Starfish Jolly Beach Resort

Offering a staggering 464 rooms spread out over 40 acres of property along a mile-long beach, Starfish Jolly Beach Resort & Spa is the largest all-inclusive in Antigua, and it feels that way. Set in a collection of two- to four-story low-rise buildings named for and organized in the order of the Caribbean islands, the layout can be confusing. Guests should plan on doing lots of walking through large green lawns and gardens to get from one part of the resort to another. The upside of the huge property is that there’s room for plenty of restaurants and amenities, including great pools and a beautiful beach. Catering to vacationing families, there seems to always be some activity on tap to keep the little ones busy. It’s not all about the kids, though -- there are plenty of adult activities on hand, too, between the multiple bars, nightly entertainment like karaoke and dance parties, and regular cocktail receptions. There’s a good balance between small children running around and older couples taking full advantage of their all-inclusive packages.Starfish Jolly Beach Resort & Spa promotes itself as an all-inclusive property that offers something for all budgets, and the lack of luxury shows throughout the property. The neon pops of color feel dated, and chipped paint and other signs of wear and tear can be seen throughout the property. While efforts to update the resort are ongoing, like replacing the old tube-style TVs with flat-screens since our last visit, there’s still a ways to go before the resort will begin to offer anything approaching the level of luxury that guests will find at most other all-inclusives on the island. Many visitors don’t seem to mind, however, if the impressive number of guests who return time and time again is any indication. Because Wi-Fi is only free in public areas, the lobby lounge and the bars are often full of people logged into their mobile devices. Fancy or not, everyone seems to be having a great time, the vibe is undeniably fun and laid-back, and the breathtaking sunset views at the end of each day are hard to beat.

Stretching for a mile along a large cove in the town of Jolly Harbour on the island’s western shore, Starfish Jolly Beach Resort & Spa enjoys clean white sands, calm Caribbean waters, and some truly breathtaking sunset views. Jolly Harbour Marina and Jolly Harbour Golf Club can be reached by car in less than five minutes. The town center is within a 10-minute walk of the resort, and features a supermarket, a few shops, and some restaurants. The bustling center of the capital city of St. John’s is a half-hour drive away. There, visitors will find several popular restaurants, as well as attractions like the V.C. Bird Monument, the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, and the lively Saturday market. V.C. Bird International Airport is about a half-hour drive from the resort.

Outfitted with white tile floors, simple wicker furniture, and a few pops of vibrant color, the rooms at Starfish Jolly Beach Resort & Spa are clean and functional, but could use some updating. The extremely bright decor touches like bed runners and curtains feel particularly dated. The biggest selling point is that every room has its own private furnished balcony. While some rooms offer views of the beach and the sea in the distance, most look out over large expanses of green lawn and palm trees. Upgrading to higher-level rooms does not guarantee sea views.The Super Saver Rooms are the resort’s entry-level option, and they’re designed for guests on a budget. Air-conditioning, ceiling fans, double beds, and flat-screen TVs (an update since our last visit) come standard. Bathrooms are unremarkable and offer shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and minimal toiletries -- maybe a couple bars of soap and some shampoo. At this level, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and safes are available for an extra charge. All rooms lack minibars. Wi-Fi is only available in some rooms, and even when it’s an option, there’s an extra fee for it. The same is true for the Standard Rooms (the next level up), which feature either one king-size bed or two twin beds.Upgrading to Superior Rooms adds coffee- and tea-making facilities, mini-fridges, safes, irons, and ironing boards at no extra charge. Guests can choose between layouts with one king-size bed or two queen-size beds. Junior Suites include the same amenities, and feature a king-size bed and separate living areas with sofas. The resort’s top-of-the-line rooms are the Beach Cottages, which offer a lot more room, but similar dated decor. One-bedroom Beach Cottages feature queen- size beds. Two-bedroom Beach Cottages have one room with a king-size bed and another with two twin beds, making them ideal for families with children. All cottages include separate living rooms. Their biggest draw is their large sea-view terraces, which feature hammocks and step out directly onto the beach.

Starfish Jolly Beach Resort & Spa offers the wide range of amenities that most guests would expect from a family-friendly mega-resort. There are five different dining options to choose from. Hemisphere’s is a casual buffet-style restaurant, which features indoor and outdoor seating and serves breakfast, lunch, and a rotating international dinner menu. Three a la carte restaurants provide additional options for dinner. Bocciolo Italian restaurant; Lydia’s, an open-air, beachfront Caribbean seafood restaurant; and Margarita’s Mexican restaurant, which has a few romantic poolside tables. Dinner reservations are required at all three a la carte restaurants. Coconut Grill also offers a light lunch and afternoon snacks next to the beach. Afternoon tea is served daily in the resort’s courtyard, and there are several bars scattered throughout the massive property. All-inclusive rates cover all drinks and restaurants, but certain menu items (like lobster and steak) come at an extra fee. Room service is not offered.Much of daily life at the resort centers around the beach and the pools. The beautiful main pool is a sprawling freeform oasis with a large rock waterfall feature, a hot tub, volleyball nets, and a swim-up bar. It’s also called the Entertainment Pool, thanks to the regular music and activities that happen there throughout the day. It’s surrounded by plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas to accommodate the large number of guests. Those who want something a little calmer can opt instead for the smaller Quiet Pool, located near the courtyard and the lobby.The one-mile white-sand beach also has plenty of sun loungers and lots of palapas that have been added for shade. Non-motorized water sports and activities like kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, and beach volleyball are available all day. The waters are clear and calm, making the beach a great spot for kids. Because all beaches in Antigua are public, there are always a few vendors around selling tours and souvenirs. The sunset views are some of the best on the island. While the name of the resort would imply that the spa is a major focus of the property, in reality there’s only a small spa and salon, offering a range of massage and beauty treatments for a fee. There are plenty of sports facilities for kids and adults alike, including a modern fitness center, a tennis court, a basketball court, and a cricket field. The kids' club and teen club are on hand to keep younger guests busy with activities and game rooms, and they’re open in the evening for parents who want a quiet dinner to themselves. Every night the resort offers live entertainment, ranging from DJ nights, to dance parties, to karaoke, and there’s a weekly managers’ cocktail party. Free daytime activities are scheduled throughout the week, including family-friendly games on the beach, dance classes, arts and crafts lessons, and tennis lessons. Wi-Fi is free in public areas, and parking is included. Conference, meeting, banquet, and open-air event facilities are also available.