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NEWLY TRANSFORMED, ANTIGUA'S JOLLY BEACH RESORT HAS FORMULA FOR GREAT VACATIONS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES.

ANTIGUA, W.I., March 2001 -- When Jolly Beach Resort re-opened for business recently, it wasn't technically a new hotel -- but it was an entirely new experience. The 462-room property in the southwest of Antigua's curlicued coast was already the island's largest, sited on a scenic 40-acre estate along more than a half-mile of white sand beach that is outstanding, even in an island that has 365 of them.

Best of all in the eyes of many vacationers: Jolly Beach's all-inclusive format delivers all the resort offers for special 2001 introductory rates that start at $113 per person till April 15, then drop to $98 for the Spring shoulder season. 

There are five room categories, ranging from the smallest [which the hotel frankly compares in size to "a large cruise ship cabin" and for which it charges no single supplement] right up to junior suites with separate living areas. All rooms are air-conditioned and face the ocean; each has a patio or balcony, direct-dial phone, cable TV, hair-dryer and rentable safe.

The US$10 million+ re-fit has done more than simply refurbish rooms and public areas, though this has been painstakingly done. It has added the biggest signature fantasy pool in the Caribbean, 8,000 sq. ft. including waterfalls and a Jacuzzi, that curves around a choice of restaurants and bars, past a romantic wedding gazebo set atop a landscaped pyramid with sweeping views of sand and sea. 

A spacious and comfortable meeting room has been added, with excellent facilities and views of the gardens outside. There's a Cyber Center for guests who need to connect to the Internet. And this is the only resort in the Caribbean -- if not in the world -- with a full, professional cricket facility right on property

By day, focus is on outdoor living, and the wealth of land and water sports available right on property. On the extensive beach, Sunfish, Hobie Cats, wind-surfers, pedal boats, kayaks and Kat Kruzers are there for the asking. Four tennis courts, two lit for night play, are presided over by a resident pro; table tennis is beachside. A new 18-hole golf course is an easy walk next door -- while to get in shape for it all, there's a Fitness Center complete with professional Cybex equipment. Guests can join a group to learn mixology or a dance step, to practice water aerobics -- or to rehearse for the 'talent night' that is just one offering on a nightly menu of live entertainment. Then, there's a late-hours disco.

Jolly Beach has its complement of expansive buffets at breakfast and lunch. It also has five distinctive restaurants ranging from elegant, seated Italian to poolside Greek, to Caribbean, International, and a Beach Grill. There are seven bars, including the swim-up bistro in the new pool.

With so much room, so many facilities already on property, and all of Antigua's tours and activities at hand, Jolly Beach general manager and experienced Antiguan hotelier Ted Isaac believes his resort is now ready to deliver for new special-interest markets. There's a flexible wedding package -- and an on-property wedding coordinator so well-versed in making arrangements that she "stopped counting the weddings [she's] supervised after they reached 2,000". There are those new meeting facilities. And right after the current Winter season ends, Jolly Beach will extend its welcome once again to families with children, who will stay -- depending on age -- either free or at a steep discount.

Perhaps the best barometer of how Jolly Beach is satisfying current visitors, however, can be found on the Internet, in the up-to-date travel "chat rooms". One February 2001 vacationer, just back, says, "It was the most fantastic vacation of my life!" while another says simply, "What a deal for the price! We plan to go back next year -- for the third time." For Isaac, this kind of response is truly rewarding -- and a big factor in motivating his staff. "Our guests are happy," he says, "and it has a really good effect on all of us."

Jolly Beach is fully commissionable to agents, and is offered by major tour operators. A quick look (currently being expanded) is available on the web at www.jollybeachresort.com . The resort can be reached in Antigua at (268) 462 0061; Fax: (268) 562 2117. In the USA, reservations and further information are available by calling (954) 929 1188; Fax: (954) 929 6001. 

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