Blue Waters Resort & Spa

Antigua, Caribbean

Virgin rating

The hotel

This is a truly superb recently refreshed hotel with elegant surroundings, outstanding service and an enviable location on two white sand beaches lapped by gentle aqua waves, epitomising the Caribbean fantasy. The 17 tropical acres of gardens are beautifully tended and each of the buildings is romantically draped with brightly coloured bougainvillea — just adding to the delightful ambience. There's plenty to do during the day and you'll no doubt be tempted on to the beach by one of a generous array of water sports. Table tennis is popular and there's an 18-hole golf course 5 minutes away. Wind down in the evening (if you haven't done so already!) with a delicious coconut crush — liberally splashed with local rum — while you watch pelicans dive and swoop for their meals. Your dinner can be taken at one of the hotel's gourmet restaurants, complimented with an excellent Claret from the wine list. An amazing holiday experience.

Amenities

  • Hobie Cats
  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Snorkelling
  • Tennis
  • Windsurfing
  • Yoga
  • Honeymoon
  • Wedding
  • Bar
  • Evening Entertainment
  • Fitness Centre/Gym

Where is it

Located in historic Soldiers Bay on two white sandy beaches at the northwest tip of the island. Transfer time from airport: 15 minutes.

Hotel information

85 luxury rooms, villas, and suites on 2 floors with no lifts. All with private patio or balcony (most with sea views), air-conditioning, ceiling fan, complimentary WiFi access, satellite TV, alarm/clock radio, tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-bar or fridge, safe, iron and ironing board, bathrobes, bathroom amenities, and hairdryer. 

Deluxe Beachfront Rooms are just steps from the white sand beach, featuring bathrooms with separate shower enclosure and free standing bath, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 child (on a rollaway bed).

All Inclusive of: all meals, some premium-brand drinks, house wines and mini-bar items. Sundowner service at Veronica’s bar (includes cocktails and hors d'oeuvres from 5:00pm-7:00pm each evening). All activities unless stated, including daily activities programme.

Please note: the All Inclusive programme is available from 3:00pm on the day of arrival and until 12:00pm on the day of departure. If you want to dine outside of these times, you can do this and charge to your account.

Luxury Suites are on the 2nd floor with balcony and 1 king-size bed, with doors separating the lounge area which can accommodate either a queen-size bed or rollaway bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 3 children (with 3 rollaway beds).

Pelican House is a 3-bedroom villa which has a shared pool with 2 neighbouring villas, featuring views over Soldier's Bay and private beach access, kitchen, living room, outdoor and indoor dining area, and concierge service. Each 3-bedroom villa sleeps maximum 7 adults, or 6 adults and 4 children.

Turtle Cottage is a luxury 4-bedroom villa with views overlooking the Caribbean Sea, secluded sunbathing areas, private pool fully equipped kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining areas, and concierge service. Each of the 4 bedrooms has a king-size bed and en suite, sleeping maximum 9 adults, or 8 adults and 4 children.

Rock Cottage spans 2,000 sq ft and overlooks the Caribbean sea, with beach inspired dècor, living area, kitchen and private pool overlooking the ocean, as well as concierge service. Sleeps maximum 9 adults and 3 children.

The Palm Restaurant (open daily for à la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner), The Cove Restaurant (open on a rotation basis during the evening for à la carte dinner, combining Caribbean and French cuisine), The Reef (serving light lunch and drinks). Pelican Bar (adjacent to the lobby). Veronica's (poolside bar serving drinks throughout the day, as well as sundowner cocktails and antipasti).

Daytime activities and live evening entertainment most days.

7 swimming pools (4 exclusively for Cove Suites guests), Jacuzzi. Spa* with Elemis & ila treatments. Salon*. Fitness centre. Tennis. Table tennis. Pool table. Water sports centre offering sailing, paddle boarding, windsurfing, kayaking (safari tours included), Hobie Cat sailing, and snorkelling. Yoga. Pilates. Aqua aerobics. Walking and garden tours. Games room (children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult). Blue Waters Kids Club is open all year round, with a wide range of activities available for children ages 5-12 years (Monday-Friday).

Complimentary WiFi access. Room service*. Babysitting available* (reservations required). Gift shop. Laundry service*. Complimentary self-parking.

