The Best Villas in Antigua, the Caribbean

Dickenson Bay Cottages is set in an intimate hillside complex. The resort’s prime location, just two minutes from the beach, makes it ideal for families, while there are also spa treatments on offer and an outdoor pool. Self-catering cottages come with one or two bedrooms and a daily maid service. Enjoy patios with sea views, full kitchens, bamboo furniture and Caribbean artwork.

Check into Hammock Cove Antigua for a restful adults-only escape. The all-inclusive resort is set on the northeast corner of the island and has 42 villas. Expect high ceilings, hardwood furnishings, a wet bar and plunge pool. This five-star boutique resort offers villa guests use of the spa and three infinity pools that lead down to Hammock Cove’s private beach. Rates include all meals and drinks, afternoon tea and activities.

Set on palm-lined Dickenson Bay, the Buccaneer Beach Club provides stellar views of the topaz sea. Its villas and cottages, accommodating between two and four guests, have balconies that showcase the paradisiacal Caribbean scenery. There’s a kitchen for self-catering, as well as a bike rental and tour service. Relax in tropical gardens or spend the day on the soft, beckoning sands of Dickenson Bay.

Check into Victory Villas Antigua for modern luxury on the south side of the island. The landscaped compound is a natural haven with a pond, exotic flower gardens and views of the rolling hills. There’s a large communal pool and five two-bed villas, which come with fully equipped kitchens. It’s just a short stroll from Victory Villas down to Ffryes Beach, the perfect place to spend a sun-soaked afternoon.

Looking for an adults-only getaway? Check into the Villas at Sunset Lane, which lie on a hill overlooking Dickenson Bay, just a mile from the sparkling ocean. The resort has a distinctive pink exterior and pool, as well as authentic Caribbean food at the on-site restaurant. There’s a range of villas that come with balconies and stylish kitchens, open-plan living spaces and laundry facilities. Golfers will love the nearby Cedar Valley course.

Galley Bay Cottages is built on a hillside, with stone paths that lead through gardens to four wooden cottages with ocean views. Each has a spacious kitchen and shabby-chic interior featuring Caribbean art and European antiques; note the hand-painted tiles, wooden shutters and four-poster beds. Opt for the cliffside Bacchus Villa for ultimate seclusion and your own private pool.

This swanky resort offers access to two pristine beaches, Mamora Bay and Coco, where you’ll find a range of water sports facilities. All-inclusive villas come with kitchens, outdoor dining areas and up to three bedrooms. Take advantage of the resort’s extensive facilities, which include four tennis courts, a kids’ club and five restaurants offering international cuisine. St James’s Club Antigua also has a spa and puts on evening entertainment, including live Caribbean music.

Expat couple Douglas and Gabriela built Yepton Estate Cottages from the ground up, and pride themselves on providing a personalised service for their guests – whether that’s finding a supermarket, booking restaurants or organising tours. Stay in one of the snug self-catering cottages which lie near a salt lagoon, just a 10-minute walk from the beach, and enjoy a terrace or patio with barbecue and hammock, outdoor pool and gardens.

Eco-friendly and adults-only Vine Cottages sit on a hill overlooking historic English Harbour, with their own organic gardens and pool. Expect a quiet stay here: there are just five cottages, which come with one or two bedrooms, plus a substantial kitchen for all your self-catering needs. French doors open out onto balconies and patios, overlooking the pool and flower-filled gardens, offering moments of bliss.