brenkj

I am considering Jumby Bay for a trip this November. I like everything I have seen and read about it. I just have one question: Since it's located on such a small, private island, is it difficult to organize activities? Each day I think we will want to relax on the beach for a few hours and then go do something the rest of the day - such as snorkeling, SCUBA, hiking, horseback riding, etc. Is this easy to do from Jumby or would we be better off somewhere like Little Dix Bay?

Thanks.

Grinder12000

What island are you talling about. There is a Jumby Bay on St.John that is pretty tough to get to and would not be a good place to ANY type of crowds - yet, it's awesome beach.

brenkj

To Grinder: I'm actually referring to Jumby Bay Resort, which is just off the coast of Antigua.

penny

Its very easy to organize activities as the island is a short 8 minute ferry ride. The Jumby ferry runs almost every hour from early morning until midnight. Jumby has a snorkeling trip to Bird Island once a week, sunset cruise on Friday. I have not been to Little dix for many years, but they will have a lot more boating trips, such as to Anegada, plus there own
beach barbeque trip, also day trips 3 times a week to Caneel. LDB also has a lovely new spa.

MLT

I will be going to Jumby for the first time in April, so I don't have direct experience to share with you. However, from my own research I've found that Jumby does offer quite a few complimentary water sports at the resort itself, and can arrange for off-site excursions as well. They also have complimentary bikes that guests can use to explore the island. And their website says they have 4 miles of hiking and walking trails.

As my husband and I are going mainly to relax on a beautiful beach and eat good food, I have not researched much in the way of activities. But my sense is that it wouldn't be very difficult to organize activities at all since the resort is only a 7- minute ferry ride to the mainland.

You may want to try e-mailing Jumby directly about their services. Their staff has been very helpful and prompt when I've posed questions to them.

Dianebridle

Jumby is a beautiful, first class resort with excellent food, service and gorgeous rooms; however, when I was there this past November, while the beach and water was beautiful, off shore snorkeling was non-existant due to water surge,. I actually could not see my hand extended in front of me, The complimentary snorkeling trip to Bird island was a snorkeling disappointment. I only saw two small fish. They do offer a day trip to a marine sanctuary, but I did not try it.
My friend has just returned from another ressort in Antigua, and he said the visibility on his dives was not particularly good.
Perhaps this may be due to the 'luck of the draw', and other visitors may have had more positive snorkeling/diving experiences.

I have snorkled the waters around Virgin Gorda and St. John. The snorkeling has always been outstanding.

penny

Jumbys waters are usually clear, and calm. Not good for snorkeling. We just got back a few weeks ago from our 10th trip ( I think). The weather was cooler than our past Jan/Feb trips. The dinners at the Estate House were not as good as late fall--same executive chef-we did let management know. Also now that they are mangaged by Rosewood, they have lost some of the same intimate glow we use to experience--I was not happy about a family group of 16 who where there for a wedding. Groups, wedding, and misbehaved children are not want I want to find in high season.

bubbs

My husband and I went to Jumby Bay in June of 2003 (so this was before the renovations). There is not much to do on Jumby Bay itself but relax which is exactly what we were there to do. The beach is small and quiet and the water was very calm and transparent. There were lots of starfish and a small stingray or two that you could see from the shoreline.

The workout facilities were disappointing (but may have been upgraded since we were there). The bikes are standard beach bikes, but some were better than others. If you luckily end up with a good bike, the chances of it being stolen and you left with a junker are pretty good (or at least they were the week we were there! We were constantly in search of better bikes).

There are trails, but the island is not very tropical so you will be hiking in direct sun with very little shade so it might be a bit hot for hiking. We only biked and found it quite hot to do that.

Like other folks have said, it is easy to pop over to Antigua on the ferry. We never left the island the entire week, so I can't comment on what's to do over there

Although we enjoyed ourselves tremendously, I would say that the food and service were just slightly above average (maybe because we were there in low season?).

MLT

Penny -- since you have been there numerous times and were kind enough to answer my post back in Feb re: food, kids etc. at Jumby, I'm directing these questions to you.

Food is a big concern of mine. I'm sorry to hear that the food wasn't as good your last time there. Can you give any specifics about the difference in quality? Did management seem to take note when you informed them?

I know I can't expect the same level I'm accustomed to when traveling to major culinary destinations, but I am hoping that the food is much better than the average Caribbean resort. Is this a realistic expectation?

Also, we will be bringing our son who will be just shy of 2-years while we're there. He's generally very well behaved, and we take him to dinner with us often to relatively nice restaurants in the DC area where we live. We often get compliments on his good behavior at restaurants, but he is still a toddler and can be unpredictable at times.

We try to be considerate of others when dining out with him, and will take him out of a restaurant if he gets too loud or restless. This will be my strategy at Jumby, as well as going to earlier seatings (before 7:30 pm). I know I can't control how other guests will feel about our son being there, but are the staff accomodating of young children? Any thoughts or observations on this matter?

