More about Halcyon Cove by REX Resorts
Rex Halcyon Cove - Simply Paradise
by CADspark about Rex Halcyon Cove Resort
We found the Rex Halcyon to be everything that we were expecting. The staff were both helpful and friendly and at times put themselves out above the call of duty.
The beach at the Rex Halcyon has been voted one of the top beaches in the world and if you visit it does not take long to see why. Pure white sands and clear blue waters make this place seem like heaven. The beach is shared also by its neighbour Sandals Resort.
The hotel itself is in need of some refurbishment so if you are expecting 5 star accomodation this is not the place .... more like 3 star.
We went all inclusive but found ourselves eating out - more than in, mainly because there are so many great restaurants nearby.
All in all we had a great stay and will return some day.
Water Sports at Rex Halcyon Cove
by CADspark
Rex Halcyon Cove has a variety of water sports on offer, most of them were free. Please see below for all the activities that we found during our stay here.
Kayaking / Canoeing
Jet Skiing
Water Skiing
Sun Fish Sailing
Snorkelling
The only activity that required payment was Jet Skiing which was provided by independent operators.
Although we didn't try any of the activities below we did hear that you did not have to travel far to find these other water sports;
Kite Sailing
Scuba Diving All equipment needed for water sports at the Rex Halcyon Cove Resort was provided free of charge.
One thing worth noting is that if you are out at sea and need assistance you may get charged by the Hotel for them to come rescue you. Sandals offer this service for free but at Rex Halcyon you may get charged.
Coconut Grove - Rex Halcyon Cove
by CADspark about Coconut Grove
We never did get to dine here but comments from other people who did were very good.
The restaurant is located almost next door to The Beach restaurant - a short walk along the beach from Sandals and Rex Halcyon Resort
Great Food - Great Location
by CADspark about The Beach - Rex Halcyon Cove
What a great location for a great restaurant. This place is ideally situated right on the the beach a short stroll away from Sandals Hotel.
The food is reasonably priced with a good variety. There is so much to mention. If you are staying for a while in Antigua keep going back to The Beach and try everything :-)
Electricity
by CADspark
Antigua does not seen to have a standardised electricty system. Some parts of the island operate on 110v and other parts 220/240v. Most appliance chargers are universal so they should accept either voltage.
At the Rex Halcyon Cove Resort the socket outlets in our room were US type outlets so we needed an adaptor. However, other people in our group had UK style socket outlets.
Our advice - go prepared and take multi region adaptors with you.
Fabulous Beach!
by A TripAdvisor Member
We have just returned from 2 weeks at the Rex Halcyon Cove. It was very much a last minute decision and we had no choice over which hotel we stayed at. Having read TripAdvisor comments before we left we were apprehensive to say the least. However, we were pleasantly surprised.
Our room (garden superior) was large, clean and lovely and was over the far end of the resort, away from the bar and the noise but a few steps from one of the best beaches I have ever been to. There can be a bit of a 'Butlins' air about the place, especially Happy Hour at the Beach Bar, but the beach is large enough to escape if you want to. The food at the restaurant was ok but the subidised Warri Pier was excellent for dinner. It is also worth visiting the 2 restaurants at the far end of the beach, even if just for coffee and desert after dinner. The people were amazingly friendly, even the vendors on the beach, who will happily take no for an answer and leave you in peace. We hired a jeep which was a great way to see all of the island. It is very safe, except road signs are non-existent, but the locals are amazingly helpful when you get lost! Would not hesitate to go back, would opt for B&B though as there are too many lovely restaurants to visit.
A great holiday - much better than I expected!
by A TripAdvisor Member
I had reviewed the Trip Advisor prior to booking my holiday, which was last minute, 10 days before departure. My partner and I both really fancied Antigua, but weren't prepared to spend thousands on this particular holiday. We'd seen a good deal for the Rex Blue Heron (their sister hotel also on Antigua) but after reading one of the reviews here, we took the reviewers advice to book the Halcyon Cove instead (she had visited it as a day trip when staying at the Heron and advised to go for this hotel instead).
