The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in Antigua

Laid-back luxury defines this all-inclusive resort with 65 cute candy-colored cottages sprinkled across a hillside flanked by two sugary beaches. With their exposed beams and handcrafted furniture, the TV-free rooms with spacious porches smoothly capture the spirit of the Caribbean. The nicest ones come with views of the turquoise sea and individual plunge pools. Catering only to an adult clientele, this Antigua hotel also features the gamut of water sports and divine Med-meets-Caribbean dining at the Sheer Rocks restaurant in its dramatic clifftop perch.

At this couples-only hotel in Antigua, lavishness is not measured in marble and gold but in a tranquil bond with nature and buckets of Caribbean charm. Embedded in dreamy tropical gardens, the free-standing wood cottages are tailor-made for romance with their four-poster beds, verandas with heavenly hammocks, infinity plunge pools and outdoor showers – but no TV. The all-inclusive plan treats you to innovative meals showcasing island bounty from land and sea at the waterfront restaurant or in your private pergola in the sand.

Luxury lodging took an evolutionary leap with the arrival of this all-inclusive, adult-only hotel in Antigua. Its 41 stand-alone villas with wraparound decks and infinity plunge pools occupy prime terrain right next to the Devil’s Bridge National Park, famous for its rock arch and natural blowholes. Watch the shifting shades of blue in the sea as you laze by the three-tiered pool or on the sandy beach. Giant showers, water hammocks, a gourmet chef’s table and unlimited champagne are among the most distinctive resort features.

This five-star Antigua resort is set on a hilltop overlooking English Harbour and has its own dock and stretch of Galleon Beach. Its main building was once an island fort and features a stone terrace overlooking the bay, where fine Italian cuisine is served. Rooms and suites are set in British-colonial whitewashed cottages with verandas or patios. Facilities include tennis courts, a gym and spa, water sports and a large pool. There’s even a free water shuttle to historic Nelson’s Dockyard.

World War II fighter pilot Howard Hulford purchased this former sugar mill and transformed it into the glamorous Curtain Bluff Resort. The property is set on a dramatic headland overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Expect suites with local art and floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as two resort restaurants, a pool, spa and gym. Have afternoon tea at Sugar Mill Terrace, do some scuba diving or join the weekly cocktail party hosted at the mill house.

Come to the Galley Bay Resort for a peaceful adult-only stay. Guests must cross a lagoon to reach this 42-acre (17ha) Antigua resort, which is set along Landing Bay Beach in tropical gardens. Treat yourself to an Antiguan spa treatment in a thatched beach cabana, sip a cocktail at the rum shack and enjoy nightly entertainment. Seaside rooms have a nautical feel with wood furnishings, and dining-wise, you have a choice of three restaurants, including a Caribbean buffet at Sea Grape.

Blue Waters is a celebrity favorite for its opulent style and secluded location – it’s the only resort in Soldier Bay. Relax on the private beach or 17 acres (7ha) of exotic gardens, and lounge by the resort’s multiple pools. Picture high ceilings and tropical decor in the sea-facing cottages. Activities include tennis, sailing, wine tasting and cooking classes. There’s also a spa, cocktails at Veronica’s Bar and an extensive Caribbean buffet at the Palm Restaurant.

This Antigua resort offers access to the island’s white sands, as well as the popular Blue Spa with six treatment rooms. Relish the rainforest surroundings, which encompass nine tennis courts and a pool. Room options include beachside suites with butler service, balconies and wood furniture with shell prints on the walls. Take a guided hike to Mt. Obama National Park or try some sailing or yoga. Carlisle Bay also boasts an Asian restaurant, a bar and even a small movie theater.

Check into Nonsuch Bay Resort for an all-inclusive holiday with separate sections for couples and families with kids. The exclusive Escape offers an adult-only haven in an isolated section of the resort with its own pool, fine-dining restaurant and stretch of private beach. Sea-view suites come with balconies and outdoor soaking tubs, and there’s a luxurious spa. Families will love the self-catering cottages with kitchens and up to three bedrooms, as well as a stellar kids’ club, entertainment and water sports.

If you’re looking for a romantic escape, Keyonna offers a couples-only resort perfect for honeymoons and romantic breaks. Stay in a cabin on a private stretch of Turner’s Beach, complete with his and hers outdoor showers, a four-poster bed and a veranda to watch the sunset. The most lavish villas have their own plunge pools. Go kayaking or snorkeling in the mirror-like waters, and dine on fresh seafood at the beachfront restaurant.