Galley Bay Resort is Antigua's most exotic caribbean travel destination, offering all-inclusive tropical island vacation packages. This beach resort is perfect for a romantic Caribbean wedding and/or honeymoon, or a quick weekend getaway trip. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Antigua/galleybayresort/hotel/1380/24/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:04:27 EST Welcome to Galley Bay, Antigua's most exotic escape. An extraordinarily exclusive retreat perfect for the discerning traveler, Galley Bay's natural elegance, classic Caribbean charm and Gauguin-inspired Tahitian style sets this all-inclusive haven apart from the rest. Just 70 intimate guest rooms nestled amidst 40 secluded acres of beachfront tropical gardens, a lagoon and bird sanctuary, and a very private 3/4 -mile white-sand beach. Over 20,000 subscribers of Conde Nast Traveler have named Galley Bay amongst the ‘World's Best Places to Stay' in its Annual Gold List (January 2005 issue). Galley Bay also won the Gold Award in the ‘Best Caribbean Hotel' category, Virgin Holidays 2004. Galley Bay's commitment to peace and tranquillity means that children under 16 years of age are only accepted during the Christmas and New Year holidays. 14 Gauguin Cottages with private splash pools (Approximately 268 sq.ft.) Situated close to the bird sanctuary lagoon about 50-yards from the beach. Each one consists of two separate thatched rondavels connected by a sheltered breezeway - one is an air-conditioned bedroom and the other is a dressing room/bathroom with ceiling fan and shower. Their splash pools measure a minimum of 7 ft. by 9 ft. and feature adjacent sundecks concealed by either the tropical vegetation or screens made from natural Spanish heather. 10 Superior Beachfront Rooms (Approximately 270 sq. ft.) These traditional single level rooms are located directly on the beach and feature vaulted celings, private terraces and ensuite bathrooms with showers only. A few seconds is all it takes to get from bed to sea, whilst rattan furnishings, louvered windows and colorful local art create a mood that is quintessentially Caribbean. 29 Deluxe Beachfront Rooms (Approximately 340 sq. ft.) Located in one or two-storey buildings on the beach, these more spacious rooms feature walk-in closets, bathrooms with showers and large beach patios with beach showers. Guests can walk straight out onto the sands from the lower level rooms, whilst upper floor rooms boast spectacular views over the Caribbean Sea. 16 Premium Beachfront Suites (Approximately 568 sq. ft.) The largest and most luxurious beachfront accommodation. Located in two-storey buildings, these contemporary split-level suites feature a sunken living room with a wet-bar, floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views, private furnished terraces or balconies and oversized bathrooms with bidets, ‘his and hers' showers and extra large bathtubs. Where is Antigua? Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) is located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly 17 degrees north of the equator. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin. Weather in Antigua Antigua enjoys an average of eight and a half hours of sunlight every day. Temperatures generally range from the mid-seventies in the winter to the mid-eighties in the summer. Annual rainfall averages only 45 inches, making it the sunniest of the Eastern Caribbean Islands, and the northeast trade winds are nearly constant, flagging only in September. Antigua enjoys low humidity year-round. Weddings at Galley Bay Romance in paradise Galley Bay is the perfect place for a romantic and unique wedding at a tropical paradise. We have beautiful surroundings for the ceremony, and everyone at Galley Bay looks forward to hosting our wedding party guests. It's a memorable and joyous occasion for all. Included in your wedding package is: - Normal government fees - Registrar costs and ceremony charges - Bouquet of fresh, local garden flowers for the bride - Boutonniere for the groom - Wedding cake - One bottle of champagne - All taxes and gratuities ACTIVITIES: Activities and Amenities Do it all. Or nothing at all... Our resort offers the following amenities including equipment and instruction at no additional charge: - Exotic freeform freshwater swimming pool with cascading waterfalls - Game room, table tennis, croquet, bicycles and horseshoes - Open-air fitness center - Tennis - Library - Two restaurants, a lounge and a beachfront bar - Boutique - Non-motorized watersports facility with windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, "Hobie-style" catamarans and kayaking - Walking trails around the bird sanctuary lagoon Shopping in Antigua Antigua offers a variety of shops and boutiques for the vacationing shopper looking for that extra-special Caribbean gift or souvenir. Whether it's crafts, jewelry or duty-free bargains, visit Antigua's shops to find your own