Our honeymoon at Galley Bay was unforgettable. The resort is beautiful, the staff are so warm, and starting the morning with yoga by the water was the perfect touch. The highlight was dinner at Ismay’s—the restaurant is stunning and the food was outstanding. Every dish was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The head chef was amazing, making us feel so special and going above and beyond to personalize our meal. Overall, Galley Bay was the best choice we could have made for our honeymoon.
• 543russelle (10/5): Our “go to” resort - Everyone looks for something different but for us Galley Bay Resort is the go to resort if you want to get away from it all. No glamour and glitz but the genuine warmth shown by all the staff combined with great amenities, local entertainment and food and not to forget the fantastic beach makes us go back time after time. Management are always visible and regularly engage with guests to ensure the resort meets with all your needs.
• nicolasZ1144NS (10/5): Incredible place I will be back! - INCREDIBLE! Absolutely STUNNING. The beach is perfect the service outstanding, the food just brilliant. We stayed in a Premium Beachfront Suite Beachfront these rooms are my favourite! You can request ground floor for beach walkout but I loved the 1st floor. They are huge rooms - with massive bathrooms. I would 1000000% return here. Ive seen some reviews mention that is very quiet - while it is a more tranquil place I think that its important to understand travelling 'off season' aug/sep will be quieter than November - April-June. Saying that they had some music in the evenings! GO! Visit Shirley Heights for some fun :)
• Jax159 (10/5): Unforgettable Holiday... - As other reviews have already mentioned, this resort only had 50 guests when we arrived in August and first impressions were that it felt deserted (in fact Cedric will remember we bitterly complained to him and asked to be moved!) That same day as we looked from our Sunbeds out to Sea we wondered what on earth we had been complaining about, how wrong could we have been, we needed to embrace the beauty which Galley Bay offered; the Beach - totally stunning with crystal clear waters, the Pool - comfy sunbeds plentiful, waiter service of the most wonderful cocktails (and never getting up at silly o'clock to reserve!) No Music at the pool - at long last! how refreshing! No boom boom boom and finally time to sit back, relax, enjoy being with family, watch the hummingbirds, read a book, think and unwind.... Maybe not to everyone's taste but this was the Holiday we deserved. The Meals - not always an all inclusive buffet but a delightful array of mouthwatering menu-driven-selection of top quality foods instead, all cooked to absolute perfection, the Lobster was particularly unforgettable! Each and every person at Galley Bay were welcoming and friendly, nothing was too much trouble and their top priority was for us to enjoy our holiday. Guests have different expectations on holiday, but for us - this one was truly unforgettable, too many wonderfully kind and friendly people to recognise here in this review (and its always teamwork) but Special thanks have to go to Cedric and Alaska for making Galley Bay a truly wonderful holiday experience for us, hope you guys are well and you know we will be back very soon!
• S697DYbethanym (6/5): Amazing food but otherwise wouldn’t go back - My husband and I spent 6 nights there for our honeymoon Aug 20-26 but we were pretty disappointed. When we arrived, it felt like a deserted island. It just ended up being way too quiet for us. Even no music at the pool. The food was fantastic. Probably the best I’ve had at an all inclusive. But the service lacked. Considering there were only 50 people at the resort at the time, you’d think getting a drink by the pool would be easy but the call button only worked once and there was no drink service at the beach, either. Some of the staff were super friendly and talkative but majority of the staff acted like they couldn’t be bothered which totally surprised us, considering their service is what they are so known for. I also didn’t realize every restaurant was open air so not only was it hot for every meal, there was no reprieve except in our room for AC. That also meant mosquitos none stop. Even with bug spray, we got annihilated. Not the resorts fault, but I was miserable because of it. We were ready to leave after night 3.
• Tanya (10/5): - The Galley Bay is the most magical resort! Truly tropical, set in paradise, romantic and vibrant! The rooms are beautifully decorated, the grounds are kept beautifully and the beach and sea are sublime. All food was excellent with lots of choice across the whole day. We really could not have asked for a better experience! Thank you everyone at Galley Bay!
• dotndani (8/5): Beautiful but too quiet - It’s a beautiful resort with great food. We didn’t like the fact that you can’t listen to music by the pool(earbuds only) and the only entertainment is a singer at night!
• jakewA4610TU (10/5): A Perfectly Peaceful Honeymoon at Galley Bay - Resort Highlights Galley Bay is truly beautiful. All of the restaurants and bars are open-air, which keeps you connected to the ocean at all times. It’s a smaller resort, with only three restaurants and one bar located centrally. The staff were extremely attentive and kind throughout our stay. Tips weren’t expected—instead, there was a daily service charge that went toward staff gratuities, plus an optional tip box at the front desk for a lump-sum contribution at the end of your trip. One of the unique aspects of the resort is its on-site garden, where they grow much of the fruit and vegetables served in the restaurants. We toured it one day and even left with fresh, hand-picked mangos. The property also features a bike trail around the lagoon, which we enjoyed a couple of times. It’s a peaceful loop and home to many birds. Room Our room was one of the highlights of the trip. Most accommodations are beachfront, and ours had direct walk-out access to the sand. We loved this setup—no scrambling for chairs or packing a beach bag each morning. Our room included its own set of beach chairs, an umbrella, and even an outdoor shower for rinsing off after the ocean. Waking up to ocean views from bed, then stepping right onto the sand, was perfect. The room itself was spotless, and housekeeping did an excellent job tidying up daily. No complaints at all! Beach This is easily one of the nicest beaches we’ve ever visited—definitely in our top two. The water was crystal clear, with plenty of fish, making snorkeling a daily activity for us. Right offshore, there are coral reefs that are easy to swim to, and they’re perfect for snorkeling enthusiasts. The watersports team also offers trips to a nearby shipwreck for snorkeling, which was incredible and absolutely worth doing. Food The food at Galley Bay was some of the best we’ve had at a resort. There were daily specials, and we were rarely disappointed—steaks were consistently tender and flavorful, and the fish was always cooked perfectly. That said, with only three restaurants, the menus did start to feel a bit repetitive after several days. Breakfast, in particular, was underwhelming—basic eggs and bacon that felt more like a budget hotel offering. Still, if that’s the biggest downside, it’s not bad at all. We highly recommend Ismay’s and the private dinner on the beach. Both cost extra, but the food was outstanding and well worth it. Outside the Resort We ventured out a few times during our stay. -St. John’s (the capital): Fun to see and walk around, but unless you’re into shopping, you really only need about an hour there. -Shirley Heights: About a 45-minute drive from Galley Bay, this repurposed military outpost offers live music, barbecue, and breathtaking views. We highly recommend it! -Sailing with Captain John: This was one of our favorite experiences. Captain John took us on a peaceful sail around the island, sharing history along the way. We stopped to snorkel a coral reef, then enjoyed a delicious home-cooked lunch onboard—easily one of the best meals of our trip. A Couple of Side Notes Galley Bay is very laid-back. The atmosphere is romantic and calm, but there’s not much to do in the evenings beyond relaxing on the beach or in your room. Nightlife was basically limited to live music that few people attended, so after dinner things got pretty quiet around 8:00–8:30. If you are looking for things to do outside of the beach, this may not be the place for you. I was excited about the café, but it was hit or miss. Some staff there were excellent, while others struggled with the machines and made poor coffee. The service also wasn’t as friendly as elsewhere at the resort—though everywhere else, the staff were wonderful. Overall We loved our trip. Antigua is a beautiful island, and Galley Bay was a wonderful place to spend our honeymoon. Despite a few minor shortcomings, we left feeling relaxed, happy, and very glad we chose it.
