Hawksbill Bay Reviews

I just got back from Hawksbill and I was dragged to the plane kicking and screaming. It was the first time I had been to the Caribbean and would definitely recommend it, from reading the previous reviews I didn't know what to expect but the place was amazing. Someone previously said that the place was too noisy, the rooms don't have windows just blinds and mosquito nets, but waking up to the sound of the waves and birds is paradise to me.

The food in the hotel was great, breakfast was buffet which varied from fresh fruit to full English to cereals. Lunch was either a sit down mean or a beach BBQ which was great and found myself at everyday. Dinner varied from waiter service to a buffet and both were great. On waiter service nights the menu had 43/4 main course options so there was something for everyone.
We did 4 trip on our stay, on the Sunday night we went to Shirley Heights which I would thoroughly recommend, the only downside was the bus to bring you back picked us up at 7:45 which for us was too early as the bands had just started, taxis are pretty cheap and can be arranged from hotel so maybe that would be a better option. Condor at the tour desk was a real help with our plans and we organised everything independently.

Another trip we did was a circumnavigation tour of the island stopping off at Green Island for snorkelling and lunch, if there is one thing you do on your stay that would be the one I recommend. The staff made the trip and the journey back from Green Island the music came on and the rum punch was poured. The other 2 trips we did were deep sea fishing and stingray city.
The staff into the hotel were friendly and helpful sometimes your glass of wine came 10 minutes later, but hey you in the Caribbean learn to relax, we certainly did and cant wait to return.

If this wasn't our best ever holiday, it was close to it. We chose the Hawksbill resort for the chance to go on a clothes-optional beach in late November. Just one of the four beaches (Eden Bay) is c-o. All the beaches are good, but Eden Bay is a delight. So clean! Must be half a mile long at least - soft sand, coconut palms, warm sea, about 30 sun loungers (not all occupied) and an ice-water dispenser. We had the odd warm rainshower, but in our circumstances, it hardly mattered!

The resort is all inclusive. We really appreciated the cooking and the variety of food, sometimes buffet style, sometimes waitress service. The grounds are a delight, and Sylvia on the staff does a brilliant (free) garden tour with fascinating info on local plants and culture. There are a few rough edges. After an 8 hour flight from UK, the airport is a chaotic shambles, with (2) unnecessary and irrelevant forms to fill in on arrival. Some aspects of the hotel are a bit well-worn, and there's no gym or fitness room. Most rooms don't have air con. Ours had a ceiling fan, which was just OK for the temperatures we got. Take mosquito repellant and anti-histamine cream (and a cross-point screwdriver and masking tape to improve the fit of your room's insect screens!). But where is perfect? (Eden Bay, that's where!). Take some EC dollars as well as US for spending outside the resort, to avoid any suspicions about the exchange rate when spending US and getting EC dollars in your change. And do go to St Johns - the capital. The hotel do a reasonable taxi-shuttle there for the morning, which is just right. We are going back for certain!
Bob 'n' She

We flew BWIA out of Heathrow, randomly picked to have our cases searched and it was a no frills flight. I would certainly go with another carrier if possible in the future. However the leg room seemed good 33";. Kuoni told us the baggage allowance was 20kgs but when I checked out BWIA,s web site it was 2 cases each but no more than 32kgs each case. Upon landing there were 2 other large jets on the tarmac BA and Virgin and it took 1 hour 20 minutes to get through immigration. Make sure you are given a pink form which is a customs declaration form on the plane.

Arrived at the Hawksbill and greeted with an ice cold towel and a glass of bubbly. Our room in the main block ";superior sea view"; was big with a ceiling fan, mini fridge and a coffee filter machine. We were initially concerned that without air-con it would be stifling but let me re-assure potential visitors that it really is not necessary due to an ever present easterly breeze. The food we thought was a very good standard with a lot of thought gone into presentation. Dinner was served at weekends, Tuesdays and Thursdays to the table with buffet style the rest of the week. There are 4 beaches where you had to pick you spot to go in.On the nudist beach it is very rocky but there were 2 spots where you could enter the water safely. Nearly all the staff were very nice and tried very hard to help with some small problems we had.

The swimming pool is ridiculously small and seemed pointless. They have a cricket match on Sundays, staff v guests great fun and its only a tennis ball.

We hired a jeep for 5 days through the hotel guest services. Two bits of advice rent from an outside agency you will get a better quality vehicle for the same money and 5 days was probably too many. You will get lost, we noted only 3 signposts on our trips out but you only have to ask and people were very helpful. Spend a couple of hours at Half Moon Bay absolutely gorgeous and good snorkelling too. I have to add a word about the Kuoni rep she did her job but no more.She had no warmth about her and some attitude.

Taking everything into account we had a lovely holiday and I would recommend the Hawksbill. It is not for anyone looking for an in your face loads of entertainment,bingo,karaoke type holiday. No tv,s or phones in most rooms,it is a laid back quiet do your own thing holiday. I think its worth more than the 3 stars it,s got but not quite 4.
Leaving the country everybodys case was opened and searched!

Looking at earlier reports was not too encouraged but the later ones show a distinct improvement. When you first check in (cold towels and champagne) and look at the views you know you are in the right place, the beaches and gardens are beautifull. Rooms are large and clean with kettles and tea and coffee. Our room only had a fan and not air con but was still cool.

Went to bed listening to the nearby sea every night (somebody complained about the noise of this!! amazing).
All inclusive meals and local drinks were of a good but not haute cuisine standard and you could upgrade your meal some nights at a small fee (lobster etc).

I think this resort is classified as 3 and 1/2 star which is well deserved.
Plenty of space for everybody to be on their own if wanted. Nightlife very low key, would not suit teenagers and the nearest town (St Johns) ten minute taxi ride)
Would certainly go again for the peace and tranquility, suited me down to the ground but we are all different.