Click here for a slideshow of Grand Pineapple Antigua

Vacations at All Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean can be very expensive for families and some of our favorite resorts, Beaches Resorts, can really stretch a lot of budgets.  I just returned from the island of Antigua and think I might have found a fabulous authentic, Caribbean option for families on a tighter budget.    Sandals and Beaches Resorts offer a more moderate rustic all inclusive option called Grand Pineapple on the beautiful island of Antigua.

Grand Pineapple is located on one of the nicest white sand beaches on the island of Antigua.  The beach at this resort is amazing and because of the resorts location in Long Bay, there is very little beach traffic at all if any!  Some of the rooms are located directly on the beach so you can simply step out of your room and hit sand within a few steps or you can fall asleep at night to the sound of the ocean below in some of the rooms.  There are also oceanview rooms nestled into the hillside if having that commanding panoramic view is important to you.

Grand Pineapple is one of the nicer rustic and authentic Caribbean style resorts I have seen especially since its recent renovation.  So if you are looking for clean, Caribbean style accommodations with authentic Caribbean cuisine on a beachfront setting and you don’t want to spend extra to have the fancy pools with waterslides, XBOX garage and Sesame Street characters, Grand Pineapple might be a great option for you as it prices out about half the cost of Beaches Negril  in Jamaica.

I recommend booking either one of the Beachfront Rooms which are situated directly on the beach (also available as inter-connecting rooms) or the Tropical Waterfront Rooms place you right above the water with the sounds and sights of the sea right outside your balcony.  All of these rooms have been renovated unlike the garden view rooms which are set back quite a bit and are in need of renovation.  The resort has two pools and offers a couple different restaurant choices from Topaz buffet to Chef Pietro Italian style beachfront dining or you can reserve a spot at the Pineapple Grill which offers inside International and Caribbean cuisine WITH air conditioning.  For lunch a must stop is up the hill at The Outhouse (only good old fashioned air conditioning up here) where truly authentic BBQ pork or chicken is served up on the bluff and you can relax in the shade with a nice breeze and enjoy a good meal, beer and views of the Caribbean.  Islander Miss Mary has been cooking and serving her homemade specialties at The Outhouse for 20 years.

Stay tuned to our website as there is a strong possibility that the Sandals Family may turn this lovely little rustic resort into a Beaches Resort and add some of those infamous Beaches Resort amenities.  But for now, this resort IS what it is and that is a clean, comfortable, cozy, friendly and authentic Caribbean resort on a FANTASTIC beach.    If you want to learn more about this resort or other Caribbean resort options, please send me a email at patty@totemtravel.com. I am happy to help!

Hello Patty!!!

So Couples Swept Away… I cannot say enough about this resort. We had the time of our lives. The staff was PHENOMENAL. We LOVED our room – Beachfront Verandah Suite on the 3rd floor (thank you again for putting those requests in!!). For future clients, I would highly recommend paying a little more to be in the newer buildings (at least they seemed newer – but maybe just renovated). These are all the Beachfront and Oceanfront buildings (if you’re looking at a resort map, they are on the right part of the resort). Not only are these buildings nicer, but they seemed larger too. They have TVs, which we wanted. Even though you don’t think you’ll watch much TV, it’s nice to have while you fall asleep or get ready for dinner. They are also NOT by the road, which we heard was quite noisy. So overall, we were extremely happy with the room choice we made!

One of the reasons we chose Negril was for the beach. It did not disappoint. White sand and crystal clear water every day. There were always plenty of lounge chairs available, as well as drink flags. There are also several hammocks up and down the beach that were wonderful to lay in.

The food options were amazing. We have done all-inclusive before and the food here was light-years better than the other places we have been. Feathers restaurant was our favorite place – we ate there two nights. The Thai place was probably our least favorite – but we are very picky about our Thai. I think we are spoiled in Seattle! Patois was delicious… especially the Banana-stuffed french toast at breakfast! The view from Patois was also incredible – you look out over the pool and beyond that to the
blue blue ocean! The other restaurants were also wonderful. We always had stellar service too.

The Catamaran/Sunset Cruise that we got free with the resort was probably our favorite activity!! It took us from our resort, all the way down the coast past Rick’s Cafe to the Lighthouse, turned around, and then stopped so we could swim in caves and go off the slide on the side of the Catamaran. So much fun!! We also took advantage of the other all-inclusive benefits including sea kayaking, snorkeling, glass- bottom boat tour, sailing, etc. We did not scuba dive but it was offered.

The last thing I will say about the resort – if you have clients who are fitness enthusiasts, this is the place to be. Their 10-acre fitness complex is the largest on the island and has everything you can imagine - tennis courts, squash courts, racquetball courts, basketball courts, a huge lap pool, fitness classes, a running loop with cross training stations, an open-air workout room with state-of-the-art machines, billiards, ping pong, a lounge area with TVs, and a rejuvenation bar with energy drinks, smoothies,
infused waters, teas, etc. The spa is also located here and we took full advantage of our free couples massage! Heavenly!!

Thank you again for everything,
Kirsten

Couples Swept Away Negril is a fantastic choice for a honeymoon or special anniversary trip especially if you are beach lovers, as Negril is one of the most amazing beaches in the world. We also specialize in Sandals “Couples Only” Resorts which also offer a romantic honeymoon experience. If you are drawn to a more unique, small, boutique type experience, perhaps The Caves just outside of Negril would fit what you are looking for. We will help you find the right spot and always guarantee the lowest prices. Give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 or you can email me patty@totemtravel.com

I am happy to help!