A cheap family vacation on Antigua might seem an impossibility, but if you book the Jolly Beach Resort, then not only will you get an all inclusive family vacation you will also get an affordable vacation, and if you are prepared to accept that you will get less if you pay less, you can still have a great time.

The Jolly Beach Resort is a three star resort which has 462 rooms so it is a large all inclusive hotel at Lignumvitae Bay, not far from the airport. It is a low rise hotel with a maximum of four floors, sitting in over 40 acres of well landscaped gardens, with all the rooms facing the ocean.

There is a good spread of accommodation, from Supersaver, which is the best value with a double bed, to Standard, which has one King size bed or two twin beds. Then there is Superior with two Queen Size beds, to King Superior with King size bed and comfortable sitting area. The Junior Suite has King size bed, and separate sitting room, to Beachfront Cottage which comes with one or two bedrooms, ideal for the family.

It may be a cheap family vacation at the Jolly Beach Resort but that doesn’t mean there is no choice of restaurants. You can enjoy the Hemisphres International Buffet which is the main dining room, with inside and outside eating. Here you will eat breakfast which will include made to order, and Dinner  is internationally themed, and lunch is served here every day.

Lydia’s at Crab Hole Village serves up fresh grilled seafood right on the beach, according to what seafood has been landed on the day.

Ristorante Bocciolo is an airconditioned non smoking restaurant serving superb Italian dishes, and is open every evening apart from Tuesday and Friday, and there are dresswear standards to be followed, and you will require a reservation

You will find the Coconut Grill and Splash Bar right next to the Fantasy Pool and just a few steps from the beach, and here you can get fast food, and sandwiches all afternoon.

Finally Utsav Indian Cuisine is an open air restaurant featuring dishes from all over India, opens for dinner, and insists on elegantly casual dress code, requiring reservation.

There are items like lobster and steak, which carry a small surcharge.

The quality in all the restaurants is good, the dress code at Bocciolo’s is strictly enforced, and there isn’t much of a problem making a booking at the restaurants in the afternoon.

As you can see there is a great variety of choice, and this doesn’t forget the five bars to keep you cool and hydrated, which is a lot more than some resorts which are definitely not a cheap family vacation.

There is a high percentage of returning guests, which may also have a great deal to do with the friendly service from the staff. No surliness here, although a please and a thank you obviously goes a long way, but then that is no more than a common courtesy.

The Jolly Beach Resort is a lot more than just cheap and cheerful. It does offer a cheap all inclusive family vacation, and whilst the accommodation may be slightly dated and worn, this affordable vacation does give value for money.