Some trips are about switching off. This one was about looking a little closer.
This was my sixth visit to Antigua, but it felt different. Returning to an island you know well gives you a different perspective. You stop looking at the obvious and start noticing the details that make one hotel different from another, why certain places continue to draw you back, and what really makes a holiday memorable.
Hosted by the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority alongside Aspire Travel Club and Blue Waters Resort & Spa, we spent five days revisiting old favourites, discovering new ones and seeing how the island continues to evolve.
It was my second stay at Blue Waters Resort & Spa and Tamarind Hills, my first visit to Carlisle Bay, and my first opportunity to experience the recently refurbished Hermitage Bay. That combination made this one of the most valuable research trips I’ve had to Antigua. Not because everything was new, but because it wasn’t.
Sometimes returning somewhere you love gives you the clearest perspective of all.
Returning to Blue Waters Resort & Spa
Blue Waters Resort & Spa became our home for the week once again.
Having stayed here before, I already knew what to expect, but returning reminded me why it remains one of Antigua’s most reliable luxury choices. Family-owned for more than fifty years, it has a confidence that only comes with time. Nothing feels forced or over-designed. The gardens are immaculate, the service is genuinely warm, and the whole resort encourages you to slow down.
Most mornings began with coffee overlooking the bay before the island had fully woken up, while evenings ended watching the sun disappear into the Caribbean.
What struck me again was how effortlessly Blue Waters caters for different types of travellers. It is refined without feeling formal, relaxed without losing its sense of luxury, and one of the best family-friendly all-inclusive options in Antigua.
For families who want the ease of having everything taken care of, without compromising on quality, it is a standout choice. From the setting and service to the choice of dining and activities, it manages to offer something for everyone while still feeling distinctly Caribbean.
Some resorts make a fantastic first impression. The very best make you want to return. Blue Waters firmly sits in that second category.
Hermitage Bay: Antigua’s Ultra-Luxury Hideaway
Despite this being my sixth visit to Antigua, this was my first opportunity to experience Hermitage Bay.
Following its recent refurbishment, the resort feels beautifully refreshed while keeping the sense of privacy and tranquillity that has always made it such a special place.
Set on Antigua’s west coast, the hillside suites are tucked into the greenery above the beach, offering the kind of seclusion that immediately slows your pace.
The updated suites feel brighter, lighter and more contemporary than the previous style, with thoughtful touches that elevate the experience without taking away from the relaxed, barefoot luxury that defines Hermitage Bay.
Walking through the open-air reception and seeing the bay appear in front of you is one of those moments that photographs never quite capture.
Private plunge pools, discreet service and a setting designed around peace and privacy make this one of the strongest recommendations in Antigua for clients looking for ultra-luxury serenity.
If someone wants to completely switch off, escape the crowds and experience one of the island’s most exclusive stays, Hermitage Bay would be at the top of my list.
Carlisle Bay: A Resort That Surprised Me
Carlisle Bay was completely new to me, and it was the property that took me most by surprise.
Some resorts try to appeal to everyone and end up feeling like a compromise. Carlisle Bay somehow manages to find the balance.
Set on Antigua’s quieter south coast, backed by rainforest and fronted by a beautiful stretch of beach, it works equally well for couples looking for relaxation and families wanting space, activities and excellent facilities.
What impressed me most was the food.
The dining was genuinely one of the highlights of the visit. Each restaurant had its own personality, giving you a reason to explore a different part of the resort each evening. It is rare to leave a hotel talking about the food as much as the location, but Carlisle Bay achieved exactly that.
Combined with its beautiful setting and versatility, it has quickly become one of the most ‘all-rounder’ resorts I have experienced in Antigua.
Returning to Tamarind Hills
It was also a pleasure to return to Tamarind Hills for a second visit.
The resort sits between Ffryes Beach and Darkwood Beach, but for me it is Ffryes Beach that remains one of the island’s most beautiful stretches of sand and one of my favourite beaches in Antigua.
