The Great House

My family and I just returned from our trip to Antigua where we stayed at The Great House Antigua from 9/25/24 to 9/30/24. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK THIS HISTORIC CRAP. I repeat, DO NOT BOOK THIS FILTY PROPERTY especially when the owner Gabriella Howell will call you a scammer and liar based on your honest experience and review of her nasty property. She is definitely a slumlord who only cares about making money with no investment back into the property or her staff. As per her property manager, whom we saw twice, upon arrival and departure, the reason why the house was not clean or maintained is “the owners wants to maintain the historic feel”. Dirty rooms with mold does not represent an historic feel. Dilapidated beds where the mattress springs are lopsided, rusted, uneven without any form of support while sleeping is completely unacceptable and far from historic. After my first night sleeping in the pineapple room, I could hardly get out of bed due to the stiffness and extreme pain my back was in. The kitchen was filthy upon arrival, and yes, Gabriella, we know you had the staff clean it after we complained however, that should have been done prior to our arrival. Next time try to be proactive and not reactive when it comes to providing such an intimate service and then you wonder why we canceled the chef. The shower for the pineapple room needs a full remodel along with new shower curtains. The level of rust and lime scale is unimaginable and disgusting. A pair of waterproof slippers were needed for every shower I took. The door to the bedroom needs a workable doorknob not a slide latch on the inside and outside and a deep cleaning. I was not sure what was causing the stains on the inside of the door but it was completely filthy and disgusting. The mini bar/fridge was filed with mold and has not been cleaned for months maybe years. The windows had mold growing on them. The WiFi barely works, so go ahead and add an international calling plan through your wireless provider because you will definitely need it for 99% of your stay, airplane mode is not an option at this property. Now, I’m sure the owner will respond very defensively and dismiss my experience as a way of trying to get money back but let me reassure her, that she may want to stop being so defensive, rude and accusatory and actually show empathy and understanding to our experience and improve the property, because the pictures below don't lie. You CANNOT be in the service/hospitality business and refuse to take criticism from your guests, that type of attitude will surely not bring the level of success you so desire. On a positive note, the landscaping and views are beautiful and very relaxing. Mara was also very nice.

I can't tell you how relaxing this place was. You walk in and feel transformed into paradise. Lovely staff and yummy food. We stayed in the cottages and the pictures didn't do them justice- they were massive! With huge his and her showers. Can't wait to go back!

We stayed in a Garden Cottage at The Great House for a week in November, and we have never experienced such a wonderful holiday. It was so difficult to leave! From the moment you arrive you will completely switch off. We honestly felt as though we had been taken away from the hustle and bustle of normal life and placed in complete and utter tranquility and paradise. The accommodation is so special, different and unique. A real home from home. You are treated like family, something you just don’t get in large hotel chains. If you are looking for peace and relaxation in beautiful surroundings, The Great House is for you. We hired a car and soon realised that it is also located in one of the best areas (in our opinion) with Long Bay (the most beautiful beach ever with crystal blue sparkling water) within a 10 minute drive. If I had to sum up our experience in one word it would have to be ‘Shangri-La’ - a faraway haven of idyllic beauty and tranquility. Thank you to everyone at the Great House for making this a once in a lifetime holiday… Jess and Moss xxx