With secluded beach lounging, a selection of luxury pools, suites and dining and drinking options, this multi award-winning hotel offers an elegant stay and a slice of paradise to its guests.
Hotel
The resort is located by Soldier’s Bay, offering secluded beach lounging at your doorstep and guests are spoilt for choice with family-friendly pools, an adults-only pool, a beachfront pool, and private infinity pools. When it comes to staying fit and healthy, a fully equipped fitness centre, tennis court, yoga sessions, water sports, and an on-site spa ensure you’re well covered.
The resort has 93 rooms in operation to ensure there is more space for guests to socially distance and feel comfortable. We’re given a tour of the resort by Celene, who shows us the entry-level deluxe beachfront rooms and luxury suites, the villas favoured by families and honeymooners – Pelican House, Turtle Cottage, and VIP-favourite Rock Cottage – and the Cove Suites and penthouses (where Prince Harry stayed during his Caribbean tour a few years ago).
I spoke with Blue Waters Resort and Spa managing director Gary Randall during my stay and we talked about the history of the resort and he shared how his family took over in 1984 and he jumped in a few years after.
“I got involved during the whole redevelopment, though this happened in phases, and I do think the resort is now the best it’s ever been,” said Randall. He is proud of the fact that despite the high occupancy rate, the resort never feels crowded, and cites the large restaurants and open spaces as the reasons behind this.
Despite the rise in multi-generational travel (all ages were definitely accounted for during the choreographed dancing organised by the live band after dinner one evening) and the many amenities that cater to children, Blue Waters provides enough privacy and intimacy to make it the perfect destination for couples as well.
Room
Our room is within the Cove Suites, a collection of suites and penthouses tucked away from the rest of the resort. Infinity pools, views over the gardens, and a special concierge team are just some of the benefits that Cove Suite guests have access to.
Our suite was open, breezy and decorated with a modern beach vibe in mind. A bottle of bubbly was waiting for us when we arrived along with a selection of local goodies. One of our favourite areas of the room was the balcony where we would end our days watching as the sun set over the waters, sailboats gliding past. Each of the Cove Suites is over 730 square feet and has an open-plan lounge and a large bathroom. The suite was fitted with a flat screen television, complimentary Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and a motion-sensored night light in the bathroom.
Like all the public areas, the suite bathroom is stocked with amenities from Neem Avenue, a company that produces organic and natural beauty products that embrace the beautiful scents of the Caribbean. We especially loved the grapefruit and spearmint hand wash (which we also spotted at one of our island favourites, Catherine’s Café) and the body lotion with neroli and magnolia flower. The Neem Avenue partnership is also part of the resort’s efforts to eliminate single-use plastic since the new products come in reusable biopolymer bottles with a recyclable pump cap.
As cosy as the suite was, we found ourselves spending many hours lounging by the pool, which was only for Cove Suite guests. Whilst relaxing on a lounger with a good book, we were regularly approached by a member of the staff who made sure all of our drink and food cravings were satisfied.
Food
The resort has three restaurants and two bars spread across the property that cater to all tastes. Breakfast is served at The Palm Restaurant, which has a more casual menu with barbecue in the evening and grilled catch of the day for lunch.
For poolside dining, there’s the newly opened Carolyn’s, offering lighter bites like salads and flatbreads. For special occasions and a more formal setting, catch the sunset from The Cove Restaurant and dine on delicious dishes like the homemade lobster ravioli and butter-poached grouper. For tipples, you can have sundowner cocktails at poolside bar Veronica’s or listen to the steel band with a rum punch in hand at the Pelican Bar.
To do
The resort plans daily activities for guests such as yoga sessions, morning walks, cooking classes, and fishing. Water sport lovers can head over to Owen (who’s been working at the resort for 19 years) and choose from paddle boards, kayaks, or Hobie-Cats, which you can take out to visit nearby beaches.
When it’s time to wind down, The Spa at Blue Waters will leave you glowing and feeling light as a feather. The team uses wellness brands ila (who specialise in medicinal flowers, gemstones, and improving emotional wellbeing) and Elemis to deliver a range of nourishing and relaxing treatments such as healing stone therapy, wraps, scrubs, and massages. We had a wonderful deep tissue massage from Vikisha, who expertly found all our knots and sore spots and kneaded them all away.
In a nutshell
Whether you’re looking for an intimate location for a romantic escape or a resort that entertains all members of the family, Blue Waters Resort and Spa makes for an ideal choice. Experience the best in barefoot luxury whilst feeling the spirit of the Caribbean with every step.
Factbox
Blue Waters Resort & Spa
Address: Atlantic Ave AG Atlantic Avenue, Antigua & Barbuda
Phone: +1 268-462-0290
Website: bluewaters.net
Car rentals from Titi Rent a Car (available for airport pick-ups)
E-mail: titi@candw.ag
Phone: +12684601023
