Personal & Picturesque
Antigua’s Carlisle Bay is the type of resort you book for your honeymoon and return to with your family year after year.
Why? Well, a lot of it comes down to the amazing atmosphere that’s been created at the resort. The outside is brought in. Seclusion and tranquillity are a priority. And service is always personal and cheerful.
Its charm is enhanced by its beauty. Set in a horseshoe bay, the white sands and clear waters of the Caribbean Sea are bordered by swaying palms that blend into lush rainforest and gardens.
The resort has a much larger feel than you’d expect too, thanks to extensive facilities. This includes an award-winning spa, movie room and yoga pavilion. Plus, a stand-out food offering combining a Pan Asian restaurant and Caribbean grill.
Gallery
Stay
The private spaces available at Carlisle Bay are exceptional. Natural light-filled suites — 87 in total — offer luxury as standard. Each one includes a balcony or terrace with day beds, a view of the ocean and an open-plan living area. Plus, an espresso machine, complimentary Wifi, air conditioning and mini-bar.
The split-level Garden Suites sit amongst the resort’s lush foliage and can be interconnected for families. The new Bay Suites are for adults only, located at the quieter end of the beach. They enjoy 5-star additions such as private butler service and Temple Spa toiletries.
Or for those not travelling à deux, there are Beach Balcony Suites with separate bedrooms in the family area of the resort. And for bigger groups, the Carlisle Suites — complete with their own kitchen — sleep up to six in three en suite bedrooms.
Eat
With just 87 suites and four restaurants, eating at Carlisle Bay is never cramped or rushed. From a chilled family lunch to sophisticated spots for a romantic dinner, everything you want is here.
Ottimo! offers relaxed poolside dining such as wood-fired pizzas, salads and antipasti. Plus, a children’s menu for younger guests.
The adults-only Jetty Grill overlooks the Caribbean Sea, serving authentic island fare with a seafood focus. While at Indigo, you can expect on the Beach Mediterranean favourites with an Antiguan twist.
And finally, East's Pan Asian menu serves up dishes inspired by Japan, Thailand and Indonesia.
All options use local produce, some grown on-site. All-inclusive is an available option to make the most of Carlisle Bay’s gastronomic settings.
Explore
A direct flight takes around 8.5 hours from the UK to Antigua’s VC Bird International Airport, with the island five hours behind GMT.
You'll take a 30-minute transfer to Carlisle Bay, set in St Mary’s on the south-west coast of the island. Its sweeping bay is home to the picturesque Turner’s Beach, where you'll find clear waters that are perfect for a dip or a snorkel.
Close by there’s plenty to do if you fancy an adventure away from the resort. There’s the St Mary’s nightlife for cocktails and live music. Horse riding along a beach at English Harbour. Zip-lining through the rainforest. Or how about Stingray City, one of the world’s few 'fenceless animal/visitor interactions'?
Why here?
The large swimming pool — surrounded by palms and with plenty of comfy sun loungers for soaking up the Caribbean sun.
Carlisle Bay’s CARA Organic Beauty Spa — offering a vast number of treatments using ESPA products. It has a beauty salon on-site offering pedicures, manicures, hair styling and beauty treatments for teenagers.
Exercise and wellbeing — you'll be spoilt for choice at Carlisle Bay. There's a Garden Pavilion for yoga and Pilates classes. Nine tennis courts with professional tuition available. A fitness centre with the latest TechnoGym equipment. And a PADI dive school and complimentary watersports, including snorkelling and kayaking equipment.
Movie nights — enjoy films and popcorn in the screening room.
Children's facilities — including a crèche and two kids’ clubs. One for two to six-year-olds with a paddling pool, sandpit and jungle gym. Another for seven to 12-year-olds with a schedule of school holiday activities.
Our take
The island’s favourite visitor experience is one of the few ‘fence-less’ animal attractions in the world: Sting Ray City. Swim, snorkel or just bob about on the white sands of the coral reef as these inquisitive creatures congregate.
Antigua is renowned for its passion for cricket and the resort is playing its part at grassroots by supporting The Cricket Kindness Project. Funding equipment for local schools, Carlisle Bay fundraisers include tournaments for guests on the Jetty Lawn umpired by former West Indies players.
