Antigua — The Beach is Just the Beginning
By Melanie Reffes
Four hours by air from New York, the sister islands of Antigua and Barbuda are packing a punch for this high season. With convenient airlift from the U.S. via major carriers including American, Continental, Delta and US Airways, the islands’ tourism department is also working vigorously with the travel trade to pump up arrival numbers. “Travel agents are like the pharmacists of the travel industry,” says Derede Samuel Whitlock, director, USA, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Department. “They have the opportunity to make referrals and recommendations about new or undiscovered destinations that best match their clients’ needs. They have become more competitive and want to offer their loyal customers something new and exciting that provides greater value.”
Boasting a host of Caribbean amenities, the twin isles also lay claim to a rich maritime history dating back to the 1700’s when Admiral Horatio Nelson established Great Britain’s most important Caribbean base. With a coastline of harbors popular with sailors, the nearly unbroken wall of coral reef attracts divers from all corners of the world while the varied accommodation and attraction sector appeals to savvy travelers and vacationing families.
A Family Affair
The only all-suite resort, Tranquility Bay (www.tranquilitybayantigua.com) is chockablock with creature comforts including access to a nearby 18-hole golf course. Family packages through December 20th include an island tour for four and $100 credit for the Epicurean Supermarket to stock up the in-room refrigerator.
Fronting sandy beaches on the southeastern coast, kids at the St. James’s Club (www.stjamesclubantigua.com) can kayak, sail on a catamaran or hang out at the Kidz Club. Six tennis courts and five pools keep the grown-ups busy. Ideal for families, “Two Rooms for the Price of One” kicks off on November 1st and continues through April.
After exploring St. John’s, a slice of key lime pie at Hemingways Caribbean Café perched in a wooden house is a delightful respite. With three restaurants including one on Dickenson Beach, Big Banana eateries, known by locals as simply the “Pizzas”, dish up their namesake specialty at family-friendly prices.
The Love Bug
Sugar Ridge oozes romance with the island’s only Aveda spa. With marketing mojo in full tilt, the “Spell to Win” incentive continues through December 22nd. An agent who sells three room nights earns the letter “S”. By selling fifteen nights and spelling “S-U-G-A-R,” the agent and a companion receive four nights including breakfast. Visit www.sugarridgeantigua.com. Agents can contact Annie McCauley, sales and marketing manager, North America. Email: annie.mccauley@mac.com or call 803-322-1182.
On the west coast, cooking classes are all the rage with couples at the uber-luxe Hermitage Bay (www.hermitagebay.com). “It is all about love for food and each other,” said Chef Dezi Banham, describing recipes made with herbs from the organic garden. “We encourage agents to experience our ‘private island’ feel, which is one of the key factors for our repeat guests,” said Andy Thesen, general manager.
Romance soars high above the treetops at Rainforest Canopy Tours (www.antiguarainforest.com), with excursions into the bush including nine zip lines with short hikes between suspension footbridges. An aerial tour of nearby Montserrat with a spectacular flyover of the Soufrière Hills Volcano is couple-bonding par excellence courtesy of Caribbean Helicopters (www.caribbeanhelicopters.com).
Worth the Splurge
With sommeliers who remember wine choices and the weekly cocktail party hosted in the owners private villa, it’s no wonder Curtain Bluff (www.curtainbluff.com) has bragging rights to a 65% return rate. Family-owned since 1960, dinner is served on a courtyard shaded by majestic tamarind trees while the main event in the Spa is a caviar and pearl facial.
A member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World, Carlisle Bay (www.campbellgrayhotels.com) offers amenities from movie screening rooms to gourmet Asian fare at East.
The hardest decision you’ll make at the Cove Restaurant (www.thecove-antigua.com) is whether to dine inside or on the terrace with illuminated views of the sea at night. The sumptuous Sunday brunch is on the A-list for special occasions or just because you’re on vacation.
