Antigua is known for being a luxury vacation destination. Going all-inclusive is a good choice if you want to enjoy your vacation without worrying about the bill at the end. There are tons of gorgeous all-inclusive resorts in Antigua. However, how can you tell which is the best one?
Having visited Antigua, I can tell you that it’s one of the best places to go for relaxation and beach activities. You can enjoy so many water sports here or just kick back and lay on the beach with a book and a cocktail.
I’ve stayed in several all-inclusive resorts around the world in my time, so I have had both good and bad experiences. In this article, I’ll give you some ideas on what to look for, as well as my top 5 picks if you want to plan a luxurious getaway in Antigua.
The Bottom Line Up Front
Honestly, this is a tough one: all 5 resorts on this list are beautiful, and I’d find it hard to pick if I could go tomorrow. However, COCOS Hotel Antigua is my top pick. An adults-only resort, it has luxurious cottages, and the food is just incredible. It’s the perfect destination for honeymooners.
However, if you want to travel as a family but you still want luxury, I’d recommend Royalton Antigua All-Inclusive Resort and Casino. There are tons of activities for the whole family, and the food is amazing.
My Top Picks At A Glance
- COCOS Hotel Antigua: An adults-only resort with luxury cottages, incredible food, and fun activities
- Keyonna Beach Resort: Adults-only resort, luxury cottages, good activities, amazing food
- Royalton Antigua All-Inclusive Resort and Casino: Good for the whole family, tons of activities, good food and accommodation
- Hammock Cove Antigua: Adults-only resort, gorgeous views, beautiful rooms, plenty to do
- Pineapple Beach Club Antigua: Adults-only, beautiful views, tons of activities, busy nightlife
What to Look for in an All-Inclusive Resorts in Antigua
There are a few things to look out for when you’re trying to choose an all-inclusive resort in Antigua.
Food
Food is an obvious first choice! An all-inclusive stay should include all your food and drinks, although sometimes special dining experiences can come at an extra cost. It’s a good idea to look for a resort with a few different bars and restaurants. This will give you a chance to try out different types of cuisine, and it will also help if you have a fussy eater with you.
All-inclusive resorts tend to offer a lot of buffet-style food. This isn’t always the most luxurious choice, and the food may not be fresh by the time you get to it. However, I’ve found with resorts in Antigua that they tend to steer away from buffet-style food, and instead serve up individual dishes. It’s a good chance to try local food.
All-inclusive should include drinks, too, although some vintage wines may cost more. Cocktails by the pool or a cold beer after a day on the beach is a real treat, and you can enjoy them without worrying about the bill.
Although it sounds counterintuitive, going all-inclusive can be good if you’re trying to visit the Caribbean on a tight budget. It saves any unwelcome surprises on your bill at the end, and you won’t have to worry about constantly counting how much you’ve spent while you’re trying to relax on vacation.
Pools and Spa
Many people head to Antigua for a luxury experience, and this includes spa treatments. Spa treatments usually come at an extra cost and can vary from couples massages to facials to manicures and pedicures.
Most resorts have beautiful pools, and may even offer private pools with your suite, which is fantastic if you want some privacy.
Activities
Antigua is perfect for water sports, including snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and more. There’s a lot to do here, and the waters are crystal-clear, which makes for some beautiful experiences.
Some resorts offer lessons for free. Others require payment, so it’s good to check this before you book a slot.
Kids Club
Kids clubs are vital if you want to relax on holiday! Most kids’ clubs include arts and crafts, and games, and even give kids a chance to explore the beach. You can also look for resorts with a teen hangout area if you want to keep them happy off-screen.
Suites
Suites and cottages in Antigua can vary in size and facilities. Two of the resorts on this list, for example, offer individual cottages, which are beautiful and offer privacy.
Selection Criteria
Before I give you the rundown of my favorite resorts in Antigua, I wanted to talk about my selection criteria. I chose these resorts based on the following:
Food
If you’re going all-inclusive, you’ll want to enjoy the food! I’ve chosen resorts with excellent dishes, a variety of restaurants and bars, with fresh local ingredients where possible.
Entertainment and Activities
From water sports to spa days to nightlife, I’ve chosen resorts with something to offer for everyone.
Accommodation
I’ve tried to include a range of types of accommodation, from cottages to traditional suites, with comfortable beds and good amenities.
Top 5 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Antigua
Without further ado, here are my top 5 all-inclusive resorts in Antigua! I’ve included their pros and cons, too, so you can decide which one is best for you.
1. COCOS Hotel Antigua
COCOS Hotel Antigua is a luxurious adults-only resort and would make the perfect honeymoon destination. The view is absolutely beautiful, and the cottages are gorgeous. That, combined with the spa facilities, makes it an incredibly restful vacation.