• 553dakotaa (6/5): Beautiful location, but service and value don’t match the price - We just returned from Galley Bay and while the setting is absolutely gorgeous, overall the experience fell short for us. Check-in was quick and welcoming, and our Superior Deluxe Beachfront Room was great — literally steps from the beach with an incredible view and a very comfortable bed. Waking up to the ocean right outside was definitely the highlight of the trip. That said, the patio often had sand from the tide coming right up to it, and it didn’t always get cleaned. The beach and pool were both beautiful and relaxing. Food was mostly good and better than what we’ve had at some other resorts, but the upcharge restaurant, Ismay’s ($50pp extra), was a big disappointment. We went for my wife’s birthday, ordered lobster, and both plates were so overcooked they were inedible. Even the replacements were tough, so we gave up. Service was inconsistent. The resort advertises beach and pool drink service, but in reality it barely existed. We saw someone on the beach only once (after calling guest services), and poolside button service worked once and then never again. We ended up just going to the bar ourselves. WiFi was also extremely spotty and barely worked most of the time, which was frustrating. Most of the staff were very friendly and helpful, but we did have one negative encounter with a housekeeper who rolled her eyes when we asked her to return later for turndown service while we were getting ready for dinner. For the price, we expected better consistency and value. Other resorts we’ve stayed at (for less money) offered more activities, evening entertainment, and more reliable service across the board. Overall: 3/5 The beachfront setting is truly stunning and that’s what makes this resort, but the lack of consistent service, poor WiFi, and value for money mean we wouldn’t rush back.
• GrumpyManUK (6/5): A beautiful place we’ve loved – but not quite the same this time - We’ve just returned from our third visit to Galley Bay, a resort we’ve previously adored. While we still had a lovely, relaxing week in this stunning setting, we left with mixed feelings and, sadly, some doubts about returning for a fourth time. The Positives: Galley Bay remains an island paradise. The beach is absolutely beautiful; immaculate, peaceful, and perfect for swimming every day. We loved having our own sun loungers right on the beach, and there were always plenty of sunbeds and towels available. The sunsets were spectacular, and the grounds are breathtaking, filled with tropical flowers and well-maintained gardens. We stayed in Room 11, a single-storey superior beachfront at the end of the block. It was gorgeous, with the added bonus of a private side patio and rocking chairs—a perfect spot for morning coffee or sunset watching. Housekeeping was efficient, and the in-room fridge was restocked daily. Most of the food was very good, and the spa experience was excellent; the treatment and the spa staff were both top-notch. Galley Bay continues to be a wonderful choice for total relaxation. The Negatives: That said, we couldn’t help but feel a general decline in the overall atmosphere compared to our previous visits. Perhaps it’s the low season, but the service felt noticeably less warm and attentive than before. On past trips (one also in August), we never felt this level of disengagement from staff. While not everyone was indifferent, the overall vibe seemed more lacklustre than we remembered. Not all restaurants were open daily during our stay, which was a bit disappointing and limits the meal options significantly. Fortunately, we did get to enjoy a lovely meal at Ismay’s for the repeat guests’ dinner. We also had an issue with the bed in our room, it was far too soft and uncomfortable, making sleep difficult. When we raised it with guest services, we were told it was a brand new mattress, and a topper was added, which helped a little. While action was taken, we were made to feel awkward for bringing it up, which was a shame, especially as we’ve always slept so well here in the past. Additionally, the bathroom was starting to show signs of wear and could benefit from some refurbishment. The coffee shop was another small let-down. We never managed to get a proper iced latte, and on more than one occasion they were undrinkable (including one made by simply adding ice cubes to a hot latte). One other unfortunate downside was the persistent noise from jet skis on some days, coming from a nearby resort. While this isn’t under Galley Bay’s control, the constant revving up and down the waterway just off the beach disrupted the peaceful atmosphere the resort is known for. At times, they came uncomfortably close to swimmers and snorkellers, which was both noisy and potentially dangerous. In Conclusion: We still have a deep affection for Galley Bay. The location is magical; stepping out onto the beach from your room is something truly special. But for the high price point, we left feeling a little disappointed this time around. As much as it pains us to say it, we may need to explore somewhere new next time.
• ClarepsK (6/5): anniversary - This was to celebrate our wedding anniversary and although quite expensive we did our research and decided to go with Galley Bay. Really wished we hadn't. This is difficult to write as the resort itself was outstanding. The views and the grounds were beautiful beyond words. The sunset from the Teepee bar every night could not be missed and we would go early to enjoy a drink and just watch the sun go down. The gardeners do an amazing job as do the cleaners. The resort was immaculate. The beach was stunning and had some of the best snorkeling we have ever had and we have travelled! Some of the staff were brilliant and really interesting to talk to. That's about it for the good, I'm afraid. We stayed in the Gaugin suits. Absolutely cute and very Tolkien! However, the maintenance was terrible and had a lot of faults. Not good enough for the price. They did offer to move us but we couldn't be bothered to re pack and move again when the faults should have been picked up before we arrived. We just tended to stay more by the main pool. Will give a couple of examples but seriously not interested in doing the managers jobs for them. Outside pool had missing tiles and the hand rail moved as you tried to step in or out. The outside shower was full of limescale and obviously not been used in a while. Hairdryer was worst I have ever come across [take your own]. The list of faults could go on and on.......! The main criticism is not getting what we paid for. The TUI website and Galley Bay site boasts about the restaurants, rum shack and barbecues...... Forget them. We were told that they were under occupied so therefore they only opened some restaurants some of the time and you are constantly checking a sheet that they give you to see when the restaurants are actually open and then you have the palaver of booking the restaurants !! Food was only average and on a couple of occasions food was under cooked or even worse dried beyond redemption. Is Ismay's worth the extra charge...not in our opinion!!!! We did have the lobster and that was a real disappointment, not quite cooked towards the tail and the rest was dry. It is shocking that you are told what to expect, pay a lot of money for that to then not have the package.......outrageous!! Service was so hit and miss that you never knew what was happening from day to day! one minute you had to go and get your drinks from the bar and then they had staff doing your orders from the pool area for you !! consistency was terrible, on a couple of occasions there was only one person on the bar all day managing the bar, pool area, beach area and then lunch orders. Staff attitude was dreadful and this includes guest services [being sighed at when you have a simple question is not great]. Some were lovely and tried so hard but then you had to deal with some of the rudest staff I have ever come across. In all our travels this has never been an issue before and we were shocked at how we were responded to [or not!] and how we witnessed other guests being spoken to. Do not bother pressing the call button that goes to the bar...it goes unanswered most of the time. Why were the call buttons by the pool checked but you ignored the bits of crab that had been there for 3 days [including stepping over them??} Management is the biggest issue here. Stop walking around and ingratiating yourself with guests and start managing the site! You say you are under occupied so get out there check the accommodation, walk around and look for things that are out of place, need removing and /or changing. Would we recommend Galley Bay?? NO.. save your money and spend it somewhere where you actually get the package you are buying/paying into without the dreadful attitude.
