Carlisle Bay

Antigua, Caribbean

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Carlisle Suite
Indigo on the Beach
Spa
Ocean Suite
Coconut Grove
Bay Suite
Library
Carlisle Suite
A video preview image
Carlisle Suite
Indigo on the Beach
Spa
Ocean Suite
Coconut Grove
Bay Suite
Library
Carlisle Suite

The hotel

A natural harbour in the most remote corner of the island, defined by a fine crescent of sand, is straight out of an ideal Caribbean press release. The lush countryside, the warm disposition of the people and genuine hospitality is what distinguishes Antigua from other Caribbean islands. Its turquoise waters are surrounded by emerald green hills and plenty of swaying palms, perfectly framing this all-suite hotel. Guests reap the benefit of the proprietor’s assured taste and magnificent attention to detail, from the lights that illuminate the garden at night, to the abundance of orchids and the custom-made furniture and interiors. Look out for Super Chill Out packages throughout the year; with yoga, water sports, tennis, children’s club, afternoon tea and meals at four tantalising restaurants all included. This is the best way to experience Carlisle Bay!

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Kids Club
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Kayaking
  • Hobie Cats
  • Scuba Diving
  • Snorkelling

Where is it

Nestling on the magnificent undeveloped south coast of Antigua — set in a sweeping bay on a ravishing beach with a backdrop of rolling hills and lush tropical rainforest. Transfer time from Antigua Airport: 30 minutes.

Hotel information

87 spacious, contemporary suites. Cool, calm, luxurious interiors, each with a private balcony or terrace and breath-taking ocean views. Garden Suites are spacious open-planned suites with a large bathroom, steps down to a separate living area and terrace or balcony with tropical garden or partial bay views, with 1 king-size bed sleeping maximum 3 adults, or 2 adults and 1 child.

All Inclusive option: includes full breakfast, three-course lunch at Indigo on the Beach or at the restaurant by the pool, Ottimo!, daily afternoon tea, 3-course dinner from the à la carte menu at Indigo on the Beach, Ottimo! or East restaurant. Drinks including all cocktails, spirits, house wine, beers and soft drinks. Premium spirits and wines are excluded from the fully inclusive rates and may be purchased at an additional charge.

Half Board option: includes 3-course lunch and coffee selected from the à la carte menus at Indigo on the Beach, East, Ottimo! and the Jetty grill (adults only). Does not include beverages.

Ocean Suites have a balcony with views over the gardens to the ocean, with 1 king-size bed sleeping maximum 3 adults (children must be 12 years and older).

Beach Balcony Suites have beach views, master bedroom with 1 king-size bed, and second bedroom with 2 single beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Bay Suites are oceanfront, adult-only suites featuring a four-poster king-sized bed and a beachside location, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Beach Terrace Suites are located with direct access onto the shoreline. All Beach Terrace Suites have a spacious open-plan layout, 1 king-size bed with living area plus an additional second bedroom or study. Some have terraces (ideal for small children), others are with a balcony on a higher floor. Sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Carlisle Suites have large sitting area which extends onto an outdoor terrace, 3 en-suite bedrooms and can sleep maximum 6 adults or 2 adults and 4 children with a central waterfront location. Carlisle Suite A also has a kitchen, and Carlise Suite B has an L-shaped terrace with uniterrupted panoramic views.

  • Bed and breakfast booking bonus: receive up to 35% discount, complimentary upgrade to Half Board, complimentary room upgrade and one child per adult (up to 12 years old) will stay and eat free. Valid for travel dates 4 Jan–19 Dec '21.

    All inclusive booking bonus: stay 6 nights, pay for 5. Receive a complimentary room upgrade and one child per adult (up to 12 years old) will stay and eat free. Valid for travel dates 4 Jan–19 Dec '21.

    Any applicable offers have been calculated into the prices shown.

4 restaurants: Indigo on the Beach serving grills and healthy salads in an informal setting, Pan-Asian cuisine at East. Poolside Ottimo! serves classic Italian fare from a wood-burning oven and the adults-only Jetty Grill serves fresh seafood and salads overlooking the resort’s Jetty and Caribbean Sea.

