Pros

  • Quiet, secluded location with great views and no street noise
  • Four nice white-sand beaches with many lounge chairs
  • The island's only nude beach is on-site (con for some)
  • Classic, relaxed, low-key atmosphere and vintage feel
  • Restaurant serving all three meals
  • Some bungalows have ocean views
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Cons

  • Old buildings with dated furniture and furnishings
  • Tiny pool; no lounge chairs in pool area
  • Rooms are basic and dim; shutters obstruct ocean views
  • No TVs in the rooms (could be a pro) and Wi-Fi only in some
  • No fitness center
  • No spa or room service
  • Kids only allowed from December 26 to January 4 (pro for some)
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Bottom Line

The style and architecture of the all-inclusive Hawksbill resort harken back to the '60s and '70s. Some see only vintage charm reminiscent of a simpler time, while others will feel that the resort is in desperate need of renovations and updates. One feature that is surely timeless is the beautiful white-sand beach with calm Caribbean waters. The rooms are dated and basic, with no TVs, which is meant to allow guests distraction-free relaxation.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Hawksbill by Rex Resorts

Scene

The beaches and location are lovely, but the resort itself is crying out for updates and renovation -- though some guests keep coming back for the quaint, unpretentious, unchanged atmosphere

Much of the resort was built in the 1960s and 70s -- and it shows. Dated architectural styles such as fake stone walls are reminiscent of what might be found in a suburban Florida neighborhood for retirees. The “newer” bungalows were added later, in the '90s, and they include a few updates -- beds, bedspreads and some bathroom furnishings look newer, but not by much. Those who pay a high price might have an "uh-oh" moment upon arrival; the peeling paint and old buildings might make some feel as if they are arriving at grandma's house rather than a resort.

With a secluded location far from any other resorts, a no-TV policy, and the vintage feel of the older buildings, you do feel like you've been transported back to another (simpler) time and place. Returning guests (many of whom are retired British couples) seem to enjoy the quaint charms and unchanged nature of the place. The four long beaches and great ocean views won't get old, at least.

See More Scene

Location

On a quiet, remote part of the west coast of Antigua, where waters are calm, with views of the hotel's namesake Hawksbill rock

One thing this resort has going for it is the beautiful, remote location on the calm west side of the island -- down a private road far from other resorts. There are no main roads close by, so you won’t hear any street noise. In fact, if you wander away from the common areas out of earshot of guests, the only thing you will hear are the birds and the sound of the ocean. The resort is situated on over 39 acres with four beachfront areas, so other than at meal time, the guests have plenty of room to spread out over the property and it never feels busy or crowded. Many rooms lookout on the the namesake Hawksbill rock, a unique rock formation out in the water with a hooked shape. It's about a 20-minute drive to the airport and a 10-minute drive into town.

See More Location

Rooms

Rooms are dated, with old furniture and no TVs (intentionally) -- opt for a newer bungalow for air-conditioning, though you still may have an obstructed view.

The rooms are old and dim, with dated furniture and inferior lighting (especially in the bathrooms). But not only are the furnishings dated, they are also not well kept up -- lamps are often broken or have light bulbs missing. Newer bedding and some updated fixtures can be found in the Beach Club rooms. Mini-fridges come in some rooms, and all have coffee and tea facilities.

The hotel staff says it aims to be minimalist to let guests relax and take in the views and atmosphere without any distractions, and there is a "no TV" policy. (There is one TV on the property, in the lounge next to the poolside restaurant, if there's a big game or important event on.)

Only the newer bungalows have air-conditioning -- the standard Garden and Sea View Bungalows just have a ceiling fan, and breezes can be hard to come by, as the windows have old louvered shutters, some that don’t fully open. The shutters can also unfortunately obstruct the views of the crisp blue Caribbean ocean outside.

See More Rooms

Features

The pool is tiny and uninspiring, while the four picturesque beaches offer lots of room to roam and relax. The poolside bar and restaurant and a quaint gift shop round out the offerings here.

There is one small pool, and doesn't look to be used often by guests. There aren't any lounge chairs around the pool area, just some tables and chairs. Close by is the main bar and outdoor, covered restaurant where guests gather for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is another restaurant up in the lobby, but it's only used on special occasions. The vibe is casual -- no dress code for dinner here -- which is in line with the unpretentious atmosphere of the whole resort. There is a TV lounge and library next to the restaurant, and a tour desk. The gift shop is cleverly placed inside of an old brick Sugar Mill, a common sight in Antigua, showcasing a little piece of the island's history.

