Antigua is an idyllic location for a couples holiday with 365 pristine beaches, romantic excursions, luxurious hotel accommodation and unique, secluded holiday rental properties. Days can be spent relaxing by an infinity pool or snorkelling off the shore from a white sand beach. At night indulge in well seasoned fresh fish from a waterfront restaurant, cook a special dinner at home or dance beneath the stars.
British Airways' economy flights from London to Antigua can be snapped up for less than £600 depending on the time of year. Premium Economy flights though more expensive, offer passengers a little more comfort, include airport lounge passes and a welcome glass of bubbles on boarding the aircraft.
Accommodation in Antigua
To help you decide on the type of accommodation that may be best for you, ask yourself a few questions...
If your preference is to stay at a resort, do you wish to be within an adults only or family friendly one?
Do you like to be around other people or stay largely within your own company?
Do you like to prepare some meals at home or have a 'cooking free' holiday?
Do you intend on spending lots of time exploring the island or are you expecting a more relaxed getaway?
Now that you have considered the above, here are some top recommendations of where to stay as a couple when visiting Antigua.
1. Privately owned holiday rentals for couples
Holiday rental properties are ideal for those who largely like to keep within their own company, spending quality time together without following a schedule. They offer freedom and flexibility, having meals at times that suit you and exploring the island at leisure. Renting a property is a way to live like a local and put money back into the local community. It can also be a more cost effective way of travelling overseas.
Here are three highly recommended holiday rental properties for couples, a brand new, spacious studio apartment at Johnson's Point, a rural studio in Crabbe Hill Village and a luxury one bed cottage in Bay Gardens.
Brand new studio apartment for rent at Johnson's Point
This brand new, eco-friendly studio with fully equipped kitchen and sumptuous four poster bed, has been carefully designed to create an environment where couples can disconnect from the busyness of everyday life and rejuvenate. Tucked into a hillside on the south western coast of Antigua, its rural, elevated position offers uninterrupted sea views and a chance to reconnect with nature. Stroll hand in hand early morning along deserted white sand beaches and spend early evenings settled on the verandah with a glass of wine, watching a glorious sunset. For a romantic day trip, book a power boat tour of the island from Jolly Harbour and lunch Robinson Crusoe style on an uninhabited island. At night, prepare a romantic meal at home or take a short drive to one of the island's most intimate dining spots, Sheer Rocks.
Reasons to come here as a couple...
Rural location
Walking distance to stunning beaches
Four poster bed
Verandah with loungers, table and chairs and far reaching views of Montserrat
Ocean views and incredible sunsets
Close to excellent restaurants
Close to Jolly Harbour
Click on the link to read more about the studio apartment, check prices and availability.
Studio apartment for rent at Crabbe Hill Village
A rural retreat where you can escape the stresses of everyday life. The studio accommodation is beneath a family home in the heart of Crabbe Hill Village on Antigua's South West coast. On waking, pick fruit for breakfast from plants and trees surrounding the property, perhaps watermelon, papaya, plums or banana. After, cross the road to Crabbe Hill beach, one of the best on the island. Wander along the long stretch of powdery white sand and swim in the turquoise hued water. Later relax on a beach lounger (complimentary for residents) or hire a paddleboard or windsurf from Crabbe Hill Beach Rentals at a discounted rate. Evenings can be spent watching a golden sunset from the terrace with your favourite tipple, cooking a delicious meal on the bbq and lighting the chiminea before cosying up on the day bed under the night sky.
Reasons to come here as a couple...
To reconnect with nature
Romantic evenings under the stars
Beach walks
Close to restaurants
Sea views
Incredible sunsets
Click on the link to read more about the studio apartment, check prices and availability.
1 bed cottage for rent, Hodges Bay
This upscale Caribbean style cottage is located within the gated village complex of Bay Gardens to the North of Antigua, with its cafes, arts and craft market and salon. Set amongst lush gardens, with a private pool, it oozes luxury. The vaulted ceilings throughout enhance the property's sense of space and natural light. Perhaps indulge in a bbq lunch poolside or cook a romantic evening meal from the chef's kitchen and dine alfresco. When it's time to rest, recline to the bedroom with its grand four poster bed. Doors from the bedroom open onto the verandah where you can enjoy a peaceful coffee on waking. Hodges Bay beach, restaurants and a supermarket are close by. Activities such as a private sunset sail and power boat tour with lunch on an uninhabited island can be pre-booked and picked up from Dickenson Bay, just 12 minutes by car.
Reasons to come here as a couple...
