This Caribbean All-Inclusive Has Two Beaches, Unlimited Pickleball, and the Authentic Vibes of Antigua

I’m on a perfect Caribbean beach. And it’s all mine. Here in the northeastern corner of Antigua there’s a tucked-away bay with a pristine stretch of sand. The water is calm, the views are endless and the vibes immaculate. 

This is the Verandah Antigua, an adults-only resort that’s been constantly reinventing the all-inclusive experience in the Caribbean. 

Here, it’s not just about the unlimited food and drinks (of course, when you try Papa Ricco’s pizzeria, in view of this very same beach, you’ll be instantly in love). 

What I love about this resort is the diversity of experiences; when I was there last week, I was amazed by the optionality. Sure, you can spend all day down on the ultimate secluded little bay, paddling around or hanging with your rum cocktail at one of the floating tables. 

Or you can head for one of the most impressive pickleball complexes in the whole Caribbean. 

Or you can check into as nice a coffee shop as you’ll find, well, at any resort in the Caribbean. 

Then you can spend your day at one of the four pools, from a serene waterfall pool to an ocean-view infinity spot. At night, you can try one of the six eateries, followed by nightcap at the Wavy Wicket. I first visited the latter a year ago; on my return visit, I was even more struck by the look, the quality. It’s a place where you can tune into your preferred sporting event, settle into a club chair and pair a glass of Antigua’s finest rum with freshly-made fish fingers with a lovely peppery batter. 

That brings us to the rooms. There are around 180 rooms, mostly set across charming, classic Caribbean cottages with, true to the resort’s namesake, a full-fledged verandah with deck chairs. 

That’s when I really began to understand the beauty of this place. I was waiting for the shuttle to the lobby, put down my bag and sat down in one of the chairs. All I heard was the sound of palm trees shaking, the sound of a nearby bananaquit chirping away. Then a hoot owl. 

For a few minutes, I was immersed in the environment, in Antigua, in the beauty of the Caribbean. Everything slowed down. Everything made sense. It was one of those moments you travel for. And then, suddenly, those moments became the whole trip. 

Another cool touch? This resort actually has its own playlist, one you can find via an assortment of QR codes at well-located positions around the property. Tune in and jump right into the Caribbean vibes, something that parent company Elite Island Resorts has made a specialty of in recent years with creative collaborations with artists like Causion and Give It Up. 

Maybe you’ve been an all-inclusive resort. Maybe you’ve been to Antigua. This place is different; it’s beyond categorization, it meets every demand. At my favorite resorts in the Caribbean, the place pulls you in, it shows you. 

And that’s the case at The Verandah, where you don’t just hear about the authentic Caribbean vacation. You dive right in. Especially when you find a beach like this. 

Heading to Antigua? You can find options here on Google Flights. 

For pricing info visit The Verandah Antigua.