Caribbean treasure. Most of Antigua's shops are clustered on St. Mary's Street or High Street in St. John's. Duty-free items include English woolens and linens. You can also purchase local items: pottery, straw, rum, hats, shells and handmade fabrics. Make your way to St. John's on a Saturday morning and visit the fruit and vegetable market for a juicy Antiguan pineapple It's worth the trip. Another rich shopping area in St. John's is the Redcliffe Quay waterfront on the south side of town. Here, thirty-five boutiques are set around tree-shaded, landscaped courtyards. Traveling to Antigua Gratuities Same as in the US; 10-15% depending on the service. Give porters and bellhops 50 cents per bag, taxi drivers 10-15% of the fare. Telephones Calling the US is easy from Antigua. Our Elite Island Resorts offer US Direct calling service, or can connect you with a US operator for calling home. Taxes and service charges Antigua has a US$12.00 airport departure tax, a room tax of 8.5% and a service charge of 10%. Electricity Part of the island is 110 volts, the remainder is 220 volts. Most hotels have both voltages available. Appropriate attire Informal, but conservative. Beach attire is appropriate for the beach but not town, shops or restaurants. Some restaurants stipulate jackets and ties for men and dresses for women in the evening. Time zone Antigua is in the Atlantic Standard Time zone, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and the same as Eastern Daylight Time. Atlantic Standard Time is four hours behind GMT. Currency The official currency of Antigua is the Eastern Caribbean dollar which is fixed to the US dollar. A recent exchange rate was US$1.00 = EC$2.70. US currency, travelers checks and major credit cards are welcome everywhere. Banking - Antigua and Barbuda Development Bank - Antigua and Barbuda Investment - Bank Antigua Commercial Bank - Bank of Antigua - Bank of Nova Scotia - Barclays Bank PLC - Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce - Caribbean Corporation Bank - Royal Bank of Canada - Swiss American National Bank of Antigua Banking hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 1:00pm and again from 3:00pm to 5:00pm; Friday from 8:00am to 12:00pm, and 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Medical facilities There are several general practitioners and specialists on the island as well as a hospital and a private clinic. No vaccinations are required unless the visitor is arriving from an endemic area. Recompression chambers are available by air ambulance at nearby Saba and in St. Thomas. Pharmaceutical services are widely available. Passports and immigration US, Canadian and UK nationals require proof of citizenship — a valid passport, original or certified birth certificate. US residents and others should contact the nearest tourist office for entry requirements. Shopping hours Monday thru Saturday 8:00am to noon and 1:00pm-5:00pm. Personal safety Antigua is relatively crime free, but exercise normal precautions; i.e. don't leave valuables unattended in rental cars or on the beach. Restaurants and Bars Let the sunset and steel pans take you away... Be enticed by the exotic flavors of the Caribbean at the Sea Grape restaurant. Begin with cocktails in the lounge and let the soft rhythm of a steel pan set the mood for a remarkable evening. Indulge in award winning, sumptuous dishes created by our master chef. Gauguin Restaurant offers smaller, more intimate, casual, grill-type fare, located beachside. Our Teepee Bar is a Cone-shaped, thatched-roof bar located beachside. This is a favorite gathering place to sip sundowners and watch the sun slip into the Caribbean Sea. Hors d'oeuvres are served in the early evening around 5:30 p.m. The Lounge Bar is open from 7:00 p.m. ‘til? Perfect for an evening apéritif. Galley Bay Restaurants and Bars Let the sunset and steel pans take you away... Begin the evening with cocktails in the beachside Lounge Bar and let the soft rhythm of a steel pan band set the mood for a remarkable evening. From there, move into the spacious elegance of the Sea Grape restaurant where you will be treated to exotic flavors of the Caribbean with award-winning, sumptuous dishes created by our master chef. The Gauguin Restaurant offers a smaller, more intimate venue with casual, grill-type fare and ocean views as far as the eye can see. Both the Sea Grape and Gauguin serve lunch and dinner. Our Teepee Bar is a cone-shaped, thatched-roof bar located on the beach. This is a favorite gathering place to sip sundowners and watch the sun slip into the Caribbean Sea. Hors d'oeuvres are served in the early evening at 6pm. Return to the Lounge Bar for an after dinner apéritif and stay as long as you want. The perfect ending to a perfect day. Type: Resort No. of Rooms: 70 Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Antigua/galleybayresort/hotel/1380/24/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:04:27 EST