Antigua is a classic Caribbean destination, lined with palm-fringed beaches of white sand, and adored by sailors since the days of Horatio Nelson. Accommodation options are wide-ranging, with everything from simple guesthouses to indulgent luxury resorts, suited to a whole host of budgets. Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic escape, a fun-filled family holiday or an active break with friends, the best places to stay in Antigua promise heaps of Caribbean charm and easy access to spellbinding beaches, verdant hills and intriguing heritage buildings.

Some of our Antigua Collections:

• The Best All Inclusive Hotels in Antigua
• The Best Family Hotels in Antigua
• The Best Luxury Hotels in Antigua
• The Best Honeymoon Hotels in Antigua
• The Best Hotels on the Beach in Antigua

If this is your first time to the island, consider staying in St John’s, Antigua’s capital. Expect a plethora of cafés, bars and restaurants, as well as great shopping and a vibrant evening scene. Culture aficionados will adore visiting the impressive Baroque cathedral, excellent museums and historic monuments. There are wonderful nearby beaches, too, including the two-kilometre stretch of Runaway Beach, lined with its own beach bars, eateries and good value hotels. Both places are bustling: great for sociable travellers, rather than tranquil hideaway-types who will prefer the quiet coves of the west coast, punctuated only by the thriving marina at Jolly Harbour.

In fitting with its long sailing history, Antigua’s other big draw is English Harbour, where Nelson once based his navy. Lively, friendly and a little bit glitzy, this is a firm favourite with travellers in search of colonial charm and nautically-inspired hotels — as well as anyone arriving on their own yacht. The town’s highlights include Nelson’s Dockyard, a beautifully preserved Georgian marina, eighteenth-century forts, and some gorgeous secluded beaches with coral reefs perfect for snorkelling and diving. Slightly more low-key Falmouth sits just along the cove, ideal for laid-back couples.

For expansive resorts, look to Dickenson Bay, a long crescent of pale sand with fantastic water-sports offerings and a fun vibe. Families and hikers, on the other hand, will enjoy sheltered St Mary, where the calm waters are ideal for little ones to swim, and the surrounding hills make for fabulous jungle walks, panoramic views and fascinating wildlife-spotting. If you’re into windsurfing and kitesurfing, head to the Atlantic beaches of Long Island and Nonsuch Bay, on the eastern side, where the best breezes blow. The island’s first sugar plantation, at Betty’s Hope, is nearby and well worth visiting. Antigua is a hugely popular Christmas and New Year destination — though it’s fairly busy throughout the year, too. Book your trip well in advance to guarantee a room at one of the best places to stay in Antigua!

The Best Places to Stay on Antigua

For Barefoot Luxury

• Jumby Bay Island is amongst the Caribbean's most exclusive destinations. Set on a private island slightly north of Antigua, 40 extravagant suites and villas are scattered across 300 acres, perfect for couples or families. Navigate the island by bicycle or golf cart, explore the farm and sugar mill, or kick back on the beach. With sociable Caribbean barbecues, indulgent candlelit dinners, morning yoga, a rejuvenating spa, a fun kids club and the chance to help with the island's turtle conservation project, there's something here for everyone.
• Hammock Cove is a chic, five-star resort close to Wilkies and the Devil’s Bridge National Park. Contemporary sea-facing villas have beautiful interiors, with vaulted ceilings, hardwood furnishings and plunge pools. Enjoy myriad water-sports from the private beach, a superb spa and a great gym. Highlights include the fabulous restaurant, guided nature walks and lively events programme. Very luxurious.
• Hermitage Bay promises an opulent escape for couples and honeymooners, or families with teenage children. 30 suites and villas are hidden amidst the lush jungle of the hillside, overlooking a pristine stretch of white, west coast sand. Come for the fabulous sense of privacy, the top-notch food — there's a daily-changing menu — and the chance to really indulge. Evenings have a fun, cocktail-party atmosphere.
• Curtain Bluff sits at the tip of a south-western peninsula, with Caribbean and Atlantic beaches — best admired from its 72 idyllic rooms and suites. Stay on the ground floor for direct access to the sand, or hide away on the hillside and gaze out at the ocean from your own infinity pool. This is an all-inclusive resort with all the trimmings, including tennis courts, sailing, snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing, cooking classes, and an ever-changing menu of daily specialities. The charming Caribbean-style decor and the gourmet fare are a big draw.