Please note: a government room levy of $5 per guest, per night applies to guests aged 6 years and above (payable locally, subject to change).

7 nights between 27 Dec-1 Jan.

10 nights between 22-26 Dec. 

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: families booking the Deluxe room category with children under 12 will be allocated ground floor rooms.

Dress code: when wearing wet swimwear, you are requested to use outdoor terraces for dining and cocktails. In the interest of safety, children require footwear at all times. In the evening, all restaurants are smart casual - this includes tailored shorts and collard shirts (including polo shirts).

Please note: this hotel may be unsuitable for guests with mobility restrictions as there are steps around the grounds and down to the beach.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1966)
  • Very good (388)
  • Average (107)
  • Poor (55)
  • Terrible (25)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Home from home and d more

Nov 30, 2024 sarahchick70 Cambridge, United Kingdom

We have just returned from our sixth visit to Blue Waters and have already booked to return. From the moment you arrive you feel relaxed and at home. The staff greet you like old friends and cannot do enough for you. You arrive to a cold towel and welcome drink served with a smile. The whole resort is well presented and the gardens are immaculate… Read more
We have just returned from our sixth visit to Blue Waters and have already booked to return. From the moment you arrive you feel relaxed and at home. The staff greet you like old friends and cannot do enough for you. You arrive to a cold towel and welcome drink served with a smile. The whole resort is well presented and the gardens are immaculate and a peaceful haven to walk around and admire. There are plenty of seats / benches to relax and enjoy the sun or shade when the sun is at its peak. There is good entertainment every night which finishes at a reasonable hour so you can get a good nights rest, ready to start the new day. There are 3 restaurants with great food and we stayed 2 weeks and never had the same dish twice as there is so much variety. As you will see from the great reviews already published, the staff are the main asset to this resort and we echo this. Pearle, Adrian, Steven, Dera, Sparkel, Tremaine, Ryan the list goes on and on. The staff are amazing and cannot do enough to make your holiday the best you could wish for! A special mention must be given to Nicole who is an amazing manager and works tirelessly to make your holiday dreams come true and always has a smile for you whatever the time of day. Working in a public facing industry ourselves we understand how hard the hospitality industry is, long hours, hard work, people moaning when the sun is not out etc etc. but the Blue Waters staff go above and beyond to make your holiday the best it can be and always greet you by your name and with a smile. Many guests return year after year and we are asked - why return, there are so many places in the world to visit- we always answer, nowhere we have ever visited makes us relax as we walk through the door, forget our troubles and stresses, feel like family and makes us smile from the moment we arrive to the moment we leave. The island is magical and Blue Waters is the dream Resort. We cannot wait to return to our Blue waters family and we wish them all a very happy festive period and a prosperous new year. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing

Nov 24, 2024 Rent Rent Rent L

Just returned from a first-time trip to the Carribean at Blue Waters and we will return! The staff are so genuinely friendly, nothing was too much trouble and there is a real family feel about the place. The staff have a great vibe which shows its a great place to work and we met quite a few people who have been multiple times. I'm not sure of the… Read more
Just returned from a first-time trip to the Carribean at Blue Waters and we will return! The staff are so genuinely friendly, nothing was too much trouble and there is a real family feel about the place. The staff have a great vibe which shows its a great place to work and we met quite a few people who have been multiple times. I'm not sure of the capacity but we never experienced an issue getting a lounger, bar space, restaurant table etc. The place is big enough to swallow all the guests and at times feels really intimate and quiet. Sadly our room was flooded due to a burst pipe from above and within minutes we had the resort manger and a team of helpers who moved rooms. They sorted anything wet and got us into an upgraded room for the last night. No-ones fault and was handled professionally and swiftly with offers to dry the few things that we affected. Thanks Blue Waters! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Top Resort in Antigua

Nov 23, 2024 Aslam_Sherif London, United Kingdom

We had two Cove suites on the first floor. The view from the balcony during the morning and evening was really stunning. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and had a really good times. The beach is incredible and all the restaurants very good. Our very spacious very exceptional. All the staffs were very friendly and always attentive. I used the… Read more
We had two Cove suites on the first floor. The view from the balcony during the morning and evening was really stunning. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and had a really good times. The beach is incredible and all the restaurants very good. Our very spacious very exceptional. All the staffs were very friendly and always attentive. I used the gym facility every day which was very useful to stay fit. I would definitely recommend this resort to family. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Relaxing couples holiday. Not for those that like entertainment

