Hammock Cove Resort & Spa

We just returned from a 5ngt stay at this resort, and actually cancelled our reservation and flights to Excellence Playa Mujeres (previous guests there) to visit this highly rated resort. For the most part, it was a very good experience, but there were a few things that, imo, kept it from a 5 star rating as we had fully expected it to be. ||Location- the resort itself is beautiful- the grounds, facilities, restaurants, and most of all the villas and their views. We had a waterfront villa and it was just as expected- quiet, clean, spacious, and had the perfect view. The resort is located in a cove, which we knew going in, but the air flow in the cove is almost nonexistent so it felt very hot with no breeze most days. Also, the road leading down to Hammock Cove is an absolute mess so drivers have to go extremely slow, which is kind of annoying when we are wanting to arrive quickly either from the airport or an excursion. The beach is very small, which we also knew and thankfully due to the small size of this resort along with the fact that it was only at 40% capacity when we visited, the beach never felt crowded. However, you do share the cove with the Verandah, their sister resort, which I didn’t fully realize until there. We did a day trip around the island and were able to see and visit other resorts and beaches, and for that reason, we would not return here due to all the other beautiful options for far bigger and natural beaches with true white sands and clear water.||Dining- as expected, the food here was very good to excellent, which was one of the main reasons we cancelled our plans to Excellence for this resort. We did not have a bad meal here, and most were outstanding. There were a few breakfasts where our eggs were overdone and not prepared to our specifications, and all service, especially room service, was very slow. Not a huge deal except for the day we had a spa appt and we had to literally scarf down our food and run to the spa. Also, and not a popular opinion, but the bartenders are not what we would call “mixologists”. Yes, they make beautiful cocktails, but we never got consistent drinks, and they never quite knew what their drinks were called. When we would order what would be considered a typical drink anywhere else, they sometimes didn’t know what it was or how to make it. And if we let them make us something, and happened to like it, it was hard for them to duplicate it the next time we visited that bar.||Service- here’s where I feel like this resort needs to improve greatly and is what kept us from giving 5 stars. The ambassadors are very inconsistent, and while they were all polite and professional, they were sometimes hard to get a hold of and did not fulfill our requests for various items. We were not given a charger for their phone so it almost died on us because we didn’t have that type of charger and it took multiple calls to finally get one. As stated before, room service, which you place with your ambassador, was late, and communication was just lacking for everything, from spa appts to excursions, we had to follow up on everything. They told us they were short staffed due to the time of year, but there needs to be a minimum in order to maintain a certain level of service. Also, aside from a few excellent servers at the Lighthouse and Sir Rob’s, as well as Gabriel at the rum bar, none of their staff seemed happy to be there, and it showed in their service. The beach service was hard to come by, and when you did get someone, it was a long wait for anything (drinks were half melted by the time we got them, I never got any condiments for my burger one day after asking and they brought it 30min later when I was done because I didn’t want to eat a cold burger). This was where our previous experiences with Excellence properties, especially in Mexico, blows this staff away, as those workers are quick, plentiful, and always have a smile on their face. I realize Antigua is a different country with a smaller population, but a high level of service still needs to be met if they truly claim to be “luxury”. ||All in all, we had a wonderful first visit to Antigua, and it won’t be our last, but we likely won’t return to Hammock Cove, as I feel like there are other islands that we want to visit first before returning Antigua.

We stayed overnight at Hammock Cove Antigua to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary. We stayed in a lovely villa overlooking the bay with a plunge pool & a fully stocked outside mini bar. We received excellent service and care by the friendly and welcoming staff, especially our Villa Ambassadors, Vandross & Jahsun & the exquisite food provided by Executive Chef Marco made our break a truly memorable one. ||If you’re looking to be pampered, this is the perfect place to go.