The food at COCOS is excellent. This isn’t your average buffet-style dining experience! All food and drink are included in the all-inclusive plan, with a few exceptions (The romantic beach dinners with a dedicated waiter, for example, cost extra, and there are some wines on their vintage wine list that are priced individually). As well as being delicious, the food is beautifully presented. The food is fresh and organic, using local garden-fresh produce like plantain, eddoe, yams, and fresh coconut.
The spa is stunning. You can get a variety of treatments, including facials and massages for couples. Yoga classes take place on-site, and they’re complimentary too. If you prefer watersports, you can try out kayaking, snorkeling, jet skis, paddle boarding, and boat rides. The entertainment is decent, too, with aqua aerobics, beach volleyball, board gaming, and local bands to enjoy.
As you might expect, the accommodation is gorgeous. The cottages are stunning, with beautiful views, hammocks, and outdoor showers.
The downside to COCOS is that, at roughly $800 a night for some of the cottages, some areas could do with updating, particularly the showers in some of the cottages.
Pros
- Incredible food
- Luxury cottages
- Complimentary yoga classes
- Beautiful accommodation
Cons
- Some of the areas could do with updating
2. Royalton Antigua All-Inclusive Resort and Casino
The Royalton Antigua All-Inclusive Resort and Casino is a luxurious family resort that includes facilities to keep everyone occupied, from a busy casino to kids’ clubs.
Let’s talk about the food. I love that there are different options depending on your mood. For example, the C/X Culinary Experience is the place to go if you want dinner hosted by a personal chef (although this comes at an extra cost). Scoops Gelato is perfect for pastries, bread, cakes, ice cream, and coffee. And Beach Club Grill is the spot for seafood and fresh family favorites, including burgers, sandwiches, chicken, and sorbet. They also have a great wine menu and some delicious cocktails.
The activities are good. If you’re going with kids or teenagers, they’ll be safely looked after, and they can enjoy the Seaside Summer Camp, Clubhouse Kids’ Club, and the Hangout Teen Lounge (with video games, flat-screen TVs, ping pong, foosball, and more). Adults can head to the casino for blackjack and cocktails, enjoy some water sports, take cooking lessons, play tennis, or just lounge around in your suite.
Speaking of which, the suites are brilliant. They have incredibly comfortable beds, rain showers, cozy decor, and comfortable chairs to sit on. Or, you can splurge on an overwater bungalow. These are stunning and offer a total luxury experience, including transport from the airport, a butler, an infinity plunge pool, a jacuzzi, personal yoga and fitness instructor, in-room dining, and more. It’s the perfect choice for honeymoons.
The downside is that at busy times, it can take a while for you to be seated for food. Queues can form at peak times, which is worth keeping in mind.
Pros
- Plenty to do
- Great for the whole family
- Good food and drinks
- Suites are comfortable
- Luxury touches in the overwater bungalows
Cons
- Queues can form at busy times
3. Keyonna Beach Resort
Keyonna Beach Resort is another stunning resort, owned by the same management as COCOS Hotel. Keyonna is located a little further south. It’s another adults-only resort, and it offers the perfect escape from a busy life. Just be sure to leave your work at home: the internet service is not the best here, and it’s described as an ‘off-the-grid’ stay. Perfect if you can’t resist the temptation to check work emails on vacation.
The food is incredible, with everything included in the all-inclusive plan. They offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, and daytime snacks, a big wine list, great cocktails, and beachfront views in the dining area. The dinner menu changes every day, and they use locally sourced fresh ingredients. Expect a lot of tropical fruit and fish.
There’s a lot to do at Keyonna, including visiting the Serenity Spa, with luxurious treatments. You can also enjoy free yoga, and water sports including kayaking and snorkeling. There’s also some low-key evening entertainment, including learning the Caribbean steel drum, wine tasting, and aqua aerobics. Evening entertainment includes live solo performances by pianists or performances by local string bands or steel orchestras.
The accommodation is beautiful. They have a range of rustic cottages with hammocks, comfortable beds, and gorgeous views. The garden cottages have a private pool, so you can lounge in peace.
If I had to pick a downside I would say that the cottages, while rustic and charming, could do with an update, especially the shower facilities.
Pros
- Beautiful location
- Incredible food
- Lots of interesting activities
- Gorgeous views
Cons
- Shower facilities could do with updating
4. Hammock Cove Antigua
Hammock Cove Antigua is located in a gorgeous spot, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and gorgeous sandy beaches. It’s an adults-only resort, with luxury villas for an unforgettable vacation.
The food is excellent. Irina has views of the multi-tiered swimming pool and offers bistro-style food. Lighthouse Restaurant is gorgeous, perfect for a special occasion, overlooking the water and serving 5-star freshly caught seafood. Lighthouse Bar is the place to go for amazing liquor and cocktails, and Nobody Knows serves up cold beer and cooking classes. There are more options too, and you can have drinks served to you at the poolside.