Private, village-style location amongst tropical gardens
Swimming Pool
Four poster bed
Chef's kitchen to prepare romantic meals at home
BBQ for poolside meals
Close to Hodges Bay Beach, restaurants and supermarket
Romantic activities close by
Click on the link to read more about the cottage in Hodges Bay, check prices and availability.
2. Large all-inclusive resorts in Antigua
The Royalton & St James's Club
Large all-inclusive resorts as you might expect are usually very busy, popular with couples, families and groups of friends. They tend to be more lively with well run activity and entertainment programs. With food, beverages and activities being included many guests may prefer to stay within the resort rather than spending additional money on excursions and meals out. They can be restrictive in that sense. However, for those who prefer to leave their wallet in the safe, spend time at the pool and beach and have organised things to do throughout the day, it can be the perfect holiday solution. With most costs already having been paid for at the time of booking, it can be a good way to avoid overspending.
For those who wish to explore the island a little more, perhaps consider splitting your time between a hotel and one of the recommended rental properties listed above.
The Royalton Antigua
The luxurious 5* all-inclusive hotel, Royalton Antigua is a popular choice for couples, families and friends. It is positioned on Deep Bay beach on the west coast of the island. Cool, calm turquoise water is framed with white sand and it is the perfect spot to settle with a fruity rum punch at sunset. An extensive activity program runs daily for those who like to keep active. Otherwise take advantage of all the other facilities The Royalton has to offer with its multiple restaurants, pools, bars, a gym, spa and beachfront water sports.
Rooms and suites
At Royalton Antigua the deluxe suites on the upper floors have private balconies whilst the lower floors benefit from swim-out pools. For a particularly romantic stay, couples can book one of the six over-water bungalows jutting out over the Caribbean sea. A host of additional amenities are included such as butler service, an infinity plunge pool and a personal yoga and fitness instructor.
Diamond Club Package
For a more prestigious stay, sign up to the Diamond Club package at the time of booking. Extras include a private pool, designated beach area with bar, butler service and for an additional charge, a romantic candle-lit dinner on the beach. Rooms have an upgraded mini-bar, slippers and robes for ultimate comfort.
Things to do at The Royalton Antigua
Spend days at the beach relaxing, snorkelling, hiring a paddle board or kayak. Maybe indulge in a treatment at the massage cabana or Royal Spa. Stay cool with your loved one at the swim-up pool bar or soothe away stresses in the adjacent jacuzzi. Pool cabanas can be hired for a day allowing you to take a break from the sun, kick back with a drink, watch something on the flat screen TV and then plunge into your own private pool.
Of an evening, after watching a golden sunset from the beach, dine at one of the many restaurants within the resort. As a special treat, book the C/W Culinary Experience - a seven course dining experience complete with cocktail pairing alongside a personal chef. Alternatively watch the evening entertainment from a comfortable lounge chair with your favourite cocktail from the bar, Martini Mix.
Reasons to come to Royalton as a couple:
Romantic candle-lit dinners on the beach
Accommodation with plunge pool
Poolside cabanas
Butler service
Diamond Club with special amenities
Over-water bungalows
Sunsets from the beach
A seven course dining experience
Click on the link to read more about The Royalton Antigua and to check availability or book a stay.
St James's Club
St James's Club is a luxurious, sprawling resort on the south eastern coast of Antigua. Popular with couples, friends and families, it is sandwiched between two stunning beaches, Coco Beach and Mamora Bay. Within the grounds are six swimming pools, tennis courts, a gym and spa. Pavements are palm tree lined and there are wonderful relaxation areas for couples to gaze out over the ocean. Evenings can be spent dining in one of several restaurants, perhaps a fine dining experience at Piccolo Mondo or a themed evening such as Caribbean calypso night at The Docksider.
Rooms and Suites at St James's Club
The spacious rooms and suites are tastefully decorated with mahogany furniture, terracotta tiles and splashes of blue. Some have garden or sea views and for an even more indulgent stay, check out the Royal Suite, with stunning views over the golden sands of Mamora Bay. Residents of these suites have exclusive perks such as their own check-in desk and a private, quiet pool with waterfall.
Why St James's Club is good for couples
2 beautiful beaches
A romantic stay in the Royal Suite with quiet pool and waterfall
Picturesque resort with relaxation areas overlooking the ocean
Dine at Piccolo Mondo for an intimate, fine-dining experience
Visit the spa together and indulge in a luxurious massage in the couples treatment room
Click on the link to read more about St James's Club and to check availability or to book a stay.