Testing the Waters
As the story goes, there are 365 beaches; one for each day of the year (should any tourist decide to stay that long). A fully-loaded beach experience can be found at Dickenson Bay on the west coast, while the fourth cove at Hawksbill is popular for a bare buns beach experience. On the south side, Rendezvous Bay is reachable only on foot or by boat. Divers covet the south and east coasts with depths reaching 180 feet. In Deep Bay, the wreck of the 1905 merchant ship “Andes” rests in less than thirty feet of water.
Barbuda: Solitary Refinement
Twenty-six miles to the north, Barbuda has so much white and pink sand that it is often scooped up by the ton and shipped to other beaches in the Caribbean. A third of the island is a sanctuary for black-feathered frigate birds and circled by a reef system, the isle is nirvana for divers but less so for sailors as there are two-hundred wrecks in the sea.
Lighthouse Bay Resort (www.lighthousebayresort.com) impresses with top-shelf amenities like complimentary phone calls anywhere in the world and cocktails atop the Lighthouse Bay Bar with 360 degree sweeping views as far as the eye can see.
Barbuda Express operates a 90-minute catamaran between Antigua and Barbuda. Tours of the bird sanctuary and Arawak caves can be arranged. Visit www.antiguaferries.com
Five Antiguan Must-Do’s
1. Snap photos at Nelson’s Dockyard, the only Georgian dockyard left in the world.
2. Boogie all afternoon at the Sunday BBQ and Reggae party at Shirley Heights.
3. Shop till you drop for duty-free bargains at Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay.
4. Sample goat water stew made with goat meat, hot peppers, cinnamon and cloves.
5. Meander around Betty’s Hope, a sugar plantation dating back to the 1600’s.
For more information, visit www.antigua-barbuda.org
The Sandy Sister Act: Selling Antigua & Barbuda
By Melanie Reffes
With Boggy Peak re-named Mount Obama in honor of our 44th President, Antigua is poised to welcome American travelers this winter season. Officially named on the August 4th birthday of the President, Mt. Obama stands proud at 1,319 feet and is the highest peak on the island. Measuring 14 miles long and eleven miles wide, Antigua sits pretty south of St. Maarten and east of St. Kitts. Three hundred and sixty five beaches rim its coastline and with an array of accommodations from upscale resorts to quaint inns, the island is a magnet for the winter-weary. To the north, Barbuda is a very big beach surrounding a very little island, so far untouched by mass tourism.
Beds for Heads
New on the hotel horizon, Sugar Ridge opened in December with sixty rooms and the island’s first Aveda Spa. Perched on its namesake hill bordered with sugar cane fields, the property provides shuttles to the beach and an 18-hole golf course. “Our team remained focused on this project, even in this challenging economic climate,“ said Aidan McCauley, company director. ”The opening is a tribute to what we have set out to do, which is offer a luxurious resort that is affordable and unrivaled in the region.” Visit www.sugarridgeantigua.com
Accessible by boat, Jumby Bay has reopened after a $28 million renovation. Secluded and swanky, the Rosewood-managed property unveiled new facilities including a Sense spa and bistro-style eatery overlooking a new infinity pool. Accommodations include forty redesigned guestrooms and suites. Jumby Bay encourages eco-minded guests to join the Turtle Watch Program. All-inclusive rates through April 10 start at $1,395 per night. Visit www.jumbybayresort.com
Two Sandals properties include the Grand Pineapple Beach Resort on the northeast coast and Mediterranean Village at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort overlooking Dickenson Bay. “Together, the Villages represent the best of both worlds,” said Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Sandals chairman. “With nine fine-dining restaurants, six pools, Red Lane spa and large areas for shopping, guests have more options in one grand setting.” Visit www.sandals.com
Elite Island Properties manage a quintet of resorts including Galley Bay, St James’s Club, Dian Bay, Pineapple Beach Club and the Verandah. On the West Coast, Galley Bay is the jewel in the crown with refurbished Gauguin-inspired cottages and the Teepee bar where you may spot next door neighbor Giorgio Armani sipping a glass of Grandin Champagne. The only resort that touches the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, St. James’s Club is family-friendly with babysitting services when the Monte Carlo casino is open. The “Linger Longer“ promotion at all five resorts offers 50% off the 8th night, valid year round. Visit www.eliteislandresorts.com
