3-bed-villa-south-finger-jolly

Antigua - great climate and lots to do

We love coming to Antigua because it enjoys a pleasant tropical climate all year round (between 28 and 32 degrees C. Rainy season is from September to November. During this time rains tend to be short, sharp showers rather than rain for extended periods of the day. It doesn’t affect the sunshine for long! <BR><BR>The Island is great for kids, very relaxing and the local people are open and friendly. <BR><BR>Outside Jolly Harbour are loads of places definitely worth visiting. Hiring a car is essential to explore the Island and have a truly memorable holiday.<BR><BR>Places that we have visited and enjoyed:<BR><BR>- St. Johns (capital)<BR><BR>You dont need a car to get to St. Johns. Take the number 20 local bus which stops right outside the main entrance to Jolly Harbour. The journey to St. Johns takes around 15 minutes and costs about EC$3 per person (less than £1). St. Johns has a great duty free shopping area where the cruise ships come in specialising in jewellery and clothing.<BR><BR>- English Harbour & Shirley Heights<BR><BR>About a 40 minute drive from Jolly Harbour, English Harbour is a graceful and evocative historic district which is focused on the fifteen square miles of Nelsons Dockyard National Park. Developed as a base for the British Navy in the great age of sail, the harbour served as the headquarters of the fleet of the Leeward Islands during the turbulent years of the late 18th century. Today Nelsons Dockyard has been completely restored, and it is now the only Georgian dockyard in the world. <BR><BR>There are lots of restaurants here as well as some seriously big yachts.<BR><BR>Shirley Heights is only open from Sunday afternoon and into the evening. Fantastic views of sunset, steel bands and great barbeques. Very popular with locals and visitors alike. It is situated just beyond English Harbour. Entry fee is payable locally.<BR><BR>- Beaches<BR><BR>There are 365 beaches in Antigua, all of which are open to the public all year round. All are beautiful, but Half Moon Bay in particular is lovely. It is quite a drive from Jolly Harbour, about 50 minutes and youll need to take a picnic, but it is worth it. Great beach and great waves to mess around in. The sea is calmer on the left side of the bay.<BR><BR>To explore other beaches just drive out of Jolly Harbour, turn right and keep going till you find somewhere you like the look of. There are restaurants dotted all around the island for lunches and drinks. <BR><BR>- Barbuda<BR><BR>For a truely unspoiled taste of the Caribbean, visit Barbuda with its seemingly endless beaches. Get there by the Barbuda Express Ferry for a day visit or take a 2 day sailing trip.<BR><BR>Devils Bridge on the north east side of the Island is worth a look and is a spectacular example of how the ocean erodes the land.<BR><BR>Bettys Hope is a restored sugar plantation in the centre of the Island and is considered to be an interesting site.<BR><BR>

