Luxury Antigua Holidays

An island that looks like it's been designed for the pages of a glossy travel magazine, you will not be disappointed by the backdrop to your holiday snaps in Antigua. A Caribbean island of coves and bays, lush rolling hills and tranquil waters, rhythm and spirit Antigua is a laidback holiday spot infused with infectious Caribbean charm. Best of all, we've traversed this island paradise to find the most inspiring places to stay, from heavenly spa resorts with wraparound ocean views, to bijou boutique hotels that allow you to slot right into the Antiguan pace of life.

As you fly in over Antigua and neighbouring Barbuda, every one of your senses will realise you have arrived in an otherworldly paradise. The meandering coastline exudes visual appeal, as do the white and pink tinged sands of the island's staggering 365 beaches. Cute harbours, emerald green forests and dramatic volcanic peaks complete the look of this astonishingly beautiful island. You might just need to pinch yourself to believe it!

Days on Antigua are there for the taking. For snorkelling fans, Antigua is surrounded by an almost unbroken offshore reef and a variety of mysterious shipwrecks and mangroves brimming with life. If you're a thrill seeker, you'll want to spend some time wind surfing or kite surfing in Jabberwock Bay; if you're on a family trip, Half Moon Bay is a perfectly calm seaside spot. Elsewhere on the island, you could easily roam from playing a round of golf, to shopping at a marine-front shopping mall.

When it comes to culture, Antigua is surprisingly vibrant too. Found in a 17th century sugar plantation house, Remote Harmony Hall is now an inspiring art gallery. A Georgian style courthouse is now home to the fascinating Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. And vibrant Calypso music can be heard at almost every twist and turn when you wander through the pretty streets. Why not stop and listen for a while with a rum punch? The rum industry is as strong as ever in Antigua, and there are plenty of varieties just waiting for you to taste.

If you're a food aficionado, Antigua brings you the freshest seafood, a rainbow of home-grown tropical fruit, and the flair of Creole flavours. You just need to take a look around to see that your taste buds will be in for a treat in Antigua. This is an island where harbour towns and villages are surrounded by swathes of mango, banana and coconut groves. It's a place where fishermen pluck incredible seafood from the ocean each and every day. And it's a spot where vibrant farmer's markets are genuine hubs of life. Expect to try everything from spicy Creole curries to sweet conch, lobster and red snapper. Snack on sweet potato steamed in banana leaves, and traditional patties filled with curried meats from quaint roadside stalls. And look out for the island's extra-sweet black pineapples you'll never want to eat a store-bought pineapple again!

When to visit
Antigua has a warm year-round climate, so there's really no bad time to visit. Many people prefer to visit between November and March, when the weather is warm and rain is at a minimum.