On the south coast, 72-suite Curtain Bluff has been under the same ownership for more than four decades. Ratcheting up the luxe-factor with caviar and champagne massages, sightings of Oprah and Eric Clapton are as legendary as the wine cellar stocked with twenty-five thousand bottles. “The year 2009 was tough for many; we want to offer something extra special to start 2010 off right,“ said Rob Sherman, managing director, referring to the “Power of 10” which includes a second spa treatment or tennis lesson for ten dollars above room rates. Visit www.curtainbluff.com
In English Harbour, Copper & Lumber Store Hotel dates to 1783 when Captain Horatio Nelson commissioned the warehouse to shore up his embattled fleet. The waterfront inn is a favorite of modern swashbucklers who favor its whitewashed brick structure and antique brass keys that unlock fourteen guest quarters, each named after one of Nelson’s ships. Visit www.copperandlumberhotel.com
More island history at the Inn at English Harbour with twenty-eight rooms in colonial-style cabanas and villas. Although upgraded with Wi-fi and spa, the Inn retains its old-world charm with the Terrace Restaurant and Stone Bar built in the original stone house. “No detail has been spared to preserve the integrity and grace of the historic inn while updating the comforts and amenities essential to today’s travelers,” explained Fabio Giorgi, general manager. Visit www.theinn.ag
Chow Down
The Caribbean Sea laps so close to the Coconut Grove restaurant that it’s not unusual for the waves to wash right into the dining room. With a steady stream of guests from the attached Siboney Beach Club, the open-air eatery is a favorite watering hole of the ex-pat community.
Outside Nelson’s Dockyard, Grace Before Meals is famous for fruit smoothies large enough to be a meal, though burgers and rotis are also on the menu. In a leafy courtyard inside the Dockyard, Wardroom Restaurant and Mainbrace Pub serve British fare to a crowd of regulars. Around the corner in Falmouth Harbour, Mad Mongoose attracts hungry sailors with affordable drinks and hearty Guinness pies. On Hilda Davis Drive, Papa Zouk’s pours two hundred kinds of rum and Trappas, overlooking English Harbour, serves international fare with flair. On the Dickenson Bay resort strip, the Beach specializes in Caribbean recipes prepared with an Asian twist.
Testing the Waters
A local favorite, Pigeon Beach is a quarter-mile of white sand within view of the volcano on Montserrat. Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, on the northwestern coast, front the busy resort strip. Galley Bay attracts surfers during the winter, joggers at night, and for those who prefer their birthday suit over a swimsuit, the crescent beach at Hawksbill is all about privacy. On the hilly southwest corner, Fryes Bay and Darkwood Beach are worth the effort necessary to find them. Long Bay is protected by a reef and recommended for family swimming and the secluded Half Moon Bay has been deserted since Hurricane Luis destroyed the beach resort in 1995. On Deck Ocean Racing offers sailing courses aboard a 40-foot racing yacht. Visit www.ondeckoceanracing.com. Kokomo Cats sells sailing tours on the fastest catamaran in the Caribbean. Visit www.kokomocats.com. Antigua Paddles offers a snorkel and hike package to Bird Island with its white beaches and rare wildlife. www.antiguapaddles.com. Here at the epicenter of Caribbean sailing, yachties flock year round to the islands many sailing events and spirited pubs, and divers covet the two-hundred shipwrecks including that of the Andes circa 1905 .
Let’s Get Physical
Islanders are devoted to cricket with the Antigua Recreation Ground one of the finest in the Caribbean. The Historical and Archaeological Society arrange hikes to Fort George atop Monk’s Hill and Fort Barrington near Deep Bay. For independent trekkers, the trail from English Harbor to Shirley Heights reaches a summit of 492 feet with breathtaking views of sheltered bays and the craggy south coast. The scenic Fig Tree Drive dotted with sugar mills, banana groves and little churches is a popular day trip. Cedar Valley Golf Club and Jolly Harbor Golf Club offer 18 holes and The K-Club on Barbuda has its own nine-hole course.