• Nomad16180077227 (10/5): Wonderful Resort… But Unexpectedly “Unwelcome” After 17 Years - We have always considered Elite Island Resorts to be among the very best in the Caribbean. This was our second visit to Galley Bay, and what was already good became excellent. The location is breathtaking, and the staff are among the warmest and most professional in Antigua. From management to housekeeping, activities, pool staff, bar, and restaurant teams, the service is consistently outstanding. The cuisine is exceptional, and the overall resort experience is truly first-class. As loyal guests for over 17 year, spending more than £250,000 on over 20 visits across their Caribbean properties we were completely shocked to receive a personal email from the CEO when trying to book a return visit to Galley Bay in 2026. Not only was that booking refused, but he also authorised the cancellation of our October 2025 reservation at Hammock Cove (Antigiua) , with no explanation other than a brief note from our booking agent saying that out booking had been cancelled. We also received an email for the COO saying that they strongly believe that our resorts offer guests a wonderful all-inclusive island experience, and the vast majority of our guests have a terrific time with us. That being said, there is no one size fits all when it comes to holiday travel, and no single resort or resort group is perfect for everyone. To that end, we simply feel that our resorts are not the best fit for your future holidays… We wish you the very best with your future travels—even though those travels will not include our resorts. After years of loyalty, this response left us stunned. In my personal opinion, Elite Island Resorts might be engaging in some form of customer profiling, possibly using social media, and if you don’t fit their preferred profile, you might suddenly find yourself uninvited to return. That said, I cannot fault the quality of their resorts, as they are truly first-class.
• jucS3247VY (4/5): The beauty of the place was as good as it got - Galley Bay is beautiful to look at and most staff was very nice. But, my experience was terrible. I waited weeks to write this review as management had reached out to me and said they would get in touch with me that week to right their wrong and all now I have not heard from them and my stay was almost a month ago. I am a local and I am not sure if that contributed to my treatment. I am not sure if the hotel has quick turnover but it seems like different staff have different views on policies. If I knew some of the policies I would not stay there. And when i told management I kept being told different policies, I was talked down and the hotel never held accountability. Until the end when they said they would right their wrong and never did. I also told them about my diet, which is very limited and they did not seem to consider that at all. I came with intentions to make content to show off the hotel and get away as work was very stressful so I paid big money to get away. I left even more stressed than I was, got spoken to disrespectfully by management (even though most of the staff was lovely), I was hungry most evenings due to my diet restrictions not being paid attention to and overall no reach out as promised to right their wrong. I am sure a tourist would get better treatment staying here as I have visited a tourist here and can automatically see the treatment was better but as a local I would highly recommend not to go. I staycation often in Antigua and this was by far the worst treatment I’ve gotten at a staycation. I was hoping they would reach out to me to right their wrong but clearly they had no interest on doing so. Like I said before, beautiful aesthetic but I would not recommend otherwise.
• 209abbym (10/5): Best Honeymoon Ever! Just book it! - This resort is 5 stars. After being a little worried we were too young to honeymoon here, all I can say is don’t worry, just book it!! Everything at this resort is out of this world, from the food, to the beach, to the spa, to the employees. The food here is the best food I’ve ever had. We never had a bad meal. They are very accommodating if you are picky eaters, like we are. We loved their caesar salad and they made it for us several times when it wasn’t even on the menu. Every dinner was fantastic, always a good option. We also loved barefoot grill for lunch. Their burgers and fries are delicious! I do think our favorite meal was breakfast, especially the banana bread!! I’m still dreaming about it. Their breakfast “Galley Bay Potatoes” too! Omg so good. The drinks were delicious and strong. I’m still dreaming of the “fantasy” drink of the day. I should have gotten the recipe. There was beach service. Make friends with him and he will come back! Make sure to bring your cups, they will fill them up! The beach was beautiful, blue, and calm. We spent lots of time snorkeling the reef and the sunken ship. So many fish! The water sport boys are so fun! Bring floats to relax in too! We stayed in a premium beachfront room. It was clean, huge, and so cute! The housekeepers do an amazing job. It stayed spotless. Our favorite thing ever was turndown service. We loved the bed notes. We did struggle with all the light switches and fan remotes, but you do eventually figure it out. The rooms really are as big as they look. Lastly, the spa was spectacular. Definitely opt for an outdoor couples massage. It wasn’t hot at all, as the fan was blasting! We both wanted to get another one! To end our amazing, perfect week, we got to watch sea turtles hatch on our last night. This was the most amazing experience. I hope everyone gets to meet Ashton and hear his story. We were so sad to leave but are counting down the days until we can return. We love Galley Bay!!
• O5758GKkareng (10/5): Anniversary Celebration in Paradise! - We just returned from an unforgettable week at Galley Bay for our 40th Anniversary, and we’re still on cloud nine over our truly magical experience! We celebrated our 30th anniversary at Galley Bay 10 years ago, and had been dreaming about going back again ever since. Everything was just as perfect as we remembered; most specifically, the top notch service, incredible gourmet level food, excellent accommodations, the sheer beauty of the beach and impeccably kept grounds, and the variety of activities and nightly entertainment. The beautiful guest suites have undergone a facelift since our last visit, and there is now a rum shack and adorable little coffee shop that did not exist back then. (The rum raisin ice cream is amazing!!) The managers and staff at Galley Bay treat you like family, and make you feel 100% spoiled every single day. If you’ve been searching for THE most incredible all inclusive, adults-only, romantic, quiet, relaxing, fun getaway, with THE most dedicated staff, gourmet organic food made to order, top shelf alcohol, nightly live entertainment, and non-motorized water sports, then Galley Bay Resort & spa is the place for you. Not surprisingly, 75% of the guests at Galley Bay are repeat visitors, and their 5-star reviews don’t lie! We just can’t say enough about this little slice of paradise, where they take fantastic care of you from the moment you arrive and are greeted with a welcome cocktail and cool towel. This resort is always uncrowded, which is what we love most about it, but the week we just spent there (July 29- August 5) was during the low season, and occupancy was only 45%!! The only downside to this was that the restaurants rotated each day and were not all open all at the same time, but that was more than compensated for by the fact that we practically had the entire resort to ourselves, thereby receiving even more personalized attention- including made to order food at times that wasn’t even on the menu. Absolute heaven!! If you’re celebrating an anniversary, I highly recommend the private beach dinner. We were so glad we did this, as it was an absolutely lovely experience, and so romantic. We even received a printed copy of our personalized menu to keep as a souvenir! Shout out to our awesome server Charmar, and to Alaska, who went above and beyond to ensure our experience was the best it could be, and to resort manager Cedric, who makes each guest feel like they are his most important priority. We can’t wait to plan our next trip, and we definitely won’t be waiting 10 years this time! There is seriously no better value for the money in the entire Caribbean. Book your trip today… I promise you won’t be sorry!
