The Verandah Resort & Spa, Antigua

"Why book? Tucked on a quiet bluff on Antigua’s rugged eastern coast, The Verandah Antigua has a welcoming, come-as-you-are vibe and expansive grounds that makes it an ideal property for a wide range of travelers, from the solo weekender to the birthday group celebration. With six restaurants, two beaches, and a soon-to-open late night sports bar offering bar bites and a bevy of cocktails, there’s plenty to do on property. If you’re craving a bit more intimacy or off-property experience, the resort offers private offshore excursions like catamaran cruise charters and private island tours, as well as the opportunity to dine at neighboring sister resorts St. James’s Club & Villas and Pineapple Beach Club Antigua. Set the scene Rebranded and reopened in November 2023 as an adults-only, all-inclusive property, the 185-room property sits on its own slice of the island, flanked by swaying palms and tawny colored stretches of sand on Antigua’s east coast. Golf carts are available to transport guests around the sweeping, 30-acre property, where you’ll zip past a collection of white cottage style villas with sea green roofs that are named after Caribbean islands. There are two main beaches: Lover’s Beach, which is the central point for water spots like paddle boarding and kayaking, and Rasta Beach, home to a larger stretch of sand and the resort’s beach bar and al fresco restaurant popular for lunch. At the large pool, water aerobics are offered each morning, set to the sounds of soca and pop hits. Near Rasta Beach, a second beachfront pool with loungers immersed in the water is an ideal location to cool down with a book in hand. The backstory Part of the Elite Island Resorts Collection–which includes a portfolio of 8 all-inclusive resorts across the Caribbean and Panama—The Verandah was founded by Sir Robert Barrett, who has been working in the Caribbean hotel business since the early 1960s. The brand’s properties cover a wide spectrum of accommodation types for travelers—from the family-style St. James's Club & Villas to the luxury oriented Hammock Cove Antigua. In an effort to celebrate Caribbean culture as part of the brand ethos, Elite Island Resorts Collection has partnered with popular Antiguan musicians and artists like Causion to promote their properties. The rooms Accommodation types include suites with ocean or garden views and two-bedroom villas—some with private plunge pools. Suites and villas have been renovated with tropical themed Caribbean artwork, new interior paint, and bedroom furniture. The open-plan spaces include kitchenettes and common areas with TVs and couches. Decor features wood framed couches and cupboards with splashes of bright color on tropical themed pillows. Villas include patios with a seating area for dining, and loungers in villas that have plunge pools. Food and drink The property offers guests six newly renovated restaurants, including the buffet driven Seabreeze, where breakfast is served as well as different themed dinner nights that offer a variety of international options. At Portofino, an Italian inspired menu features dishes like ricotta ravioli and beef carpaccio. An international wine list helps complement the experience–go for the earthy and bright Brunello di Montalcino. The seafood driven Sails & Tales and casual Papa Ricco’s Pizza both overlook Lover’s Beach, while the newly expanded Beach Grill on Rasta Beach serves sandwiches and items of the grill, including a smoky jerk chicken. The Beach Grill also features a newly expanded bar just steps away from the beach with an extensive rum list that celebrates the Caribbean’s signature spirit, including Haitian Barbancourt and Antigua’s own English Harbour. The Wavy Wicket will open in December as the resort’s late night venue, and will feature a full bar, TVs to watch sports, karaoke, cocktails and bar bites. At Nicole’s, the property’s own take on fine dining, menu items include scallops au gratin and a New Zealand sous vide rack of lamb. Below three neighboring restaurants, a spacious cafe open until 11:00 pm serves blended and hot caffeinated options alongside a daily rotation of sweets like blueberry crumble pie and oatmeal raisin cookies. For those working remotely or looking for a retreat from the heat outside, get comfortable in one of the cafe’s leather couches and take advantage of the peaceful space. The neighborhood/area The Verandah is located on Antigua’s more remote east coast. A neighboring attraction, Devil’s Bridge, can be reached via car in under ten minutes. The limestone arches here formed by eroded seawater are a nice place to stop and witness one of Antigua’s many natural wonders– including a particularly stunning sunset. Antigua is home to some 365 beaches, and it would be a shame to miss visiting some. Popular options include the crystal clear waters of Half Moon Bay and Ffryes beach on the Caribbean Ocean side of the island. For a lesson on the island’s history, Betty’s Hope, a former sugarcane plantation that fueled Antigua’s economy and wealth through the forced labor of enslaved Africans now features a small museum and a restoration project to preserve what remains of a windmill and other complexes. The service Service is friendly and laid back. Staff is readily available to help with any questions or assist in navigating the large property. There are a number of games on the beach and activities like water aerobics led by enthusiastic team members. Eco effort All accommodations sit on post-and-pier foundations that minimize the damage to the surrounding grounds and allow indigenous plants to thrive. Solar water heaters power each room, and aerators are used in most faucets and shower heads to promote water conservation. An on-property water treatment plant treats wastewater and provides clean water recycling for irrigation-an important feature as Antigua sees little rainfall. Also very cool to note: Antigua and Barbuda was the first country in the Caribbean to ban single-use plastic bags." - Kris Michelle