Antigua’s Festive Side to Attract New Business
By Merrie L. Murray
Even though beaches, a whopping 365 of them, play a major role in attracting visitors to their islands, government officials in Antigua and Barbuda are looking to festivals and special events to perk up tourism in the slower months -- mid-April through the end of November.
Given the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, built for the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup matches with a capacity of up to 20,000 seats, it is a savvy concept.
In mid-June, the twin islands of Antigua & Barbuda staged its first international music festival “Romantic Rhythms” at the new stadium headlined by Grammy-award winners Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers and others. Coinciding with the event, was Delta Air Lines’ inaugural nonstop service from New York’s JFK to Antigua.
Although Antigua & Barbuda are no strangers to special events with Sailing Week, usually held the last week in April, is now in its 41st year, Carnival, which takes place in July through early August, is still going strong after 50 years and not an annual event, but the World Cup Cricket took place in Antigua in 2007; similar matches like the Stanford 20-20 Cricket Tournaments are held on the island as well as other domestic games. The Hon. Harold Lovell, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Culture and The Environment said, “Romantic Rhythms” is “more than just a good time…We want to build expertise locally and do it at the highest level.” Training programs for event planners and event volunteers are now being offered throughout the islands through the government tourist office.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Carnival office is now part of the National Festival Office and government officials are planning to invest in creative tourism to fill the calendar with events all year round with not only sports and musical events, but special interest events such as tennis matches, gospel and literary events. (See page 44 for information on Antigua’s Third International Literary Festival, Nov. 7-9).
Romantic Rhythms Rock
Music at the festival included a mix of rock, soul, soca, calypso and reggae and some R&B and hip hop as well, but it all focused on romance. Wide screens and mammoth speakers insured everyone could enjoy the show.
After a reception at Sandals Grand Resort & Spa, the music festival took off with sounds from Lionel Richie, Brian McKnight and Antigua’s own El A Kru featuring Soca artist Tizzy.
Reggae star Maxi Priest also performed. Saturday evening saw Keyshia Cole, Musiq Soul Child and Burning Flames along with Kenny Rogers. Sunday’s appearances included Damian Marley, son of Bob Marley, and Grammy-winning recording artist Shaggy. Local bands loved sharing the stage with the stars.
A little about the venue. Named for Antigua’s own cricketer hero extraordinaire, Sir Vivian Richards, the $60 million world class stadium sits just south of the airport on Antigua’s north central coast near an old sugar factory. Funded largely by the Chinese for the world cup event, the stadium has huge potential and begs to be utilized.
During the day, festival goers can sample Antigua’s attractions such as diving, sailing or laying on those perfect beaches. Visitos can zip through the rainforest with Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tours (www.antiguarainforest.com), visit Nelson’s Dockyard, an 18th century British naval yard, and teetered at the edge of Devil’s Bridge, a natural bridge carved over time by the ocean.
Jax Fax stayed at the 464-room all-inclusive Jolly Beach Resort & Spa with its new Palms Wellness Centre, three Beachfront Cottages and Gold Ribbon Dream Wedding package (866 905-6559; www.jollybeachresort.com) and visited two of Antigua’s newest properties, the 162-room The Verandah Resort & Spa, a member of Elite Island Resorts (800-858-4618; www.verandahresortandspa.com) and Hermitage Bay, a zen-like boutique property. Call 268 -562-5500; or visit www.hermitagebay.com.
Guests at the pre-festival reception at Sandals Grande Antigua’s new All-Suite Mediterranean Village partied around the mammoth zero-entry pool surrounded with palms and private cabanas, the waters of the Caribbean just steps away. Call 800 726-3257; or visit www.sandals.com
The first international music festival has come and gone, watch for special promotions like “Kiss and Make Up” in the pipeline that also includes festival tickets for 2009’s concert.
Getting There
With Delta Air Lines’ new non-stop service from JFK-NY to Antigua and Barbuda, a long weekend is now doable with twice weekly flights (Thursdays and Sundays). Other airlines flying to Antigua and Barbuda include American, US Airways and Continental. American Airlines has just inaugurated a new nonstop flight from Miami (see below).
Taxi from V.C. Bird International Airport to Jolly Beach Resort & Spa takes 30 minutes and costs approximately $35. Visitors pay a $20 departure tax when leaving Antigua.