• clarissaf924 (10/5): Perfect Honeymoon Destination - From the moment we arrived, the staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed and cared for. Every team member we encountered was incredibly friendly, attentive, and accommodating—truly making us feel at home. The beaches are picture-perfect with crystal-clear water (great for snorkeling, gear is provided in every room). The entire property is beautifully maintained and impeccably clean overlooking the beach and hills. There is a ton of activities including biking, touring the farm, and water sports. The spa was beautiful and reasonably priced. Every meal was delicious and fresh (directly from their on-site farm). Dining at Galley Bay felt like a true culinary experience. We can't wait to return!
• 483demetrib (10/5): Best Vacation of our Lives!!! Wish I could give it 10 STARS - Your resort is perfection, well thought out, excellent amenities and very well manicured and maintained. High quality food and service. Alfred the Great, always smiling and accommodating Vincent the beach server was very friendly and attentive Sharon our housekeeper always accommodate ANY request Lynette the restaurant manager made us always feel welcome and at home
• Caron36 (10/5): 11 night stay in Galley Bay - Just back from 11 glorious days in Galley Bay. This was our first, but definitely not our last visit to the resort. We stayed in a superior delux beach front room which was a single storey room. The room was spacious and was spotlessly clean, big thanks to the cleaning staff. In the room there was a kettle and coffee machine as well as a fridge. Tea, coffee and milk were restocked every day as well as the fridge being topped up with water, sodas, beer and our choice of wine! The room opened out into a private patio with sun loungers and a shower. Each room has their own sun loungers and parasol on the beach as well. Lovely bathroom with 2 sinks and 2 showers which were fully stocked with all toiletries. Also a large walk in wardrobe in the bathroom. The 3 restaurants on site were excellent, great variety of food, superbly prepared and presented. Ismays has a surcharge but worth every penny, so good we went twice, such a lovely setting. The staff are incredible, Chef Jerimah and Cedric were there chatting with everyone at breakfast. Sadi with her beautiful smile made us feel so welcome. The Teepee bar is lovely to sit and enjoy a cocktail with the stunning view. We also did Dine by Deisgn to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. I can’t thank Chef Guvan enough, he met with us to talk through our menu, our likes and dislikes and designed the menu around us. The Pavilion was made so pretty for our meal, we stared with champagne on the beach at sunset and then had the most amazing meal cooked there by Chef Guvan and Chef Jerimah. Dasani was our waiter for the evening, he is just the nicest guy ever. They made our anniversary so special for us. All the staff were so friendly and helpful and made our holiday extra enjoyable., especially Joan in Guest Services, such a lovely lady. Beautiful beach resort for couples, wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for a visit.
• Christine (10/5): - Galley Bay is a beautiful resort! If you want to relax and be treated well alongside a beautiful beach, this is the place to go! The room was absolutely amazing! It was by far, the nicest room we’ve ever stayed in.My only complaint was that Wi-Fi was really only working in the rooms, and the restaurant choices were limited since only one or two a day was open.
• rachieUk (10/5): - This was our second visit to Galley Bay. Last time we stayed in a cottage, so decided to book a beach front room this time. The position on these huge rooms are perfect. We opted for a top floor, for privacy and it was so relaxing waking up and having a coffee on the balcony. The resort is just so beautiful and you can truly relax at this resort. The staff are all great. Alaska, Vincent and the watersport centre chap (apologies for not remembering your name) were all above and beyond. Food is excellent and we really appreciated the returners dinner. We also won an evening at Ismay's in the manager's cocktail party, which was such a generous prize! We love this resort and we will be returning soon! Thank you!
• Otheryones (10/5): - 10 days in Paradise We have just returned from an amazing 10 days at Galley Bay Resort and Spa This was the first time visiting Antigua but it won’t be the last. We were celebrating our Golden Wedding Anniversary and we can’t thank Galley Bay enough for what they did to help us celebrate. We were taken to our room by the ever happy Dante, a beautiful Premium Beachfront Suite which was huge. A ground floor room which opened out onto the pristine beach with your own sun loungers on the patio as well as two designated loungers under a parasol on the beach. It’s a nice walk to the restaurants and bars at either end of the resort going through beautifully kept gardens with exotic flowers and shrubs. If it’s raining they will happily drive you to one of the restaurants in a golf buggy and pick you up after if needed. The Sea Grape Restaurant which is the main restaurant is open every day is on the beachfront. Great breakfasts and amazing food for dinner. The menu changes every day in all the restaurants which is something we have never had in any other hotel. Galley Bay is a small hotel with 98 rooms but it provides high class 5* luxury and has that very personal touch. The staff are so friendly and welcoming and always smiling. They love to help and ensure your stay is memorable. The managers and chefs are not hidden away in offices like a lot of hotels but out meeting guests as it should be. On the day of our anniversary we had a bottle of champagne, cheese plater and macaroons delivered to our room which was a lovely surprise. Our celebratory meal on the beach that evening was planned by Jerimiah, the head chef and Vincent was our waiter who was wonderful keeping our glasses filled and entertained throughout. There was no better way to celebrate our special day than at Galley Bay. So many people to thank and will be seeing again when we return but Tunisia who cleaned our room was wonderful, always chatting and laughing. Everyone in the hotel was so good and what comes across loud and clear is that they want to be there. It was good to see many of the staff dancing to the entertainment and having a good time and why not, they deserve it as they work so hard. We were lucky to see some turtles hatching on the beach one evening and you can see how they protect and monitor this having a robust conservation programme in place. Again everyone is involved in protecting this lovely island. We can truly say that this is the best hotel we have stayed at and the memory of our first visit will stay with us a long time. We will be back as soon as possible to have even memories of this stunning place. It was sad to leave but as they said you have to leave to be able to come back…and we will.