For Couples

• The Great House features just eight elegant suites, perfect for an intimate couples' getaway or tranquil honeymoon. An historic sugar plantation tucked amidst verdant gardens, this adults-only spot specialises in farm-to-table cuisine, superb spa treatments and creative retreats. Think writing workshops, painting masterclasses and yoga in a secluded heritage setting. Quiet, charming and romantic.
• Galley Bay is an adults-only beach resort, offering 98 rooms and suites set along a lovely lagoon on Antigua's west coast. The property's size means that activities — from scuba lessons to cooking classes and catamaran cruises — are plentiful, but the length of the beach ensures that there's still lots of privacy. Book a suite with a private plunge pool and treat yourself to a soothing massage at the excellent spa. Expect cracking food and cocktails, too. All inclusive and ideal for laid-back couples.
• The Inn at English Harbour is a charming beachfront gem, with 28 rooms and suites featuring period furnishings, mahogany four-posters and superb sea views. Unwind on the private beach, hit the tennis courts, paddle around the heated pool, or head to the gym and spa before kicking back in the chic Italian restaurant. A pretty, elegant spot within easy reach of all the English Harbour action and attractions.
• Keyonna Beach Resort is a collection of rustic beach cabins set on the white sands and clear waters of Turner's Beach. Pick this place for its intimate, laid-back feel, with just 20 adults-only rooms and cabins and an adults-only policy. Book a cabin for your own private plunge pool, enjoy restorative treatments at the Balinese spa, and feast on fresh seafood at the beachside restaurant. A super-chilled hideaway.
• Sugar Ridge is a sophisticated hillside resort with breathtaking ocean views. The most generous of the 60 rooms and suites feature plunge pools and large terraces, there's a plethora of wonderful treatments at the island's only Aveda Concept spa, and two gourmet restaurants for romantic dinners. With yoga classes, hiking, biking and rum distillery tours available, this is a fun boutique pick for active couples.
• The Hawksbill Hotel is a relaxed, adult-only spot in a secluded part of Antigua. Its 111 simple rooms, villas and chalets are dotted amongs the lush tropical forest, and there are four private beaches — including the island's only naturist beach. Great for cycling, kayaking, sailing and kicking back on your private terrace — also excellent value!

For Families

• Nonsuch Bay, on Antigua's eastern coast, is a contemporary seafront spot with a spectacular clifftop infinity pool, as well as 42 cottages, apartments and villas — perfect for families. The accommodation is self-catering, but the hotel also offers excellent cuisine. You can unwind on the private beach and hit the spa, but it’s the watersports facilities that really stand out. Think sailing lessons, keel boating, snorkelling, raft building and excursions to nearby Green Island. A family-friendly pick with a chic, Mediterranean vibe.
• The Verandah Resort & Spa is a relaxed, all-inclusive beach resort near the Devil’s Bridge National Park. It’s big, with 200 suites and villas, but that means stacks of facilities and activities for guests of all ages, including a cinema, tennis courts, mini-golf, water-sports and marine excursions. The kids club has a great programme of events, and there's space for everyone in the two-bedroom cottages with plunge pools. Very reasonably priced and appealing for active families.
• Blue Waters promises 67 splendid rooms, suites and cottages just five miles from St Johns and the airport. Think white-on-white interiors with Italian tiles and sea-facing balconies, as well as heaps of space for families. Everyone will adore the three beach areas, multiple pools, tennis courts, yoga, water-sports and four eateries. Plus grown-ups can hide away at the spa whilst the little ones are at the kids club or the crèche. Stylish and family-friendly.
• Carlisle Bay is a sublime south coast resort with a smart, country club feel, ideal for honeymooners or active families. Expect 82 lavish rooms and suites with hammocks, big bathrooms and sea views, as well as a beautiful pool, nine tennis courts, a superb spa and four restaurants. Kids will love the cinema room, bike tours, family-focused beach areas and ample activities. There's a dedicated stretch of beach for grown-ups, too! Chic and understated, the property's setting, under coconut trees in a sheltered bay, makes it very special.

For Great Value

• Dickenson Bay Cottages is a collection of one and two-bedroom villas a few minutes north of St. John's. Expect bright, tropical decor, fragrant gardens with a shared pool, and a laid-back atmosphere. The cottages are self-catering and comfortable, and there are some great restaurants within walking distance. You can stroll to the beach, too. A great value choice for couples or families.
• The Anchorage Inn sits just minutes from one of Antigua's best beaches. Family-run and relaxed, this yellow-painted property offers an outdoor pool, large gardens and space for large families. Simple, affordable and close to lots of the main sights — as well as a great water-sports centre.
• Admiral's Inn is a characterful 19-room harbour hotel, perfect for sailors and history buffs. Think exposed beams, wooden floors and four-poster beds, as well as a sunny terrace overlooking Nelson's Dockyard and a waterfront restaurant. Stay here to experience Antigua's history — and to watch boats bobbing in the harbour from the swimming pool. Excellent value.

For an Apartment or Villa

• If you'd prefer a self-catering option, we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel information

• Fly to VC Bird International Airport, a major Caribbean airport with excellent connections across Europe and North America. Most hotels will be happy to arrange an airport transfer in advance. There are taxis and car hire options at the airport, as well as regular buses — though you can expect to make frequent stops and slow progress if you choose to hop aboard! Cruise ships dock at St John’s.
• Antigua is perfect for exploring by road! Contact our online partner Rentalcars if you would like to hire a car.
• Set close to the equator, Antigua experiences less seasonal change than many of its Caribbean neighbours — and it's also less humid. Expect temperatures of around 28°C from December to March (peak season). The hurricane season — best avoided — runs from June to November. Outside those months, you can expect lots of sunshine. Travel outside school holidays if you're looking for a tranquil getaway and great hotel deals.

Still not sure?

• Explore our list of all the best places to stay in Barbuda, the other half of this island nation?
• Or refine your search to just the best hotels on the beach in Antigua?
• Alternatively, you could expand your search to see our pick of the best places to stay in the Caribbean.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Antigua