9 minute read
Introducing the Caribbean
Antigua & Barbuda
Hold up this brochure against any view of Antigua & Barbuda and you’ll struggle to tell the difference between these pages and the reality standing in front of you. This pair of islands are the Caribbean at its most astonishing, where coconut palms stud talcumwhite beaches which arc like crescent moons around sheltered bays. What’s more, these lovely landscapes live up to everything you see on postcards, social media and, of course, this brochure.
The phrase ‘life’s a beach’ was made for Antigua. With 365 spectacular stretches of sand fringing the island, you could laze on a different one every day of the year! They’re more than just a quirky selling point, though – hitting the beach is a way of life here. Join locals sipping rum from shacks on the sand and admire the views from a luxury resort looking out onto the glittering Caribbean Sea. It’s tempting to make a body print in the sand during your entire stay but the list of water-based activities you can do in Antigua is never-ending and the likes of kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in the shallows are a real joy. The stunning Cades Reef is only a day trip away and a snorkelling adventure reveals pastel-hued coral and tropical fish galore.
Ever since famous naval commander Horatio Nelson was stationed in Antigua in the 18th century, the island has become a haven for sailors. Hardly a month goes by without a regatta or yacht race taking place on its crystal-clear waters, a legacy of British colonial rule that has only become a stronger fixture in the Antiguan calendar over the years. Nelson’s Dockyard, named after the naval leader, is the world’s only remaining working Georgian shipyard, too. It’s been fully restored to its former glory and its fascinating museum includes a number of interesting artefacts, including a telescope once used by Nelson himself.
Blue Waters Resort & Spa
Hermitage Bay
AntiguA
COCOS Hotel
Curtain Bluff
Carlisle Bay Barbuda Belle
BArBudA
Sports fans will be in good company with the cricketmad locals; time your trip right and you could witness a thrilling international match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium! If it’s a victory, celebrate with the soothing sounds of calypso and your pick of the deliciously long rum menus.
Antigua’s tiny sister island of Barbuda doesn’t receive the same level of attention as its larger sibling, but it is well worth exploring. The pace of life on Antigua is leisurely but it’s frenetic when you compare it to Barbuda. Here, you’re on island time, where the gentle sway of its palms sets the metronomic tone and lounging on the sand represents a typical day here. It’s no surprise, with Barbuda boasting a rich supply of blush-coloured beaches, free from tourists and fringed by colourful reefs. Make sure you go to the island’s frigate bird sanctuary, the largest in the western hemisphere and home to over 170 species of bird.
Discover Antigua and Barbuda
Nelson’s Dockyard
Named after the famous admiral who spearheaded the colonial period in Antigua, Nelson’s Dockyard is the crowning glory of the island’s proud maritime heritage. In operation since 1745, it’s the only surviving Georgian marina in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Now back to its original splendour, bustling restaurants and shops populate the 18th-century buildings, while its museum reveals Antigua’s seafaring history and what life was like on the dock.
Shirley Heights
Antigua is stunning at every turn but Shirley Heights gives you the opportunity to capture it all in one super-pretty panorama. It’s a military lookout and battery atop a lush mountain first and foremost, and while its restored grounds are well worth a wander, look beyond its fortified walls for sweeping views of English Harbour and the shimmering waters of the Caribbean Sea. It really is a sight to behold.
Beautiful Beaches
No matter where you are in Antigua, there’s sure to be a beach nearby. There are 365 of them – one for every day of the year – so you won’t have trouble finding a stretch of sand to curl up on. We love the sparkling sands and cerulean waters of Ffryes Beach!
Frigate Bird Sanctuary
Antigua’s sister island Barbuda may be tiny, but it boasts one of the largest populations of frigate birds on the planet, with around 5,000 at the island’s sanctuary near Codrington Lagoon. A boat tour around the sanctuary will afford you the opportunity to gasp at their striking crimson inflated throat pouches, as well as some of the 170 other species of bird that call this wildlife haven home.
–––––––– Antigua & Barbuda ––––––––Blue Waters
Resort & Spa
Set in 17 acres of tropical gardens and flanked by the calm waters of Soldiers Bay, Blue Waters Resort & Spa offers a truly idyllic location, and facing proudly west, guests are ensured dazzling views of the vivid Caribbean sunsets.
