Hawksbill by Rex Resorts

Much of the resort was built in the 1960s and 70s -- and it shows. Dated architectural styles such as fake stone walls are reminiscent of what might be found in a suburban Florida neighborhood for retirees. The “newer” bungalows were added later, in the '90s, and they include a few updates -- beds, bedspreads and some bathroom furnishings look newer, but not by much. Those who pay a high price might have an "uh-oh" moment upon arrival; the peeling paint and old buildings might make some feel as if they are arriving at grandma's house rather than a resort.With a secluded location far from any other resorts, a no-TV policy, and the vintage feel of the older buildings, you do feel like you've been transported back to another (simpler) time and place. Returning guests (many of whom are retired British couples) seem to enjoy the quaint charms and unchanged nature of the place. The four long beaches and great ocean views won't get old, at least.

One thing this resort has going for it is the beautiful, remote location on the calm west side of the island -- down a private road far from other resorts. There are no main roads close by, so you won’t hear any street noise. In fact, if you wander away from the common areas out of earshot of guests, the only thing you will hear are the birds and the sound of the ocean. The resort is situated on over 39 acres with four beachfront areas, so other than at meal time, the guests have plenty of room to spread out over the property and it never feels busy or crowded. Many rooms lookout on the the namesake Hawksbill rock, a unique rock formation out in the water with a hooked shape. It's about a 20-minute drive to the airport and a 10-minute drive into town.

The rooms are old and dim, with dated furniture and inferior lighting (especially in the bathrooms). But not only are the furnishings dated, they are also not well kept up -- lamps are often broken or have light bulbs missing. Newer bedding and some updated fixtures can be found in the Beach Club rooms. Mini-fridges come in some rooms, and all have coffee and tea facilities.The hotel staff says it aims to be minimalist to let guests relax and take in the views and atmosphere without any distractions, and there is a "no TV" policy. (There is one TV on the property, in the lounge next to the poolside restaurant, if there's a big game or important event on.)Only the newer bungalows have air-conditioning -- the standard Garden and Sea View Bungalows just have a ceiling fan, and breezes can be hard to come by, as the windows have old louvered shutters, some that don’t fully open. The shutters can also unfortunately obstruct the views of the crisp blue Caribbean ocean outside.

There is one small pool, and doesn't look to be used often by guests. There aren't any lounge chairs around the pool area, just some tables and chairs. Close by is the main bar and outdoor, covered restaurant where guests gather for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is another restaurant up in the lobby, but it's only used on special occasions. The vibe is casual -- no dress code for dinner here -- which is in line with the unpretentious atmosphere of the whole resort. There is a TV lounge and library next to the restaurant, and a tour desk. The gift shop is cleverly placed inside of an old brick Sugar Mill, a common sight in Antigua, showcasing a little piece of the island's history.All of the buildings are surrounded by nice gardens with lots of green grass. But the real standout of this resort are the beaches, of which there are four -- all with fine, powdery sand and clear, calm, shallow water. One of the beaches is clothing-optional -- the only nude beach on the island. All along the waterfront, there are many places to find open lounge chairs, often in the welcome shade of a tree. (Though look out for bird droppings on the chairs, another item that could use updating.)