Nov 15, 2024 Knightkaye Sunbury-On-Thames, United Kingdom

Some nice touches. Cold towels at lunch time at The reef. Staff generally pleasant and helpful. Resort well kept in general, gardens and surroundings worked on daily. We stayed for 2 weeks. The menu choices are very limited to only 2 restaurants open each evening one of which menu doesn't change just a special of the day that changes. Towels not… Read more
Some nice touches. Cold towels at lunch time at The reef. Staff generally pleasant and helpful. Resort well kept in general, gardens and surroundings worked on daily. We stayed for 2 weeks. The menu choices are very limited to only 2 restaurants open each evening one of which menu doesn't change just a special of the day that changes. Towels not always replenished in the rooms and toiletries not refilled... If you want a long beach this is not the one for you! This resort is on its own away from any shops/bars/restaurants. Actually missed having a buffet style breakfast to choose what to have - you have to order. Beware - after we checked out the charge for lunch was over $100 us. For a sandwich and burger with 2 soft drinks and 2 beers, considering the cost of the holiday i think this was not necessary. Attention to detail in the rooms could be better. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Relaxed, chilled paradise

Nov 12, 2024 AnnaBev70 York, United Kingdom

This hotel is everything you’d want from a 5* Caribbean resort - relaxed glamour!! We were lucky to get an upgrade on our room which was a lovely surprise. The Cove suites are spacious, beautifully appointed and the view is stunning. There is everything you’d wish for and want. The bed is incredibly comfortable, with quality bed linen. The… Read more
This hotel is everything you’d want from a 5* Caribbean resort - relaxed glamour!! We were lucky to get an upgrade on our room which was a lovely surprise. The Cove suites are spacious, beautifully appointed and the view is stunning. There is everything you’d wish for and want. The bed is incredibly comfortable, with quality bed linen. The bathroom is also large with a great and constantly hot shower/water. Very welcome after a day lounging in the sun. There is an abundance of soft, fluffy towels, both bathroom and beach - one thing to note is the hairdryer wasn’t great - I’ve got thin hair and it took ages so it maybe worth bringing your own if you have a thick head of hair. The venue itself is like a great, leafy haven - so many plants, trees and flowers everywhere. The staff are amazing and very good at their roles - Pearl, Sparkle, Dan and Rocky to name but a few are just lovely people - cheerful, attentive and smiley - Antiguans are genuinely happy, kind people which made our holiday. All the many staff are a credit to the hotel and make it the place it is. Excellent on all fronts. Food on the whole is good thou we had a couple of not so good experiences too. Breakfast is delicious with plenty of cold and hot choices. The Reef is popular for lunch and the food is really yummy with a varied choice of dishes in a lovely setting overlooking the bay. The Palm is where breakfast is held and you can have lunch/ dinner there too. We didn’t have lunch but did go for dinner several times. A small menu (that’s a positive) the food was delicious, attractively plated and portions were just right. A relaxed ambience which is why we enjoyed going there. We struggled a bit with the Cove - this is clearly meant to be the more formal restaurant but neither the food or service lived up to expectations and it just didn’t feel right. The staff struggled when it was busy, the food wasn’t great quality and it lacked atmosphere and ambience. We did try Papa Zouk which the hotel arranged for us, we would recommend going especially for the Red Snapper. We also experienced one of the boat rides - so worth it - Dan and Rocky were spot on, we had a great day out seeing other parts of the island. We went all inclusive which on the whole was good but the quality of some of the drinks especially the wines etc were not great quality which was a shame especially as I would think the clientele would expect better. Also, we didn’t realise that the all inclusive stops at 12 noon the day you leave. Not a deal breaker for us as we were leaving at 2pm but for some other guests who weren’t leaving until the end of the day, this does feel a little mean spirited and not the best lasting impression of a fabulous hotel. All in all we were thoroughly impressed with the hotel, we loved our stay and everything about it and hope to return next year. One final comment - Julia and the other GM’s are very professional, thoughtful and lovely to deal with. Just brilliant!! Read less