Hermitage Bay Saint Marys - St Marys

Each room is 's own spacious individual cottage set up in the hills, location: Hermitage is perfectly situated as a private and staff should be commended on well the hotel is running.

It was exactly what we wanted - quite location, exclusive, no beach sellers, no other hotels in sight or huge complexes nearby, its fully inclusive (drinks, food) and top notch service, this is what we got.

This really is an exclusive resort of the highest quality, in a fabulous location with a large, and safe beach.

We spoke to our taxi driver about this and he said they have recently done some work on the road and it has improved dramatically since the hotel first opened.

The resort is somewhat remote, with access via a 15 minute drive down an unmade bumpy road - expect you airport pick-up to be a 4x4.

The beach cottages (5 of them, same floor plan) are sort of like a junior suite with a seating area, bed and the bathroom behind.

The rooms have TV and DVD/CD and also have an iPod sound system that also connects through to the massive bathroom (or “throne room” as we named it - those that have been will know what I mean about the fantastic view from the “facilities“!

The bathrooms (huge baths) and mini bars are well stocked, beds comfy (quality linen) with great entertainment systems (flat screens and ipod docks) and there's a decent DVD supply (machines only take US DVDs tho).

Still unsure whether it was telepathy or sheer excellent service the staff seemed to know exactly what I wanted-a light snack and bed-both of which were awaiting me in my room.

I almost forgot to mention the private terrace each room has with a massive double bed/lounger for those who want some shade and time away from the beach and pool.

I had the option of a light snack in the bar area which is adjacent to the pool but I decide on lunch in the restaurant after all the views are spectacular and I feel it’s allowed after my ‘light’ breakfast.

The standard of food, breakfast lunch and dinner is high class restaurant standard.

If you want lots of shops ,numerous restaurants, loud disco music, crowds of people on the beach, jetski touts in the sea and freeflowing beer from a tap on the side of the bar into a plastic cup, this is not the place for you.

You could have your meals in the bar, restaurant or brought up to your room.

The food was excellent - we dined in the beach-side restaurant for every meal, this ended up being an expensive error as the sundry shop did not carry any and so the welcome was especially good.

Usually a holiday is a distant memory 2-3 days after returning home but we still talk about the perfect beach, incredible staff who were only too willing to help, service we couldn't fault and food which was on another level!

The service is outstanding and all of the staff are super nice.

We got a upgrade to a hillside cottage with its own plunge pool, we had the highest one up the hill which is a little walk up, but there are always lifts up on a golf kart if you required it.

Of course, while at the spa and once sitting at the pool we did hear an occasional car alarm go off which was unnerving!

One little niggle is that the umbrellas around the pool and restaurant terrace are not particularly well stabilised as a sharp gust of wind would knock a few over quite regularly.

They have focused on the smallest details from the state of the art audio system that allows you to link your iPod to the surround sound music system and wireless broadband connection that allows you to stay in touch with those few you must!

Antigua (originally English,now independent) is a surprisingly progressive island which is fully "wired" for business, and in which 84% of its people are literate.

Miss Debra cleaned our room spotless every day and Miss Linda and Tajah were such a blast at the bar.

Room Anbassador" takes way too much time to clean the room (2 hours!

Room service was easy and prompt, breakfast choices included daily fresh juices.

A couple of nights we had dinner and a dvd in our room and everything was brought to us fresh and warm.

It's a fantastic hotel , the suites amazing and pure luxury.