For more information, contact the Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Office, 888-268-4227; www.antigua-barbuda.org
Elite Offers September 15 2008 Air & Land Deal
To celebrate American Airlines’ new nonstop service between Miami and Antigua Elite Island Resorts has a “Fantastic Fall” promotion plus resort savings of up to 40% when agents book clients’ vacations by September 15, 2008, for seven night stays or longer in Sept. and Oct.; clients qualify for a $299 roundtrip airfare to Antigua from all major East Coast gateways. Airfare supplements of $100 apply from the Midwest; $200 from the West Coast. Nightly double occupancy, all-inclusive rates start at $349 per room at The Verandah Resort & Spa; at $349 at St. James’s Club & Villas; and at $620 at Galley Bay Resort & Spa.
Call 800-345-0356; www.eliteislandresorts.com
May 2008 Cover Feature
Antigua Rings Wedding Bells
by Denise Mattia
They splash along with feet in warm water, cool breeze blowing and sunlight falling yellow through palm trees. Romance. Adventure. It’s perfect. It’s Antigua and Barbuda. It’s where they pledged “I do.”
Recently, Antigua won more acclaim as one of the world’s premier wedding and honeymoon locations. Caribbean World Magazine, at the 11th and 12th International Caribbean World Awards, named Antigua “Best Wedding Island of the Year” and the American Express travel publication listed the island among the top ten wedding destinations.
In addition to the amazing pink-and-white beaches (there are 365 of them) and natural beauty above and beneath the sea, the factors that attract betrothed couples and newlyweds to Antigua are the variety of resorts that accommodate their needs and budget and its accessibility from the United States.
Of the 60 properties in Antigua, which vary from trendy boutique hotels to large all-inclusives, many offer ceremony or honeymoon packages and have on-site coordinators to expedite all the arrangements. Couples have the option of choosing anything from an intimate exchange of vows to an extravagant gathering of family and friends.
JAXFAX found a number of exclusive and premier accommodations that cater the event. Prices for the marriage license and wedding officer’s fees generally include extras (see individual sites), and range upwards from $600.
Exclusively Your Wedding
In the exclusive category is the five-star Galley Bay Resort & Spa, which has secured a place on the prestigious TripAdvisor.com’s Traveler’s “Best Luxury-World” top 100 list.
A member of the Elite Island Resorts, the Galley Bay Resort & Spa has been certified green in accordance with the highest international standards. Along with the resort’s complimentary destination wedding program (an $899 value, which includes registrar costs, round-trip transportation to the Ministry of Legal Affairs in St. John’s, ceremony charges, taxes and gratuities), effective through November 2008, couples booking a seven-night all-inclusive premium accommodation stay at the resort can fly free from major East Coast gateways on Delta Air Lines or American Airlines (www.GalleyBayResort.com). 
So whether your clients are looking for a chance to experience one of the world’s most luxurious and romantic resorts (according to Tripadvisor.com readers) or to plan an unforgettable destination wedding, free airfare to Antigua can help keep it affordable during this recessionary time.
Each resort has a distinct character and requirements. The Rosewood Resort, Jumby Bay, off Antigua on Long Island, caters to small weddings in its private villas and estate houses Visit www.jumbybayresort.com.
Blue Waters Beach Hotel (www.bluewaters.net) limits the number of weddings that take place on its grounds, making the exchange or renewal of vows an exclusive affair. The Coconut Beach Club caters to small parties of 20 or fewer people (www.coconutbeachclub.com), while a wedding weekend (a minimum of three nights) is required at Curtain Bluff. Visit www.curtainbluff.com
Sandals’ Grande Antigua Resort & Spa has been voted the World’s Leading Honeymoon Resort for seven years in a row at the World Travel Awards. With the addition of the new Mediterranean Village, which features 180 spacious suites in six room categories, all boasting spectacular ocean views and a Mediterranean flair, betrothed couples and their guests can enjoy unprecedented services. Butch Stewart, chairman and founder of Sandals Resorts, says, “We think couples enjoy having two different, yet complementary luxury resort experiences, plus more dining options, and a sixth pool – the largest in the Eastern Caribbean.”
Preston Bailey, an internationally celebrated event designer and wedding planner, partnered with Sandals Resorts to create the Preston Bailey Signature WeddingMoons®, a selection of four exceptional wedding packages available exclusively at Sandals and Beaches Resorts through the WeddingMoons® program.
Each of the four packages – The Floral Elegance Collection ($1,700), The Water Lily Collection ($2,600), The Seascape Collection ($3,600) and The Crystal Collection ($5,000) – includes beautifully designed wedding settings and décor. Specialty wedding cakes designed by Sylvia Weinstock complement the exceptional designs and the stunning surroundings.