March 2025 was our third vacation to Hammock Cove. It is such a wonderful luxury resort that we have already booked vacation number four there for March 2026 and our adult children their second for their anniversary. It is an amazing resort to just relax, spend time with your spouse, be treated like royalty and enjoy the fabulous views! You will also make life long friends with other guest and staff! ||||The moment you arrive, all your senses will experience the beauty around you. During your stay you will enjoy the luxurious rooms with your own private infinity edge plunge pool and 24/7 room service with your personal ambassadors. Sheldon is amazing and is now over all the ambassadors. Congrats! Shout out to Grace and Shackem, thank you for making sure our room is perfect! Your attention to detail is truly noticed! In the evening you can indulge in Michelin level dining at the Lighthouse. Thank you to Chef Marco and his number one chef (she is awesome) for taking care of our special needs! Troy and Nashila (look for her beautiful smile) will make sure you are happy and your evening goes perfect! Other gratitude goes to Collete (attention to detail ~ perfection) for such amazing assistance and your friendship at the steakhouse. Linda and Tasscia for greeting us each morning for breakfast at Irina's with big beautiful smiles! Gabriel for the best cappuccinos ever! The staff that make sure the grounds always look so beautiful truly amaze us! (at times using hand shears and a machete to trim bushes and trees!) Alex, the operations manager, and Samantha make sure our vacation is perfect and every detail taken care of. You two are the best! The staff at Hammock Cove are so very friendly and go above and beyond. They are just genuinely happy to help you. They have also become special friends that we look so forward to seeing each trip! ||||The pool and beach are phenomenal, with food and drink service daily. They have all the water toys for your enjoyment and will teach you how to use, if needed.||We suggest researching the Hammock Cove website for more comprehensive ||information about the resort as, there are too many wonderful things to cover in this review.||||Each time we have booked our trip, Katrina Lindsey, from Elite Island Resort Management team has been absolutely wonderful to work with! We can not recommend her highly enough! Her contact info is klindsey@eliteislands.com||||Hammock Cove has become a very special place for both of us and we can not wait for our next trip to our home away from home!!

Wow what an experience! My husband and I came here for our honeymoon in July and we were hoping for a romantic, quiet, luxurious all inclusive experience - Hammock Cove provided all of this and so much more. Our expectations were exceeded. The food was nothing like what you would get at an all inclusive. Every meal we had was gourmet and some of our favorite food we have ever had at any restaurant or all inclusive. Chef Marco and the team put so much care into the work they're doing and would take time every day to come out and talk to you about the meals. The drink experience with Joel, Shawna, Gabriel, Erik, and all of the bartenders, was phenomenal. Joel makes the best espresso martinis you'll ever have, and also taught us how to make his favorite rum old fashion drink so we can make it in the US. Every drink you get will be delicious and tailored yo you if you'd like. Rooms are spacious and clean and the maids came every day. It was so nice to come into the room with fresh towels and a bed made every day. Also, it was by far the quietest most romantic place I've ever been. Going down to the beach in the morning there is no fighting for a chair and it is just quiet and lovely, We are already planning when we will come back.

First and foremost, Hammock Cove exceeded expectations. The staff, the food, the resort itself – all excellent. The villas are huge for two people, they are beautiful and the areas between them are well manicured and make you feel as though you're in a fantasy island. We LOVED getting to know our fellow guests at each bar.||The food and drink are the standouts. Each meal was exceptional and paired with a well-thought out cocktail. (Joel is the greatest mixologist.) Spend most of your dinners in the Lighthouse, and ALWAYS do the specialty lunches at the beach.||I want to highlight a few staff who were beyond exceptional:|Joel – Most friendly, most fun, most inventive cocktails. Make friends with him immediately.|Chef Marco – Sweet guy, who is obviously passionate about the food he creates. His food is next level good. Do the cooking class with him!|Julio – Single-handedly keeps the beach moving. He runs the watersports, but brought us more drinks than the servers. Go out on the sailboat with him!|JaySon – Our primary ambassador. He ran circles around the others, not that they were bad, he was just attentive to everything. |Illaria – She remembered our orders, where we preferred to sit, and was so very pleasant. |Shawna – So sweet, and makes the best banana drinks!||I will return to this resort.

