“Love and Wanderlust” are perfectly paired for a romantic getaway, honeymoon, or destination wedding in Antigua and Barbuda. This twin-island nation abounds in activities where couples can bond, from sunset sails and yacht charters to hands-on Caribbean cooking classes at Nicole’s Table and horseback riding on Sunset Beach (and in the surf!) with Sunfire Horseback Riding Academy.
A sunset dinner at Sheer Rocks sets the table for an evening of romance, while the VIP day-trip experience at Nobu Barbuda includes private cabanas, beach massages, and a six-course Omakase sushi and paired drinks experience on Princess Diana Beach. In Antigua and Barbuda, couples don’t even have to leave their hotel to get that kind of serious pampering: Sheer Rocks, for example, is located at the Cocobay Resort, and this destination has a menu of romantic resorts rivaling any other island in the Caribbean. Here are some of our favorites.
Hammock Cove Antigua – One of Antigua’s newest resorts has 42 villas with indoor-outdoor floor plans that include private plunge pools. Set on the island’s quiet north shore, this all-inclusive and adults-only resort has a spa and other five-star amenities, Michelin-level dining, food and drink service on the beach, and wine and cooking classes led by resort sommeliers and chefs.
Galley Bay Resort & Spa: Set between a tranquil lagoon and a strip of sandy beach you’ll find a collection of posh suites facing the ocean or nestled into gardens; the beachfront rooms are premium, of course, but an enchanting option are the Gauguin Suites, which have garden and lagoon views, a bright and beautiful design, indoor-outdoor layout, and courtyard plunge pools.
Keyonna Beach Resort An adults-only property, Keyonna Beach is set apart by its 29 rustic-chic cottages that put the emphasis on relaxation with West Indian style hammocks, private plunge pools, outdoor showers, and double Bali beds assigned to each cottage when you head down to the beach. Private beach cabana dinners are a popular add-on to the all-inclusive package, which otherwise covers all dining, drinking, and activities. It’s a true “boutique” all-inclusive.
Cocobay Resort: This upscale all-inclusive resort settles guests into a collection of pastel hillside cottages, with paths leading down to a pair of white-sand beaches. In addition to private meals and torchlit beach dinners, the resort offers a “floating pool” experience where meals are served in your private pool on a floating table. That’s our kind of vacation.
Cocos Hotel: The 30 wooden bluff-top cottages at Cocos Bay were all built by local craftsmen, adding their unique creations to the breathtaking panoramas enjoyed from each accommodation. The hotel is adults-only, meaning no kids around to break your romantic mood, which prevails whether you want to cuddle in your cottage or follow the winding paths through gardens to the beach, all-inclusive dining at the resort’s hillside restaurant, beach yoga or a treatment at the Serenity Cottage Spa.
Curtain Bluff Antigua’s legendary all-inclusive resort is set on an enchanting promontory, with a pair of spectacular beaches and an all-around, pervasive feeling of romance. There’s just something timeless about this 72-suite resort that has long set the standard for the luxury all-inclusive in the Caribbean.
Hermitage Bay – Thirty hillside, beachfront, and garden suites on a quiet bay define the laid-back atmosphere at this five-star all-inclusive boutique hotel on the west coast of Antigua. Wake up in the morning to see sailboats bobbing in the turquoise waters of the bay, then venture down to the broad sand beach for a day of relaxation. The resort’s serene garden spa is the destination for body treatments, while couples can also indulge in the signature Siddhartha treatment ritual in your own suite.
Hodges Bay Resort & Spa – Choose from boutique hotel rooms or a private villa at this luxury hotel on the northern tip of Antigua, which debuted in 2019. Known for its peaceful atmosphere and personalized service, Hodges Bay has rooms dressed in a relaxed “luxury bohemian” style, two top restaurants including the Edward Lee helmed NaCl, and features iconic beach lunched served on Prickly Pear Island, which can be reached by motor launch or kayak.
The Escape at Nonsuch Bay: If you love the water, this is your kind of resort, with all 40 oceanfront suites equipped with private plunge pools and outdoor soaking tubs. The location within the Nonsuch Bay resort complex offers easy access to additional dining and activities, but the all-inclusive package includes meals at the off-site Sea Grape Beach Bar and Panini Grill as well as three meals daily at resort’s own Drift restaurant. Romantic extras include picnic lunches in the garden or on an offshore island.
Jumby Bay: The all-inclusive Jumby Bay occupies a private, 300-acre island two miles off the coast of Antigua, guaranteeing an exclusive romantic stay. The 40 guest suites on the island include a dozen new ocean-view accommodations opening in December 2022, a mix of junior suites and two-bedroom family suites. An abundance of resort amenities includes three pools, a spa, water sports, a kids club, bicycles, and an array of included activities like rum tastings, a beach barbecue, and a sunset cocktail cruise.
Carlisle Bay: With 87 rooms, Carlisle Bay is bigger than the other romantic resorts on this list but still feels intimate thanks to its isolated location and all-suites accommodations, but delivers the kind of amenities you’d expect from a larger resort, including four restaurants, lighted tennis courts, a spa, library, and a full daily schedule of complimentary activities.