Triple Eights
In March 2008, the 8/8/08 Caribbean Sunset package was introduced at Sandals Resorts. Priced at $4,888, the package includes exclusive services and amenities such as a personal wedding consultant and a Preston Bailey Caribbean Sunset Collection décor for the ceremony and reception for the bride, groom and two guests. A private eight-course dinner, with a wedding cake designed by Sylvia Weinstock, and a reception for the couple and eight guests is an option as well. A professional photographer and a videographer provide eight 8x10” color photographs in a commemorative album and a DVD of the ceremony and reception. Sandals Resorts and Preston Bailey are developing lavish wedding experiences, which include a private jet, a once-in-a-lifetime musical performance and more for the ultimate in luxury.
Throughout their wedding vacation, honeymooners and their guests can take advantage of the Eight Steps of Love package, which is priced at $888. Included among other amenities are breakfast in bed, a morning sail, a couples massage, a photo session and a candlelight dinner. And for anniversary couples, Sandals Resorts offers the Everlasting Honeymoon. Couples are rewarded with one free night – their anniversary night – for the rest of their lives together when they stay at any one of the Caribbean resort company’s 12 locations. Visit www.sandals.com
“There is no residency requirement, making Antigua very popular for destination weddings,” says P. Hillary Modeste, Director of Marketing Worldwide for Jolly Beach Resort & Spa. “And the combination of our superb wedding coordinator, Antiguan born Beverly King and her staff, with our picture-postcard beach makes Jolly Beach a top choice for bridal couples,” he added.
The resort offers a Silver Ribbon Dream Wedding Package for $699, and the new Gold Ribbon Dream Wedding Package, which includes a reception for a minimum of four hours for between 26 and 40 people in the specially decorated Hibiscus Room or the Hammock Lounge. A DJ provides entertainment, and dinner is served buffet style. The bridal couple will also enjoy special services at the Palms Wellness Center Spa.
When family and friends – even kids – come along and occupy five rooms for seven nights, the Silver Ribbon Dream Wedding Package is upgraded to the resort’s Gold Ribbon Dream Wedding Package (normally $2,044 but reduced by $699 for a total cost of $1,345). “It [the Gold Ribbon Dream Wedding Package] is more affordable than ever for everyone and is available exclusively to brides and grooms staying at the all-inclusive Jolly Beach Resort & Spa,” adds Modeste. Visit www.jollybeachresort.com
Whether the wedding being planned is toes-in-the-sand casual or white-gloved elegance in a romantic gazebo, the wedding package (an $899 value) at the St. James’s Club & Villas is complimentary when a seven-night all-inclusive luxury-category honeymoon is booked. A member of the Elite Island Resorts, the St. James’s Club & Villas has received its green certification from the independent organization Green Hotels. Visit www.StJamesClubAntigua.com
Similar wedding packages are available at the island’s three Rex Resorts locations: the Hawksbill Beach Resort, the Rex Blue Heron and, for those who prefer a smoke-free environment, the Rex Halcyon Cove, a non-smoking hotel (where all restaurants, areas serving food, covered bars and lounges are non-smoking as well). Visit www.eliteislandresorts.com
Adventures in Paradise
Because of the many coves and protected harbors, Antigua is a popular haven for sailors. Indeed on the southern coast in English Harbour linger the spirits of dashing 18th century officers like Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence and the legendary Admiral Horatio Nelson who in 1784 sailed in aboard HMS Boreas to establish Great Britain's most important Caribbean base.
Barbuda, 25 miles north of Antigua, with around 1,200 people, has a magnificent wide white beach, considered one of the best in the Caribbean. Barbuda is also a diver’s paradise with colorful reefs and many old ship wrecks to explore.
The Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour is the newest adventure offered to those who want to experience the island’s lush rainforest from a bird’s eye point of view, while local guides at Tropical Adventures (www.tropicalad.com) treat guests to a land expedition through Antigua’s rainforest. Dotting the landscape are 95 stone windmills that were built in the early 1700s using mortar made from crushed and burnt conch shells. The towers were used to process sugar during the days when the island was covered with sugarcane, which was planted and harvested by slaves. Visitors can follow a self-guided mill tour route by car. Visit www.antiguarainforest.com
There are plenty of healthful sports in Antigua and Barbuda, with scuba facilities and experienced PADI- and NAUI-certified dive operators available on or near most resorts. Most diving in Antigua and Barbuda takes place around the southern and western coasts and in the English Harbour area, minutes away by boat, just beyond the shallow waters surrounding the coastline. Jolly Dive (www.jollydive.com) is located on the beach of the Jolly Beach Resort.
