I'm still finding sand in places where sand has no business being, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
I just got back from Antigua with a special group of very dear girlfriends, and I have to tell you, this trip cracked something open in me. There's a particular kind of joy that only happens when you take women who love to travel and each other, and hand them turquoise water and unlimited rosé, and let the conversation run wherever it wants. Somewhere between a boat day I still can't stop thinking about and one particular beach lunch that ran three hours longer than planned, we laughed until we cried more than once. I came home lighter than I left.
We split our time between two properties that could not be more different from each other, and honestly, that contrast is exactly why I want to tell you about both. I always share with clients “let’s talk about you” not every resort is the right fit for every person. Let’s find your perfect fit!
Jumby Bay: Room for the Whole Story
Our first stop was Jumby Bay, a private island reachable only by a short boat ride, and it opened up a completely different chapter. This is where I send a family wanting a villa big enough for everyone under one roof, newlyweds craving a private bungalow steps from the sand, or a whole group of friends wanting their own stretch of island to share. Jumby Bay also has private accommodations designed specifically with honeymooners in mind, tucked away just far enough to feel like your own secret. It somehow does all of this beautifully at once. The water here rivals Hermitage Bay's, a shade of blue I genuinely don't have the right word for, and the pace is unhurried in that way that lets you actually exhale.
|
We wandered the property's nature trail, watched the resident sea turtles nest right along the beach, and toasted more than one anniversary happening around us, quiet proof that Jumby Bay knows how to hold a milestone with real tenderness. There's no shortage of ways to fill the days either, snorkeling over reefs just offshore, sailing out for sunset, a spa afternoon that stretches into evening, or even a surprisingly competitive round of pickleball. Also five stars, also fully all-inclusive, and every bit as spoiling as you would imagine in its own gentler, more spacious way. |
Hermitage Bay: Adults-Only, All Heart
From there, we made our way to Hermitage Bay, tucked into its own private cove on the island's quieter west coast, and I mean tucked away in the best sense. No crowds, no noise, just twenty-eight cottages scattered up a hillside overlooking water so clear you could count the fish from your balcony. The vibe here is hard to describe until you feel it. It's European in the most relaxed way, think lingering lunches, easy laughter with the staff who somehow remembered every one of our names by the second day, and a barefoot elegance that never once felt fussy.
My room alone was the star of the show, its own private pool tucked right on the edge of the hillside, and I lost count of how many mornings started with coffee poured feet from that water to our private pool to play before anyone else was awake. One afternoon, after a few peaceful hours on the beach, we returned to our private pool for mimosas and a spirited game of Mahjong. Another day, we took the boat out with no agenda at all, anchored in water so brilliantly blue it almost didn't seem real, and spent the afternoon floating, laughing, and soaking in the kind of moments that remind you why vacations matter. I'm not sure I've laughed that hard in years. We followed it with a beach club lunch that felt exactly like I was in the French Riviera again sipping 'Rose', I had to remind myself I was still in the Caribbean, music playing, wine flowing, and hours disappearing into easy conversation with great friends. Later in the trip, we found our way to a sushi bar built right into a lone tree on the property, the same tree I remembered from my last visit that sat alone, and enjoyed a private tasting that felt like its own quiet celebration.
|
The service truly spoiled us. Our butler had cold towels and fresh juice waiting before we even knew we wanted them. Dinner one night was set right on the sand with our toes practically in the water, and I savored every single bite of the catch that had been swimming that morning. And can we talk about the banana nut bread? I found myself hurrying to breakfast every single morning just for another slice. The food across the board was truly five-star, every meal thoughtful, every plate a little surprise. This is a property built for grown-up joy, whether that's a girls trip like ours, a couples escape, or a honeymoon for two who just want the world to disappear for a week. And five stars all-inclusive is rarely mentioned in the same sentence, but every detail truly was taken care of, which meant we didn't think about a single thing except what’s for lunch and would we be near the pool or beach. |
|
Why I Wanted You to Know About Both I toured many resorts while in Antigua that range in service, accommodation style and vibes. Antigua gave me two entirely different love letters to the same island, and I truly believe that's the beauty of it. Hermitage Bay for the girls trip, the honeymoon, the couple wanting nothing but each other and the sea with an option to explore beyond if interested. Jumby Bay for the family that needs room to spread out, the honeymoon that wants its own private corner of the island, or the group of friends chasing an anniversary trip with real space to breathe. Either way, you're getting water this clear, service this attentive, and a version of luxury that never once felt like it was trying too hard. |
|
Being back reminded me that five-star truly isn't about the location or the view alone, though goodness knows both properties have that in spades. It's in the details, the towel handed to you before you knew you needed it, the name remembered on day one, the need anticipated before you ever had to ask. If that kind of care is what you're after on a trip, this one is for you. |
|
Ready to plan a trip where the only thing you lose is track of time? Let's talk. |