Swimming pool. CARA Organic Beauty Spa* offers a full and comprehensive spa menu. Yoga and Pilates classes* available in the Garden Pavilion or on The Jetty at sunset (the first class is complimentary). 9 tennis courts with professional tuition upon request* and champagne tennis mixers. PADI dive school*, complimentary non-motorised water sports including snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing and Hobie cats. Boat excursions*. Fitness centre. Screening room with movie nights. Creche*. Cool Kids Club with its own paddling pool, sand pit and jungle gym (2-6 years). Crew Blue activity programme for children 7-12 years, including raft building, five-a-side football, zip-wiring and star fish hunting (during school holidays).

Beauty salon*. Complimentary WiFi access.

3 nights between 20 Dec '20–3 Jan '21 and 22 Dec '21–2 Jan '22.

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: children 12 years and under are not permitted to stay in Ocean Suites. Children under 15 years old are not permitted to stay in the Bay Suite room types.

Please note: hotel is closed between 22 Aug-7 Oct '21.

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 (801)
  • Very good (210)
  • Average (68)
  • Poor (36)
  • Terrible (28)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating So many better options in the Caribbean

Jan 4, 2021 cr2579 Geneva, Switzerland

We stayed in an Ocean Suite for 7 nights on a half board basis in December. We were distinctly underwhelmed by Carlisle Bay and struggle to reconcile our experience with comments received in some of the more favourable reviews here of the hotel. Considering the positives, Carlisle Bay has a glorious setting with tremendous views over a beautiful… Read more
We stayed in an Ocean Suite for 7 nights on a half board basis in December. We were distinctly underwhelmed by Carlisle Bay and struggle to reconcile our experience with comments received in some of the more favourable reviews here of the hotel. Considering the positives, Carlisle Bay has a glorious setting with tremendous views over a beautiful cove. Rooms are comfortable (but not exciting) and there are some nice touches, like the cool boxes with water delivered each day to the beach. In spite of the number of restaurants at the hotel, the standard of food was pretty low across the board. Indigo was particularly hit and miss. Menus didn't change or reflect seasonality and often focused on number of dishes offered rather than quality of execution. Do not come here expecting food akin to what is offered by the better establishments in Barbados - you will be sorely disappointed. But worse than the food was the service. Indifferent and slow seemed to be the order of the day - this was evidenced on issues ranigng from ordering an ice bucket or asking for a breakdown of the room charges to clearing an ant infestation in our room or asking for a replacement hairdryer. The addition of 24% combined for tax and service becomes rather irritating when there is simply no standard of service. Additionally, it was irritating to be reminded on several occasions that we needed to pay for our drinks when we placed orders - as if we would abscond when presented with the bill! Regrettably the hotel seems to be suffering from chronic underinvestment with much of the decor and many of the services now looking rather tired. As an example, almost all of the tennis courts are in very poor state of repair and there was no AC working when we visited the gym. Our room was comfortable, but certainly in need of some smartening up to bring it to the standard expected for a hotel of this class. So many better options in the Caribbean! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating First and only oversea trip in 2020

Jan 1, 2021 prawnpipi London, United Kingdom

We booked this hotel and timed it just after a UK gov lockdown lift. Luckily we managed to go! For someone travel 3,4 times overseas each year, 2020 to me is unusual and I did not realise how much I need a break from work until I sit at the lobby on arrival. The manager Bryan introduced himself to us upon arrival which I thought was also not… Read more
We booked this hotel and timed it just after a UK gov lockdown lift. Luckily we managed to go! For someone travel 3,4 times overseas each year, 2020 to me is unusual and I did not realise how much I need a break from work until I sit at the lobby on arrival. The manager Bryan introduced himself to us upon arrival which I thought was also not common as managers normally try to hide away from guests. But Bryan made himself fairly available to guests and ensure they are all taken care, which is quite nice. We enjoyed the stay - all aspects are up to my 5 stars expectations. I only want to mention to the readers that the sea at this hotel is not classic Caribbean’s turquoise blue. It’s slightly darker and deeper because it’s distance to the volcano and volcano ashes normally make sea colour much darker like we saw in most Greek island and also Bali. Specially thanks to Tony who kindly sort out all our issues reported to him extremely promptly. We will be back as we think we are in good hands here. Water sports team also made everything they can to provide all guests with fun and safe experience. Nothing is much bother to them and all the promised items are free as marked by the hotel website. We did not have any occasion where reported by other reviewers on charging life jacket etc. Guests wide all sophisticated and quite a few large families with kids we noticed. A lot of retuning guests also. We would recommend you rent a car to drive around the island and see more beaches and the surrounding areas. Overall - a successor lockdown escape and thank you for everything. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Relax and unwind - Beautiful bay and amazing staff!