Another strategy I was thinking of employing is eating in our room if necessary. Can you comment on the in-room dining options? Can we order off the Estate House menu? Will they set up a nice table for us on the balcony?

Thanks very much.

AtlDad

Sorry to jump on this thread. Penny - did you see the new Jumby Bay Suites when you were there? Any update on your current favorite rooms? Thanks

penny

MLT-The staff at Jumby will be very accomodating to your young child, not to worry. I have been there quite a few times when young children have been at breakfast, etc.--even a baby carriage at the estate house (this child never made a peep). I think they have early dining for young children in all locations. Not to worry! It will work out. The room service menu is not the estate house menu-but has some good items on it. I honestly think you will not find it necessary to dine in your room unless you feel the need to totally relax. As far as the food it is still very good-really we had some great meals. The Estate House disappointed us once with mushy grouper, and bland pork medalions. The appetizers were wonderful, so was the steak, and the veal chop. We do love our seafood, love the grilled fish at lunch at The Veranda, also the dinners on the Veranda patio (almost on the beach). We did talk to the manager Peter
Bowlings who sent the executive chef ove to address our concerns. So if I had this happen again I would send my meal back, and reorder!
You will find Jumby will take care of you! You can also have a picnic lunch
delivered to your room, or beach!

AtlDad, I still love the courtyard suites. The new Rosewood Suites are between The Pond Bay House and court yard suites. I toured them during their construction in the fall, but did not view them this trip as they were
occupied.

katiekate

Has any one stayed in or at least seen the Jumbay Bay Suites? (I think they are their newest suites w/ private plunge pool.) Where are they located in regard to main building? I can't imagine any of their rooms not being fabulous, but are these suites particularly over the top?
And, are they on the beach. This is important to us.
Also, do you book directly with Rosewood or through travel co.?
Thanks

MLT

Penny -- thanks for allaying my fears. As you can tell, I'm in need of a vacation. I realized after I hit the "post my reply" button that I must have sounded a bit crazed, bombarding you with so many questions. Thanks for being so forthcoming in your response.

We're really looking forward to our upcoming trip, and I'll definitely post a report when we return -- especially regarding food .

penny

MLT-You do not sound crazed at all-
just concerned. Why not? That is why these forums are wonderful. Years ago I bought every book on exploring the caribbean-none ever really addressed the "beach factor" or food epectations, so it was a pleasure to answer your questions. I love the beach, the non resort confinement of dining at different good spots--Jumby was a big
change for us. I must admit its so nice not to sign for a thing!!! Its so easy! If the dining was awful, or even
fair I would not think of going! Jumby still is a wonderful resort--I want it to stay that way.

Katiekate-All of the rooms are set back from the lovely palm tree lined main beach. The best views are from the Pond House as they are on a small bluff
overlooking the sea. The New Pluge pool suites-these are redone, added on etc, stand alone stuctures, one story,
set back from the beach, just like the courtyard suites. I book directly thru the hotel.

katiekate

Penny-Thank you. I always love it when you're on the thread. After I posted my question, I noticed AtlDad had asked the same question. Sorry for repeating.
You mention the Courtyard suites are your favorite. Again, sorry if you have already answered this, but which room would be on or nearest beach? Cap J has spoiled us!!! Love being able to walk out the room and sink my toes into the beautiful sand. Hey, Penny I know you're a beach lover...have you ever seen the pink sand of Barbuda??? Amazing!
As for booking, I checked with Rosewood and right now the only rates are the rack rates. Not any specials or packages??? Do you think I should wait or go ahead and book one of these rates (we want to go in June) Have you ever seen it on LuxuryLink?
Have a sweet day!!

penny

Hi Katiekate--I do remember your name!
Must have been CJ posts. Thank-you for the compliment! The Pond House (look at the website) is the beautiful large red bell towered structure-it has a few rooms, plus a lovely courtyard public area-set near the main beach. Lots of quests love the rooms in this building-upstairs is the basic room (very nice), the lower floors are 1 bedroom suites and some of the courtyard suites.

The rest of the courtyard suites are
set back--and some are overlooking the beach approx. 150-200 feet from the sand. Not far at all--and you will have a lovely view. I like these rooms or any room that will have the "new"
enclosed outdoor shower.

I do know that Rosewood will have some deals "Escape to Rosewood" during the summer months-I would call the Rosewood office again to check. I have also received a discount off of the rack rates thru Andrew Harpers Q Club.I use this for CJ too. American Express Platinum card will also book,
late check out, plus an upgrade.

Just like any popular hotel they will
not always guarantee a specfic room-
just let them know what is most impotant
for you.

Every repeat guest I have met at the hotel have their favorite bank of rooms-
a dear friend of mine loves the newly done over Rondavels, another favors the lower rooms at the Pond House, I love the Coutyard suites in the bank of 20's.

Hope this helps! Now as far as Barbuda
I would love to get there one day! I have heard great things about the newly done over hotel The Beach.

katiekate

Thanks Penny you're a doll.
Hubby and I were at the Beach House (Barbuda)in September. You can read some reviews...HowardC and I both have written comments.