I have just returned form this hotel and I must say I was not impressed with the terrible rooms. DO NOT book a standard room. It is small out dated (looks like something form the 70's). The room was dark and dismal. The shower although was powerful in a small cubicle with a curtain, it flooded the bathroom and the water had no where to drain off so it made the floor so dangerous that you were at a high risk of slipping over and smashing your head on the toilet or wash basin. The antiquated air con was so noisy it was almost impossible to sleep. The bedside tables?? were concrete blocks covered in plaster and the wardrobe doors didn't move.I asked to be moved and although the hotel was only 40% occupied they would not upgrade until we felt we were forced to hand over an extra £250.We upgraded to a superior room, but to be honest the standard of this room is what I would have expected from a standard room. I have been to many countries and the superior room is nothing like a superior room. The whole resort is outdated and needs a much needed refurbishment. It is tired looking and needs to be brought into this millennium. We stayed on an all inclusive basis and there was plenty of food to be had in the buffet and the al la carte restaurants were good.Most of the staff were happy and were more than happy to do all they could to make our stay enjoyable but there is always the odd one that looks like they have been slapped in the face with a base ball bat. The entertainment was slow but as it was hurricane season and not many residents so therefore not many people joined in. The casino (very funny) was open but only for the slot machines.Would not call it a casino more like a penny arcade. There were card tables and roulette but no one to operate them. The bar closes at mid night, but once again not sure if this was because it was low season. The beach is gorgeous white powder sand and warm water. The locals do try to sell you there wares, but a polite NO and they do leave you alone, but they will try again the next day. No overbearing sales pitches though which is quite nice.The pool is very nice and there is a smaller one that is a quiet pool. I would not stay at this hotel again unless there was a reduction in the cost or there was a refurb to bring it up to date.

Went for my daughters Wedding. The Co-ordinator, is a great lady who guides and helps you throughout the day. We loved the place and intend going back next year for a family holiday. Ok, the rooms need a bit of tlc here and there but the hotel is 30 years old. It didn't prevent the maids from doing a good job in cleaning the rooms. Fresh towels daily and clean linen on a regular basis. The beach vendors are friendly happy people. Would recommend this place to anyone... its paradise.

We went to Jolly Beach resort for Christmas and New Year there were 13 of us. We found it difficult to sit together for our meals with staff not wanting to put the tables together in the restaurant.
On New Years Eve there was a meal followed by evening entertainment. We wanted to sit under the shelter only to be told we hadn't booked. We were unaware that we had to book. We found ourselves complaining on a number of occasions.
An okay holiday destination but not worth the money we paid.
The rooms were basic but clean.

A good resort in a good location. The locals were very friendly. Look out for the Lobster King. I cant wait to go again.

Jolly Beach is a great family resort, I travelled with my husband and two children aged 7 and 11. We all had a great time, the resort is great, the beach is to die for and very safe for children.

There was nightly entertainment and daily entertainment by the pool, you could do as much or as little as you wanted.

The restaurants were all very good, our favourite was Lydias, the seafood was great, we went there seven times, after reading another review that stated there was no fresh fruit I found that strange. In the Hemispheres restaurant there was fresh fruit served with all three meals, mango, pineapple, banana and melon.

All in all we had such a great time we have already booked for next year, our children said they preferred Jolly Beach to Orlando, that speaks volumes!

Almost no entertainment. One good entertainer in two weeks, most nights the entertainment included things such as the local dance academy (averaging 8yrs old) running round.
The food! No fresh fruit in the whole two weeks, which is basically unheard of in the Caribbean. Very, very limited choice. The Indian restaurant was nice but the other restaurant left a lot to be desired, which the staff in the Indian agreed with! The main buffet had very bland food, which often led to us taking the option of not eating, rather than chancing the food they served.
Staff were very rude. They never spoke and never smiled, which again we hear is not the usual Caribbean way!
Rooms were very run down, very small and without a doubt the worst I've stayed in. The shower was mouldy, the wardrobe was dirty and there were holes in the ceiling where the fire alarm should have been!
If you lie on the beach, you get pestered by the locals trying to sell you stuff. They usually stop approaching you when they start to recognise you after a while and they do leave you alone when you tell them your not interested or just pretend to be asleep! As you walk off the complex to the local supermarket, you do feel they are more persistent and on one occasion we felt we had to give someone money to leave us alone.
The Island Safari is a must if you are in Antigua as it's a good fun day out.
I would not recommend the Jolly beach. The holiday company gave a fair bit of money back, due to the facilities we experienced. Whilst commenting to other travel agents about this hotel, when booking other holidays, several said they knew the reputation of the hotel and did not need to be told. They believed this resort had gone severally down hill in the past two years and they themselves would not go there or recommend it.
I think that said it all to me, so if you are thinking about it, don't! There are a lot better places you can go to for the extortionate amount they charge for this hotel.

Our family had a week all-inclusive at the Jolly Beach Resort, and it suited our need exactly. Jolly Beach is the largest hotel on the island, but don't be put off. there was a choice of 5 eating places (buffet, beach bar, fish, Indien, Italian). All were excellent, the buffet was very good for children too our daughter could always find something she liked, breakfast was fantastic. The drinks were as much as you want, and there was never really any drunkeness. The pool is right beside the beach so my daughter could play in the pool all day, and I could bathe in the sea, it faced west so there were fantastic sunsets.
Staff were friendly, golf is nearby. The rooms were a bit old fashioned were spacious and clean. Nightly entertainment. Definitely recommended to families, as the water sports were varied and well supervised, I learned how to sail.