Some of the other reviews had made me really sceptical of what to expect but we went there with an open mind and were pleasantly surprised! OK, the cheapest rooms are a little basic, but for the price we got on an all inclusive holiday that was to be expected. The hotel was in THE best location on the island (we toured round and saw the others we'd considered and were so glad we'd taken the reviewers advice) - it is beautiful with white sand and clear turqiouse sea.
We had already decided to try and upgrade our room on arrival and I would advise at least trying this if you can afford it. We managed to upgrade to a beachfront room for 2 weeks for $30US per night (for the room). This was much less than advertised in the brochure and really made the holiday - the room was lighter, better decorated and had many more facilities (fridge, TV, hairdryer, iron) and of course a perfect view.
There is one main restaurant (the Arawak Terrace) which has themed evenings each night (eg: Mexican, Italian, Indian) with traditional Carribean fare at the weekends. All food on the all-inclusive plan is served as a buffet and there was usually a good deal of choice, although this may seem limited if you have been to some very large all-inclusive resorts. The breakfasts were pretty extensive with cooked bacon, sausages, beans, eggs (however you like them) etc, cereals, fruit, pancakes, juices and toast. Lunch is a bit limited with burgers, hotdogs, jacket potatoes and salad pretty much every day. However, we often didn't have lunch (due to a large breakfast!) or enjoyed a light sandwich and cake on the warri pier instead which is served complimentary each afternoon as part of the all inclusive plan. We also ate on the Warri Pier - there was a charge above a small allowance for guests on the AI plan. The food was delicious and well worth the extra cost and we enjoyed the different and romantic setting. All in all, we both enjoyed the food and were surpised by some of the reviews.
Some days we chose to eat out to break up the routine and there are a couple of really nice restauraunts just a short walk down the beach (just beyond Sandals) which had beautiful beachfront locations and were reasonably priced.
The main downside of the hotel is the lack of space for evening entertainment. There is a great outdoor beach bar with a large patio, but unfortunately this was rarely used (twice weekly at most for a buffet and show). All other entertainment was held in the lobby bar, by reception. As the reception is an open building, there is no aircon in the bar and there was limited ventilation via ceiling fans. There was also not enough seating for the number of guests and we often went back to the room for a drink instead as a result. However, we did meet some great people (the hotel had a lot of British guests so we found it easy to get talking) and had some good nights, but be prepared for a quieter holiday, ideal for a couple.
Overall, I would recommend the Halcyon Cove -particularly if you get a good late deal - as it is a great base from which to experience Antigua and was comfortable and friendly.
Just Awful
by TripAdvisor Member Jeanniechief
This was the worse resort I have ever been to! The rooms are dirty, the food was awful. the pool was dirty as well, they offered nothing at all as far as acitivites. So you might as well pay more to have something going on for the guests. By far this place should be rated 2 star if that. I cannot believe what we paid to stay at this place, And not to speak of the vendors on the beach! Stay away if you can
Great Beach, barely average hotel
by A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed at this hotel last November. We were very disappointed in the condition of this resort. It was run-down and is in great need of a face lift. There was virtually no place to go outside of the hotel for breakfast. The breakfast buffet was overpriced for what we have received in past vacations. We loved the island and the people, however, so outside the hotel experience, it was beautiful. The town is quaint. and we found a great restaurant (Coconut Grove) on the beach down the beach from our hotel which we walked to. We would go back to Antigua, but not this resort. Sandals looks very nice.
great location, terrible hotel
by A TripAdvisor Member
Myself and my family went to the Rex Halcyon in july for 3 wks and i have to be honest , this place is like the house that jack built, having read all the reviews we thought it can't be that bad , but it was. how many people got ear infection's from the pool? we did and so did several others besides 1 or 2 the staff were rude, and the food was just awful. we will defo be not going back to the Rex , but Antigua has a whole was lovely.
Photos
Harbor from a helicopter
Restaurant tables from the ship's deck
A picture of the casino roof
Inside the market hall
Forum Posts
Rex Halcyon Cove Resort- Antigua
by mar112
I just received a quote from my travel agent to go to the Rex Halcyon Cove Resort. I am looking to see if anyone has recently stayed there & what they thought of the resort.
Thanks
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