A Secret All-Inclusive Resort in Antigua

You’re on your own private pool deck, just a step above the sand, a sanctuary hidden away among the palm trees. 

it’s time for a three-course lunch with a glass of rosé followed by a nap in the shade, the art of the easy beach afternoon. 

In the increasingly competitive world of all-inclusive resorts, Antigua has long been an oasis. 

For years, the island has quietly been redefining the term, helping it transition from the mega-resort concept to a more artful, more authentic experience. 

And that’s precisely the case at Keyonna Beach, a lovely boutique all-inclusive on the southwestern coast of the island, that’s something of a well-kept secret. 

Keyonna, sister resort to Antigua’s Cocos Hotel, which opened its doors a decade ago, is tucked on the white sands of Turner’s Beach — and it’s remained a haven for travelers in the know, another home run for hotelier Andrew Michelin.

There are just 29 rooms and cottages here, from units in the resort’s main “Beach House” building to the especially lovely beachfront sanctuary pool cottages. 

The latter, set right on the sand, come with their own private plunge pools with decks; Adirondack chairs, his-and-hers outdoor showers and secluded, lush settings. 

The latter, set right on the sand, come with their own private plunge pools with decks; Adirondack chairs, his-and-hers outdoor showers and secluded, lush settings. 

It’s the height of serenity, a quiet, rarefied experience that’s the essence of the boutique beach hotel — and precisely what travelers are clamoring for amid the currently realities of tourism.

And yet, somehow, it’s an all-inclusive, with breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and beverages (from wine and champagne to local rum) all included in the plan, with rotating menus and three courses at each meal. 

The property’s intimate size, though, means things are taken to another level: the fish you eat comes from local fishermen; there’s an emphasis on locally-sourced fruits and vegetables. 

And then there’s that pervasive feeling of privacy, of seclusion, that you’ve found a place that’s wonderfully, inescapably, your own. 

For a few nights, or a week, or two — it’s your own secret beach resort. 

For more, visit Keyonna Beach Antigua.