We are a professional couple looking for a relaxing ten-day Caribean New Year's getaway. What are your thoughts about Antigua?

My husband and I stayed there for a week last April at Sandals. We loved it. The island is not as green and lush as most tropical islandsd (everything looks like they need a lot of rain), but, the beach and the people are great. We took a catamaran sail around the island and it's a great way to get to see it all. Any specific questions?

I stayed at the Royal Antiguan 6 years ago on my honeymoon. It waws pretty far off the beaten trail and we didn't wander far from our resort. I was very expensive to take a cab anywhere. We inquired about going to the rainforest when our plane was delayed and it was going to cost about $70. It is VERY laid back, I wanted more action. If you do stay there, I would recommed all inclusive.

Have vacationed in Antigua for the past 5 years and are already booked at my favourite hotel for next March. Island has a great variety of beaches and a very enjoyable selection of restaurants. It is not nearly as commercial as somewhere like Barbados, but more developed than St. Kitts.

My husband and I went to Antigua last May. We stayed at the Hawksbill Resort. The island is not very green and looked more run down than other islands I've been too (i.e St. Thomas, St. John, Virgin Gorda). We had a good time, however, I'm not in any rush to go back. The Hawksbill was a good value for the money but I was disappointed that food was not available throughout the day.

We enjoyed the island. The people of Antigua are very friendly and social. Shopping is poor, but many great sights to see including Shirley Heights and going over to Barbuda for the day. It is a mountainous island but not too green. Snorkling was poor - the reef has taken a beating from the hurricanes so no color but tons of fish.

We have been going to Antigua every year for 15 years - why? The people there are wonderful, the resteraunts superb and the beaches dreamlike. I'd suggest Sandals. The down side is that it is all inclusive and this tempts you to not go out and enjoy the island, but it is a wonderful hotel and on the best beach in the island - sea breezes every day, wide sand, shallow water, etc. Blue Waters is also rather lovely. They are also near St Johns and so you can get into town without driving for miles down bumpy roads.Car hire is not cheap, but much the best way to see the island. Nelson's Dockyard is a must, as is the interpretive center near by. A walking tour of St Johns is also fun. A day trip across to Barbuda to see the frigate bird colony is advised, as is a trip on the boat to Montserrat to see the volcanoe - take good walking shoes and a bottle of water!<BR>Good resteraunts - 'Home' in St John is excellent. Local cooking with a flare. 'Le Bistro' is good French fare. Have fun, and if you are there in the last week of July first of August or mid November look us up in the Rex Halcyon, Dickinson Bay!

We have stayed at the Sandals Antigua and found that we really had time for the two of us, as well as meeting some of the nicest people we've ever met while vacationing. This is our second favorite place. Visa is widely accepted in the downtown area when you shop. Large variety of things to see.

Ask me anything about Antigua. I am from here and would love to help you enjoy your trip here.<BR>eli

I disagree with the posters that said Antigua is not lush and is run down. I found it to have plenty of greenery and the islands has made great strides in spiffing itself up. The changes to the dock area in the last 10 or so years is phenomenal.<BR><BR>I agree the the Hawksbill is a good hotel for the money. It's a really neat place. We had our own little bungalow on the beach. The food was terrible tho and the service worse!<BR><BR>It's a fun island to visit tho. There are some very picturesque sights and downtown is fun. There is also the Kings Casino by the dock. They have some nice duty free shops there as well.

went in Jan. 2002 for a week. Lot's of great beaches, some deserted (need car), those by hotels more crowded. BRING BUG SPRAY-- though the weather is "semi-arid" except in the rain forest; it rained a little each day and insects were plentiful. Antiguans are very friendly and helpful. scuba diving was OK (lobsters, gray-nurse sharks (they're timid, would not come out from its crevice), but fish are not abundant.