3. Compact all-inclusive resort in Antigua
Pineapple Beach Club is an all-inclusive resort on a much smaller plot than Royalton and St James's Club. Fewer restaurants open regularly of an evening in comparison and entertainment at night is more low-key. Due to the size of the resort you are more likely to see the same people daily.
Pineapple Beach Club
Adults only resort, Pineapple Beach Club is located on Long Bay Beach, a stunning stretch of powdery sand with a spectacular sunrise. Situated on the East coast of Antigua on the Atlantic side of the island, the area is protected by a band of coral making it a great place for snorkelling.
Rooms at Pineapple Beach Club
Rooms are comfortable with sumptuous king sized beds, rattan furniture and splashes of pastel hues. The spacious bathrooms are equipped with walk in rainforest showers. On arrival towels are folded in fancy shapes decorated with bougainvillea petals on the bed. Couples and honeymooners looking for something that bit more special may like to consider the Chairman's Suite located on a hilltop. The most spacious of the rooms benefits from three balconies offering panoramic views over the resort.
Things to do
A daily entertainment program operates including an early morning hike to Devil's Bridge National Park. Unwind with your loved one at the relaxation stations within the grounds or by one of the quiet pool areas. Hammocks hang between swaying palm trees and love seats overlook the ocean. On the beachfront, a water sports desk loans out paddle boards, kayaks and catamarans while water hammocks float in the ocean for those who seek something water based and less energetic.
Lunch at Outhouse for a mouth watering bbq on a hillside with far reaching ocean views then at night before the evening entertainment, indulge in an intimate dining experience at Chef Pietro or Pineapple Grill. The latter is lit up at nightfall with candles atop tables set around a sweeping verandah.
Why Pineapple Beach Club is good for couples
Walk along the beach at sunrise
Hammocks in the shade within the gardens
Intimate dining experience at Pineapple Grill
Love seats overlooking the ocean
Floating water hammocks
Chairman's suite with panoramic views over the resort
Evening entertainment
Click on the link to read more about Pineapple Beach Club, to check availability or to book a stay.
4. Self-catering hotels with kitchenette
Self-catering resorts with kitchenettes are ideal for those seeking a balance between a hotel stay, home comforts and flexibility. The hotel provides a private pool for guests, spa facilities, house keeping, a manned reception and security. The living area and kitchenette within the suite allows for some meal preparation at home with flexibility to dine off resort and book excursions at leisure.
Siboney Beach Club Resort
Siboney Beach Club Resort is located in a prime beachfront position on Dickenson Bay, one of Antigua's most popular beaches. It is renowned for its red English telephone box nestled between palm trees, an instagrammable shot for those who visit.
Rooms and Suites at Siboney Beach Club Resort
Siboney's 35 rooms open onto private terraces or balconies. They include standard double rooms and a range of comfortable suites. Deluxe suites benefit from a separate bedroom with king sized bed and a living room with dining area and kitchenette, ideal to have some quality time with some basic meal preparation.
Things to do
By day Siboney's beach host will serve drinks to you while you relax from the comfort of your loungers. To cool down from the hot sun choose between the refreshing turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea or the private swimming pool surrounded by lush greenery, framed with sofas, loungers and hammocks.
For ultimate relaxation book a couples harmony massage at the hotel spa or sign up to a local bbq lunch or sunset sail in a unique boat with a private captain.
Local day trips include a boat tour that circumnavigates Antigua making several memorable stops throughout the day. Another recommended activity is to take part in a cookery class at Nicole's Table, just 10 minutes by car.
At night, dine at Siboney's restaurant, Salt Plage. Listen to the lapping of waves, swishing of palm trees and chirping crickets while dining overlooking the beachfront. On Thursdays a local band with steel pan and keyboard perform well known favourite tunes. An additional menu offers some local Caribbean delights of fried fungee, okra and Antiguan pepperpot soup.
Other restaurants close by for romantic evening meals are Casa Roots, Bayview and the Cove at Blue Waters.
Why Siboney Beach Club is good for couples
Stunning powdery white sand beach
couples harmony massage at the hotel spa
Swimming pool
Kitchenette for flexibility for meals at home
3 memorable day trips close by
Waterfront restaurants nearby
Click on the link to read more about Siboney Beach Club, to check availability or to book a stay.
5. Room only hotels - Admiral's Inn and Copper & Lumber Store
Room only hotels are ideal for those people who wish to stay largely within their own company while having the security within a hotel environment, housekeeping and a manned reception desk. Guests have the freedom and flexibility to dine at the hotel restaurant or elsewhere.