All of the buildings are surrounded by nice gardens with lots of green grass. But the real standout of this resort are the beaches, of which there are four -- all with fine, powdery sand and clear, calm, shallow water. One of the beaches is clothing-optional -- the only nude beach on the island. All along the waterfront, there are many places to find open lounge chairs, often in the welcome shade of a tree. (Though look out for bird droppings on the chairs, another item that could use updating.)

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Hawksbill by Rex Resorts

Scene

The beaches and location are lovely, but the resort itself is crying out for updates and renovation -- though some guests keep coming back for the quaint, unpretentious, unchanged atmosphere

Much of the resort was built in the 1960s and 70s -- and it shows. Dated architectural styles such as fake stone walls are reminiscent of what might be found in a suburban Florida neighborhood for retirees. The “newer” bungalows were added later, in the '90s, and they include a few updates -- beds, bedspreads and some bathroom furnishings look newer, but not by much. Those who pay a high price might have an "uh-oh" moment upon arrival; the peeling paint and old buildings might make some feel as if they are arriving at grandma's house rather than a resort.

With a secluded location far from any other resorts, a no-TV policy, and the vintage feel of the older buildings, you do feel like you've been transported back to another (simpler) time and place. Returning guests (many of whom are retired British couples) seem to enjoy the quaint charms and unchanged nature of the place. The four long beaches and great ocean views won't get old, at least.

See More Scene

Location

On a quiet, remote part of the west coast of Antigua, where waters are calm, with views of the hotel's namesake Hawksbill rock

One thing this resort has going for it is the beautiful, remote location on the calm west side of the island -- down a private road far from other resorts. There are no main roads close by, so you won’t hear any street noise. In fact, if you wander away from the common areas out of earshot of guests, the only thing you will hear are the birds and the sound of the ocean. The resort is situated on over 39 acres with four beachfront areas, so other than at meal time, the guests have plenty of room to spread out over the property and it never feels busy or crowded. Many rooms lookout on the the namesake Hawksbill rock, a unique rock formation out in the water with a hooked shape. It's about a 20-minute drive to the airport and a 10-minute drive into town.

See More Location

Rooms

Rooms are dated, with old furniture and no TVs (intentionally) -- opt for a newer bungalow for air-conditioning, though you still may have an obstructed view.

The rooms are old and dim, with dated furniture and inferior lighting (especially in the bathrooms). But not only are the furnishings dated, they are also not well kept up -- lamps are often broken or have light bulbs missing. Newer bedding and some updated fixtures can be found in the Beach Club rooms. Mini-fridges come in some rooms, and all have coffee and tea facilities.

The hotel staff says it aims to be minimalist to let guests relax and take in the views and atmosphere without any distractions, and there is a "no TV" policy. (There is one TV on the property, in the lounge next to the poolside restaurant, if there's a big game or important event on.)

Only the newer bungalows have air-conditioning -- the standard Garden and Sea View Bungalows just have a ceiling fan, and breezes can be hard to come by, as the windows have old louvered shutters, some that don’t fully open. The shutters can also unfortunately obstruct the views of the crisp blue Caribbean ocean outside.

See More Rooms

Features

The pool is tiny and uninspiring, while the four picturesque beaches offer lots of room to roam and relax. The poolside bar and restaurant and a quaint gift shop round out the offerings here.

There is one small pool, and doesn't look to be used often by guests. There aren't any lounge chairs around the pool area, just some tables and chairs. Close by is the main bar and outdoor, covered restaurant where guests gather for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is another restaurant up in the lobby, but it's only used on special occasions. The vibe is casual -- no dress code for dinner here -- which is in line with the unpretentious atmosphere of the whole resort. There is a TV lounge and library next to the restaurant, and a tour desk. The gift shop is cleverly placed inside of an old brick Sugar Mill, a common sight in Antigua, showcasing a little piece of the island's history.

All of the buildings are surrounded by nice gardens with lots of green grass. But the real standout of this resort are the beaches, of which there are four -- all with fine, powdery sand and clear, calm, shallow water. One of the beaches is clothing-optional -- the only nude beach on the island. All along the waterfront, there are many places to find open lounge chairs, often in the welcome shade of a tree. (Though look out for bird droppings on the chairs, another item that could use updating.)

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Beach

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Pool

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.