Starfish Halcyon Cove

Set on a private pocket of beachfront land, this two-story resort unfolds across its lawn and garden grounds, past the jellybean-shaped pool and barefoot bar area to the beach. Its calm-as-a-lake stillness, white-powder sand, and untouched headland make it as tranquil as it gets. Aqua waters are so clear, fish can be seen swimming below. A pier protrudes from the beach to a shuttered restaurant pavilion suspended right above the water.The open-air lobby blends vaulted white-wood ceilings with tapered “Flinstones meets the Pharaohs” stone columns that add retro character and suggest this place has been around for a while. Bright-green and burnt orange walls bring bold color contrast, as do black square '80s chairs and a white grand piano. The Lobby Bar moves in a slightly more formal direction with a mosaic wraparound bar, and wicker lounge settings, multi-colored parrot artworks, and pink bougainvillea garden views. Grounds lead to the large pool with a towel hut, loungers, and a rainbow of directional signs pointing to resort features. The white-sand beach culminates in a serene headland near the water sports hut.The open-air buffet restaurant, Arawak Terrace, blends some of the lobby decor with “alfresco Italy” in the checked tablecloths, blue wicker chairs, and garden-inspired lattice detail overhead. Carib Bar is a sweeping outdoor paved area decked out with director chairs and tables, and a handful of pastel green and purple gazebos (serving food and drink) and pergolas (for sheltered seating). Cocktails are advertised on bright-cut out signs in sun and fish shapes with sweet-sounding rum concoctions like Antiguan Kiss and Native Passion on the menu. Only a low Romanesque balustrade divides the bar from the beach -- where a row of plastic deck chairs and wooden shade umbrellas invite chilling. The beach is public, so local vendors target tourists with their wares. Some add color and creativity to the scene -- an artist painting sarong fabrics, for instance -- while others can get annoying. Like much of Antigua, this resort draws lots of British and American tourists -- traveling in groups, as families, and as couples. 

Located in St. John's on Antigua’s west coast, Halcyon Cove is set on white sand Dickenson Bay Beach. It’s 18 minutes from VC Bird International Airport, and 11 minutes from St. Johns -- where candy-colored architecture, historic sights, markets, and restaurants are in abundance. It’s less than a 15-minute drive  to the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, St. John’s Cathedral, and Heritage Quay, and nine minutes to Cedar Valley Golf Club. Taxis can be arranged at the front desk. 

The 210 rooms at Halcyon Cove span a range of categories (some are one-bedrooms) with flexible bed configurations that sleep up to four people -- depending on the layout. They all have views of the garden, pool, or beach. Rooms are spacious and decorated with island flavor that fits the Caribbean location, but are otherwise dated. A subdued palette of whites, beiges, and soft pinks covers virtually everything from the ceilings, curtains, and wicker furniture down to the bedding and tile floors. Empire table lamps reminiscent of the '80s add a touch of blue in some rooms. Even the island artworks are pale, as though they’ve faded with the sun over the years, and lounge chairs with saggy fabric have also seen better days. Some rooms, however, are fresher and more up to date than others. When we visited there were some minor maintenance issues, such as lamps not working. Most rooms have furnished terraces or balconies, and they all come with work desks, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, air conditioning, irons and ironing boards, safes, hairdryers, and free Wi-Fi. Simple, white-tile bathrooms have shower/tub combos and include toiletries.

Aside from the lobby, Carib Bar serves as the main chilling and drinking spot. It’s an alfresco space stretching along the beachfront, where drinks and cocktails (in little plastic cups) are served from a gazebo hut. A Beach BBQ gazebo serves lunch, which is mainly basic fare, such as sandwiches, wraps, self-serve salads, and burgers. Warri Pier serves seafood-inspired a la carte meals in an open-air pavilion poised right over the water, but the food gets mixed reviews. Travelers should note that as of September 2017 this restaurant is temporarily closed for repairs due to hurricane damage. The Arawak Terrace serves a buffet breakfast with  fresh fruit, juice, coffee, pastries, bacon, sausage, baked beans (for the British crowd), and there’s an eggs/omelet chef at the ready. The dinner buffet (also served here) offers a mix of Italian, American, and local dishes. When the season quiets down, Warri Pier and the Lobby Bar close, so guests should check about what will be open during their visit.The property's outdoor pool is surrounded by loungers, and sunbeds and wooden shade umbrellas line the beachfront. The beach here is suitable for swimming, and guests can roam up and down the beach in either direction. Water sports include snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing. Motorized water sports, such as water skiing, are also available, but aren’t covered in the all-inclusive deal. Scuba diving and lessons can be arranged off-site. There are four floodlit tennis courts on the property, although they require a walk up a steep hill, and command a fee. There’s also a fitness center, a beauty salon, Rexplorers kids’ club, and a gift shop/convenience store. Free Wi-Fi is provided, babysitting can be arranged, and there are two ground-floor accessible rooms.