I have, without question, one of the best jobs in the world. I get to travel and take photos for a living, and every so often that job takes me somewhere that reminds me exactly why I fell in love with it in the first place. Last week, that place was Antigua.
I'll be honest: had I been booking a trip for myself, Antigua probably wouldn't have been the first destination on my list. But when the invitation came through for a travel retreat on the island, I packed my bags, endured the (very worthwhile) flight time to the Caribbean, and landed somewhere that completely exceeded my expectations.
We only had four nights on the island, and it genuinely wasn't enough time to take it all in. But in true whistle-stop-tour fashion, we packed in more in those four days than I could have imagined — luxury resorts, rum masterclasses, a private island beach club, and some of the most beautiful beaches I've ever set foot on. Here's everything we got up to.
Our home base for the trip was Bluewaters Resort & Spa, a luxury five-star hotel tucked into a secluded bay on Antigua's northern coast, overlooking turquoise water that looks almost too blue to be real. It's a firm favourite with both couples and families, and it's easy to see why.
There's real history behind this resort. The land was originally gifted to Osmond Kelsick, a Royal Air Force airman, in recognition of his service during the war. It was later purchased by Ronald Randall and has been carefully expanded ever since — evolving from a boutique property into the beautifully proportioned luxury hotel it is today, with just over 100 rooms spread across a range of categories.
I was lucky enough to stay in one of the Pelican Villas — there are only two in the entire resort. Each is a three-bedroom villa with its own living, dining, and full kitchen facilities, so if total privacy is what you're after, you genuinely don't need to leave your accommodation for anything. The two villas share a pool between them, making them ideal for larger groups or families travelling together (they can comfortably sleep up to 12 guests across both). There's also an outdoor dining space with a BBQ, a section of semi-private beach, and private sun loungers — your own slice of Caribbean paradise, quite literally.
I could talk about Bluewaters and its offering all day, but Antigua is about so much more than just where you lay your head. So let's get into what the island has to offer beyond the resort gates.
On our second evening, we headed to Tamarind Hills for an evening soirée — a local band, sundowners in hand, and one of the most stunning sunsets I have ever witnessed over the ocean.
If you've ever been to the Maldives and loved the idyllic powdery white sand but wished you weren't limited to just one hotel per island, Antigua might just be the answer. At Tamarind Hills, we toured one of the highest-category villas, set into the hillside with its own private infinity pool and terrace — the kind of spot where you genuinely won't want to move until well after dark.
No trip to the Caribbean is complete without rum, and Antigua doesn't disappoint. At the Academy of Rum, we learned to make and blend our own rum to our personal taste, guided by the true masters of the craft.
I'll admit, I've done a fair few cocktail masterclasses in my time, but even through the jet lag, I was slightly nervous starting the day with six rum shots at 11am. Fair warning: you will have a fun day, and you'll quite possibly need an early night — or at least an afternoon nap on a sun lounger — if you decide to fully commit to the experience. It's one of the most genuinely fun, experiential days I've had in any destination. Whether that's down to the rum or the experience itself, I honestly couldn't say — probably a bit of both.
To sober up (slightly), we were whisked off to Hermitage Bay, an exclusive, adults-only boutique resort on the west coast, not far from Jolly Harbour. And once again, I was blown away.
The beach here is secluded, made up of that same powdery white sand that makes your toes sing against the warmth of the sun, with crystal-clear water in a private cove. There are only two room categories at Hermitage Bay, because — refreshingly — it doesn't need a hundred options to get it right. Everything here is designed around slowing down, romance, and total relaxation.
The beach villas offer views you'll want to wake up to and walk straight out into, blending warm, contemporary island styling with easy access to the main building, pools, and restaurants. The hillside villas, meanwhile, offer complete privacy (and a chance to get your daily steps in) — perfect for honeymooners after a hidden hideaway with sweeping views over the resort and bay. With in-room service on offer, you genuinely wouldn't need to leave your villa for days, if that's your idea of a good holiday.
The finishing touch is the food. The beach restaurant is run by Le Petit Maison, so the culinary offering is, as you'd expect, exceptional.
We didn't have long to linger — after a quick dash back across the island for a shower and change of clothes, we were off again, this time to Carlisle Bay.
The hotel is currently mid-renovation, with some room categories already complete and the rest due to finish during the closed season in August. The new additions are bringing this already-loved luxury family hotel firmly up to date. If you're after a hotel with big beaches, watersports, and plenty of activity for the whole family, this would be my top recommendation on the island.
The evening didn't disappoint either — a fire dancer, live local music, and (of course) more rum punch rounded things off nicely.
After several days of go-go-go, the following day gave us a chance to slow right down and experience what the Caribbean does best: the water. We took a catamaran tour around the island with Mystic Cruises, stopping at a handful of Antigua's 365 beaches — yes, genuinely one for every day of the year. The water is bath-warm and crystal clear, with plenty of time to spot fish and birds as you drift past.
That afternoon, we made our way to The Hut on Little Jumby Island, a private beach club and the second property from owners Matt and George Adams, who opened their first venue on the Isle of Wight. Since opening in Antigua in November 2024, it's easy to see what all the buzz is about — this is an exclusive venue accessible only by private ferry from the port. There aren't many places left where the only way in is by sea taxi.
Matt and the team showed us exactly why The Hut has earned its reputation as a must-visit spot: a saxophonist and DJ welcoming us onto the beach for sundowners, followed by a perfect tasting menu, excellent cocktails, and a traditional Caribbean dance show before we headed back to the mainland for the night.
If hotels aren't quite your thing, Antigua is also an incredible place to find the perfect villa. For our final few hours before the flight home, CV Villas took us to one of the newest additions to their portfolio: Casa Musica, a six-bedroom luxury villa near Falmouth Harbour, close to English Harbour — making it the perfect base for exploring that side of the island.
Set into the hillside overlooking the harbour, the villa includes separate cottages, giving guests a sense of privacy even when sharing the property with others. It comes fully loaded: infinity pool, jacuzzi, full outdoor kitchen, fire pit, library, and even a gym with a sauna.
The best part? If you book with 12 people sharing, prices start from as little as £1,800pp for 7 nights, including flights from London, this coming October (prices subject to change and availability).
Whatever brings you to Antigua, the island has a way of surprising you — stunning sunsets, picture-perfect beaches, and some of the warmest, most welcoming people you'll meet anywhere in the Caribbean. Four nights wasn't nearly enough, and I'm already planning my next trip back.