My fiancée and I stayed at Hawksbill for a week while celebrating our engagement. This was our second visit to Antigua, and while the resort isn’t without quirks, we had a genuinely memorable and peaceful stay. — What We Loved The Staff Everyone we interacted with was kind and professional. Denise and Shanice at the front desk were helpful during check-in and check-out. Adrian was a favorite—always offering drinks, water, and great energy. Tiffany and David at Sea Grape bar were lovely, and the guy at the rental booth was hilarious. Myron, who handles excursions, was friendly without being pushy. As a queer couple, we felt completely welcomed and even celebrated once they learned we had just gotten engaged. Our Room – #52 We were originally given the wrong room, but staff corrected it the next day. Room 52 is a great location—close to Sea Grape (lunch spot) and the bar. None of the rooms are very close to the main breakfast/dinner area, so this was as good as it gets. Food The buffet was better than we expected. Breakfast included eggs, bacon, hash browns, beans (UK-style), smoothies, an omelet station, fresh fruit, cereal, oatmeal, waffles, pancakes, and baked goods. Lunch is served at Sea Grape. There’s also Petey’s Grill, a reservation-only lunch spot on the resort, which was decent. Dinner changed daily and was consistently fine—not gourmet, but solid for an all-inclusive. Amenities Water coolers are set up around the resort, which made staying hydrated easy. Coffee and tea were available all day, even at quieter stations, which was a nice touch. Wildlife We loved the island wildlife—mongoose darting around like tropical squirrels, black-billed ducks, seagulls, wild goats (watch for poop), and even pigs near the nude beach at Eden. It added a playful, relaxed vibe. LGBTQ+ Friendly As two women traveling together, we always pay attention to how we’re treated. The staff here were wonderful—affirming, respectful, and genuinely kind. Several congratulated us and complimented my fiancée. We never felt anything but welcomed. — Things to Know Mosquitoes This was the hardest part of the stay. The bites were intense—legs, arms, neck, even unexpected spots. Some swelled or became infected. We brought bug spray and still struggled. Definitely pack strong repellent and anti-itch cream. It impacted how much we could enjoy being outdoors. Towels Bring your own beach towel. The resort provides blue towels for beach use, but guests often keep them in their rooms, which leads to shortages. We brought travel towels that rolled up small and worked perfectly. Room towels were replaced daily, but beach towels were hit or miss. Guest Behavior Many guests, especially from the UK, reserved beach and pool chairs by placing towels or items on them early in the morning. Some even “claimed” the same chairs for days. I don’t agree with that. If no one was using a chair for hours, I moved their stuff. No one ever confronted me, because it’s just not fair to block off shared space like that all week. Most guests were polite, but there was one group of Americans who were loud, rude to staff, and disruptive. As Americans ourselves, it was uncomfortable to watch. Thankfully, they were the exception, not the rule. Transportation The resort does offer airport transfers, but we rented a car since we stayed with friends before check-in. If you’re a confident and defensive driver, it’s worth it. Roads are narrow and locals drive fast, but it gave us flexibility and independence. Oliver There’s a man named Oliver who is always around. We’re still not sure if he works there, lives there, or if spiritually haunts the resort (he mentioned management doesn’t like him). He’s sweet, chatty, and somehow a core part of the Hawksbill atmosphere. You’ll know him when you see him. — Final Thoughts Hawksbill offers a calm, scenic, and welcoming environment with great staff and a unique charm. It’s not a glitzy resort, but it feels personal and genuine. The mosquitoes were frustrating, but the warmth of the people and the beauty of the island made up for it. If you’re looking for a low-key, beachy escape with good energy, this place is worth a visit. We’re already planning to return.