Carlisle Bay is a luxury resort looking out over white sand, palm trees and turquoise water, with a backdrop of emerald green rainforest.
Sophisticated and contemporary in style, this modern Caribbean classic on Antigua's south coast is instilled with genuine West Indian conviviality.
The accommodation is designed to allow for both families and couples to holiday in peace.
Both kinds of traveller have a dedicated end of the resort, which allows for everyone to enjoy the tranquility of the spectacular beach.
The resort is made up of 82 contemporary suites - all with ocean views.
Some suites work best for couples; others are for families, with a relaxed contemporary design retained throughout.
The architecture is in the Caribbean vernacular with plantation shutters painted a cool grey against which the palms, lawns and forest appear all the more green.
Hammocks hang among the trees.
By day, every room is filled with sunshine from sea-facing, floor-to-ceiling windows opening onto private terraces.
Many rooms lead directly onto the beach; others have lawn and far-reaching ocean views.
The newly created Bay Suites at Carlisle Bay are ideal for couples celebrating weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries and "just because" moments.
At 72 sq.m, the resort's six direct ocean front suites specifically intended for adults only are spacious and understated; private butler service, Vodka & Rum bar set up and Temple Spa luxury bath products for Him & Her are just a few of the enhanced suite amenities.
The preferred beach location is private and calm.
Adjacent to The Jetty, romantic dinners for two can be pre-arranged by the private butler for that special Caribbean experience while dining under the stars.
Located on the calm end of the beach, the 72 square meters these suites are perfect for those in search of peace and quiet.
They are split-level and have an open-plan bedroom-sitting room.
They also have exceptional sea views and have an uncluttered, luxury design.
Four pairs of these suites can interconnect.
The 72 square meters suites with garden views are spacious, split-level rooms with an open-plan bedroom and sitting room.
The king-size bed sleeps two adults.
The gardens are full of tropical foliage, with partial views of the turquoise Caribbean waters.
Two pairs of this suites interconnect.
With half the 500m crescent beach designed for families and the other half for adults and couples, Carlisle Bay allows everyone to enjoy a perfect getaway.
Located on the family half of the resort, the Family Suites come with a studio-style king-bedded master bedroom with direct views of the bay and a second bedroom with twin beds so you do not need a second suite.
The Family Suites are upper-level suites with a second bedroom with twin beds, making the rooms appropriate for two adults and two children (aged from 6 to 15), with cribs available for babies.
The balcony of the master bedroom looks towards the beach.
These suites are positioned on the ground level to provide direct beach access; the configuration is the same as the suites with beach balcony - with a second twin bedroom accommodating children up to the age of 15 (cribs are available for babies).
The ease of stepping out on to the sand is what makes these rooms stand out.
Suites (two of each type) are the largest at Carlisle Bay; they are each around 180sq.m in size, and include three ensuite bedrooms and large private terraces, making them perfect for large families or groups of six.
Suite A is a three-bedroom, 163.5 square meters suite with two king-size rooms, and one twin (all ensuite); there is a large sitting room, kitchen and a double-width beachfront balcony, making this elegant, sunny space ideal for a family of six, or two couples.
Suite B is among the most luxurious suites in the Caribbean.
It is a three-bedroom configuration sleeping six in two king-size double rooms, and one twin, with a large sitting room opening on to an L-shaped, beachfront balcony or terrace to take in the spectacular white sand views.
Dining at Carlisle Bay is all about choosing the right restaurant to suit your mood, from a relaxed, foot-in-the-sand lunch delivered to your lounger in the Coconut Grove, to a romantic dinner for two at East, which is considered one of the island's finest Asian restaurants.
Some of the restaurants appeal to families; others have a more sophisticated feel for honeymooners; flexibility and variety define all of the bars and restaurants, along with simple, fresh produce which is the foundation on which all the menus are built.
The Coconut Grove, which is located next door, is a pretty swathe of shaded sand behind the main beach where chairs and loungers offer couples a quiet place to hang out with a drink.
The bar service here is available at any hour, and includes a pleasant afternoon tea provided to guests on a complimentary basis.
East is one of Antigua's best restaurants - open for dinner only, attracting guests from all over the island, including those on honeymoon in Antigua.
The fuchsia and dark wood interior has a sexy feel.
The restaurant is entered via tall Indonesian carved doors; Japanese, Thai, and Indonesian dishes all appear on the menu, with sushi, sashimi and Balinese specialties among the main draws.
Please note those with young children under the age of 10 are asked to come earlier, from 18:00h to 19:00h.
This retains the sophisticated spirit that makes East particular popular with couples.
18.00h - 21.00h
Japanese, Thai, Indonesian
Indigo on the Beach restaurant is the relaxed heart of Carlisle Bay.
Dishes tend toward the fresh and healthy - grilled seafood, salads, home-made breads and pastas - while children can enjoy the flexible menus designed just for them.
Sea breezes fill the open-sided room and terrace.
Tables are spread out over a wooden floor on which bare feet are welcome, at any time of day.
07.00h - 22.00h
Indigo Bar at Carlisle Bay is an open-sided bar beside the beach with simple rattan chairs and sofas.
Here guests gather at any hour for cocktails, fruit punches and drinks.