• denmanm2014 (10/5): Paradise on the beach - Traveled to Antigua and spent 9 days on the island with my wife and two daughters- 18yo and 17yo. For the record, Galley Bay is as advertised- quiet, secluded and beautiful!   I was worried about the beach reading reviews, but it was awesome!  No seaweed, soft sand- some rocks but nothing to complain about.   The water was warm, and crystal clear.   We didn't find it too wavey, but others comment that it wasn't as calm as other Antiguan beaches.  Snorkeling included a wreck nearby that the water sport team can take you to and a reef of the far end of the resort that had great fish, octopus and lobsters. The rooms were HUGE!   Nicely appointed and well maintained.  Forgive me for not getting name of the house keeping crew, but they did a marvelous job of keeping the room stocking with drinks, towels and free of sand. (recommendation- we put a bath mat in from of the sliding doors to wipe our feet and keep sand out- you guys should look into some kind of permanent door mats) The experience of being able to literally walk out on to the beach directly from your room and have access to go into the room to use the bathroom or reapply sunscreen was amazing. And having your own personal beach loungers that you didn't have to fight for or reserve was stress relieving.   The staff was very nice, everyone was friendly and attentive- special call-outs to Cedric who greeted EVERYONE at breakfast, checked on them and wished them a fantastic day, Alaska, Julius, Sadie (my daughter called her "my Queen"), Annika (who is the absolute definition of guest services!) and Curtis. I am missing so many others, apologies- ground keeping crew always said good morning and stopped to engage you in friendly banter, housekeeping as mentioned before and those I will call the "golf cart guys"- thanks for running us up for taxi pickups!    The pool was great and contrary to reviews; we had access to plenty of towels.   For an all-inclusive resort, the food was above average.   We mostly ate at Seagrape (breakfast, lunch and dinner).    The menu changed every day, I would say that the lunch menu, at times, had better options than the dinner menu.  We had dinner at Gauguin one night, but did not feel it was special enough to worry about making reservations.   Drinks were okay, I couldn't find one I liked- but oh well.  Nightly entertainment was pleasant, the fire dancers was the best, he was a hoot. All was enough to keep you busy for couple of hours before bedtime (entertainment ended at 10:30p)     As mentioned, the crowd was very subdued- no one was rowdy.  Mostly mature couples with some young honeymooners sprinkled in.   Many of the guests were return patrons.   I can definitely see why.   Again, contrary to reviews, I did not feel like these folks got preferential treatment.  One very special moment, was that all the guests were able to witness see turtles hatching and going to the ocean (there was a research team supervising)- felt like a National Geographic moment!  All in all, I would strongly recommend Galley Bay to travelers looking for a quiet, beautiful piece of heaven on earth.
• James (10/5): - It may have been the friendliest and most helpful staff of any place we have stayed.
• W318SXashm (10/5): Great Romantic Resort - Wow, we could not have been more impressed with Galley Bay. My husband and I spent our honeymoon here and from the moment we were shown around by Alfred we were taken care of. The food was amazing, staff was awesome (special shout out to Pearl, Aaliyah, Vaughn, Alfred). Also, Cedric was welcoming, accommodating and a great host. We ran on the running trail every morning, used the gym, kayaked, laid on the beach, etc. We could not get enough of all the features Galley Bay has to offer. Mostly everyone we met stayed at Galley Bay before and we can surely see why they returned. We can’t wait to come back!
• Thomas (10/5): - Galley Bay is a wonderful facility, the staff is first rate. Room was perfect. The beach is marvelouss. Dining again first rate. If you enjoy a relaxing beach holiday Galley Bay is the spot.
• Jessica (10/5): - We had the most amazing time at Galley Bay! It is very intimate and laid back but with a little entertainment in the evening! 10/10 will go back!
• Alan (8/5): - Location and views are sublime. Good food variety and quality.
• 685joycew (10/5): It Just Keeps Getting Better! - My husband and I just spent 2 beautiful weeks at Galley Bay Resort and Spa. Our second visit. You are greeted at reception with excellent rum punches (or 2). Our waterfront room was all that and more. A resort is just a resort, until you factor in the superb guest services on all levels. You can tell management personnel are hands on at every level. Culinary: A+. Housekeeping services A+. And then there is Alaska! We 1st met him when he was part of the management team on Palm Island resort before Hurricane Milton. We were thrilled to see him once again at Galley Bay. He is the epitome of all things a resort manager should be. Alaska: you made our visit so very enjoyable. I’m sure we’ll see you on our next Caribbean sojourn. And Pearl! Thank you so much for telling me just how to order poached eggs to my liking.. runny! You have a gorgeous smile and a personality that lights up a room. So many others provided us with an unforgettable adventure. Too many to name individually. Our advice… book your next adventure at this 5 star resort!
• MissTfy (10/5): You will love your stay at Galley Bay! - We have recently just returned from our 11th visit to Galley Bay Resort and Spa, and to no surprise, it was as lovely as ever. After initially first going there for our honeymoon in 2014- we knew this will always be our go-to ‘R and R’ place where its hospitality-team remembers your name and always greets you with a smile. The resort’s beauty, wonderful and accommodating staff, relaxing rooms, made-to-order meals, and fabulous drinks- always have my husband and I coming back year after year, to which we feel, it deserves the highest of praises. I wanted to share some tips and a few photos from this recent trip, particularly for those that are considering booking, or have a planned upcoming stay for the first time. Due to the resort having less than 100 rooms- it has never seemed crowded, but with enough guests to give some fresh faces to meet and chat with at the main resort bar, should you want to mingle a bit. The resort is not too small and not too big, and can provide you variety for your week or several weeks stay. On all our trips to Antigua, we have always felt safe should we want to do some excursions and activities off the resort. However, Galley Bay Resort and Spa, does a great job at giving you plenty of activities to do onsite, should you decide you do not want to venture out. A majority of these resort activities are shared with you upon arrival, as well as posted at the Guest Service’s desk for reference throughout your stay. Examples of their planned activity options are; the Caribbean BBQ luncheon, Manager’s cocktail hour on the rum-shack greens, Caribbean cooking lessons, garden and floral tour, yoga classes, a romantic movie night on the beach with individual wireless Bluetooth headsets, and live local nightly entertainment. Other activities you can enjoy are; free paddle boarding (which my husband always enjoys), sunfish sail boating, kayaking and snorkeling, (we like to bring our own snorkel masks as our own personal preference), a peaceful walking trail around the resort farm and gardens-where a majority of the resort’s fresh produce comes from for its onsite restaurants, the adorable air-conditioned café for cappuccinos, tea sandwiches, fresh baked cookies and ice cream (the rum-raisin ice cream is out of this world!), fitness center, and the bespoke spa with wonderful massage and couples massage options for an additional way to spoil yourself while you are staying here… there are so many special touches that GBR offers to its guests, I won’t tell you all of our favorite things- you’ll have fun discovering those on your own. You will most undoubtedly be super impressed with the lovely staff- who will make you feel like family, and will look to try to accommodate any special requests you may have. If you go, please, please, please- be respectful to the service team here. This is a resort that has some staff members that have been there over 10 and 20 years- they know how to make you feel special, and like so many other GBR guests who are known as ‘Repeaters’, we choose to book Galley Bay Resort and Spa- because of the fabulous staff that work there. It has been lovely over the many years we have been visiting GBR, to also be greeted by the newer staff coming up under the guidance of the other tenured team members. For most of our stays, we have opted to book the second floor Premium Beachfront suites, enjoying the sounds of the ocean at night since they are directly