The best hotels in Antigua
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Boasting endless white-sand beaches, acres of rugged rainforest, and plenty of untouched tangle just waiting to be explored, Antigua’s landscape remains relatively true to the way nature intended, and the best hotels on this glorious Caribbean island are a stone’s throw from the crystal-clear waters that lap its powder-soft shores. It’s a beach-lover’s dream and anyone visiting would be hard-pushed to get round every stretch of golden sand - the saying goes there’s ‘a beach for every day of the year’.
Visit between June and October and you might just be lucky enough to watch baby turtles emerging, blurry-eyed from their shells before scuttling to the sea. There are optimum times for surfing here, too, but the year-round promise is that the vibe on this island is chilled. Days stretch lazily from sunrise swims to rum-fuelled sundowners, with the opportunity for a poolside snooze in between. It’s easy to sink into holiday mode, especially when you’re checking into one of the best hotels in Antigua. We've rounded up the options, from ultra-luxe five-star resorts with all of the frills, to boutique hideaways so good you’ll be booking your return before you’ve even left for home.
More recommendations for the best hotels in the Caribbean:
- The best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean
- The best hotels in St Lucia
- The best hotels in Jamaica
- The best hotels in Barbados
- The best hotels in St Barth's
How we choose the best hotels in Antigua
Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveller journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We’re always looking for beautiful design, a great location and warm service – as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.
Alexis AndrewsCurtain Bluff
This intimate boutique hotel located on the south coast of the island oozes classic Caribbean charm in spades. A colonial-style, whitewashed building forms the central part of the 20-acre estate, encircled by outbuildings awash in baby pink and shaded by lush, leafy palms. Thanks to the hotel’s unique perch on a secluded promontory, you’ll be flanked by azure-blue waters on all sides: guests can lounge at the hotel’s two beaches entirely undisturbed, other by than the peppy team members who intermittently come round with drinks and ice lollies. Days here are spent lolling by the two pools and working up a sweat at the four (yes, four!) tennis courts, before ending with relaxed Caribbean dinners and live jazz.
Courtesy Oetker CollectionJumby Bay Island
For flawless five-star luxury that ticks all of the boxes, Jumby Bay is undoubtedly Antigua’s most exclusive getaway - and a firm favourite among holidaying A-listers. Set on a private island just a 7-minute hop from the mainland (you’ll be whizzed over in a sleek catamaran), this sprawling 300-acre estate is fringed by unsullied, golden beaches and swaying palms. Airy villas are primed towards the ocean, and kitted out with all of the mod-cons, along with fully stocked minibars, private pools, and seamless butler service. The resort’s fully-inclusive offering means that you certainly won’t leave hungry (or bored); breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner are all included in your stay, along with plenty of watersports and activities for thrill-seekers: from candlelit dinners on the island farm to barbecues on the beach, there’s lots to keep the whole family well fed and entertained. Read the full review of Jumby Bay Island here.
Alexis AndrewsHermitage Bay
This boutique hideaway is tucked away on Antigua’s tranquil east coast, encircled by dense foliage and deserted, white-sand beaches that seem a world away from civilisation. A clutch of sleek cottages crest the hillside, offering a chic melange of woody accents and loose, linen fabrics inside. Surrounded by lush gardens, each of these standalone suites feels utterly secluded: it’s no wonder that loved-up honeymooners make up the majority of guests here. Dips in the freshwater pools, and trips to the spa for yoga lessons and couples’ massages are followed up with romantic dinners at the beachside restaurant, where a fusion of Caribbean and east Asian flavours dominates the menu.
The Inn English Harbour
Hugging the island’s south coast, this small but perfectly formed estate encompasses 19 acres of manicured gardens, all set against a dramatic backdrop of turquoise waters and pink-hued Caribbean sunsets. Each of the suites ooze timeless, old-school charm, featuring colonial accents and period furnishings: think grand four-posters and mahogany furniture. Wake up to languid breakfasts on the beach before working on your tan along the hotel’s palm-fringed sands - and if you’re tempted to explore further afield, you’ll be in the ideal location for sightseeing, with Antigua’s famed Shirley Heights and Nelson’s Dockyard both merely a stone’s throw away.
Carlisle Bay
Wake up to sweeping panoramas over the ocean at Carlisle Bay, a family-friendly five-star pad straddling Antigua’s untouched southern coast. Set within a peaceful curve which is home to one of the island’s best beaches, sun-worshipping and salty sea swims are undoubtedly the orders of the day here. Wake up in spacious, beachfront suites, where whitewashed interiors are punctuated by calming dashes of blue and green; after spending the day getting stuck into pickleball tournaments and diving school, you’ll be spoilt for choice between the hotel’s four restaurants, which offer Japanese, Italian, and local cuisine.
Blue Waters Resort and Spa
This family-owned resort is nestled within a private bay on the island’s northwestern coast, encompassing a quaint 17 acres of tropical foliage and powder-soft sand beaches. Colonial-style bedrooms have been carefully refreshed with elegant furnishings, and all have their own private terraces or balconies - with a handful of larger villas ideal for family takeovers. The hotel’s four bars and restaurants offer everything from elevated suppers to relaxed dining with your toes in the sand, and days are spent alternating between reef snorkelling, boat rides, and exploring the shoreline’s coves.
Galley Bay Resort and Spa
For an understated, adults-only oasis, Galley Bay is the ideal sanctuary for newlyweds (for more options visit our edit of the world's best hotels for honeymoons). Sandwiched between the ocean and an expansive lagoon, you’ll be surrounded by nature’s best, from dense tropical thicket to ancient tortoises and colourful birds which nest at the hotel’s various animal sanctuaries. Bed down in stripped-back beachfront suites, and wake up to the chirrup of wildlife around you; meanwhile, leisurely afternoons are spent parked on a sun lounger, being pampered at the spa, or in the water (snorkelling, kayaking and paddle boarding are all part of the hotel’s all-inclusive rate).