I spent a fabulous New Year's with 7 friends at 3 Martini! Diane and Godfrey are delightful and warm hosts, devoting their time and attention to making us feel at home and helping us celebrate in fine style. And let's not forget the beauty and charm of Lady, queenly pup in residence! I hope to return again to sample Antigua's and 3 Martini's hospitality.

We had been travelling around the caribbean for three weeks and Antigua was our last leg. We did not want to stay at one of the big resorts; our feeling is you could be anywhere in the world at one of those, so we decided on 3 Martini, which was 5 minutes drive from nearby Jolly Beach resort for all amenities; the local car hire company came and dropped a vehicle off for us. There were no reviews on it but its not expensive and the location is on and near the best beaches on Antigua (what we wanted) so we took a chance and booked.

They did not disappoint. Godfrey and Diane have made a true haven where you spend the evening with a few rum punches or local beers watching the sun go down over the ocean (yes it is on the all important WEST side!- with a view in the distance of smoking Monserrat). Put the world to rights with Godfrey -he has a seemingly guru status - and have a delicious meal, whether it be something like their curry prawn(our favourite) and the amazing peanutbutter cheesecake or just a salad (they do lunches too + ask for breakfast). Then go to sleep lulled by the sound of the waves, treefrogs and crickets. They have a tv in the bar, plenty of travellers books to borrow/swap, cool music and sometimes limin'/jamming of an evening. If you don't want to join in (we were exhausted from sun and sea that day!) then you can't hear a squeak from your room.

There's a fridge and fan (was sometimes really hot) in the very clean room and Diane had a mossie mat plugged in for us. Room and bed were large, huge shower and balcony with two deck chairs and a table, plus comfy chairs and coffee table inside. Really private, sit there au naturel and no one would see you! (unlike resorts!). The balconies are also west facing; ask Diane to put you on the top level for the best view from your room.

The outside decor is gorgeously colourful, so caribbean with its oranges and blues. Inside its calmer and cooler with plenty of room to dry off your swimming stuff and your dive gear without it getting in the way.

The beach is right over the road from the hotel, beautiful for swimming and general contemplation (very quiet). Darkwood beach is also nearby, a bit bigger, just as stunning and still quiet. There are other great restaurants nearby, with of course bars where you can have your sundowners on the beach.
There is a shop about 5-10 min walking distance where you can stock up on chocolate, crisps, fruit etc for your days' drive. There is also a supermarket at busy Jolly Harbour but we only went there once- too many people after the quiet of 3 martini!

It was about 30 mins over the island to Nelsons Dockyard, after sight seeing we went diving there with Carlo Constantini's antiguascuba ([----]) inside the Old Dockyard. Very safe, great teacher; I highly recommend him.

All in all 3 Martini is the perfect place for chilling out, hanging out in the bar all day, floating over to the beach if you want a cooling dip in the sea! A great base for the rest of the island without being in the crowds but easy to drive to them if you so wish. I whole heartedly recommend this to my family, friends, and all other trip advisor surfers reading this. Have a great holiday!