The St. James’s Club & Villas celebrated the debut of its new on-site Mamora Bay Divers PADI scuba center with a five-night all-inclusive Antigua Divers package. Available through December 20, 2008, the package is priced from $1,615 per person for three days of two-tank dives, including equipment and instruction, accommodations, all meals, top-shelf beverages, taxes and service charges.
Antigua’s British roots run deep. Antigua’s government is based on Britain’s Parliamentary system, proper teas are served in many hotels in late afternoon and the sport of cricket is huge. Antigua has historic towns like St. John’s, the busy capital on the northwestern tip of the island, in the 1700s a major trading center.
And it has sites like the 18th century BaroqueSt. John’s Cathedral (pictured), and Parham, the first British settlement and the site of St. Peter’s Church, an 1840s octagonal building. Add to this the rich culture derived from its African roots and you have a destination with much to discover and savor.
Getting There
Delta Air Lines now has direct service from Atlanta, Georgia on Saturdays and Wednesdays and non-stop service from New York City (JFK) on Thursdays and Saturdays. Non-stop flights to Antigua are also available when flying Continental Airlines from Newark (EWR) or US Airways from Charlotte, NC. American Airlines flies directly to Antigua from Miami. The U.S. Department of State requires all U.S. citizens traveling via air or sea to present a valid passport for travel and re-entry into the United States. Major carriers offer service into the V.C. Bird International Airport (that is its official name), which is an important hub for the entire Caribbean.
Rental cars are available from major car companies including Budget Rent A-Car (268-462-3009; www.Budget.com), Hertz Rent A Car (268-481-4440; www.hertz.com), National Car Rental (268-462-2113; www.NationalCar.com) and Dollar Rent A Car (268-462-0362;www.dollar.com).Cost is about $40 to $50 a day. Travelers need to bring their driver’s license and they’ll have to obtain a temporary license (about $20), but that is easily obtained upon arrival at the rental car counter.
For more information, call the Antigua and Barbuda U.S. Tourist Office, 888-268-4227; visit www.antigua-barbuda.org for information and legal requirements for wedding couples.
INTERVIEW with Derede Samuel Whitlock, Director of USA Antigua & Barbuda
By Maria Lisella
A-B Outdistances Itself
in a Strained Economy
Jax Fax spoke with Derede Samuel Whitlock (right), Director USA for Antigua and Barbuda (A-B). Agents who are familiar with this destination need not revisit the fast facts (a Leeward island, 365 sugar white beaches). Travel agents remain a pivotal element in A-B’s outreach to the U.S. Whitlock and her team have created a number of far reaching and innovative incentives to further expand its reach in the agent community. Further, the A-B dollar is linked to the U.S. dollar
JF: Let's cover first how A-B is doing in 2008 vs. 2007.
Whitlock: Due to very aggressive marketing campaigns launched by two of the newest properties – Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa, which operated mega fams from several gateways and the Elite Island Resorts’ Verandah Resort and Spa that debuted with great introductory offers – we can report a 9 percent increase during our first quarter compared to the same period in 2007. At worst we could be flat in the 2nd quarter but I expect to see at least a modest increase.
JF: According to CLIA, the Caribbean still ranks first as a cruise destination with 50% of the market, yet some say there has been a softening in demand and 2008 might be the first year where there will be a decrease in Caribbean capacity. Is this true for A-B?
Whitlock: Clearly A-B is receiving fewer calls this year, but on average, cruise passengers do not spend as much as stay-over visitors, which points to an area I think we need to improve.
Cruise passengers’ habits are similar to those of all-inclusive clients; you have to create an incentive for them to purchase experiences beyond their pre-paid packages. The town of Antigua could be merchandised more effectively by adding more cafes, restaurants to capture their interest. We should be marketing things they cannot find on board or on property such as heritage tours to Nelson’s Dockyard or Betty’s Hope Sugar Mill, but no one is going to jump ship to dine on a burger they can have on board.
JF: A-B has become synonymous with the wedding market, what about other niche markets?
Whitlock: We have discussed heritage tours (which already exist) and soft adventure tours, both of which are worth developing, but for the latter, we, as a government would have to build a framework for quality control, certification accreditation and insurance.
JF: Are new visitor trends emerging?
Whitlock: Our greatest attraction is for couples, and that remains the source of our greatest profit potential. We are seeing younger couples rather than exclusively 40+ couples. Families are also a growing source of income for us.
Apart from this, A-B has two medical schools and 2,000 med students (A-B population is 80,000) and this population has become a catalyst for new nightlife options.