Dec 30, 2020 Icareforquality London, United Kingdom

We spent the last 10 days at Carlisle Bay and are unbelievably relaxed from our stay. Distinguishing memories from our stay include: - Being whizzed out of an extremely long immigration queue and moved rapidly out and to waiting transport. Nice touch Carlisle Bay! - settling into a suite, literally on the beach. very few hotels in this price… Read more
We spent the last 10 days at Carlisle Bay and are unbelievably relaxed from our stay. Distinguishing memories from our stay include: - Being whizzed out of an extremely long immigration queue and moved rapidly out and to waiting transport. Nice touch Carlisle Bay! - settling into a suite, literally on the beach. very few hotels in this price bracket can boast of this - the included quintessential English afternoon tea service - with finger sandwiches, scones and petit fours. Choose the ginger and honey or lemongrass teas... fabulous! - breakfast watching the waves - great spread and our special were the round crossants served by the lovely team at Indigo ..and the giggling Leanne - dynamite prawns at East and the chicken tacos at the Jetty. The food here is delectable. Do book your restaurants so you are not disappointed - The very personal dinner for our 25th Anniversary and the small touches to make it special - driving around the island with Lava - Lava is well informed and full of fun facts - water sport at your disposal; gentle waters to take a long swim ; small reefs nearby to explore - Both bars with friendly and fun barmen...thanks for making me that delicious coffee milkshake and Benny, keep on singing - The front desk team (Tarun, Larry and all) ..always looking for a way to make out stay a little more fun and easy - Kumar Prabhakaran you produced the most amazing India spread for our dinner. Do consider an Indian night - with such fabulous Indian food it would be shame to not capitalise on it If I had to be critical, I would only just say that the rooms are lovely but could be planned better for families with older children. The very large space could be rearranged to include a additional shower and toilet thereby relieving the pressure on one bathroom when all have headed back from the beach. The hotel is on the south side of the island so it does mean a 30 min ride by taxi to get to most sights - but it is well worth it and allows for a quiet beach. The hotel managed the covid health and safety very well and without it being in your face or restricting anything. Thank you for a very memorable stay! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Perfect Paradise

Dec 21, 2020 Tour825225

To give you my experience in reverse, I have come back to the UK in the world of covid 19 with renewed energy and total calm. Carlisle Bay from beginnning to end, was the most wonderful experience, the politeness and friendlness of the staff, who when I arrived made me feel so welcome and to the end of my 9 day stay, were equally wonderful,… Read more
To give you my experience in reverse, I have come back to the UK in the world of covid 19 with renewed energy and total calm. Carlisle Bay from beginnning to end, was the most wonderful experience, the politeness and friendlness of the staff, who when I arrived made me feel so welcome and to the end of my 9 day stay, were equally wonderful, despite the hotel filling up from 6 to 215 people! The food was such a high standard and simply delicious, my all inclusive package was the best, scrumptious breakfast, lunch tea and dinner, with as many cocktails! I loved the barmen, who all made the most delicious drinks, from the beach to the restaurants. The water sports were great fun, a lovely sail round to the next door cove and endless other options too. My ocean suite was so wonderful, very spacious, and plenty of room for everything, delicious bathroom products and sumptious towels, a beautiful sitting room looking out onto the lawn and beach. The sunsets were surreal, looking across to Montserrat. A beautiful pool with a backdrop of the tropical rain forest, calming spa, where I had the best massage I can remember. Thank you to all the staff of Carlisle Bay, I will definitely be back, the bay is like one big hug. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Lovely Carlisle Bay!

Nov 16, 2020 CharlotteK09 London, United Kingdom

A lovely hotel on a beautiful stretch of beach. Friendly staff, tasty food and suites were huge. Really liked the little touches of water in ice boxes at the beach and fruit skewers brought round during the day. The water is calm and warm - we did lots of swimming and stand up paddle boarding which was fun. Would recommend that you book… Read more
A lovely hotel on a beautiful stretch of beach. Friendly staff, tasty food and suites were huge. Really liked the little touches of water in ice boxes at the beach and fruit skewers brought round during the day. The water is calm and warm - we did lots of swimming and stand up paddle boarding which was fun. Would recommend that you book restaurants in advance as these can get busy, and have breakfast on your balcony if you have a good view! We travelled during Covid and felt like the hotel had sensible (and appropriate) measures in place to keep staff and guests safe. Read less