on the beach but also having the option of relaxing on the lounge chairs on our balcony and having a glass of champagne with the water views. Some additional guest tips you might want to know if considering booking GBR: There is a very good sized safe in the closet- large enough for two to three standard laptops or more items, if you need. With that being said, we have never had any concerns of crime while there, but since I can work remotely and usually travel with my laptop, I just always appreciate the use of a safe in a room for additional peace of mind. The guest rooms are stocked up daily with local beer, wine and bottles of water with option for more, upon request/need. There are ice-machine stands along the walking paths to the rooms, that you can readily help yourself to. The room has a wet bar with nice sink and decent sized refrigerator- which can store plenty of beverages and different sized bottle types. Although we liked to go for a morning walk to the resort café to get some cappuccinos to-go, there is a small coffee/tea maker with coffee and teas in the room too. The rooms do have an ironing board and iron in the closet- which comes in handy if you are traveling with linen clothes. The bathrooms also have a hairdryer if you need one, and use the same voltage and electrical outlets as the USA (for anyone traveling from the states wondering about compatibility). There were also USB plugs on both sides of the bed as well- always a nice convenience and we never had any issues with the wi-fi in the room being slow or unavailable. High-quality full-size body wash, shampoo and hair conditioner are also provided in the bathroom, so you can opt to not bother packing those items. You will not have to get up early to claim your beach chairs and shade umbrellas- as all are allocated and clearly marked with room numbers. I recommend bringing aqua-sock shoes for wearing in the ocean. You'll be glad you have those to walk out around the coral right in front of some of the beachfront. Additionally, there is an adequate gift shop on the resort, that does have miscellaneous OTC travel items, snacks, gifts, some beachwear, resort branded clothing, hats and jewelry etc. *Don’t forget to bring your preferred insect repellent AND a bug-bite hydrocortisone cream. GBR will do nightly fogging about 2 times a week- however, this is a tropical island. Expect to get some mosquito bites. If you are prone to get bitten by mosquitoes a lot, with proper planning and a little diligence on your part, you can still enjoy your stay. We were there in late May/early June and got only a few mosquito bites as expected- but we also always sprayed insect repellent on ourselves when going about the resort after dusk. I also recommend packing a medium sized purse or small tote bag you can bring with you to dinner (something bigger than a clutch purse), because I always find it handy to have one to throw in a small travel sized bug repellent spray, my husband’s kindle, card game, phones etc.– that way after dinner, we would already have those items with us and could just head over to the central resort bar and stay out and not have to go back to the room for those things. Don’t forget to pack a strong sun screen with a high SPF (ie, 50), if you don’t want to buy it at the resort’s sundries store and definitely put on sunscreen- no matter how much you are used to being out in the sun. If you are new to traveling to the Caribbean, I recommend being cognizant of the amount of sun exposure you are getting in or out of the water- particularly in your first few days. I have literally seen people jaw-droppingly red and sun-burned from head to toe on their second day of their vacation- and can only imagine how unpleasant it must have been for them to have to stay in their room for the rest of their trip. Just be smart about protecting yourself from the strong Caribbean sun, even on cloudy days- better to safe and build up your vacation tan-glow slowly. Galley Bay is a very romantic resort and it’s nice to see all couples and guests welcomed. We have met couples that have been there well over 20 times and they still light up when sharing their stories of coming to Galley Bay Resort and Spa. Most guests I would say, are over forty years old, and all seem to cherish the tranquility the resort offers. We are so glad we found this special paradise that has remained on our favorite destinations list over the past decade, and extend our appreciation to its wonderful staff and management-and wish them much continued success!
• richardsA2569ZG (10/5): We will be back - This was our eight visit to Galley Bay and and the resort just gets better. The food once again was wonderful and seems to improve year on year (but as always been excellent). The staff are always attentive and nothing is too much trouble for any of them, there are too many too mention but a big thank you to everyone, it is you that make the resort so enjoyable. We stayed in a beachfront room so literally 20 metres from the sea, the room was kept spotless throughout our stay with the fridge topped up everyday. Once again a huge thank you to everyone at Galley Bay for another memorable stay.
• barbsw2018 (10/5): Wedding anniversary - We stayed for 2 very special weeks in June 2025 at #galleybayresort and it was wonderful. The premium oceanfront accommodation was fabulous , we had our own beach sunbeds and parasol and Vincent would happily bring us anything we wanted from the bar. Crystal blue clear warm sea a few steps away. We were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and had a magical time. Thank you Cedric, Bri, Stuart, Tina and Vaughan and all of the Galley Bay Resort family. You made us feel very special x
• chrisrR7520ES (10/5): Authentic Caribbean Resort for Relaxation - Galley Bay Resort and Spa is an authentic Caribbean getaway. This gorgeous resort is an all-inclusive, adults only property with only 98 rooms throughout the beautiful grounds. Set between one of the best beaches on the island and acres of lush tropical gardens. Ideal for couples and newlyweds seeking relaxation, romance and tranquility. You'll feel like you're the only ones there!
• Amber (10/5): - We stayed at Galley
• CSN88 (10/5): Ultimate Couple Paradise - I can confirm the majority of positive reviews praising the views, rooms, food, and service. I’d like to share a few things we didn’t expect on our June visit. First, the caliber of entertainment is not to be missed on a nightly basis. You eat dinner and migrate to the mini stage area at night where Adirondack chairs await and drink service is spot on. I cannot tell you how relaxing the evenings are with the incredible bands and performers while the waves reach the shore just behind you. They have two regular bands in the Spirited Group and Dynamic Trio. These bands are good enough to be playing in front of an arena full of people yet the management brings them in even during a slower part of the season. The steel drum and barrel groups and fire uperformers are also “must see” evenings. Second, the water sports and Romiero (who captains the mini catamaran) is certainly worth doing. The short sail on the mini catamaran to a sunken ship site is a perfect snorkeling spot. We were also impressed with the snorkeling right off our beautiful beach area. Finally, don’t skip the weekly BBQ. It’s so well done and the music and food will be something you will remember when back home. We ran into great staff including all of the coffee shop help, Romiero, Pearl, Vincent and Joan were all dedicated to making our trip a great one. The spa is professional and relaxing. One suggestion that I would offer is to contact the resort ahead of your visit if walking is an issue. They can likely position you in a room closer to the main restaurants and arrange golf cart rides. This is an incredible resort with impeccable grounds and a staff dedicated to making your trip special.
• Cynthia (10/5): The staff, food, beach , and grounds were lovely. If you like to venture out maybe get a car, otherwise it is a ways fro - Beautiful grounds and beach . Our room- a Premium beachfront with balcony was a lovely! We ate at the resort for most meals and aside from one appetizer, one night at the SeaGrape, we really enjoyed the food, which was good b/c I have a very picky boyfriend. The Gauguin for any meal is fabulous - we tried breakfast , lunch , and dinner - and at night listening to ocean waves with dinner is sublime. So if you visit, definitely eat there. There was nothing we did not like - it was great ! We even visited the farm and got a mango to take back to the restaurant and asked them to slice it up for us with our breakfast. The property is a bit expansive so if you like to walk you’ll be super happy. If not, they offer rides from the Porter to wherever it is you’d like to go. We had no complaints. All the staff were so friendly and helpful and we truly enjoyed ourselves.