JF: According to one A-B executive, destination weddings have increased by 300% during the past five years...how does A-B keep its competitive edge on this valuable market?
Whitlock: That figure sounds huge but then properties like Sandals and Jolly Beach count 400+ rooms and both companies have been very aggressive in pursuing this market year ‘round.
One edge we have is the short processing period to file for a wedding ceremony (there is no residency requirement) as opposed to the 8-10 days it takes in other destinations, so this also makes second weddings very ‘doable.’
JF: What role do agents play in boosting arrivals to A-B?
Whitlock: Travel agents are absolutely critical to A-B. People talk about displacement due to online bookings, but you are always going to have top producers and what I like about agents most is that they provide customer service that you will never get online. If people are going to spend over $10,000 on a family vacation they are going to an agency, not to a computer; online bookings are great for short and cheaper trips, not a family vacation where they may want to add tours and other amenities.
Just to highlight how interdependent we are with agents, we had a problem in A-B regarding long lines at the airport; and no one could pinpoint the problem. We called members of our inner circle of agents and located the problem. Flights were arriving at the moment the ground crew was changing shifts, which resulted in delays. We were then able to intercept that problem early…we could not have done it that quickly without agents.
JF: How does A-B actively pursue the travel agent community?
Whitlock: We conduct nine weeks of continuous fams back to back in May and June annually. Throughout the year we bring a taste of A-B to wherever agents are.
For instance, rather than place them in front of a video over a two hour dinner in the ballroom of the same hotel they just left after a seminar for another destination, we take them on a limo bus with an A-B author conducting a tour as if they were actually in A-B as they visit four vineyards on Long Island. So rather than just battling with a cold prime rib on their plates in a faceless big-city hotel for two hours, we have spent maybe five hours with them. We will be conducting High Teas in Conn., NJ and Long Island in September for small groups to give them a pinkies up view of A-B in an atypical way. At press time, A-B was hosting two weddings to take place at Madison Square Garden along with a basketball game and a reception.
JF: Any plans that will affect your relationship to agents?
Whitlock: We are designing an online training program that will eventually lead to having a qualified list of agents to whom we can refer consumers. And we hope to have a Destination Conference in A-B that will include meetings with the Minister of Tourism, so that he can also hear from decision makers, suppliers and agents about what is needed and that would include tourism interests island wide.
Visit www.antigua-barbuda.org, 212-541-4117
Antigua & Barbuda feature published in JAXFAX April 2008 issue.
Antigua’s New Delights
Antigua is a tropical paradise located in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean; its cool tradewinds ensure the weather is perfect for annual sailing events and year-round vacationing. Antigua consistently ranks as one of the top vacation destinations in the world, with superb beaches, hotels, a vibrant culture, excellent restaurants and nightlife and a huge choice of tours and excursions.
This summer major properties are offering agents incentives and families affordable ways to vacation. Below are details on the newest value-oriented brand from Sandals to Jolly Beach’s spa update to Elite Resorts’ kids’ programs.
Valuable Pineapples
Sandals Resorts International (SRI), parent company of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and the Royal Plantation Collection, has introduced a new, value-oriented brand – Grand Pineapple Beach.
Grand Pineapple Beach Resort in Antigua will be re-flagged with the new moniker to become Grand Pineapple Beach Antigua. The 180-room Grand Pineapple Beach Resort on Antigua's northeast coast will become the Grand Pineapple Beach Antigua.
Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts will accept singles, couples, families and groups. All-inclusive rates, which will be between 35% and 55% lower than the prices at Sandals, Beaches and the Royal Plantation Collection, will include accommodations; all meals and snacks; unlimited premium-brand beverages; non-motorized watersports; and nightly entertainment. Visit www.sandals.com
Jolly Retreats
Jolly Resort’s Palms Wellness Centre has enhanced the property by taking it right to the center of what has emerged as a “required facility,” a spa. “There has been a growing demand for spa and beauty services from Jolly Beach guests that we have now been able to meet with an integrated facility,” says P. Hilary Modeste, Director of Marketing Worldwide.
Additionally, a full salon has been included to address the most pressing needs from bridal parties and the fitness centre has also been relocated so it is now an accessible part of the Palms Wellness Centre.
The Spa has four treatment rooms and separate changing rooms for gentlemen and ladies including an open-air, stonework shower. Guests who prefer outdoor settings can take their massages on the beach or in the Gazebo overlooking the pool and Jolly’s mile-long white sand beach.
