Story & Photography | Renée S. Suen
Antigua, known as “The Gateway to the Caribbean”, has flourished as a valuable commercial colony since the 1600s. Rich in culture, it has the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nelson’s Dockyard, and a marina that hosts many international sailing regattas.
Boasting 365 white-sand beaches stretching along 160 kilometres of coastline, Antigua also has beautiful coral reefs and crystalline waters, an interior rainforest that’s best explored through hiking or ziplining, plus popular spots like Shirley Heights Lookout with its stunning sunset views over English Harbour.
The view from English Harbour.
With non-stop flights from Toronto, it’s never been easier to pop down for a dreamy Caribbean escape, especially when it’s being pampered in one of the all-inclusive resorts below.
St. James Club & Villas, Mamora Bay, Saint Paul Parish
Located on a secluded 40-hectare peninsula on the island’s southeastern coast, family-friendly four-star St. James’s Club has been voted one of the best resorts in Antigua.
Activities: Ideal for all ages, the laid-back, upscale environment has well-manicured grounds, six pools with access to bottomless cocktails and plenty of other outdoor activities. Complimentary lessons and water activities abound with windsurfing, kayaking, pedal boats, standup paddle-boarding, Hobie Cat sailboats or simply snorkel to feel relaxed and rejuvenated.
The six pools in St. James Club & Villas offer the bottomless cocktails and plenty of outdoor activities.
Leisurely stroll along white sand Mamora Beach or ocean-facing Coco’s Beach. Enjoy the luxurious amenities that include a state-ofthe-art fitness and wellness facility with complimentary classes, night-lit tennis courts, beach volleyball and beach games. For kids and teens, there are supervised outdoor games and activities like swimming, guided nature walks and movie nights.
Take a leisurely stroll along the ocean-facing Coco’s Beach
Dining: From waterside dining to romantic alcoves, the resort’s onsite restaurants have child-friendly options. Unlimited drinks–be they cocktails spiked with premium name-brand liquors, Caribbean beers, a signature rum punch or wines–are available at the property’s six bars and live music lounges.
For fine dining, make sure you reserve a table at Piccolo Mondo.
The Rainbow Garden Restaurant serves breakfast, afternoon tea and an a la carte evening menu, for lunch indulge on freshly caught seafood and Caribbean specialties at the Docksider restaurant overlooking Mamora Bay. For quick bites with an ice-cold beer the casual, swimsuits-welcomed Beach Grill has you covered and for those seeking refined, locally inspired Caribbean cuisine, make sure you reserve a table at Piccolo Mondo.
Stay: Nestled in distinct serene pockets around the resort, the spacious rooms and suites range from adults-only waterfront Royal Suites to luxury villas for up to eight on a hillside near Mamora Bay Beach. The rooms have a private balcony or terrace, a/c, Wi-Fi and large bathrooms with double showers.
The spacious rooms and suites of St. James Club & Villas.
Galley Bay Resort & Spa, Five Islands Village, Saint John Parish
This romantic 4.5-star, adults-only boutique resort sits upon 23 hectares of lush tropical gardens and has one of the island’s best beaches. The tranquil experience begins with a welcome at the property’s open-air vestibule before walking down a long wooden boardwalk, past a stunning lagoon and its surrounding bird sanctuary, towards the Caribbean Sea and the property’s 1.2-kilometre-long beach.
The tranquil experience begins with a welcome at the Galley Bay & Resort’s open-air vestibule.
Activities: Expect personalized service from warm and friendly staff as you explore the shores lapped by sparkling aquamarine waters with a Hobie Cat catamaran, SUP board or sea kayak. Snorkel to discover coral reefs teeming with marine life, or simply relax by the free-form pool, complete with cascading waterfalls and get a deluxe treatment at Indulge Spa, a blissful retreat where you will be pampered with a therapeutic massage, body treatments or facial therapy.
Galley Bay & Resort has one of the island’s best beaches.
An air-conditioned fitness centre and a beach yoga pavilion includes complimentary classes, table tennis and billiards. There are also bicycles, tennis, volleyball, cooking demos, tours of the vegetable and herb garden, or a hike to Fort Barrington.
In the evening, the gathering spaces come to life with live entertainment, including island-inspired music. Besides cocktail parties sided by hors d’oeuvres, there are beach movie nights equipped with personal headsets and backlit by the stars.
Dining: Located directly on the beach, each of Galley Bay’s open-air, farm-totable restaurants offer mesmerizing views of the Caribbean Sea. Enjoy breakfast at the elegant yet casual Seagrape Restaurant that serves refined Caribbean gourmet cooking with international flavours. A highlight is the weekly beach barbeque night, featuring assorted Caribbean favourites from salads to grilled local seafood and succulent meats, accompanied by live steel drum music.
Make time for Gauguin Restaurant in Galley Bay Resort & Spa for an intimate meal.
A highlight is the weekly beach barbeque night at Galley Bay.
Thirsty? Indulge in unlimited tippling at the all-day Tee Pee Bar which serves the resort’s signature Galley Bay Sunset–a shaken cocktail made with white rum, tequila, orange juice and grenadine. The property’s Rum Shack is also a must visit, set in a whimsical room designed to look like a rum shop, it specializes in different rums from throughout the Caribbean.
Galley Bay & Resort’s Rum Shack is a must visit.
Stay: Every chic and airy room has a private, spacious balcony or large patio, deluxe bathrooms with double showers and a bathtub. The Superior Deluxe Beachfront Rooms are the property’s newest additions and are outfitted with a king bed that faces the ocean, a shady terrace with sun loungers and an outdoor rinse shower for when you return from a leisurely swim in the sea.
Every chic and airy room in Galley Bay has a private, spacious balcony or large patio.