The combination of powder-soft sand, clear turquoise water and those incredible Caribbean views is exactly what many people imagine when they picture Antigua.
Tamarind Hills offers something different from the traditional resort experience. Its contemporary villas and residences provide the privacy and flexibility of having your own space, while still offering the comfort and standards expected from a luxury stay.
Returning confirmed my first impression. For families travelling together, groups of friends or anyone looking for a more independent luxury villa experience, it is one of Antigua’s strongest options – and one of our most loved properties on island!
CV Villas
We spent our final morning in Antigua soaking up the peaceful surroundings of Casa Musica, the latest addition to the CV Villas collection on the island. Set high above English Harbour, the villa offers an idyllic retreat for travellers seeking the privacy and flexibility of a villa stay, while still enjoying the comforts of a luxury holiday. Thoughtfully designed for relaxed indoor and outdoor living, it’s an ideal choice for families and groups looking to slow down and reconnect, with daily housekeeping and private chef services available on request for those wanting an even more effortless escape. It felt like the perfect place to end our time in Antigua, taking in the views one last time before heading home.
Beyond the Resorts: The Antigua I Always Come Back For
As impressive as the hotels are, some of the moments that stay with me most happen away from them.
One of my favourite local discoveries is Brew Antigua, a brilliant little spot that feels like a genuine slice of island life rather than somewhere created purely for visitors. Their “Fake Fridays” every Thursday have become a brilliant local hangout, bringing together residents and visitors for good food, drinks and a relaxed atmosphere. It is exactly the kind of hidden gem that makes returning to Antigua worthwhile.
A visit to a local bakery is also essential. No Antigua trip is complete without trying a traditional bun and cheese, a simple local favourite that has become part of the island’s culture. VJ’s Bakery in Liberta Village is a perfect stop for experiencing this properly.
We also spent time at The Hut on Little Jumby, which has become one of my favourite dining experiences in Antigua. Beyond the incredible setting, the food is genuinely world-class, helped by the culinary expertise of the team behind it, including GM and Head Chef Elio Debae, whose previous experience across some of the Caribbean’s most prestigious destinations has helped bring a real level of refinement to the menu.
Watching the sun set with your feet in the sand while enjoying exceptional food is exactly the kind of experience that reminds you why Antigua keeps calling you back.
Why Antigua Keeps Drawing Me Back
After six visits, one thing has become increasingly clear.
Antigua is not somewhere you visit once and tick off a list.
Each trip reveals something different. A hotel that has evolved. A restaurant you somehow missed before. A beach that becomes a new favourite. Or simply seeing a familiar place through fresh eyes.
Within a short drive you can move from a family-friendly luxury resort to an ultra-private hideaway, from a private villa to a local bakery, from a rum experience to one of the Caribbean’s most memorable dining spots.
That variety is what makes Antigua so special.
Whether you are planning a honeymoon, a family holiday, a villa escape with friends or simply looking for somewhere to slow down for a week, the island has a remarkable ability to adapt to the way you want to travel.
It is why I have returned six times already, and why I still feel there is more to discover.
Planning Your Own Antigua Holiday
This trip reinforced exactly why we invest so much time visiting the destinations we recommend.
Our advice does not come from brochures or sales presentations. It comes from returning, comparing, asking questions and understanding which hotels genuinely suit different travellers.
After six visits, I know there is no single “best” place to stay in Antigua.
For families looking for effortless luxury on all inclusive, Blue Waters is a fantastic choice. For clients seeking ultra-luxury serenity and privacy, Hermitage Bay is difficult to beat. Carlisle Bay offers one of the island’s strongest all-round experiences, particularly for travellers who value excellent dining, while Tamarind Hills remains one of my favourite options thanks to its setting overlooking one of Antigua’s most beautiful beaches.
Our role is simply to understand how you like to travel and match you with the place that feels right.
And if my sixth visit taught me anything, it is that Antigua always has another reason to return.
