CHECKING IN: CARLISLE BAY
In our next instalment profiling the world’s greatest hotels, IAB Travel travels to Antigua and the luxury resort of Carlisle Bay, sophisticated haven of seclusion where nothing is too much trouble, whether you’re a bookworm, film buff or sailing fan.
ESCAPE TO CARLISLE BAY
With 82 beautifully furnished rooms and suites, Carlisle Bay is one of Antigua’s most luxurious hotels. Traditional Caribbean décor has been overlooked in favour of a neutral palette and uncluttered style, where cream linens, polished dark wood furniture and contemporary designs are the order of the day. When the hotel opened in 2003 it set a new – much higher – standard in Antigua, which many hotels around the Caribbean have followed. After a recent refresh it’s looking better than ever, which may be why so many guests return year after year, though a string of international awards for service and membership of Leading Hotels of the World also helps.
CARIBBEAN CALLING
One of Carlisle Bay’s best bits is its location: tucked away in a discreet cove on its own beach on the island’s south coast. Being isolated, you can be sure that privacy is paramount, however there’s plenty to do nearby if you venture out of the hotel. One thing that will keep you locked to your sunlounger, however, is the beach that gives the hotel its name. It’s bagged one of the best on the island, sheltered from strong waves and backed by a wide crescent of talcum-powder soft white sand, with a shady thatch of green wooded hills providing shelter from the sun. Despite its seclusion, the hotel is a mere 40 minutes’ drive from the international airport, and just 15 minutes from English Harbour, the heart of Antigua’s sailing scene. The hotel sticks to its roots by allowing some of its West Indian heritage to shine through – in a chic, contemporary way in keeping with the rest of the hotel, of course.
SAIL AWAY
If you’ve come to Antigua yearning for a slice of the sailing action, Carlisle Bay Resort is the perfect place to start. The hotel offers complimentary non-motorised watersports – including sailing – so whether you’re a total beginner or know your tack from your jibe, taking a sailboat out on the water will get you that little bit closer to your dream. There are regular and free sailing clinics for total novices, so it’s worth noting when these are if you’ve always wanted to learn how to sail, or if you’ve got kids looking to try new skills – the shallow waters and sheltered cove of Carlisle Bay is great for learning, and mastering a hobie cat can be done in a few hours. The hotel’s latest purchase is a sleek 36-foot Fjord catamaran, available for private charter should you wish to forgo the hard work but still see the island from the water. Ask the experts at IAB Travel about staying during Antigua Sailing Week, when the whole island comes alive.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF ENTERTAINMENT
Forget gaudy talent shows and steel bands of Caribbean resorts in the past – Carlisle Bay Antigua offers entertainment of a very different class. Inside the hotel you’ll find a well-stocked library packed with tomes of all different genres (plenty suitable for sunlounger dreaming). The hotel’s impeccable style has even extended to this corner of the resort, where fibre optic lighting and Perspex bookshelves create a soothing place to select a few novels – you can leave your Kindle at home. If you prefer your entertainment on a rather larger screen, next to the main pool you’ll find a 45-seat private screening room, which shows a range of films to suit all ages. The navy blue seats are squashy – just right for settling in for a few hours to watch a classic movie – and you’ll be given an endless supply of popcorn to snack on throughout. Outside of the resort you’ll discover plenty of attractions which the concierge can arrange for you – from visits to Stingray City to zip-wiring through the nearby rainforest.
TASTES OF THE BEACH
Four restaurants at Carlisle Bay Luxury Resort ensures that you’ll never need to venture far to enjoy a delicious meal. The food here is of an exceptionally high standard, while service is relaxed with a little bit of Caribbean charm thrown in. Indigo On The Beach is the hotel’s family-friendly all-day dining venue, with no walls meaning cooling breezes keep temperatures at a comfortable level. There’s also an Asian-fusion restaurant – called East – which is an intimate affair, serving menus that offer an authentic taste of the Orient. Sit poolside and dine on Italian flavours at Ottimo!, or head to the Jetty Bar and Grill for fresh fish and grilled meat – this is at the furthest end of the beach and is adults only. Carlisle Bay is a luxury hotel that likes saying yes, so if you so wish it can arrange private tables set at the end of the jetty, on the beach or in your room – just ask, nothing is too much trouble.
WE LIKE:
• South-coast serenity
• Complimentary non-motorised watersports
• Simple Caribbean sophistication
• 15 minutes from English Harbour
• Private 45-seat cinema
To read more about Carlisle Bay take a look at the hotel page
