char60

We have a cerificate for a week at either Palm Island Resort or Galley Can (Antigua)in March or April. Which resort is more luxurious?

Knowing

Palm Island has the most beautiful water and beach. It provides enormous seclusion. It is also a private island, so as a whole this is my favorite place. I love Antigua, but the Grenadines are really special.

blamona

I have not been to Galley in Antigua, but I have been to Antigua. I've also been to Palm Island. I can tell you Palm Island is "rustic" luxury, but it's wonderful. I personally think beach and scenary is beautiful at Palm Island, it would be my choice.

eileen

That depends on your definition of luxury. I have been to Galley Bay but not Palm Island but they are managed by the same company and appear to be similar in approach and "rustic luxury" concept. GB's luxury is in the secluded setting, gorgeous beach and overall ambiance of the resort, it's all very open air and casual -- you won't find Four Seasons type marble/crystal luxury but we loved GB more than the FS or Ritz. And the new premium beachfront rooms seem to have every amenity with gorgeous views, huge bathrooms, flat screen tvs, mini-bar etc. We'd love to try Palm Island but if you want a fairly easy way to compare the two, you might take a look at ease of travel (Antigua is an easy direct flight from Newark, I think the grenadines is harder to get to) and whether you want access to things off the resort such as other restaurants, golf, some shopping, historic sites, etc. Antigua has all of this and Palm Island as a private island, may not have many choices. So it depends on what your priorities are. We're returning to Galley in April after visiting for the first time last March, the very first time we have repeated a resort. You are lucky to have such a choice -- you can't go wrong with either!

poss

Hope it's ok to jump in here to ask: What's the snorkeling like at Galley Bay? Thanks! (always looking for new and wonderful snorkeling destinations)

StanKase

It is only fair at best around Antiqua while the Grenadines has some excellent spots including the famous Tobago Caye. Not having been to Palm Island I do not know if you can get to Tobago easily for it is worth 2 visits for a 1+ hr. snorkel.

Knowing

Palm Island has it's own boat and takes guests to the Tobago Cays for the day to snorkel. The staff can set up a full barbecue on the beach. They serve chicken, steak, and mahi-mahi.

eileen

Snorkeling off the beach at GB was mediocre, it's all broken coral and not too many fish. However, we took Eli's eco-tour boat excursion and the snorkeling was better on that, but still just average for the Caribbean.

SweeneyBoston

We have been to both resorts and would highly recommend Palm Island. The beaches are more beautiful, the food is excellent and the ambiance is much more romantic given its size. Also, the service is far better at Palm than Galley. I was at Galley in May of this year and was disappointed with the food and service. . .

BeachGirl247

We have been to Palm Island. The water and sand is some of the best we have seen. (We <u>love</u> the Grenadines). Turquoise water and powder white sand -- a requirement for me!

We stayed in the beach front bungalow which is one building with two units. We did not feel encroached upon and liked having the view to the water. You are not on the beach as there is a pathway separating your unit from the water but I didn't mind it and I'm very particular about lodging by the water.

The other units were very nice as well.

There was a catamaran that came with 30+ people on it that were allowed to walk the beach. However, many took the lounges (not allowed) and that was irritating.

Luxurious? That is a relative question. I would use the term &quot;rustic&quot; loosely as it was very nice. The baths were nicely tiled and room comfortably decorated. It's not a Four Seasons from NYC (silk fabrics, fine antiques, etc) but for a beach locale I think it was nice.

I'm with Knowing, the Grenadines are very special.