Jac took a trip to Antigua to check out what the beautiful island has to offer. Here she recalls three highlights from her trip; from colonial inspired pubs with jaw-dropping views to family-friendly resorts with everything could you wish for, all ending with a desert island adventure with a boat race home.
Stunning Views
One of my favourite spots in Antigua was at The Inn At English Harbour. The Inn At English Harbour is just a five minute boat ride from the historic Nelson’s Dockyard and has soaked up the colonial vibe of this cultural phenomenon. The hub of the resort is set on the hilltop and has spectacular views across English Harbour and the sparkling Caribbean beyond. It really is a place to sit and watch the world go by.
The main bar at The Inn at English Harbour has a traditional English pub feel with a nautical twist. The wooden floor and wooden bar are the shiniest I’ve even seen. In fact, it turns out their eye-tingling shine is testament to the yacht crew from the harbour who, well used to polishing wood, come to the hotel each year give it that extra shine.
After admiring the views from the hillside we took a golf buggy down to the beach and ate lunch at the Reef restaurant. It’s a perfect setting with unobstructed views across the sea and close enough to the water’s edge to hear the sea lapping against the sand. The food was delicious. We could have sat there all day soaking up the view. In fact, many of other Holidaymakers clearly had a similar idea!
Family-Friendly Goodness
The Verandah Resort & Spa particularly caught my eye. The semi-detached villas are spacious retreats that are beautifully laid out amid the lovely gardens and great views. There’s a relaxed atmosphere throughout The Verandah Resort & Spa and there’s a wonderful children’s club with heaps of activities making it a top family-friendly resort. Even though The Verandah Resort & Spa is an all-inclusive property, I loved having a fridge, microwave and tea and coffee making gear in my room. You really could want for nothing. The Rasta Beach was a particular favourite of mine, a perfectly chilled out spot to enjoy a classic rum punch. What’s more, the staff were uber friendly too.
Desert Island Adventures
Green Island is Robinson Crusoe’s heaven. A private uninhabited island just off the east coast of Antigua; it’s calling to be explored. We set off on semi inflatable boats that cut through the waves and kick-started the adventure with a bit of adrenaline. We jumped off the boats with three things that were key to our survival; snorkels, their accompanying masks, and a cooler full of beer. What more could you need for an afternoon on a desert island?
I fancied myself as a keen explorer and set off for a trip through the undergrowth to take a peek at the wildlife. I found hermit crabs and lizards before retiring to a sun worshipping spot on the beach where a soaked up the scenery and chilled out. What a chore! After spending a couple of hours on our desert island, we hopped back on the boats and headed back to civilisation. The two boats that left the island with their cargo of Holidaymakers had a mini race back, fuelled by the cheers and encouragement of the Holidaymakers on-board. My boat came second, but I won’t say any more about that! A stunning location, definitely worth a visit.
