If you’re looking for a romantic destination to whisk your better half away to, you can’t get much better than Antigua.
Whether you’re a couple who loves to lounge all day on a sandy beach with cocktails in hand, or adrenaline junkies looking for your next adventure at sea, this Caribbean beauty spot ticks all the boxes.
Back in 2011 JLS singer Marvin Humes proposed to the Saturdays singer Rochelle on the sunny island – one of the two major islands that make up the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda – presenting his soon-to-be-bride with an enormous heart-shaped diamond ring worth £45,000.
If it’s good enough for the loved-up singers, it’s good enough for us!
We’ve picked out the top five ways to find romance on Antigua island…
An adults-only escape
Galley Bay Resort, a luxury 98-room complex, is sandwiched between one of the best beaches on the island and acres of lush tropical gardens, making it the perfect romantic and secluded getaway for a couple.
The resort is adults-only, so you won’t find waterslides and kids’ clubs on the grounds. Rather, it’s all plush pool loungers and fine dining restaurants.
You also have the choice of rooms ranging from sea-view deluxe beachfront suites to premium garden and lagoon huts that come with their own private plunge pools. Whichever you choose, you’ll be treated to a luxury king-size bed, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, bathrobes and more.
Book in for bliss
Who isn’t looking for deep relaxation in the form of a full body massage?
The Indulge Spa at the centre of the resort offers a wide range of treatments to suit all of your needs, including aromatherapy cocoon wraps to soothe skin after a day spent in the sun and customised facial and body massages.
I opted for the hour-long aromatherapy full body massage and walked out feeling like I was on a cloud. If you want to stay a while, the spa also houses a pool and chill-out loungers.
Adore the adventure
If a serenity session isn’t for you, or if your partner is more of an adrenaline junkie, you can head down to the resort’s private beach, where water sports like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are available at no extra charge.
They may not be quite as relaxing as a massage but they’re great for working up an appetite for your evening meal.
I also got into the routine of getting up early to head to the resort’s coffee shop before hitting the gym – a modern, fully stocked and fully air conditioned haven for fitness fanatics. The shop serves barista-made coffee and fresh cakes in the morning, and delicious ice cream in the afternoon.
Say it with seafood
I can safely say that the activity I most enjoyed during my week-long stay at the resort was eating. There are three restaurants on site, two included in your all-inclusive package and one requiring a surcharge. All three are à la carte and serve incredible local cuisine with menus boasting fresh seafood, flavoursome vegetarian options and grilled meats.
If you book into the main restaurant, where you also have breakfast, you’ll be treated to live music while you eat dinner. A personal highlight for me was listening to Sir Richie Richardson, international cricketer-turned-musician, on the rhythm guitar while I tucked into a delicious mahi-mahi fillet.
Take your beloved on a boat ride
If you want to venture out of the resort, there’s plenty to do and see on the island.
I booked myself on a boat trip with Captain Sean – you can ask for him at the hotel reception and he’ll come to find you to take a deposit before your trip.
The four-hour tour on his sailboat takes you around the western side of the island and costs around £120 per person, which includes a tasty lunch, drinks and use of snorkelling equipment. I can vouch for his excellent island knowledge and seriously punchy rum punch (really, don’t have more than two or you’ll be seeing double).
Alternatively, you can take a 20-minute taxi drive to English Harbour on the south of the island. Established as a port by the Royal Navy in the 18th century, it now welcomes sun-seekers, sailboats and smaller cruise ships, making it a truly bustling tourist destination. Here you’ll find beachside dining, shops and excursions.
How to book
Seven nights on an all-inclusive basis at Galley Bay Resort & Spa starts from £1,967 per person in a deluxe beachfront room, or £2,494 per person including return flights from London Gatwick. To book, visit eliteislandholidays.com. Check Covid rules and entry regulations.
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