24h
An Italian casual venue beside the pool, open for lunch and dinner with tables spread out in the shade.
From the authentic wood-burning pizza oven emerges classic dishes using the freshest of Italian ingredients.
Salads, antipasti and homemade gelato make this a destination at the midday sunshine hour - and with a Little Ottimo!
Menu for children, is enduringly popular with families.
19.00h - 21.00h(reservations required)
Italian
Pavilion Bar at Carlisle Bay occupies an elegant, open-sided Caribbean pavilion with traditional wooden shutters that open up to let the scents of sea and rainforest fill the air; think of it as a lobby bar with the quiet buzz that comes from a convivial meeting place at the heart of the resort.
With deep sofas, soft lighting and quiet corners for an intimate drink, this is a popular place for meeting for a cocktail before dining at East, which is located in an adjacent room, or sipping a thirst-quenching fruit punch while the sun is high in the sky.
Fresh coconuts and beers feature, along with light bites and sundowners served around the fire pit (made from an old "copper", which was originally used to boil cane juice).
This fun, foot-in-the-sand bar is where to catch a drink when coming in from the sea.
Grilled meats, fresh seafood and wines by the carafe are daily favorites at this casual venue overlooking the resort's Jetty and Caribbean Sea.
The Jetty Grill is an adult's only restaurant located adjacent to the beach.
Spa in the Caribbean doesn't get much better than Carlisle Bay's Blue Spa.
The two-floor pavilion with an elegant, meditative atmosphere sets the tone for relaxation and well being.
The spa menu includes facials, massages and scrubs.
Both male and female therapists are available, with treatments in air-conditioned rooms.
Facials use products by Irish skincare specialists, Voya.
Many of the luxury treatments are exclusive, including massages.
The spa's team also offers male-focused and West Indian treatments.
Some are designed to counterbalance the effects of sun and long-haul travel, with time in the sauna and plunge pool proving perfect preparation.
There are many options for exercise including the yoga facilities, fitness center, tennis courts and numerous watersports.
The Antigua beauty salon at the Blue Spa offers manicures, pedicures, waxing and hairstyling, among other services.
Blue Spa at Carlisle Bay is made up of six treatment rooms, including one for couples, a wet room and sauna.
The yoga pavilion, used for regular group and private classes in both yoga and Pilates, is located in a peaceful corner of the tropical gardens.
WEDDING
Carlisle Bay offers a spectacular setting for a destination wedding with its excellent year round weather, secluded bay and backdrop of tropical rainforest.
From exchanging vows on the jetty to barefoot ceremonies on the beach, the hotel's team will create an unforgettable experience for you to treasure.
The wedding planners will ensure that your wedding is individual and perfect, down to the last detail - you'll feel like you have the whole resort to yourselves.
WATER SPORT
Non-motorised watersports at the luxury Caribbean beach resort are comprehensive and complimentary with a team of expert staff.
Activities include sailing, kayaking in the mangrove, snorkeling, windsurfing and paddle boarding.
Motorised watersports such as waterskiing, wakeboarding and tubing take place in a neighbouring cove in order to preserve the tranquility of Carlisle Bay for all the guests.
Snorkeling equipment is provided free of charge, with complimentary excursions included in the weekly activities program.
Caribbean deep sea fishing is second to none in the waters off Antigua, with marlin, king fish, wahoo and barracuda all common.
Various charters with exceptional skippers are available.
With the reputation for exclusive venues, beautiful outdoor settings and delicious culinary offerings, the hotel's team are certain to have the perfect ingredients to create uniquely memorable events.
Explore Antigua with the new luxury Fjord 36' cruising yacht.
Padi Open-Water four-day certification courses are available, as well as Discover Scuba one-day courses to give beginners a taste of the experience. All the pool training is done at Carlisle Bay.
The Carlisle Room, with rainforest views, can accommodate 50 for a wedding reception, 26 for a boardroom meeting and 26 for a sit-down dinner.
Is a fully equipped multimedia space with DVD projection, 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround sound and an adjustable screen accommodating up to 45 with midnight-blue.
The hotel have five well-maintained tennis courts, including three which are floodlit for cooler, night-time play and one for children to shoot some basketball hoops.
A Caribbean beach wedding at Carlisle Bay is a chic, relaxed occasion.
At Carlisle Bay, guests can now learn to sail, or improve their skills aboard a 40ft keelboat, on three day Royal Yachting Association courses offered through On Deck Racing.
The Caribbean Cool Kids Club (open seven days a week, from 8.30h to 12.30h, and 13.15h to 16.15h) is suitable for children aged six months to six years, and is supervised by qualified childcare professionals.
Activities might include lizard hunting, treasure hunts, and arts and crafts.
The kids club, which has its own paddling pool, sand pit and jungle gym, is free for children over 2, and $15 per hour for children from 6 months to 2 years.
For older children and teenagers, check out the Crew Blue & Crush programs.
The Crew Blue program runs complimentary activities for children aged 7 to 12, including raft building, five-a-side football, zip-wiring and star fish hunting.
It runs morning and afternoon Monday to Friday during all main US and UK school holiday and children are free to dip in and out.
CARLISLE BAY
Carlisle BayOld RoadSt. Mary'sAntigua