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Antigua vs St Lucia
Clockwise from above: Halycon Cove, Hawksbill, and St Lucian (all Rex Resorts)
Battle of the islands
After winning a place on a Rex Resorts fam in a TTG comp, the first five-star property on the island.
travel counsellor Julie Welfare travelled to St Lucia and
Facilities & dining: Chic is Royal’s award-
Antigua to compare four resorts. Here’s her selling tips
winning French-inspired fine dining restau-
rant. L’Epicure is on the beach. The grounds
are spacious with sun beds and the cocktail
HAWKSBILL, ANTIGUA. makeover but the tropical gardens waiters are great fun at the swim-up bar.
Location: Hawksbill never fails are beautiful. The spa is excellent.
to take my breath away; it’s in a Rooms: There are 210 rooms all Client match: Recommend Royal to the more
fabulous location 30 minutes with air-conditioning; this includes discerning client who seeks a lively location.
from the airport. The resort is 24 standard rooms, which are pretty
spread out and unsuitable for guests basic. If guests want peace they ST LUCIAN, ST LUCIA.
with walking difficulties. There’s only one should avoid the poolside rooms. Location: St Lucian is also on Reduit Beach,
small swimming pool but four beaches. Facilities & dining: Windsurfing, kayaks, close to bars, restaurants and shops.
Rooms: There are 111 rooms – only the sunfish sailing, snorkelling, scuba demon- Rooms: Only the 36 Papillon rooms could
club rooms have air-conditioning. Some stration and daytime tennis are all included. do with updating. The 88 garden rooms, 34
rooms can take two adults and two children. Waterskiing and diving are payable locally. pool, 32 sea-facing and 70 beachfront differ
The Great House is ideal for larger groups. There is golf and horse riding nearby. only in the location and views.
Facilities & dining: As there are no bars or Beach Barbecue does informal lunches and Facilities & dining: Windsurfing, sunfish
restaurants within easy walking distance I Warri Pier serves delicious food in a roman- sailing and snorkelling are available on an
would recommend the all-inclusive package. tic location on a wooden jetty over the sea. all-inclusive basis. Other motorised water-
Non-motorised watersports and daytime Evening meals and service were variable at sports cost extra. Children aged four to 12
tennis are included. You pay extra for the Arawak Terrace. There is a choice of bars can use the Rexplorers Club and babysitting
floodlit tennis and scuba diving. and the cocktails were good. is easily arranged. Mariners Bar & Grill serves
Client match: Hawksbill is a real gem for Client match: A fun informal hotel for a la carte and buffet-style breakfast, lunch
discerning clients who like to get away from easygoing clients on a budget. and dinner. The Oriental fine dining option
it all. Although spacious, the hotel has a is superb but must be pre-booked. Quarter
lovely intimate feel and guests congregate ROYAL, ST LUCIA. Deck cafe serves light snacks.
around the bar in the evenings. Location: Royal is the Grande Dame of St Client match: Hard to fault in terms of value
Lucia’s hotels with the air of a bygone era. for money. Recommend to all age groups
HALCYON COVE, ANTIGUA. It’s located on Reduit Beach at Rodney Bay, who want a fun informal holiday with lots
Location: Situated on Dickenson Bay and a the liveliest spot on the island. Transfer time to do on the doorstep.
20-minute drive from the airport, the hotel from the airport is 90 minutes or take a
is not captivating at first but it grows on you. helicopter transfer. ■ For more of Julie’s feedback, read this
The buildings look like they need a Rooms: Royal is an all-suite hotel and was feature online at ttglive.com
42 29.01.2010
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