Admiral's Inn
Admiral's Inn is a boutique hotel located within English Harbour's UNESCO World Heritage Site of historic Nelson's Dockyard. It is close to a supermarket, bars, restaurants and two beaches. It is a great base to explore local activities and nightlife.
Rooms and Suites
Admiral's Inn has 23 unique rooms and suites. Within the main building, rooms have been stylishly converted from engineer's offices to guest accommodation with crisp white bedding offset against mahogany furniture. Rooms are without televisions for a digital detox to allow couples to spend quality time together.
By day take the complimentary boat across the harbour to the infinity pool or a little further to lively Galleon beach. This beach has excellent snorkelling opportunities with regular turtle sightings and the beachfront restaurant, Loose Cannon with DJ serves excellent food.
An alternative beach within walking distance is Pigeon Point, much quieter and book-ended between two great dining spots. Bumpkins is a casual cafe serving great cocktails with the best view of the sunset and high end French inspired Catherine's Cafe offers a fine-dining experience alongside regular live music.
Other recommended activities are kayaking from the small beach within the grounds, exploring hiking trails, browsing the dockyard and taking a visit to Shirley Heights for a party with bbq, steel pans and a reggae band. Rum in the Ruins is the place to be on a Friday night for 75 minutes of historic storytelling while sipping rum punch at sunset.
At night, there is a wide choice of restaurants in English Harbour including the hotel's waterfront restaurant, Pillars. Wednesdays are Caribbean themed with an additional menu and steel band while you dine under the stars.
Reasons to stay at Admiral's Inn
Luxurious accommodation
Free shuttle to the infinity pool and hammocks
Couples massage at The Powder Room Spa
Free shuttle to Galleon Beach for snorkelling
Walking distance to Pigeon Point beach
Picturesque setting
Fine dining waterfront restaurant on-site and walking distance to others
Within picturesque Nelson's Dockyard National Park
Close to activities such as Shirley Heights, Rum in the Ruins, Clarence House
Walking trails
Copper & Lumber
Olde-world charm meets modern at historic Copper & Lumber Store, located within the grounds of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nelson's Dockyard. The Georgian building has been sympathetically restored and as the name suggests, it once stored lumber to repair wooden warships and copper, to cover the wood extending its lifespan. The upper floors were used for sailors' sleeping areas.
Rooms and Suites at Copper & Lumber Store
Entering Copper & Lumber Store is like walking into a fairytale. Many of the 14 Georgian and Contemporary Suites have vaulted ceilings, petite balconies, exposed brickwork and touches of brass. Some rooms have views of super yachts and are located around a courtyard with atrium.
Copper & Lumber store is a great choice for couples and honeymooners. They offer packages that include an on-site wedding planner and the location is particularly appealing for wedding photo opportunities.
By day take a boat across the harbour to the slipway for lunch at one of the restaurants or Galleon beach. Pigeon Point is within 15-20 minutes walking distance with restaurants Bumpkins and Catherine's Cafe at either end. It is a special spot to watch the stunning golden sunset from here. Other activities during the day could be swimming with horses, exploring a hiking trail and browsing Nelson's dockyard.
On Sunday or Thursday evenings, pay a visit to Shirley Heights, a former military lookout with bbq party, steel pans and a reggae band.
Rum in the Ruins is the place to be on a Friday night for 75 minutes of historic storytelling while sipping rum punch at sunset followed by dinner at one of the recommended restaurants in English Harbour.
Friday nights, Copper & Lumber Store's restaurant comes alive with tourists and locals for Seafood Friday. The weekly event is one of the most highly rated fish-frys in the whole of the Caribbean. Dishes include grilled lobster, mahi-mahi, crab fritters and seafood pasta.
Couples holidays to Antigua
Each of the properties featured offer couples the chance to escape the stresses of everyday life and rejuvenate. From a secluded rental property, resort or boutique hotel, experience Antigua's beautiful beaches, scenic hiking trails, undulating hills and harbours with super yachts. Or, kick back and do as little or as much as you like from a luxurious all-inclusive beachfront resort with full activity programs. Whatever you decide, discover the charming island of Antigua and spend quality time with your loved one.
Click on the link for some recommendations of things to do for couples in Antigua
Note:Â I will receive a small commission if you make a booking via the Expedia/British Airways/short term rental property links
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If you make any bookings based on my recommendations your contract will be directly with the airline/travel company/hotel/short term rental or activity provider you booked through. I am acting as a referral point only based on information from my most recent visit which may be subject to change at any time. Â