If the Top resort in Antigua were to be named it is very likely that The Carlisle Bay Hotel would be top, or very close to top of many knowledgeable people's list. It would be the perfect destination for either an Antigua honeymoon, yet it is equally good for a family vacation, because Carlisle Bay, although it isn't cheap, caters for each equally well.
The way it works, is that the Carlisle Bay is almost two hotels in one, with families with children in one part, and couples at the other..
There are 80 suites in all, furnished in dark Indonesian teak and creamy Italian upholstery, and they all have a sea view.
The two bedroom Beach Suites are steps away from the sea at one end of the beach, with their own terrace, and loungers, and a dining area with a huge bathroom
At the other end of the beach are the Ocean View Suites, which are one bedroom, and make up most of the accommodation, have a huge bath with a view of the mangrove lagoon whilst you are soaking in it.
What is so delightful here is the peace and tranquility with no water sports to disturb, and no children either!!
Then there are the biggest units called the Carlisle Suites with three bedrooms, a sitting room and a kitchen, and obviously ideal for a family vacation. There is a a cr?che for babies and young children, with a ?Cool Kids Club? for children over the age of three.
If you choose Carlisle Bay Hotel for your Antigua Honeymoon you may be interested to know that children aren't to be in the restaurants after seven in the evening, and there is a kids's buffet at 5pm.
The facilities of Carlisle Bay go some way to explaining why it has the reputation of being the top resort in Antigua.
There are two restaurants, 3 bars, an outdoor pool, 9 floodlit tennis courts, boat excursions, dive centre a fitness gymnasium, a full service spa, dive centre, 24 hour room service, a 1 hour pressing and dry cleaning service, complimentary afternoon tea, a cinema, a library, comprehensive children's programmes.
Alone this sounds like many of the Antigua Luxury Hotels, but it doesn't explain one of the major differences between Carlisle Bay and the others. This is the sheer quality of the staff, because the service offered is quite simply the best. The words like impeccable, and perfect almost fail to do justice to their quality.
The two restaurants are a real feature of the Carlisle Bay, with the more casual of the two facing the bay, with a large menu, a sitting area for drinks, and listening to live music. The more formal restaurant is Thai Japanese fusion, with a great wine list, but if you want to dine alfresco then you can eat at the end of the jetty, lit up by candles, with perhaps grilled prawns, or alternatively on your terrace.
It's worth taking a half board option which is very economical, and you can chop and change from lunch to dinner when you want to do that.
This brief article on Carlisle Bay in Antigua has I hope inspired you to make more inquiries before you book a resort in Antigua for your family vacation or Antigua Honeymoon.
For more information about Antigua Vacation Spots go to http://www.antigua-vacationspots.com/pages/Site-Map.html
St James Club is very much in the top flight when you consider every Antigua All Inclusive resort, and it sits on a private 100 acre estate with super views and two white sand beaches.
Its situation is also enhanced by the fact that it is only five minutes away from English Harbour, Nelson's Dockyard, and Shirley Heights, and the historical attractions these names imply.
As befits the name St James's Club, there is a sociable club like atmosphere which draws guests back again and again, in this lush tropical playground, and there is glamour too, thanks to the numbers of visiting yachts.
For the active there are two white sand beaches, four swimming pools, which includes a family pool, and an adult only pool. There are a number of complimentary non motorised water sports including windsurfing and kayaking.
There are plenty of opportunities to play tennis with six tennis courts, four of which are floodlit, and for the fitness fanatic a fully equipped ?Body Shop? gymnasium. Golf is available but it is forty minutes away. For those who wish to be active but less frantically so can join in adventure walks.
St James Club is really devoted to its guests having a great time, and this could mean you don't take exercise at all, but just relax with a good book, because you'll have just as good a time doing nothing as someone will who has to do it all, and try everything, because it's that sort of all inclusive resort.
The accommodation choices start at Club Rooms, with two double beds, and mostly a garden view, to premium Rooms overlooking the sea, to the newest Beachfront rooms which are beautifully laid out and equipped. Finally there are one bedroom Suites, and two bedroom Villas which even have a kitchen as they are located in the Club's Village area..
Food and eating should play a large part in any Antigua Luxury Resort does not disappoint. The St James Club is especially good in this department, and compares very favourably with other Antigua All Inclusive Resorts. There are four restaurants for evening dining, either in the gardens, on the hillside, or right down by the waters edge.
You can go from the international buffets, and the superb a la carte menus of the Rainbow Garden which is St James Club's main restaurant where you can have breakfast and lunch.
The Docksider is right on the edge of Mamora Bay, and is alfresco eating, only in the evenings, serving grilled favourites.
Piccolo Mondo is the hillside restaurant, open on selected evenings for dinner, where you will enjoy a fusion of Caribbean and Meditteranean Cuisine. If it is the more informal dining you require, then Coco's Restaurant overlooking the Atlantic will undoubtedly be your choice.
There are more than enough casual daytime bars, and evening cocktail bars for the more sophisticated drinks. Indeed there is food and drink to suit everyone's taste between the four restaurants and five bars.
For the family there is a Children's Club for ages 2-12, which is great for parents as it gives them the freedom to enjoy what is a really nice resort, and the St James Antigua is certainly worth researching in depth if you are really looking for a Caribbean Exclusive Resort.
For more information on Antigua Vacation Spots go to http://www.antigua-vacationspots.com/pages/Site-Map.html
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