A Storied Past
East of St. Johns, Betty’s Hope is a plantation, restored sugar mill and small museum. The only existing Georgian naval dockyard in the world, Nelson’s Dockyard was built in 1725 as England’s most important outpost in the Caribbean. History aside, it is also a big tourist draw with shops and cafes. Inside the Antigua and Barbuda Museum, fans will appreciate the cricket bat of Sir Vivian Richards, the best player in the Caribbean.
Get your Groove On
The Sunday night party at Shirley Heights Lookout above English Harbour gets going at 4 pm when revelers toast the sunset and enjoy a lobster dinner from one of many grills. With no shortage of Wadadli beer, the party gets going after dark with steel bands and reggae performers. Entry is 20 local dollars. Visit www.shirleyheightslookout.com. Crowds at the restaurants and bars on Dockyard Drive spill into the streets after dark. The hot spot is Abracadabra where expert bartenders pour knock-out rum punches.
Shop to It
Antigua is the center for duty-free shopping in St. John’s. A few blocks away, haggling with vendors lends charm to the Heritage Craft Market. Near the cruise ship pier, Heritage Quays has dozens of stores and cafes and for a less frenetic scene vendors sell Antiguan souvenirs at Nelson’s Dockyard.
Barbuda
Thirty miles north of Antigua, Barbuda’s coastline is rimmed with pink and white sand beaches protected by barrier reefs. Rocky and flat, much of the island is covered in bush with the beaches of the southwestern shore stretching as far as ten miles without interruption. The Frigate Bird Sanctuary is the largest in the Caribbean while Long Island and Great Bird Island offer outstanding opportunities for birdwatchers. There are two hotels on the island; Coco Point Lodge (www.cocopoint.com) and the chi-chi Lighthouse Bay Resort (www.lighthousebaybarbuda.com) with helicopter transfers included in the rates. A few guest houses are in the village along with sheep and goats that roam during the day and return to their pens at night. The Barbuda Express ferry (www.antiguaferries.com) makes the trip from Antigua in ninety minutes and Winair (www.winair.com) offers the 15-minute flight twice daily.
Getting There
From New York City, Continental flies daily during high season from Newark. Delta flies nonstop from JFK on Thursdays and Sundays with connections in Miami and San Juan. For island-hoppers, Fly Montserrat Airlines offers twice daily service between Montserrat and Antigua. Ferry service is also available between the two islands. Visit www.flymontserrat.com.
Navigating the 108 square-mile island is easiest with a rental car, $35.00 daily not including the $20.00 license and taxes. Taxis are plentiful but pricey with fares about $30.00 from the airport to English Harbour.
For information call the Antigua and Barbuda U.S. Tourist Office, 888-268-4227 or visit www.antigua-barbuda.org and www.barbudaful.net
or http://antigua-guide.info
Exclusive Interview with Derede Samuel Whitlock, US Director of Tourism for Antigua & Babuda
Antigua & Barbuda Making Waves
by Randi White
Derede Samuel Whitlock, US Director of Tourism for Antigua & Babuda, recently sat down with JF to discuss several exciting new upgrades to the islands' resorts and air service, and explain why they're the perfect spot to tie up or tie the knot in 2010.
What was the impact of 2009 and what is the outlook for 2010?
From the arrival standpoint, Antigua & Barbuda were able to maintain the level of stay over visitors from the United States, as well as cruise visitors in 2009. However, occupancy levels were down, and by extension the yield was down due to hotels discounting rates to remain competitive.
The outlook for 2010 is extremely positive. We expect a slow and uneven recovery, however by year end we anticipate there will be considerably more activity. We have also been able to negotiate additional airlift with increased service from Continental out of Newark, and with Delta out of New York and Atlanta. Consumers continue to see “taking a vacation” as a priority and although they may make fewer trips, they are still inclined to travel but tend to demand higher value.
What makes Antigua and Barbuda unique as a Caribbean island destination?
