Luxury. What does that really mean? For some, it’s the feel of crisp hotel sheets and a champagne welcome. For others, it’s the adrenaline of a helicopter ride over an endless stretch of turquoise sea. Or maybe it's the kind of quiet luxury where time slows down and the only decision you have to make all day is whether to swim before breakfast or after.
At Hermitage Bay in Antigua, it’s all of that. And somehow, more.
This boutique, all-inclusive resort, tucked away on the island’s southwest coast, is the kind of place that reshapes your idea of what a luxury holiday can be. It's intimate without being stuffy, secluded without feeling cut off, and designed to let the island's jaw-dropping natural beauty do all the talking.
The rooms at Hermitage Bay deserve a moment of their own, because honestly, mine was the highlight of my trip. There are 30 rooms and three kinds to choose from: Garden Suites, Beachfront Suites, and the ultra-private Hillside Pool Suites. I stayed in one of the hillside rooms, carved into the face of a lush green cliff, and I’m still not sure I’ve fully recovered. Think, your own private infinity pool spilling into endless ocean views, a huge wraparound terrace perfect for morning coffees and deep sunset thoughts, a canopy bed that could fit an entire friend group (not that I shared), his-and-hers sinks (mine and also mine, because solo trip luxury), an outdoor shower, and a freestanding bathtub you could disappear into. Plus, a mini-bar in the room that is restocked daily, aka my kind of luxury.
Instagram content
The design is totally open-plan, so you're wrapped in sea breeze and birdsong at all times, but so cleverly laid out that you never feel exposed. It was my own little oasis, the kind of place where I found myself doing actual deep thinking and reconnecting with myself. When I got home, I changed my lock screen to a picture of my terrace and painted a watercolour of the view that now hangs beside my bed. I look at it when I’m feeling anxious, and it brings me straight back to the quiet introspection that brought me so much peace.
Oh, and the best bit? I never once walked to my room. Hermitage Bay’s buggies zipped me up and down the hillside like royalty. No sweaty climbs here, and frankly, it was a level of spoiled I aspire to maintain.
Hermitage Bay is the rare kind of place that delivers whatever version of luxury you're craving that day. Feeling adventurous? I hopped on a helicopter (casual) to the neighbouring island of Barbuda, a speck of paradise just 20 minutes away. We touched down near Princess Diana Beach (yes, the Princess Diana Beach), home to powdery white sands and waters so clear they look Photoshopped.
TikTok content
There, we had an off-menu lunch at Nobu Barbuda, perched right on the beach, where platters of the freshest sushi I’ve ever tasted just kept on coming. Our amazing chefs, Sara Diaz Martinez and José Sánchez Fajardo, came out to meet us and talked us through each dish with so much passion. It made the whole experience feel even more special, totally unique and unrepeatable. Fun fact: we sat at Robert De Niro’s favourite table in the restaurant and I was in the seat he had eaten at the day before. If the seat had any residual Hollywood magic on it, I’m still waiting for it to kick in…
For adrenaline junkies, the helicopter ride was luxury of a whole different kind. We zipped over waters so clear we could spot turtles paddling along, and even flew over Hermitage Bay. I waved at my suite like a proud mum. Sometimes luxury isn’t a plush robe; it’s a front-row seat to the most incredible views you’ve ever seen.
Back at Hermitage, I balanced out the buzz with a massage in their cliffside spa, tucked between tropical trees and sea breezes. Sharon, my therapist, had the calmest aura I’ve ever experienced, it felt like a complete spiritual reset. If you’re idea of luxury is a wellness retreat, this is where you find it.
Antigua itself is something special. It's one of the Caribbean's friendliest hubs, bustling yet somehow never overwhelming. Nearly every local I met, whether at the resort or out exploring, was from a neighbouring island - St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada - making Antigua a true melting pot of Caribbean culture. Unlike some destinations, it never felt like the island had been designed just for tourists. It felt shared, alive, and genuinely welcoming.
One of the things I loved most? You can’t privately own a beach in Antigua. That means every single beach, even the ones you might think are resort-only, are free for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. It gave my stay an extra layer of contentment, knowing I wasn’t taking something away from the community by being there. I was just lucky enough to share it for a little while.
The restaurant at Hermitage Bay serves a daily-changing seasonal menu, spotlighting fresh island ingredients. This adds to that feeling of uniqueness, knowing that what you eat today may be gone tomorrow - it encouraged me to try any and everything that took my fancy. You can dine in their main ocean front restaurant, taking in views of the beach, or there’s the beach club for livelier lunches and light bites. You can also get snacks brought over poolside so you don’t have to sacrifice tanning time, and the beach ‘Tree Bar’ is a gorgeous bar built around a cascading tree.
We also ventured out a few times, laughing through a rum-making class and dining at The Fox House, a brilliant local spot bursting with seasonal dishes. On another day, we chartered a yacht cruise stocked with Nobu sushi, stopping to swim off secluded beaches as the sky turned burnt orange and pink.
Instagram content
If you think Caribbean luxury has to mean "sit still on a beach and sip piña coladas," Hermitage Bay will change your mind. It's fun, it's glamorous, and it’s full of life. It’s like if Marbella had a love child with the Caribbean, laidback but with just the right amount of buzz. It’s what happens when every kind of luxury comes together in one place: adventure, tranquillity, incredible food, jaw-dropping nature, and soul-soothing moments you’ll carry with you long after you leave.
Whether you're looking for a spa retreat, a gourmet getaway, a thrill-seeking adventure, or just a place to finally, truly relax, this corner of Antigua wraps it all up in the most beautiful bow.
All-inclusive rates start from £2,230/night, for reservations and more information, please visit hermitagebay.com.