• Passport52654858762 (10/5): Book it now! - We had the most amazing week at Galley Bay . It was all we could have hoped for - quiet, romantic and the most incredible food. We had a premium beach suite (no 18) which was stunning and our own space in the beach. It is a quiet vibe but perfect for relaxation and reconnecting. The food at Ismays was stunning and worth every penny of the $50 premium. The beautiful setting of the Gauguin was so romantic and the Seagrape breakfast had so many options - try the flapjacks (v thin crepes) The drinks were fantastic and the rose and prosecco were of a good quality. The staff were helpful( some a little distant) and friendly. All in all we will be saving to return. Thank you Galley Bay
• CLambeau1 (8/5): Excellent Stay - Highly recommend - My wife and I stayed at Galley Bay Resort in Antigua for 6 days/5 nights at the end of May 2025. This resort is about 20 minutes from the airport which is perfect. The resort itself is laid-back and relaxing, everything we desperately wanted and needed. Having visited several Caribbean islands, we found Antigua’s people to consistently be the nicest and most welcoming we’ve ever met. We stayed in Room 8, which opened directly onto the beach with no one above us. While this was ideal to us, it should be noted that most rooms have someone above. (I believe only 8 rooms don't have this option). The resort is marketed as all-inclusive, but some menu items, like Chateaubriand ($40 for two) and dining at Ismay’s with its Michelin-star chef ($50 per person), come at an extra cost. While we highly recommend Galley Bay, there are a few flaws. First, beach service was nonexistent. I should note, my wife and I would spend the mornings on the beach and the afternoons in the pool. In six days, no one offered us drinks on the beach. I recall seeing one person the entire trip even walk by our room in the morning which is truly unacceptable in my opinion. Adding a second server per side and a dedicated pool server would drastically help. The pool’s call buttons were also broken. Second, the resort ran out of towels and at times were hard to find which is unacceptable for a 4.5 star resort. Third, the dress code required pants for men. I was told my Bermuda shorts weren’t allowed, forcing me to wear jeans, which felt less appropriate. (I do claim some responsibility as I did not look at the website to confirm this information prior to packing). Lastly, the water sports manager who I didn't get the name of, was unprofessional. The reason I say this is due to trying to reserve a time with the hobie cat the day before. The manager advised that this was not possible and proceeded to point to the piece of paper where it was written on the bottom. However, when showing me the piece of paper, he proceeded to slide the paper up which showed the paper of the next day. This was his mistake as I was able to see that he already allowed someone to sign up. When looking at the name, it was a female's name. Long story short, I guess the manager is okay with allowing females to sign up the evening before but if you're a male, you must follow those rules. To me, this is extremely unfair and unprofessional. Despite these issues, the positives were outstanding. The beach, the bay, and the pool were amazing, the food was excellent, and the laid back vibe was perfect and exactly what we needed. The staff (minus the water sports manager) were exceptional in every way possible. Gaye-Sheree, Veneir, Charma, Romeiro (water sports), Vincent (manager), and Alaska (manager) made our stay unforgettable. Though we rarely revisit destinations, the staff’s personalities, friendliness, and just overall welcoming tempts us to return. With fixes to service, towels, and policies, Galley Bay could be one of the best resorts in the Caribbean.
• louxloux (10/5): Best hotel yet! - Where do I start? This has been the very best hotel I have stayed in for a holiday. The service was exceptional from all staff; kind, caring and very efficient. The management are visible and responsive and the staff are so hard working. The food! Just wow. We ate at all the restaurants and all were excellent. My favourite meal of the 2 weeks was actually at Seagrape and was duck ballotine with puréed cauliflower. We absolutely enjoyed every meal and because it was my husband’s 60th birthday we had a gazebo meal with great service. There are excellent choices at all the restaurants and we cannot fault any of our meals. Again the service was excellent. We stayed in the Gauguin suites and loved the privacy it provided and our private plunge pool. We enjoyed seeing the wildlife around the lagoon and had frequent visits from the beautiful birds and ducks. Our room was cleaned, sheets changed and floors mopped daily. The mini bar was stocked daily. We couldn’t ask for more. We enjoyed the entertainment because the standard was superb, dancing under the stars was a highlight and I memory I will cherish forever. There were so many wonderful staff, Alaska,Sadie, Ebony, Pearl, Suzette Claudia, Romeo and Alfred to name a few. We are certainly returning to this beautiful place and cannot wait to do so.
• Arthur (5/5): Needs improvement for the price paid - The location is absolutely stunning. The ocean water displays three different shades of blue that continue to amaze you every time you look. We stayed in one of the beachfront rooms, which was fantastic—great air conditioning, a ceiling fan, and quite literally the most breathtaking view I’ve ever seen. Being steps away from the sand made it incredibly special. I truly found the peace, quiet, and views I was looking for. Needs Improvement: There are a few things that unfortunately impacted our overall experience: • Dress Code Surprise: We booked through Booking.com, where there was no mention of a dress code. To our surprise, long pants and closed shoes were required to dine at a beachfront restaurant in over 30°C weather—which felt absurd. We had to spend over $100 at the on-site boutique just to be allowed to eat dinner. The rule feels outdated and unreasonable. • Dining Experience: The resort has three restaurants, two of which require reservations—even when many tables sit empty. The menus are repetitive and very limited. It’s hard to believe you can’t even get something simple like a portion of fries or a slice of bread in the morning. • Service and Maintenance: While some staff were friendly and helpful, others gave the impression they were doing you a favor. Pool towels weren’t consistently available, and no one seemed to clean up used glasses or trash from around the pool and beach. Ducks swimming in the pool were also a concern from a hygiene standpoint. • Mosquitoes: We understand we’re in nature, but mosquitoes constantly landing on us and our food was both disgusting and frustrating. • Coconut Water Service: I was told I could request fresh coconut water, but after the first day, no one followed through—even when I ordered in advance and followed up the same day. • Overall Structure: The property feels more like a rustic hotel than a true resort. If you’re expecting something on par with Cancun, Punta Cana, Aruba, or Tulum, you’ll likely be disappointed. Bottom Line: The beautiful location and views were exactly what I was looking for, but the dining restrictions and outdated dress code policies were dealbreakers. Considering the price we paid per night, the experience didn’t meet expectations. Sadly, I wouldn’t return.
