The Caribbean has always been a favourite for luxury family holidays but for us, Antigua consistently gets the top prize for its all-round family offering with 5-star holiday experiences for every age. Following her recent family holiday with her two-year-old, George gives us the inside scoop on all things Antigua when it comes to planning a family getaway.
Antigua as a luxury family holiday destination
Why would you recommend Antigua for a luxury family holiday?
Antigua is a brilliant destination for luxury family holidays. It’s easily accessible from the UK via direct flights from most major airports, 8 hours there and 7 hours on the way back. Once you’re there, you’re guaranteed beautiful beaches and a decent chance of good weather throughout. On arrival at the airport, most of Antigua’s family hotels and resorts are just a short transfer away, which is so important when travelling with tired little ones and as tired parents! The beaches are calm, with gently lapping waves, perfect swimming conditions for all ages.
Luxury family hotels & resorts in Antigua
What are your top three Antigua luxury family hotel recommendations?
Blue Waters Resort & Spa, Carlisle Bay Luxury Resort and Curtain Bluff Hotel.
Which airline would you fly with & how long is the transfer to your favourite family resorts?
BA fly six days a week from London Gatwick and Virgin fly three times a week during the high season from London Heathrow (and once a week from May- November), so depending on which airport is more convenient and your dates, these are the two I’d recommend. To Blue Waters, the transfer is 15 minutes and to Curtain Bluff and Carlisle Bay, 35 minutes.
If you had to choose one luxury hotel in Antigua for families of infants/toddlers/littles, which would you recommend, and which room would you book?
For those travelling with young ones, Carlisle Bay would get my vote. The main reason is that this resort is all on one level so no steps – this was a huge benefit for us, travelling with a toddler. In terms of room type, I’d recommend the Beach Terrace Suite which has one master bedroom, an open plan living area, plus a smaller bedroom which could be arranged with two single beds. The extra space and privacy mean a family of up to four could be easily accommodated and the terrace area leads out straight onto the beach.
If you had to choose one luxury Antigua hotel for families of teens, which would you recommend and what facilities do they have?
I would recommend either Carlisle Bay Resort or Curtain Bluff Hotel as they both have great locations for kids of all ages and the activities are abundant in terms of all those expected from a luxury family resort, especially watersports. Curtain Bluff also offers basketball, squash and pickleball. At Curtain Bluff, they are happy to accommodate two adults and two teenagers in a Junior Suite (teens in the living area) however if budget permits, two interconnecting Junior Suites would be a lot more comfortable.
Best ways to get around & car hire in Antigua
Would you hire a car in Antigua or book day trips from the hotel?
As we were travelling with our toddler, we didn’t hire a car however if he was older, I would have wanted to get out and explore more. You don’t necessarily need to rent a car though, most of the resorts run shuttles or can organise drivers for you. If you are staying at the southern end of the island, I’d recommend visiting Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour and Shirley Heights – they have a party every Sunday which is famous for local food, drinks and live music.
Top things to do & dining for families in Antigua
What are your top three recommendations for luxury family excursions in Antigua beyond the southern hot spots?
- A private or group catamaran cruise tour for the day
- A horse-riding excursion
- The rainforest zipline! Only for children 4yrs and up
Does Antigua offer food options for all ages? Where was your favourite meal?
Most of the resorts offer all-inclusive meal packages and an array of cuisines on their menus which works well for children. My favourite meal was at EAST at Carlisle Bay Resort.
Finally, what is your top tip for travelling on holiday to Antigua with children?
Pay for the meet and greet at Antigua airport! It’s £47 per person and you avoid the long immigration queues which can be a lot for everyone after the 8-hour flight – it was a lifesaver with a 2-year-old!
Overall, if you’re looking for a luxury family holiday in the Caribbean, Antigua is the perfect holiday destination for families with children of all ages. With plenty of sunshine, fantastic beaches and activities to keep the kids entertained all day long, Antigua’s the holiday of a lifetime.
For more information on luxury family holidays to the Caribbean or to speak to George about a bespoke quote, please contact our team today.
