Curtain Bluff

An elegant, intimate hotel flanked by the Caribbean Sea; we loved Curtain Bluff. Its 72 classic-contemporary sea-facing rooms and suites boast serene, coastal-style interiors, lots of storage and spacious, sun-drenched terraces. Both restaurants are outstanding. Set on the sands, Seagrape – open for lunch daily and dinner several nights each week – has views for days and is so spectacular that pre-booking is key; while Tamarind serves breakfast and dinner daily with a side of nightly entertainment (you must try the grilled Yellowfin Tuna, it was immense!).

Overlooking the sea, the spa offers an enviable location for any treatments, inside or out. Plus, over a dozen exciting activities – and the CeeBee Kids’ Club – are included in your stay. The team is efficient and friendly, with incredible island knowledge, and there’s lots of interaction from the manager who lives close by with his family. A magical place with a rich history and a handsome location.

Carlisle Bay

The grand, sweeping entrance to Carlisle Bay – a serene and welcoming resort situated on Horseshoe Bay on Antigua’s south coast – is really quite something. And that’s before you’re met by the wonderful gentleman who guides you along the wooden-decked walkway to the bright, airy reception and invites you to sit and relax while you wait to check in. Given the number of restaurants (four), all the activities (five tennis courts, two pickleball courts, a vibrant kids’ club, yoga pavilion, watersports centre, library, private screening room, Cara Organic Beauty Spa) and wide choice of superb experiences and excursions they offer, it still manages to be super peaceful.

All 87 suites are quite simply lovely: spacious, uncluttered, filled with light and offering a choice of garden or sea views. Seclusion-seeking couples will appreciate the Bay Suites – reserved for adults only and set at the quieter end of the crescent-shaped beach (which, by the way, is terrific for a morning or early evening walk); while families will adore the ground-floor Beach Terrace Suites. Unpretentious, welcoming and relaxed, Carlisle Bay is a holiday must-stay for anyone wanting to indulge in the bountiful hospitality of Antigua.

Hermitage Bay

Nestled on a hillside, set in 140 acres of plantations, rising up from a hidden, sandy cove, Hermitage Bay – set on the island’s west coast – is a sensitively developed resort with experiences designed to restore, ignite, and soothe the soul – a first-rate find for honeymooners or adults travelling with teens. Hillside, Beachfront and Seaview Garden Suites – styled with dark woods and soft linens – are supreme spots to hide away and indulge in a little luxury.

Step inside, and you’ll find interiors that channel the beauty of the surrounding bay, while outside there’s a private plunge pool, wraparound decking and sublime sea views. Though we didn’t get to experience the food for ourselves, you can expect lots of local favourites, classic American dishes, modern European fare and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, all created using fresh produce from the resort’s organic kitchen garden. Want to get out and explore the island or visit the nearby town of Jolly Harbour? The hotel’s own speedboat can get you there! Overall, a delectable resort for a secluded Caribbean escape.

Blue Waters & The Cove Suites

Family-owned and with a 40-year heritage, this resort feels both intimate and tranquil, despite its larger footprint. Traditional Caribbean-style rooms are delightful, decked out with nautical blues and crisp white linens, and we loved our home for the night, the spacious Turtle Cottage – über-private and perfect for larger parties.

Dinner at The Cove should be top of your list – the lobster tail was delicious; and the Reef Restaurant’s light lunch was also a favourite. Staff were attentive, kind and really personalised our stay. The white-sand beach – small but charming – and bird song were a constant reminder of our Caribbean locale; there’s lots to do for all ages; and the resort’s location makes it easy to explore (nearby Devils Bridge with its natural blowholes and cool myths is a fab experience).

Jumby Bay Island

An iconic half-mile stretch of beach, a stylish exterior, a refreshing cocktail, and a crowd of friendly faces… that’s what awaits as you breeze across the sea from the mainland to Jumby Bay Island. But if the journey doesn’t take your breath away, the on-island experience undoubtedly will. The service is tremendous; ditto the array of island expeditions, the heavenly spa, exquisite culinary journeys (including the stellar White Night BBQs); and, of course, the indoor/outdoor lifestyle that’s so much a part of Jumby Bay.

Forty rooms and suites housed in pretty cottages have lofty ceilings, wide verandas, open-air bathrooms and stunning sea views. Or plump for one of the breathtakingly private Villas or Estate Homes. And, while our stay here was short, we weren’t low on highlights: searching for starfish, swimming in the infinity pool by the Pool Grille, drinking champagne on the powdery soft beach and cycling our way around the two kilometres of palm-fringed cycle paths. Jumby Bay, you are one-of-a-kind!”