All-inclusive rates start at $173 through December 20, 2008. Rates are based on double occupancy and include accommodations, all meals, snacks and afternoon tea, house brand beverages, non-motorized watersports, and all taxes and service charges. All rooms are air-conditioned and face the ocean; each has a patio or balcony, direct-dial phone, cable TV and hair-dryer.
Jolly’s new two-bedroom, two-bathroom Beachfront Cottage will prove popular with families; sleeping up to five people it boasts a sitting area and a verandah facing the ocean. Each Cottage is ideally situated in a quiet beachfront location on the resort’s 40-acre property. Room rates range from $330 per night for singles in a one-bedroom beachfront cottage to $218 per person per night doubles for the same and $695 per room per night for the two-bedroom cottage, valid through Dec. 20, 2008.
Jolly Beach Resort is commissionable to travel agents at 15% year-round on all bookings made directly with the resort. Call 866-905-6559; www.jollybeachresort.com
Elite Pleasures
Award-winning Caribbean hotel company, Elite Island Resorts, is rolling out the red carpet for families this summer in Antigua at two upscale family-friendly, all-inclusive, oceanfront resorts. At St. James’s Club & Villas and The Verandah Resort & Spa, kids under 12 stay and eat free while their parents enjoy the Instant Savings promotion of 15 percent on stays between May and June, 2008, and 20 percent savings July through August 15, 2008. Both Caribbean resorts cater to families with spacious guest accommodations and extensive kids club programs.
The Stay and Dine Free summer special allows one child to stay and dine free per adult when sharing the same accommodations, with a maximum of two adults and two children per room. Percent savings are applied toward the resorts’ summer 2008 all inclusive rack rates based on double occupancy which start at $495 for The Verandah and $520 for St. James’s Club including all food, beverages, room accommodations, taxes and gratuities.
“We want to encourage parents to share quality experiences with their children during summer vacation. The Verandah Resort & Spa and St. James’s Club & Villas’ children’s programs make it easy for parents to relax and enjoy a spa treatment or a quiet dinner, knowing their children are enjoying supervised and enriching activities,” said Steven E. Heydt, Elite Island Resorts president. Call 800-345-0356; www.eliteislands.com
Lighthouse Bay Resort
Lighthouse Bay Resort is situated on Barbuda’s extreme Northwest shore. It is accessible only by helicopter or boat being located on a strip of land separated from the main island by a shallow island lagoon. The resort’s nine luxury suites are divided into three categories (Deluxe Rooms, One Bedroom Suites and One Bedroom Oceanfront Suites), all located just steps away from the sea. All rooms are spacious and offer either a king sized bed or two double beds, a large private bath, in room air conditioning, ceiling fan, direct dial telephone, flat screen television with satellite reception, alarm clock/radio/CD player, wireless internet and in-room laptop, personal safe, bathrobes and sandals, illuminated make-up mirror, hair dryer, and daily housekeeping services.
A welcome cocktail and cool towel await guests upon arrival. Lighthouse Bay’s fine European chef prepares an enticing array of unforgettable international cuisine and all meals and non-alcoholic beverages are included in the price of one’s stay. Spa treatments, island tours, fishing excursions, and other recreational activities maybe either enjoyed on premises or arranged for on site. Rates begin at $1150/night, full American Plan(all meals inc.)
Call:888-836-5427, or visit www.lhbresort.com.
Antigua is easy to get to with scheduled flights and connections from the U.S. and Canada on Air Canada, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta and US Airways.
For more information, call the Antigua and Barbuda U.S. Tourist Office at 888-268-4227; www.antigua-barbuda.org
October 2007 Feature
Antigua & Barbuda
By Katharine Dyson
Each time I visit Antigua, I am reminded just how diverse it is. Starting with the topography — a topic I know quite well having driven a car up and down hills and on (albeit sometimes bumpy) winding, twisting roads — Antigua is blessed with a crenulated coastline, rainforests, volcanic-based hills reaching up to 1,300 feet (Boggy Peak), lowlands and nonstop beaches like Galleon Bay and Jolly Beach.
And that’s just the opening page. Lying southeast of Puerto Rico, it is said you can spend a year on this 108 square mile island and visit a different beach each day — about 365 in all. Ranging from white to tawny gold sand, some of the best beaches are found at resorts located around the southern, lusher part of the island.
And because of the many coves and protected harbors, Antigua is a popular haven for sailors. Indeed on the southern coast in English Harbour linger the spirits of dashing 18th century officers like Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence and the legendary Admiral Horatio Nelson who in 1784 sailed in aboard HMS Boreas to establish Great Britain's most important Caribbean base.