We have always regarded Elite Island Resorts as among the very best in the Caribbean. During our second stay at Galley Bay, we arranged a Day Pass and tour of Hammock Cove, where we had already booked a holiday for 2025. The resort itself was exceptional — beautiful, well maintained, and staffed by some of the most professional and welcoming people we’ve met in Antigua.||||However, despite being loyal guests for over 17 years — with more than 20 visits across their properties — we were stunned when our confirmed 2025 booking was suddenly cancelled by the company, without any explanation. We were simply told that our future reservations would not be accepted and a refund would be issued.||||After so many years of loyalty and positive experiences, this abrupt treatment felt deeply disrespectful. It’s hard to understand why a long-standing guest would be excluded with no reason given. While I continue to rate the quality of the resorts themselves very highly, the way this situation was handled has left a lasting disappointment and raised serious questions about how the company now chooses to treat its returning guests.

There’s a calm that greets you the moment you enter Hammock Cove. Tucked within a gated sanctuary on the island of Antigua, it’s where safety meets serenity—where everything feels protected, yet open enough for your spirit to breathe. The staff here? Exceptional. Genuine warmth that doesn’t need rehearsing. From the first hello to the last goodnight, you feel seen. Cared for. Each villa comes with its own ambassador and a personal cell phone that connects you to them 24/7—room service, dinner reservations, island rides, you name it. I had the pleasure of being cared for by Rayvon, Kenya, and Rondelle—each of them kind, attentive, and effortless in their grace. Every morning, Kenya handpicked fresh flowers for my breakfast table. It’s the smallest details that leave the biggest imprint. The villas are spacious—airy enough for two souls to stretch and still feel at home. Your outdoor space becomes its own world: a private plunge pool, lounge chairs for slow mornings, a dinner table for long talks, and a swinging chair that turns into your personal rhythm. There are multiple bars and restaurants on-site, but The Lighthouse stands apart—a seven-course experience where time slows, and every plate feels like a story. Your ambassador handles all the details, because here, you’re meant to simply be. Hammock Cove isn’t just a stay—it’s a reminder that luxury isn’t about extravagance. It’s about ease. Presence. The kind of peace that follows you long after you’ve left. _Sonia