This fraternal twin island destination offers two totally different experiences to create the ultimate dream vacation. Antigua has a range of properties, from the ultra exclusive such as Jumby Bay and Carlisle Bay to intimate escapes such as Hermitage Bay, The Inn at English Harbor or the newly opened Sugar Ridge Resort. There are options to suit every taste and budget. Barbuda, on the other hand, offers a great alternative for the eco-traveler with award winning beaches and a more secluded experience at the Lighthouse Bay Resort. Your clients will enjoy the spectacular cuisine that can be found in the cornucopia of restaurants and eateries throughout the destination, from mouth watering authentic local fare and Creole to continental culinary delights, fine wines and spirits. Barbuda is the seafood capital of the Caribbean, known for its spiny lobster. The “Black Pineapple” which is indigenous to Antigua is surprisingly sweet. Cavalier Rum and Susie’s Hot Sauce are locally made products, both winning international awards.
Sailors and yachtees can experience “Sailing Week” on Antigua, which is the fifth largest regatta in the world. The general shape and layout of the island, with many protected coves, makes it a haven for yachts to anchor. Yachting has given the island an upscale appeal and provides a backdrop for sailing as a great spectator sport. Tourists can feel a true part of the nautical experience. Many yachts on display are amazing floating palaces and add to the cachet that makes Antigua the ultimate “Sailcation”.
What are the key selling points for a travel agent selling Antigua to their clients?
Getting to Antigua & Barbuda is easy and convenient. With so many hotel and resort options offering the all inclusive to the extra inclusive, and each featuring distinctive qualities, you can easily find one to suit all ages, preferences or interests. Curtain Bluff Resort boasts one of the largest wine cellars in the Caribbean. The newly reopened Jumby Bay has consistently been voted one of the top Caribbean resorts. Sandals Antigua has easily been voted one of the most romantic experiences year after year, ideal for honeymooners. Blue Waters, Galley Bay and St. James have recently undergone major renovations and upgrades. Jolly Beach and Verandah are perfect for families, offering family friendly rates, packages and amenities. Antigua & Barbuda is safe, and the warmth and friendliness of the people will make your holiday even more special. There is so much to do on these islands, whether clients want a relaxing vacation or one filled with activities. There is much to choose from including every type of water sport such as jet skiing, parasailing, kite surfing, land based activities, spectacular golf, spas, horseback riding, tennis, zipline, and submarine tours where you can experience the underworld in its natural habitat, marveling at turtles, stingrays and sharks. There are well over 20 offshore islands to visit, snorkel and scuba dive. Catamaran cruises stop at these islands where visitors can indulge in a unique “Robinson Crusoe” experience.
Antigua & Barbuda is the easiest island in the Caribbean to exchange nuptials and offers your clients a “hassle free, expedited” wedding experience. There is no residency requirement, so same day weddings are easily arranged. This allows cruise passengers the ability to get married on their stop over to Antigua as well. Antigua and Barbuda offer different unique settings – at sea, on the beach or offshore on one of the many deserted islands. Most of the resorts have wedding planners who will work with you to create the perfect day.
Antigua is the first country to rename a national landmark in honor of the 48th President, Mount Obama National Park. This attraction will be developed into an Eco park and a symbol of triumph, hope and dignity for all people.
What is the impression you would like visitors to take home?
I would like visitors to leave thinking, what a discovery! Particularly for those who are well traveled throughout the Caribbean. We can take them on a journey back to colonial times to experience Nelson’s Dockyard – an old British Naval Fort. Antigua and Barbuda is one of those destinations that offers such diverse experiences; driving through the rainforest, escaping and enjoying one of our 365 white sandy beaches, looking at the outline of the volcano in neighboring Montserrat, or experiencing it close-up through a helicopter tour. Essentially, you can be easily transported from one era to another. We offer the most exhilarating activities on land and at sea, relaxed entertainment and night-life, and world class culinary dining from Continental to Creole to local fare with the freshest seafood in the Caribbean. Visitors will receive the warmest Antiguan welcome and leave already planning their return.