Today, English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard are thriving yacht ports and home to notables like Eric Clapton whose stone villa rests on a rocky outcrop nearby. English Harbour’s historic Admirals Inn is constructed with brick ballast brought over in ships from England. The bar, a popular watering hole, features an original workshop table top found in the Dockyard which is etched with ship’s names carved by seamen from those earlier days. The Inn has 15 guest rooms divided among three buildings. Rates begin at $100 double. Call 268-460-1027; www.admiralsantigua.com
A more luxurious option in Nelson’s Dockyard, The Copper and Lumber Store Hotel is located in one of the original stone buildings constructed by Lord Nelson during 1783. Once used to store copper and lumber for shipbuilding, in the 1980s this structure was carefully converted to a Georgian Inn and now houses 14 suites and studios. Special features include weathered brick arches, French doors, iron balconies, hand-hewn beams, antique furnishing, nautical appointments and polished wood floors. Rates start at $145 per room. Call 268-460-1058; www.copperandlumberhotel.com
Certainly Antigua’s British roots run deep. Antigua’s government is based on Britain’s Parliamentary system, proper teas are served in many hotels in late afternoon and the sport of cricket is huge. Antigua has historic towns like St. John’s, the busy capital on the northwestern tip of the island, in the 1700s a major trading center. And it has sites like St. John’s 18th century bastion and Parham, the first British settlement and the site of St. Peter’s Church, an 1840s octagonal building. Add to this the rich culture derived from its African roots and you have a destination with much to discover and savor.
While tobacco and then sugarcane were the dominant economic forces dating from the 1600s, today it is tourism, which produces the major income for the island. It all started when wealthy people like the Mellons and their pals came to the island in the 1940s building a vacation getaway haven, the Mill Reef Club on Antigua’s south eastern coast. Today the Mill Reef Club is one of the world’s most highly exclusive (and arguably snobbish) holiday complexes with multi-million dollar villas, a golf course, private shopping complex and even its own power station.
But the Mill Reef Club aside, Antigua has plenty of accommodations for mere mortals. There are more than 50 hotels ranging from the Gaugin-style cottages at Galley Bay to the all-inclusive sprawling Sandals Antigua on Dickenson Bay and the Jolly Harbour Beach Resort and marina, which is built on 40 acres with 462 rooms and suites. All-inclusive rates start at $137 double. Call 954-919-0191; www.jollybeachresort.com
But Antigua is more than a pretty face. People come to play golf at Cedar Valley and Jolly Harbour and participate in Tennis Week in January and they come to scuba dive, and sail. A major annual event, Antigua’s Sailing Week, attracts yachtsmen from all over the world who race and party. Coming up next spring is the 41st event run by the Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association (www.sailingweek.com). And since Antigua is a very dry island getting just 45 inches a years, it is quite likely visitors will have sunny weather.
Offshore, you’ll find more than 30 for the most part, uninhabited small islands like Guiana, Bird and Long islands, perfect for that private picnic and beachcombing.
Barbuda, 25 miles north of Antigua, with around 1,200 people, has a magnificent wide white beach, considered one of the best in the Caribbean. Barbuda is also a diver’s paradise with colorful reefs and many old ship wrecks to explore.
Cruise Business
Luxury liners also tie up at the Nevis Street Pier, Redcliffe Quay in St. John's and Falmouth Harbour in the South. Among the more than 25 cruise lines that call at Antigua are Carnival Cruise Line (www.carnival.com), Crystal Cruises (www.crystalcruises. com), Holland American Line (www.hollandamerica.com), Royal Caribbean (www.royalcaribbean.com) and Silversea Cruises (www.silversea.com). Ships call at Heritage Quay where mega liners are now able to tie up at the pier thanks to a recently dredged deep-water channel. One of Antigua’s main shopping complexes is within walking distance.
To get an overview of Antigua and Barbuda’s history, visit the Museum of Antigua & Barbudahoused in the historic British Colonial courthouse in St. John’s. See artifacts and displays dealing with the sugar industry, slavery, early settlers, items from shipwrecks and other interesting exhibits. The Museum of Marine Art contains some amazing shells and pieces of coral. Open Monday – Saturday, Closed holidays. Call 268- 462-1469; www.antiguamuseums.org
The Hotel Scene
This summer Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa completed a $70 million expansion, with the development of an 180-suite Mediterranean Village featuring six room categories. Sandals also added a sixth freshwater pool, a swim-up bar and whirlpool, poolside cabanas with Wi-Fi and an expanded Red Lane spa. All suites have ocean views, marble bathrooms with mosaic accents, and 42-inch plasma televisions.
