Antigua
in
Caribbean
(21 others)
You could say that Antigua is the Ireland of the Caribbean. It's a colourful place, both in terms of its houses, painted a rainbow of bright tints, and in terms of its people, who have a kin-loving, feisty nature. Antigua is also surprisingly green. Away from the beaches, the island is a verdant vision of rolling pastures and the odd craggy peak. With a population of just 66,000, the majority of whom live in and around the capital St John's, most of the island is sparsely inhabited. Tourism has only really reached Antigua's outer perimeter. And even then, there are still plenty of stretches that remain undeveloped. The lush countryside, the colour, the warm disposition of the people – these might be what distinguish Antigua from other Caribbean islands. Carlisle Bay is a natural harbour in the most remote corner of the island, defined by a fine crescent of sand, is straight out of an ideal Caribbean press release. Its emerald green, crystal-clear waters are surrounded by forested mountains and plenty of swaying palms, with a small village nearby that consists entirely of brightly painted wooden clapboard houses. There's even the perfect Caribbean church on the headland.
1 Hip Hotel in Antigua
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The lush countryside, the warm disposition of the people – these might be what distinguish Antigua from other Caribbean islands, but for Gordon Campbell Gray, proprietor of London's One Aldwych, the decision to invest in Antigua was swayed by the special beauty of Carlisle Bay.
From the lights that illuminate the garden at night, to the bleached grey stain of the outdoor timber, to the abundance of orchids, to the custom-made furniture and interiors designed by Mary Fox Linton – no detail large or small has escaped Gordon's magnificent obsession. The swimming pool tiles were brought in from Bali and a black-painted orchid pool with its flaming torches defines the entrance.
The all-suites hotel opened in late 2003 and the guest reaps the benefit of Gordon Campbell Gray's almost manic attention to detail in a wild and ruggedly natural setting.
With the proprietor's assured taste, Carlisle Bay has been groomed as a Caribbean option for discerning adults.
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£1,599 pp
on our Why Wait offer for travel before 22nd December
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