• GregandPantera (10/5): Always a great choice - My wife and I have visited Galley Bay four times over the past couple of years, and we are returning again in October. I will refrain from repeating what has already been stated by countless others. It's a quiet place, and most of the guests keep to themselves. We have never witnessed any rowdiness or excessively loud "overserved" individuals. This makes for a civilized and peaceful experience for all. Food is very, very good. Room is large and boasts a generous bathroom. The staff works very hard. Whether it is the front desk, the bar and waitstaff, or housekeeping, the level of professionalism is consistently very good. My only suggestion is that there should be a better system in place for gratuities. We are old-school and reward hard work with cash. However, I feel that a subtle P2P tipping system through apps such as Venmo, Zelle, Papal or something similar should be implemented where a guest can just transfer funds to those staff members that stand out and exhibit excellence. Also worth mentioning, is that on our latest trip, there was a marked improvement in regard to the visibility of management--especially at nighttime. Not only is the manager present, but he makes himself visible and accessible to all. Can't wait to return! Greg & Heather
• DJN_02 (10/5): Home from Home, little heaven - Firstly, for those browsing images of this place here or on any other website, I can 100% confirm it’s absolutely beautiful in person; the images and photos don’t do it any justice! I have been lucky enough to travel around the world and across the Caribbean, and in person, this place is truly stunning; no still image will give you that feeling! Of course, its beauty is maintained by great people, and the staff is always willing to go above and beyond. If you are looking for a holiday break where you need to completely relax, destress and feel your heart with tranquil images of paradise, this is the place! (Please don’t expect it to be full of people, busy, and have some holiday scene) I took my Mum for the 30x2, and she absolutely loved it. The food is great ( you also won’t put on weight as the food is well balanced, fresh and healthy) and a gym is on site! It was a great choice of good alcohol, which can be hit and miss in some Caribbean islands, but it was good. Rooms are beautiful, comfortable, and well-designed, and the hotel has tranquil decor. Of course, you can always point out improvements to be great as this place, and you constantly have to do this, but nothing major truly made me think I have to point out. I believe the team will innovate, for example, maybe making the checking out, billing, and invoicing experience more digitalised so it doesn’t feel like you will spend a fortune at the end of the holiday buying gifts from the gift shop, etc. There is a way to see how much you spend through the holiday if necessary. If you are considering this place, it will definitely make you feel at Home. If you are getting away from your Home ☺️ then you will definitely find the new Home you are looking for!
• Douglas (10/5): - Our room was nice and big. It was literally on the beach. We walked out of our room onto the beautiful beach. We had our own beach chairs and umbrella. The food was very good. The staff was very friendly. It was very much like a boutique resort. There was plenty of activities to do. The snorkeling was good right off the end of the resort.
• shane (10/5): - Amazing beach
• stephen (10/5): - Great service and everyone knew tour name. Small resort but with 1st class amenities
• K7426WYshirleyc (10/5): Eighth visit - This was our 8th at Galley Bay. We first came in 2007 and have chosen to return every now and then as we can be assured of a perfect stay each time. We love the upper floor beach front suites with the vaulted ceiling and spacious balcony providing a perfect view of the beach, trees and the Caribbean Sea. The food was delicious of course and is always a highlight. There is a wide variety of fresh fish available each day and always cooked to order. The salads are fresh, crispy and flavoursome with a Caribbean touch to them. Rum n’ raisin ice cream is always a favourite with us. The addition of the coffee shop which is open all day is another lovely touch. Coffee piping hot and fresh cookies, pastries, sandwiches and fruit available as if it’s needed having indulged in three full meals a day. We didn’t manage any food from the Barefoot grill but it was certainly popular. The Gauguin is our favourite restaurant where you are seated at your own cabana on the beach. I discovered the morning yoga with Mackenzie on this visit. This is held in the pavilion on the beach. What a wonderful setting for these sessions even during a rain storm. Mackenzie is clearly an experienced yoga instructor and tailored each session to the abilities of the participants. It’s an ‘all levels’ session and as a complete beginner I was able to manage the whole class. As the days progressed newer positions were added. A totally relaxing holiday. We will return!
• Shortie33 (10/5): Relax, eat, drink, swim repeat! - We've just come back from 10 days of sheer bliss at Galley Bay. Where do you start! The resort itself is absolutely fantastic. We stayed in one of the deluxe beechfront rooms and the accommodation was perfect. You just opened the doors & stepped out onto the beach. You also have your own outside shower which is great. All the staff were very friendly and professional. The cocktails are superb. The food was outstanding and we were very impressed with the quality in all of the restaurants so much so that we didn't get to book Ismay's because we enjoyed the food so much in the others but we will next time because we are looking at dates for next year so as we can go and enjoy paradise all over again! Visiting Shirley Heights is a must, particularly on a Sunday when all the locals show you how to party!!
• Lucy-Hols-Travels (10/5): Superb service! - The service at this hotel is truly outstanding, and I would guess the reason that so many people return again and again. The beach is really expansive and nowhere ever feels busy because of that, also a fantastic touch having loungers assigned to the villas - makes a massive difference! Breakfast at Gaugin is superb and a stunning setting. It was our first trip here and was a surprise for my birthday and they really did go above and beyond to help us celebrate. A huge thank you to Nola and to everyone at Ismay in making it really special!
• Sunsisters33871 (10/5): Home Away from Home - We just returned from a wonderful week vacation at Galley Bay. My husband and I have been to many Caribbean resorts and we both said that Galley Bay was one of the best. We felt very much at home and the entire resort offered up pretty much what we look for on a vacation. Unfortunately, it rained all week so that certainly put a “damper” on our trip. The umbrella became our most used accessory. Most of the employees were very nice but some were MUCH better than others. A few who need to be recognized are the following: Samantha - always polite and spot on. She was always friendly and incredibly helpful. Tenicia had a smile that could light up the entire resort. Sonya in the coffee shop took great care of us and made a mean cup of coffee. Veronica in housekeeping was terrific. Great service with a smile - always. Last but not least was Alaska - who I will call the Master of Ceremonies. He always made a point to say hello to us and always with a compliment. We stayed in an Ocean front room on the ground floor. This room was delightful. Two beach chaise lounges with our room number on it was a great perk. The room also had an outdoor patio with two more chaises on it. An outdoor shower was a real treat. The three restaurants were totally different but all good. Some of the best food we have had in the Caribbean. The dress code was greatly appreciated. The Thursday afternoon barbecue was fantastic. Great food selection and steel drum music to add to the ambiance. Now - a few areas that need improvement. Reception was totally disorganized and inefficient. After 8 hours of traveling you really should not be asked about your departure information. Let your guests get a bit settled in before hitting them with that question. They also got our restaurant reservations wrong - put us under another guests name. This is a matter of management needing to train the staff. Not a smooth or a friendly welcome. I actually think the reception area should be on the other side of the bridge - closer to the “action” - a real disconnect here. The Tee-Pee bar is a perfect place to have a casual lunch. The menu is just perfect for a lunch by the beach. The problem here is lack of staff which translates to lack of service. We couldn’t get anyone’s attention. We simply needed some flatware and napkins. Our waiter was the only one working there so he was busy and nowhere to be found. I asked the two women working at the bar if they could get us some napkins- they were not interested in helping. I went behind the bar at got some cocktails on my own. We did give it another try on our last day - only one person working -this place is where people would spend money on lunch - needs staffing. All in all, Galley Bay gave us everything we were looking for in a vacation. We will be back. Martha and Bill Spiegel
• 319susani (10/5): Home from home a wonderful place - Another wonderful stay here at this fabulous place Thank you everyone for making us feel at home and special for our yearly visit As usual all the staff are friendly and cannot do enough for you Our room this visit was amazing - the bird life during the day Truely amazing the ducks stole our hearts a bonus was a turtle laying her eggs and the tree frogs of an evening after the rain were Spectacular !!! 🤣🤣 The food as always a delicious feast at breakfast lunch and evening meal Cocktails and drinks a plenty !!! God bless you all and already booked for April 2026 - just one request though not to much liquid sunshine next year !! 🤣🤣🤣xxx

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