A longer review of our amazing vacation at this peaceful stunning resort.|Arrival:|From the moment we arrived we felt transported into a zen, pristine atmosphere. We stepped through the immaculate entrance and was greeted by soft jazz tunes as we were escorted, with a beautiful welcome by Alex, to the main bar. This wasn’t just a bar, it was an experience. Joel and Andre served us our drinks with linen coasters. Drinks are not made, they are created and this was clearly evident. While we waited for our room and Ambassador (as we arrived in the morning), we had a lunch at Irina’s and Linda made our very first meal so memorable. Her kindness and attention to detail as well as ensuring us that anything we needed, “anything” just ask. Our first lunch was made so special by her attention. We meandered out to a patio that faces the water and gorgeous white rocking chairs sat in wait for us. Lovely.||The room:|We were escorted to our villa by Delarno, our Ambassador, who walked us through the room and we made dinner reservations with him. An Ambassador phone was provided to use for anything required. We stayed in a waterfront villa (room 3) and I can’t begin to describe how stunning this room was. The bathrooms are breathtaking and so bright! There is more than enough storage as well as a perfect vanity that I used every day. The shower was incredible. Massive and gorgeous with dual rain showers as well has hand held. Definitely “his and hers" and we took advantage of this luxury. Robes were soft and had a luxurious feel to them and there was no shortage of towels. The bed is king and was perfect and overlooked our pool which faced the sea. Outside, the patio is a definite extension of the room. Covered area for your stocked bar and bar fridge; Grey Goose, Patron, English Harbour Antiguan Rum and a blue gin I can’t recall. A table and chair set up as well as loungers complete the one side, separated by a pool that sparkled. It was a great size for lazing away a morning or late afternoon watching the sunset. It can get very warm as our location got full sun most of the day (I had requested this) and the filtration system on these pools provides the chemicals required to keep it beautiful. To the other side of the pool is a hanging basket chair and a table an 2 chairs. In room pool towels are provided as well as a beach bag and slippers. It really was gorgeous! I have to mention the air conditioner because it was so quiet. |The beach and pool:|The 3 layer pool was spectacular. So well kept with little nooks affording seating for two. We loved this touch. You never, “ever" had to worry about finding a spot to sit down and relax or claiming your spot at the crack of dawn. Hammock Cove chair covers are used and rolled towels complete the look. Once you sit either at the beach or the pool, the staff would quickly arrive with a bucket filled to the brim with ice and waters submerged. No need for a Yeti at this resort as the ice is replaced regularly. The beach was small but very pretty and well laid out with a boardwalk of seating (loved that when we didn’t want to get to sandy) as well as a lounge side and a beach area with a peers as well as a sand beach. Special events are held at lunch hours, bubbles and caviar or oysters or a bbq complete with a steel band on the peer. There is also a Beach Bites menu that you can order lunch from daily if you choose to eat at the beach or pool. ||The staff:|This is where any resort we have ever been to can not compare. Staff were OUTSTANDING. I don’t have enough adjectives to describe how amazing the staff were. At the beach or pool, you never had to worry about bar service as they will always be there consistently checking on you to make sure you are well taken care of without being intrusive. Nothing is too much for any of the staff and I can’t thank them enough for making this vacation an awesome experience. Jayden, Nigel, Joshua, Joel, Andre, Erick and some I don’t remember were all phenomenal. Colette at Sir Roberts was so attentive, Sophia was AMAZING and Shilo made our 7 course tasting menu evening perfect. Linda at breakfast and lunch was so charming and had a great happy essence about her that was infectious. She made sure I had oatmeal porridge for breakfast one morning as I didn’t see it on the menu. Nobody Knows bar rum tasting with Gabriel was so much fun too! Gabriel made our first night a hit! Our Ambassadors Jahvawn and Delano were kind and available but the service at the resort is so spectacular that we only used them to book our meals and to provide our bar preferences.||The food:|Chef Marco was a delight, very visible and personable and Nadine shone through with her own personality which was charming. But… it’s their cooking and presentation that inspires your pallet and keeps you wanting more. For 3 restaurants, there is enough variety and changing menus to ensure you could stay for an extended time and continue to be thrilled by the menus. The Lighthouse had such an ambiance surrounding it. From the outside lounge area to the spectacular bar inside right through to the restaurant. Everything was so well thought out. The 7 course tasting menu that we were fortunate to have twice (2 different menus) was fabulous. I tried a couple things I wouldn’t normally order and was happy I did. ||At Sir Roberts I had both lamb and steak and both were cooked to perfection. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this new restaurant. The blue tile like the ocean along with the tiled floor was calming yet the wood accents added a steak house feel. ||Irina’s was a perfect place to have breakfast or lunch. Open air and you could dine inside or out. Home made pastries and fresh fruit to select in the mornings and cheese and meat charcuteries were available in the afternoon. We ate their for Sushi night on Monday and really enjoyed our dinner and the atmosphere created. |||Check out|Check out was effortless. We had met Kenya earlier when arranging our transport and he also checked us out. Again, nothing was rushed and the calm serene feeling carried right to the end of our holiday and he made this happen. Thank you Kenya!||Miss Mosley/Gate Security (our definite honourable mention):|WHO would not love this wonderful lady!!. After we met her properly one morning leaving for our walk to Devils Bridge we made sure to visit her every day to wish her a happy day. She was such a delight to talk to and a genuinely kind person. I will look forward to seeing her again on our next visit!||Summary:|A spectacular peaceful resort that holds true to it’s advertising of being a resort for seasoned traveller’s to sit back, read a book and put your phone away. It is an extremely quiet, tranquil resort. This resort offers a different type of evening entertainment; quiet socialization with new acquaintances at amazing sitting areas or bars as well as the Chairmans lounge. No base beating throughout, just pure calm. I’m in awe that they have ensured this is the type of vacation you will have. We have searched for a resort that upholds this type of subtle calmness as well as enforces it, and Hammock Cove does not disappoint. Some couples we met had been to Hammock Cove many times for this peaceful quiet holiday.