Four new restaurants bring the total up to nine. The new eateries include a bright and airy buffet style Italian restaurant, a traditional English pub serving authentic British fare, and a wood-fired brick oven pizzeria. Dine under the stars at Barefoot by the Sea.
A 32,000-square-foot shopping area, an art gallery featuring works by local and international artists, 9,000 more square feet of meetings and banquet space, and a private wedding gazebo with a reflective pool round out the new additions. All-inclusive rates from $400. Call 800-SANDALS; www.sandals.com
The Verandah, a new Elite Island Resort property due to open later this year, will include 200 family-friendly villa units. The $28 million, 30-acre resort set on Antigua’s north east coast, is designed with a Caribbean flair with gabled roofs and timber clad frames. A lot of natural materials have been incorporated to complement the environment. Its low-rise design and large. Private verandas allow for spectacular views of the waterfront and surrounding tropical landscape. In addition to its all-inclusive pricing plan from $485, double, The Verandah will offer a European plan (room only) from $265, double. Call 800-858-4618; www.eliteislandresorts.com
A Rosewood Resort, Jumby Bay is a 300-acre private island retreat located two miles off the coast of Antigua. There are no cars permitted on the island and guests get around by golf cart and old-fashioned Caloi bicycles. With expansive white-sand beaches, Jumby Bay has 52 newly refurbished and casually elegant accommodations, including 40 suites and 12 villas decorated with British Colonial furnishings, Italian linens, and lushly landscaped al fresco garden bathrooms.
There are also seven individually designed and decorated private estate homes. The fully staffed estate homes come with private housekeeper, chef, gardener and many come with private pools, beaches, tennis courts and more, offering guests the ultimate home-away-from-home experience. Rates from $775 per room. Call 888-ROSEWOOD; www.jumbybayresort.com
New Restaurant
The Cove Restaurant, one of Antigua’s latest fine dining eateries, located at Boon's Point on the northwest tip of the island, is designed to mix contemporary and traditional styles. Flaming torches and a dramatic entrance lead into the candlelit entrance hall. From there a pre-dinner drink at the bar is a must, before dining either in the main restaurant or on the terrace overlooking the floodlit ocean, with stunning views across the bay towards the Blue Waters hotel. Call 268- 562-2683; E-mail enquiries@thecoveantigua.co; www.antiguahotels.org
Attractions
Antigua’s new Rainforest Canopy Tour gives participants a birds-eye view of the island’s lush rainforest. High above the trees, this unique eco-tour safely allows riders to embark on a 26-element journey though the rainforest via a series of zip lines and suspension bridges. The tour does not require physical strength, making it accessible to adventure-seekers of all skill levels. However, at the end of the tour, an optional 36-foot controlled parachute descent is available for those who wish an additional adrenaline rush.
Call 268-562-6363; or visit www.antiguarainforest.com
Pirates of Antigua
Step back in time, don an eye patch, become an Antiguan buccaneer for the day, and join the party with "Pirates of Antigua." With family fun in the daytime, and partygoers on weekends, participants have the cruise of their life aboard a 89-foot pirate ship
“The Black Swan,” sets the mood with flying skull and crossbones flags, Antiguan sunshine, calypso music, and “Pirate Grog,” or “Virgin Grog,” an adventure with dancing, drinks and a freshly prepared buffet lunch from the open grill. Call 268-562-7946; www.PiratesofAntigua.com
Getting There & Around
Major carriers offer service into the V.C. Bird International Airport (that is its official name), which is an important hub for the entire Caribbean.
Carriers include: Air Canada (800-422-6232; www.aircanada.ca); American Airlines (800-433-7300; www.aa.com); Caribbean Airlines (800-744 2225; www.caribbean-air lines.com); Continental Airlines (800-231-0856; www.continental.com); Delta Air Lines (800-532-4777; www.delta.com); US Airways (800-622-1015; www.usairways. com)
Rental cars are available from major car companies including Budget Rent A-Car (268-462-3009; www.Budget.com), Hertz Rent A Car (268-481-4440; www.hertz. com), National Car Rental (268-462-2113; www.NationalCar.com) and Dollar Rent A Car (268-462-0362; www.dollar.com). Cost is about $40 to $50 a day. Travelers need to bring their driver’s license and they’ll have to obtain a temporary license (about $20), but that is easily obtained upon arrival at the rental car counter.
For more information, call the Antigua and Barbuda U.S. Tourist Office at 888-268-4227; or visit www.antigua-barbuda.org