As for activities, there’s plenty to do for sporty people. Pickleball courts, water sports, and local walks will keep you occupied, or you can go for a wine tasting session (or cooking lessons if you’d rather learn a new skill). The spa & salon offers a range of relaxing treatments, and the local ‘art tunnel’ is worth a visit too.
The suites are modern and beautiful. I love the glass-enclosed showers, which are huge, and include four rain-head showerheads. The beds are comfortable, and there are plenty of facilities including a TV, hairdryer, WiFi, coffee and tea-making facilities, and more.
The downside to Hammock Cove is that it’s a super quiet resort. There’s a lack of evening entertainment. It’s perfect for resting, but not ideal if you want to mingle in the evenings.
Pros
- Beautiful resort
- Wide variety of food
- Tons of activities to enjoy
- Suites are modern and well-equipped
Cons
- Not much going on in terms of nightlife
5. Pineapple Beach Club Antigua
The Pineapple Beach Club Antigua is an incredible all-inclusive resort. It’s an adults-only resort, with amazing views of white sands and clear water, and there are plenty of outdoor activities to join in with.
The food is good. All-inclusive includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and afternoon tea. There are a few tropical-themed bars, and different restaurants to choose from. Topaz, for example, gives you authentic Caribbean cuisine, while Pineapple Grill offers both international and Caribbean food. You also get unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
There are tons to do here, including sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming, and more. The fitness and wellness center is modern and well-equipped, too. This is a lively resort with plenty of evening entertainment! They have live music, performances, DJs, karaoke, fire dances, stilt walkers, and street parties. It’s the place to go if you like to go out in the evenings!
The accommodation is beautiful. There are five room types to choose from. If you can, go for the Waterfront rooms; these offer the most incredible view. Some rooms have private balconies or verandas, too. The rooms are comfortable and well-equipped.
However, I’d say that the rooms could do with an upgrade, especially given the price.
Pros
- Food is delicious
- Tons of activities
- Busy nightlife
- Beautiful views
Cons
- Rooms could do with an upgrade
Honorable Mentions
It was difficult to narrow down the best resorts in Antigua to just 5, so I’ll sneak in a couple more honorable mentions that are well worth looking at:
- Galley Bay Resort & Spa: an adults-only resort, set between tropical gardens and a beautiful beach, this is perfect for couples and newlyweds, and it has incredible food too!
- Carlisle Bay Antigua: a secluded contemporary resort, there’s a lot to do here, including a spa, tennis courts, yoga pavilion, water sports, private screening room, and a library.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re traveling to Antigua for the first time, here are some questions you might be interested in:
Question: Where is Antigua, and what’s the weather like?
Answer: Antigua is located in the Caribbean, about a thousand miles east of Jamaica. It has a tropical climate, with varying weather throughout the year. It’s always warm, but there are often thunderstorms and heavy rainfall between mid-June and mid-November.
Answer: English is the official language, so you’ll be able to communicate with staff members. Spanish is spoken by a lot of inhabitants, too.
Question: Where should I go while I’m in Antigua?
Answer: I’d recommend taking a scenic tour of Antigua. These sell out quickly, so book in advance if you can. It’s the perfect way to take in the sights of the island and to learn a little about the local history, too.
You can never go wrong with scuba diving and snorkeling, especially if you want to learn more about turtles!
There’s also the Adventure Antigua tour. You’ll hop onto a powerboat, swim with the rays, dine on the beach, snorkel by the Pillars of Hercules, and then go swimming in Rendezvous Bay, all in one day. Pricey, but worth it.
If you want to relax, there are so many beautiful golden beaches to enjoy, too, so you can enjoy the health benefits of laying out on the beach.
Question: What should I wear in Antigua?
Answer: Go for light layers. Even in the rainy season, it’s hot, so you don’t want to be overdressed. However, you may want to bring a poncho or similar if you’re going there in the rainy season.
Many resorts have a dress code in their dining areas. Make sure to check this before you pack, as you may need some smart clothes for the evenings. I’d recommend checking out our guide on what to pack for a vacation in Jamaica, as you’ll need similar items for a trip to Antigua.
To Sum Up …
I think you can’t go wrong with COCOS Hotel Antigua (or even its sister hotel, Keyonna Beach Resort). It’s a gorgeous resort with beautiful cottages, incredible views, and the most amazing food using fresh, local ingredients. The perfect destination for couples needing to switch off for a while.
If you’re going on a family vacation, you need to check out Royalton Antigua All-Inclusive Resort and Casino. Adults can enjoy a relaxing vacation while their kids (of all ages!) are occupied with activities.
Hopefully, this has helped you to find the best resort in Antigua. Have an amazing vacation!
