I spent a week in Antigua with the tourist board, and it was the kind of trip where you learn so much, eat incredibly well, and return home with a camera roll overflowing with turquoise seas. There were six of us agents on the trip, and we stayed in three different hotels while visiting several others along the way. It was such an unbelievable experience that I couldn’t resist pulling together all the highlights into one blog to share with you.
Where I stayed
Royalton CHIC Antigua (adults only)
I started at Royalton CHIC for two nights with Diamond Club and butler service, which felt very spoiling. The look is stylish and modern and I can imagine it gets pretty lively in peak season. They even do foam parties by the pool. The headline feature is the overwater bungalows, which most people associate with the Maldives, so it is brilliant to see them here where you can still get off the pier and explore a whole island. There is a good choice of restaurants, a patisserie for coffee and sweet bits, and Pescari which is the island’s only overwater restaurant. That one is a supplement unless you are Diamond Club, in which case you get one complimentary evening.
Royalton Antigua (family friendly)
Next up was Royalton Antigua on Deep Bay for two nights. It suits everyone from couples to families, with spacious suites, a kids’ club, a spa and a proper gym. The bay is calm and perfect for paddling, swimming or trying a few watersports, and you have Fort Barrington watching over the beach which gives the whole place a nice sense of history along with the postcard views.
Blue Waters (family friendly with a boutique feel)
Blue Waters felt elegant and relaxed from the moment we arrived and the food really stood out. It is brilliant for couples and for families with younger children who are happy with beach days and pool time. There is not a big splash park or a games arcade, so teens who want non stop action might prefer somewhere busier. I loved the villas for special trips or multigenerational getaways. Some are huge and come with private pools, so they work beautifully for birthdays and anniversaries.
Hotels I visited
Galley Bay Resort & Spa (adults only)
Some of my clients already rave about Galley Bay and I could see why straight away. It has that laid back Caribbean elegance and the team are so loyal and welcoming, which gives the resort a lovely family feel. Dining is a real highlight. Gauguin has intimate thatched pavilions on the beach, Sea Grape serves beautiful dishes with ocean views and Ismay’s is named after a lady who gave 45 years to the resort, which tells you a lot about the heart of the place.
Keyonna Beach Resort
Keyonna is adults only and very barefoot chic. Think wooden cottages, thatched roofs, outdoor showers and private plunge pools on a quieter stretch of beach. It feels natural and unfussy, the sort of place where you kick your sandals off and forget what time it is.
Sandals Grande Antigua
We popped into Sandals for a look around. The refreshed rooms on the Caribbean side looked great and with eleven restaurants you can eat your way across the globe without leaving the resort. The beach is gorgeous and it is a strong choice for couples who like a livelier all inclusive with good dining.
Food and drink I loved
Sheer Rocks
If you do one long lazy lunch, make it here. Sheer Rocks sits on the cliffs with little plunge pools tucked into the terrace, so you can dip between plates of tapas style dishes and very good cocktails. You can also buy a day pass that includes dining and use of the pools, which turns it into a whole experience. Sunset here is magic.
Papa Zouk
Papa Zouk in St John’s is tiny, friendly and full of character, with more than 200 rums on the shelves. Faye, the owner, came over to talk through the menu and was brilliant with dietary needs in our group. The food blends Caribbean flavours with a little German twist from her husband. I had the red snapper and it was fantastic. The walls are covered in art he painted during lockdown which adds even more charm.
Nicole’s Table
This cookery class is set in a beautiful family home and it feels like being welcomed by friends. We made plantain fritters with pineapple salsa, sweet potato soup, rum marinated chicken with pumpkin fritters and rice and beans, then a gluten and dairy free orange and almond cake that was so light. While things were cooking, Adam hosted a rum tasting and their daughter Emily helped out. They run different menus and cater brilliantly for dietary requirements. It is definitely something I would recommend and makes a lovely option rain or shine!
Favourite experiences
West Indies Academy of Rum, Galleon Beach
A proper rum masterclass that covers the history and styles, followed by blending your own bottle. Mine was called Getaway Grog with banana, coconut, cinnamon and vanilla. It tasted like sunshine and it was 45 percent proof, so definitely a sipper.
Snorkelling at Galleon Beach
We saw turtles, stingrays and loads of colourful fish, plus a little shipwreck which attracts marine life. The water was calm and clear and it felt very easy for mixed abilities.
Shirley Heights
This is the classic Antigua viewpoint and rightly so. On Thursdays and Sundays they do a sunset barbecue with a big steel band, lots of energy and stalls selling local crafts. You can get an all in ticket or just pay as you go. Even with a bit of haze the views were beautiful.
Nelson’s Dockyard and the lookouts
A beautifully kept historic naval yard with classic Caribbean buildings and a real sense of the island’s past. The surrounding viewpoints are great for photos and you might find yourself pointing out famous homes across the bays.
Getting around and when to go
Antigua is small, so getting around is easy. Taxis are straightforward, journeys are short and they drive on the left which feels familiar if you hire a car. I went in the rainy season. We had a couple of big downpours on site visit days and then glorious sunshine when we really needed it, like for snorkelling and Shirley Heights. If you are happy to risk a shower, prices can be kinder and there is still plenty to do indoors such as rum and cookery classes.
There are direct flights from the UK at certain times of year, or you can connect via Caribbean hubs. We went via Barbados with Virgin, which was eight hours to Barbados, about an hour on the ground without changing aircraft, then roughly 50 minutes on to Antigua.
Who I would recommend it to
Antigua suits couples and honeymooners who want style, scenery and good food. It works for families who prefer relaxed beach time rather than non stop facilities. It is brilliant for special occasions, especially if you book a villa somewhere like Blue Waters and take the grandparents. If you are a foodie or you like learning a bit about local culture, you will love places like Nicole’s Table, Papa Zouk and the rum academy. And if you just want to sit by a beautiful bay and switch off, there are 365 beaches to choose from, so you will not run out.
My takeaway
I thought it was absolutely beautiful, with such a warm and friendly feel that instantly made me feel at home. It’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you’ve left, and I know without a doubt that I’ll be returning in the future.
Whether you fancy sandy toes and a good book or a week of cooking, rum, snorkelling and sunsets, Antigua lets you do both. If you want help working out which resort fits you best, I would love to chat through the options. Give me a call on 01252940745 or drop me an email and let’s make it happen.