There are a multitude of beautiful and elegantly appointed rooms to choose from here, from Deluxe Beachfront Rooms with charming vistas across the bay, to the spacious, secluded Cove Suites and for larger groups or families, the private villas are perfect.
Dining options are varied here, with The Palms open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Carolyns Beach Bar is open for poolside light bites, whilst Asian inspired Bartley’s and The Cove, exquisitely located on a cliff top, are open for dinner on varied evenings. For a jovial, Caribbean vibe head to the Pelican Bar where there is often live music in the evenings and a steel band to accompany Sunday lunch!.
There is an extensive range of facilities for guests including a tennis court, fully equipped gym and variety of watersports on the beach, as well as the three main swimming pools, one of which is adults only. The Blue Waters Kids Club is excellent with exciting activities to entertain 4 to 12 year olds and even a secret garden to explore!
Curtain Bluff
Perched on a rocky peninsula above two gorgeous beaches, Curtain Bluff is a charming, all-inclusive resort in a beautiful setting. To one side a blissfully calm beach, perfect for lazy Caribbean days and to the other, a dramatic surf beach, along which the 72 luxurious rooms and suites are scattered, before they rise up on to the rocky bluff. All feature a lovely veranda where it would be quite easy to spend all day lost in the mesmerising views of the glittering sea.
For fabulous dining head to Tamarind Tree, a plantation style restaurant set beneath the shady limbs of its majestic namesake. The Sea Grape sits right at the water’s edge serving delicious lunchtime buffets, and in the evening, a menu of ‘Italian meets Antiguan’ inspired flavours.
A huge array of complimentary watersports is available including scuba diving (for certified divers only) and waterskiing. The hotel features tennis courts, a swimming pool and an excellent kids programme. For the ultimate indulgence there is a fantastic Spa with a variety of relaxing treatments, as well as regular complimentary yoga and Pilates classes.
Curtain Bluff offers a wonderful mixture of luxury combined with homely, local touches which makes this property such a unique and very special place.
–––––––– Antigua & Barbuda ––––––––
Hermitage Bay Barbuda Belle
Nestled into a secluded cove, Hermitage Bay is a true hidden gem. Surrounded by undisturbed hillsides and the brilliant blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, this luxury allinclusive retreat revels in its glorious location. Tucked along the beach and hillside, the 30 individual suites are beautifully appointed with a stylish, contemporary feel. Think swathes of dark, polished timbers with pristine white linens and ivory cushions. Indulgent outdoor showers and louvred shutters to capture the ocean breezes complete the idyll. We highly recommend the Hillside Pool Suites for their breathtaking vistas and plunge pools.
The restaurant is a convivial space with an atmosphere that transforms from bright and breezy during the day to elegant and romantic as night falls. Daily changing menus are filled with the freshest, locally sourced ingredients and home grown produce from the hotel’s organic kitchen garden.
The spa sits amongst the hillside gardens overlooking the stunning bay and offers treatments tailored to your individual needs. With complimentary Yoga, Pilates and meditation available, the focus is on wellness, however, there is a range of watersports available on the beach for the more active. And don’t miss the cooking class by the award winning chef! Acharming boutique hideaway accessible only by boat, Barbuda Belle is located in a simply stunning location. Set upon what is considered to be one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, this barefoot bolthole is perfect for those looking for complete escapism.
The 8 stilted beachfront bungalows, all built from natural materials, are furnished with king-sized four-poster beds which are perfectly placed to offer sublime views of the blush coloured sand and sparkling turquoise sea. Vaulted ceilings and floor to ceiling windows give the rooms a light, airy feel, and the expansive private balconies are the ideal spot for a sundowner whilst you take in the unadulterated vistas!
Exquisite fare can be enjoyed at The Mangove Restaurant, where the French chef creates delicious, Caribbean inspired dishes using local ingredients wherever possible. The less formal Jelly Tree Bar and Grill sits directly on the beach and serves mouth-watering freshly grilled seafood and thirst quenching cocktails.
Barbuda remains mostly undeveloped making it a nature lover’s paradise! A visit to the Frigate bird sanctuary is a must, as is kayaking through the mangroves… and then relax with a rejuvenating treatment at the Barbuda Belle Day Spa.
