Cocobay

We just got back from a wonderful 10 day trip to Cocobay Resort. This was our 9th trip to the country and 6th visit to Cocobay Resort (there's a reason why we keep coming back to this resort!!!) This trip was a little different due to COVID but Antigua along with Cocobay Resort made it as amazing and close to normal as possible. I appreciate all the necessary measures that the country along with the resort took to ensure that everyone was safe. To start off, we were to have a COVID test 7 days prior to our arrival date to show to them at the airport (you will also have to upload your results online for your COVID waiver with the resort). There was only flight coming at the time that we got to the airport so what would normally take us a good hour to get through customs, get our luggage, and transportation, honestly only took us a good 30 minutes. They seemed to have a good system going to get you through as soon as possible. When we got to the resort, they required you to wash your hands at a hand washing station before entering the property. Then you were greeted with a nice rum punch beverage. Check in was quick and easy because it is all online now to reduce contact. All staff were wearing masks to help protect everyone. We booked a premium waterfront villa this trip and the view was outstanding! We stayed in Warri. Some people write reviews stating not to get this level because you don't really use the pool or it is shaded too much. We thought our pool was perfect as the sun the would shine on it from around 11am til 330 pm. So there was a perfect amount of time that we could hang out in the pool. The onlything I have to say is that I wish WE had used the pool more but we were having so much fun with the staff and meeting new friends that we only used it three times out of 10 days. That's okay though! We were happy to have it, the view, and the extra space in the room. It was spotless every day thanks to our amazing housekeeping crew! We have already booked another premium waterfront villa for next year. IF that's not your style and you just want a place to put your head down at night, I highly recommend the Deluxe Cottage. We have enjoyed staying in 16,17,18, and Sleeping Indian. All have amazing views of the perfect Caribbean Sea! The food was outstanding!!! In the past, pre-covid, breakfast and lunch were buffet style. Since then, they have removed the buffet-style option and you have menus to choose delicious foods from! Dinner is the same where you choose from a menu of items. Depending on if you have booked directly through the resort (which I highly recommend), you get to choose from everything including the supplement food options at dinner. I have dairy intolerance so if an item on the menu had dairy, the staff would let me know and offer something different (ex: creamy risotto... they gave me an option of vegetables instead). They really took the time to respect my food intolerance and make sure that I was still able to enjoy the food. They have a new chef and I hope they keep this person because they have just turned the menu around completely and I AM HERE FOR IT! LOVED every meal!!! We had fresh red snapper one night, some lovely herbed chicken another night... just so many options and vegetarian options as well for those who prefer to go meatless. I can't say enjoy good things about the food. Now the staff... let's talk about HOW AMAZING they are! They are the most BEAUTIFUL people I have ever met! I love all my people there! Janine, Matika, Laurie, Davern, Altino, Saskia, Jermain, Sonia, Tiffany, Kiffany, Marsha, Denise, Antionette, Keva, Glendale (this guy is going to be an excellent manager one day), Vincia, Roxanne, Jasminder, Karmin, Mr. G, Carl, Cristoph, the groundskeepers, and housekeeping staff. They are all amazing!!! I did miss some faces this trip: Sasha and Kerry! We hope to see them next year. These people are so genuine and just so down to earth. I truly call them all my extended family because I love them all! There are two pools and three beaches you can enjoy at the resort. I must say our favorite pool is the high bar pool. That's where we spend most of our time and enjoy chatting with the bar staff. If you want extra food options, Sheer Rocks, which is not included, but is on the resort property is available to go to. We love going there for the Sangria and Tapas for lunch. This is currently being offered Wed-Fri. We didn't know this and went on a Sunday. That's okay! We still enjoyed the food. IF you go.. get the sticky pork and the chicken croquettes! So tasty!!! They also have bar bites at the high bar from around 3-5pm. You can get chicken wings, Cesar salad, pizza, and potato wedges. All of which are tasty and they are included with your all-inclusive package. I also forgot to mention that at the sunset pool, there is a bar down there where you can get croissants with breakfast foods, granola, and yogurt. In the mid morning/lunch time, you can get panini's as well that vary each day (they also have a veggie option too) and this is also included in your resort stay. This trip was difficult for me to leave. I cried like a big ole baby because I was going to miss our amazing home away from home and the staff that we have grown to call our own family. I really can't say enough amazing things about this place and could go on forever and ever... so basically you just have to see it for yourself to know why I love it so much! Thank you, Cocobay Resort, for everything that you always do for us when we come home to see you. We are anxiously awaiting our return in 2021 to see all of your lovely faces! I truly hope at this point, we can give each other a long overdue hug! Miss and Love you all! The Fenwicks! Read less

A Beautiful, spotlessly clean resort! Deluxe cottage was everything that we expected with a very welcoming pool to dip into on a humid day! All inclusive is a great option, especially as it is waitress service each evening, as opposed to a buffet, help yourself service that we have experienced on previous holidays. The lobster cruise was just amazing, and was the highlight of our trip; I would definitely recommend this. Pools and beach are excellent, though we did feel a bit overwhelmed at times, on the beach, when we were approached numerous times to book the jet skis, that we didn't want to do! Overall, excellent all round. We will return! Read less

My husband and I traveled to Cocobay at the end of July. We were a bit anxious to travel at this time during the Pandemic, but we felt very clean and protected throughout our entire stay. All staff wore masks, hand washing/sanitizing stations were abundant, and the individual cottages were a major incentive for us. We had first traveled to Cocobay in 2014, and have been wanting to return ever since. It was exactly as we remembered it! We were greeted with the BEST and most accommodating staff. Glendale always had a smile on his face and Kiffany made sure that we were taken care of at each meal she served us. The food is DELICIOUS! At each meal you have choices for 3-4 courses and there was not a single meal that we left food on our plate. You can also order a la carte if you want. There's an option of bar bites, paninis, pizzas, and pastries for breakfast if you would like other options. We never wanted to miss a meal at Rafters though! We stayed in a cottage with a private pool. We did wish for a bit more foliage to cover parts of the pool from view from the walking path, but that was our only complaint. The views are spectacular, the pools are beautiful, the bed is comfortable, drinks are flowing, and food is tasty! We will be back! Read less

Thank you for a great vacation during these crazy times. The resort is very focused on proper protocols during COVID 19. Your temperature is taken upon arrival, hand sanitizer is used, masks are worn by all guests as you traverse the property and the individual huts are perfect for social distancing. The beaches and pools are really nice. We stayed in a waterfront cottage with a pool....we loved the views and the pool was awesome. We spent a lot of time on our deck in the pool looking out over the water. The staff are all very friendly and a real asset to the resort. The cottages are very comfortable with great A/C and fans....actually gets cold at night. What didn’t work so well: - The food...it was very hit or miss. Some parts of a meal were good and others not at all. I expected more/better based on the reviews. - The grounds...while pretty they could use some TLC. - Basic cleaning up...cups and bottles around the resort are left for days without being picked up by the staff. We say empty bottles of water, coke and cups not picked up for 4 days at one of the huts by the water. Garbage not picked up when it is 5 feet off the walkway. I expect much more from a 4 star resort. - General maintenance. Coming off a 4 month shut down, I would have thought that many maintenance issues would have been addressed....they weren’t and the resort can use an overall spruce up. Overall we had a great vacation but there are better places to stay for the $. If the issues above are all addressed then this would be a real good 4 star resort. Read less