Activities in Jolly Harbour

There are a huge range of activities available at Jolly Harbour ... the main ones are detailed here:<BR><BR>- Beaches<BR><BR>There are 2 beaches at Jolly Harbour, one on the south side (5 mins walk from Villa) and the other on the north side.<BR><BR>All of Antigua’s 365 beaches are public and most are easily accessible from Jolly Harbour.<BR><BR>- Swimming pool<BR><BR>There is a full sized pool on the south side at the Sports Club, which has recently been refurbished. It is in the central area close to the casino, shops and restaurants and is about 10 minute stroll from the villa.<BR><BR>- Golf <BR><BR>One of two courses on the Island, the Jolly Harbour Golf Club features an 18 Hole, par 71 course set in stunning grounds.<BR><BR>- Water sports<BR><BR>There is a selection of Motorised and non-motorised water sports on the main beach (south side), including jet skis, hobbie cat small sailing boats and windsurfing.<BR><BR>- Scuba diving<BR><BR>Jolly Dive is situated on the south beach and you can arrange days out diving at Cades reef through them. There are also several other dive companies all of which can pick you up from Jolly Harbour.<BR><BR>- Sports<BR><BR>Tennis & Squash courts are available at the Sports Club (BBR Sportive), which has recently undergone a refurbishment.<BR><BR>- Gym<BR><BR>The gym is situated at the Golf Club. <BR><BR>- Boat trips<BR><BR>Several companies operate out of Jolly Harbour. You can choose from round island trips on a catamaran (Wadadli Cats or Treasure Island Cruises), half day snorkelling trips and full day lobster lunch trips with Creole Cruises. There are also sunset cruises, glass bottom boat trips and more extreme excitement to be had with powerful motorboats.<BR><BR>- Helicopter rides<BR><BR>Round island trips and trips to see the Soufriere Hills Volcano on Monserrat. Bookable in the central area.<BR><BR>Eating Out<BR><BR>Theres lots of choice whether youre looking for cheese burgers and chips or more refined cuisine!<BR><BR>- Castaways <BR><BR>Situated right on the beach open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Castaways is perfect for watching the sunset at the end of the day.<BR><BR>- Mellini’s Restaurant & Bar <BR><BR>Situated in the central area Mellini’s is open for lunch and dinner and serves great Italian food.<BR><BR>- Peter’s Steakhouse <BR><BR>Situated in the central area Peter’s is open for lunch and dinner. Serves wonderful steak and locally caught fish.<BR><BR>- BBR Sportive <BR><BR>Situated by the swimming pool near the main area, it’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and serves a great range of snacks and local cuisine.<BR><BR>- The Dogwatch Tavern <BR><BR>Found at the far end of the central area The Dogwatch is a pub and also serves food in the evening.<BR><BR>- Golf Club <BR><BR>You can enjoy light lunches overlooking the course.<BR><BR>- Java Jojo <BR><BR>Coffee house serving up an extensive range of coffees and teas.<BR><BR>Telephone numbers for all these restaurants are available in the phone book found in the villa, should you want to make reservations. <BR><BR>Other services available at Jolly Harbour, all found in the central area are:<BR><BR>- Supermarket <BR><BR>Sells everything you’d expect in a supermarket as well as truly delicious fried chicken…<BR><BR>- Bank <BR><BR>Open 5 days a week from around 10am until 1:30pm.<BR><BR>- Car Hire<BR><BR>Hertz and Europcar both have offices and car hire costs around US$65 per day.<BR><BR>- Golf Buggy Hire<BR><BR>A handy way to get around the Jolly Harbour complex if you don’t fancy walking.<BR><BR>- Laundry<BR><BR>The laundry service is by the marina building called Budget Marine and is payable locally.<BR><BR>- Internet café<BR><BR>Offers the usual email and internet access as well as fax and printing services. Payable locally.<BR><BR>- Pharmacy<BR><BR>- Souvenir/art shop<BR><BR>

Why rent our villa?

The villa is situated on Jolly Harbour’s south finger, which is much closer to the beach and amenities than those on the north finger. It is just a few minutes walk from the beach and has superb views over the marina and hills beyond. <BR><BR>Set across 2 floors, the villa is open plan and airy and contains everything you’ll need for a relaxing and comfortable stay. It comprises:<BR><BR>Downstairs:<BR><BR>- Spacious, open plan living and dining area with Cable TV, multi region DVD player, CD/cassette/radio player, phone (free local calls) and air conditioning<BR><BR>- Fitted kitchen with large oven, fridge/freezer, cutlery, crockery, microwave, toaster, sandwich toaster, coffee machine and blender and everything you need to prepare meals<BR><BR>- Part-covered veranda with outdoor table, chairs and 2 sun loungers, overlooking the marina and hills beyond<BR><BR>- Pier with berth for 40’ yacht<BR><BR>- Bedroom 3 with single bunk beds, fitted wardrobe and free standing fan. Please note that this is a very small room which is ideally suited for children and/or teenagers. Adults will find it a squeeze.<BR><BR>- Downstairs WC<BR><BR>Upstairs:<BR><BR>- Master bedroom with queen size bed, fitted double wardrobes, plenty of storage space, balcony overlooking the marina, ceiling fan, air conditioning and ensuite shower room<BR><BR>- Bedroom two with 2 twin beds, fitted double wardrobes, ensuite shower room, ceiling fan and air conditioning<BR><BR>Maid service (weekly), linen, towels and air conditioning are provided and are included in the price for your comfort and convenience.<BR><BR>The villa is managed on our behalf by HBK which are situated on site. The friendly staff there are available everyday until 6pm to answer any queries you may have, provide information and help with any problems.<BR><BR>