The breeze feels different on Antigua’s east coast. It moves through the palms faster here, pushes a little texture into the water, carries the sound of the surf across the low hills. You turn off the road, pass through the gate, and the property opens across, first, lush greenery, and then a broad stretch of waterfront. Paths run between pastel cottages, pools, and two separate crescents of sand. At The Verandah Antigua, you don’t walk into a single point. You choose your direction. You decide your vacation.

This is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort set along Long Bay, with two beaches, four pools and four dedicated pickleball courts, along with tennis, mini-golf and non-motorized water sports. The footprint is large enough that you can shift your setting throughout the day without leaving the property. It’s a pretty fantastic set of daily options.

Two Beaches, Two Distinct Setups

Most all-inclusives offer one main beach. Here, you get Lover’s Beach and Rasta Beach, positioned far enough apart that they feel like separate destinations.

Lover’s Beach is the more classic stretch: soft sand, rows of loungers, easy entry into the water. You can claim a chair early or arrive later and still find space because the shoreline extends wide. The water here tends to carry a brighter blue, and the beach infrastructure is close — bars and grills within walking distance, so you don’t have to pack up when you’re ready for a drink or something quick to eat.

Rasta Beach shifts the angle and the mood. The shoreline curves differently, and the breeze hits from another direction. You walk over and the light on the water changes. It feels like a reset without the logistics of an excursion. Guests often rotate between the two beaches over the course of a stay, treating them as separate chapters of the same trip.

That dual-beach setup also spreads people out. Even at higher occupancy, you’re not competing for one narrow ribbon of sand.

Four Pools Across the Property

The resort’s four pools reinforce that sense of choice.

The Main Pool operates as the central gathering point, with a full-service bar steps away and plenty of loungers arranged in wide arcs. It’s where guests settle in for longer stretches — alternating between swimming, reading and drinks.

The Waterfall Pool offers a different atmosphere, positioned slightly away from the central flow of traffic. The landscaping gives it a more enclosed feel, and it draws guests looking for a quieter pocket of the property.

The Villa Pool serves the villa category accommodations, creating a more contained environment for guests staying in those units. It’s convenient and generally calmer, tied closely to the residential layout of that section.

The Rasta Beach Pool keeps you near the shoreline while still offering a freshwater option. You can move between ocean and pool in minutes, which becomes part of the rhythm of the day.

Instead of one large pool deck that dictates the tone, you decide which setting fits how you want to spend the afternoon.

Adults-Only Changes the Experience

The adults-only designation shapes the stay in practical ways.

Dining flows more evenly. Bars feel more relaxed. Pathways between accommodations and public areas stay clear. You’re not navigating children’s activities or competing with family programming for space around the pool.

Suites are spread across the hillside and waterfront, with individual verandahs that give you private outdoor seating. When you step back from the beach or pool, you’re not returning to a dense tower building. You’re walking to a standalone cottage-style suite with its own entrance and porch.

The whole place kind of feels like a lush, charming Caribbean village — and that’s the point.

Suites Designed for Space and Air

Accommodations range from Hillside Suites to Waterview Suites and Waterfront Suites, along with one- and two-bedroom villas, including options with private plunge pools.

Each suite includes a furnished verandah (it’s in the name, after all) and balcony, large living and sleeping areas, and some wonderfully large bathrooms (Elite has some of the biggest showers you’ll ever get at a Caribbean resort, and it’s always a great amenity. As for the room, you often begin your day outside with coffee. Late afternoons stretch out on the porch before dinner. The extra square footage makes longer stays more comfortable, especially for couples who plan to alternate active days with slower ones.

Pickleball With Dedicated Courts

Elite Island Resorts was really the pioneer bringing pickleball to the Caribbean, and this is, plainly, one of the world’s best pickleball resorts.

The Verandah features four dedicated pickleball courts, complete with night lighting, a covered seating area, and equipment available upon request. That setup allows you to plan actual match play rather than improvising on shared courts.

It fits naturally into the property’s flow. You can schedule a late-afternoon game, walk back to your suite to shower, then head straight to dinner. Guests traveling with friends often build daily matches into their routine, using the courts as a social anchor during the stay.

Tennis courts and mini-golf expand the activity list, along with kayaking, paddleboarding and other non-motorized water sports included in the all-inclusive rate.

Dining Across Multiple Venues

There are several eateries and bars, preventing the bottleneck effect common at some all-inclusives. You can always find your table.

Seabreeze Restaurant serves as the main buffet venue, offering breakfast, lunch and themed dinner nights. Portofino Ristorante Italiano delivers an à la carte Italian dinner option in a more formal setting. Papa Ricco’s Pizzeria focuses on casual fare, while Sails & Tales and The Beach Grill provide relaxed beachfront dining. I should add that the pizza is really good — and very welcome after a morning at the beach.

Bars are positioned strategically across the property, including The Pool Bar, the Lazy Pelican Beach Bar, and The Wavy Wicket Pub, along with Café 17°61° for coffee drinks and lighter bites. Nicole’s Restaurant, an elevated dining option with a supplement, offers a more refined dinner experience for guests looking to mark a special evening.

The Wavy Wicket in particular is a longtime favorite of our editors, particularly the food – with some delicious tapas-style sharable bites that go very well with the cocktails.

Location on Antigua’s East Coast

The resort sits near Devil’s Bridge National Park, one of Antigua’s most recognizable coastal landmarks. The Atlantic side of the island brings stronger trade winds and a more textured shoreline than the calmer west coast. The breezes keep temperatures comfortable, especially during the warmer months.

That location gives the property a different character than west-coast resorts closer to Jolly Harbour. The water color shifts throughout the day, and the coastline feels more open.

Why It Works for Couples and Groups

The Verandah has a broad appeal.

Two beaches mean you don’t exhaust the scenery. Four pools prevent crowd compression. Dedicated pickleball courts give active travelers something structured to return to each day. The adults-only policy keeps the overall tone consistent.

You can build a stay around beach hours and cocktails. You can structure it around daily matches and water sports. You can mix both. You can do exactly what you want.

In a destination known for 365 beaches, this resort gives you two without ever leaving the grounds — keep your days full for as long as you choose to stay.

Prices at The Verandah

Prices for rooms at The Verandah right now run in the $600s right now, all-incluisve, even in peak season. That’s a very good value considering the broad extent of what you get with your stay. You can find flights on American Airlines from New York to Antigua for about $356 roundtrip right now — that’s what I saw on Google Flights.