South Point Antigua

Set in a small collection of two- and three-story condo-style buildings overlooking the Falmouth Harbor marinas in the town of English Harbour, South Point Antigua offers a level of modernity that is uncommon among the high-end resorts on the island. Rather than the typical touches of local charm and Caribbean-inspired architecture found at most properties, South Point Antigua builds its minimalist yet elegant suites around imported Italian materials and furnishings, industrial-chic fixtures, and monochromatic decor. There’s no wicker, rattan, or tropical colors here -- instead think stainless steel and cool grays. The result is an air of simple, relaxed sophistication that feels immaculate and upscale. Just because it’s posh doesn’t mean it’s pretentious, though. While the property is family-friendly, it draws a largely adult crowd, as there aren’t a lot of activities here to entertain kids. A mix of solo travelers, friend groups, and business travelers come to enjoy the peaceful elegance (and the excellent sushi). Pathways lined with palm trees and lush greenery meander past yachts to secluded suites. Nights are quiet, but all the nightlife of English Harbour is nearbyfa. For guests seeking a serene alternative to the large all-inclusive resorts found throughout the island, South Point Antigua is a great option.

Tucked at the end of a small road beside the Antigua Yacht Club, the hotel is in an ideal position for exploring the sights of English Harbour and the rest of southern Antigua. Touching the waters of Falmouth Harbour, South Point Antigua offers great views of the luxurious boats that regularly grace the town of English Harbour, widely known as the yachting capital of the Caribbean. A 10-minute walk or less takes guests to most of the town’s popular restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of 18th-century British buildings. There are two popular public beaches nearby. Beautiful Pigeon Point Beach is a seven-minute walk (or a short kayak or paddle board trip) away. Galleon Beach, popular for snorkeling and near the Pillars of Hercules rock formation, is a 10-minute drive away. Both the capital city of St. John’s and V. C. Bird International Airport can be reached by car in about 40 minutes.

The modern suites at South Point Antigua come in two sizes: big and even bigger. Decked out in cool grays and neutral tones, the huge suites exude an air of modern European sophistication, thanks to sleek furnishings and fixtures that have mostly been imported from Italy. The 20 One-Bedroom Deluxe Suites sit on the first and second floors of the five condo-style buildings. Airy living rooms with flat-screen TVs and Bose speakers connect with large bedrooms featuring low-profile beds. Wide work desks are equipped with dedicated routers providing free Wi-Fi to each specific room and guests receive mobile phones for making local calls and receiving international calls. Air-conditioning comes standard, and the suites also include sleek industrial fans and light fixtures that add to their cool factor. The minimalist fixtures are undeniably urban-chic, but there aren’t a lot of them, so some guests might find the suites to be a bit dim. Glass doors lead from the living rooms to private balconies with harbor views, furnished with glass-topped dining tables and sun loungers.The full, open-plan kitchens are almost works of art in themselves, outfitted with stainless steel appliances like Calphalon coffeemakers, Cuisinart toasters, and Meile microwave/convection ovens, sleek Bosch cooktops, and refrigerators and dishwashers that blend into the modern gray cabinetry. Gourmet snacks, candies, and nuts are displayed in beautiful containers on rolling carts along with bottles of liquor. The refrigerators are stocked with wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks. Coffee, tea, and bottled water are free, but the rest of the drinks and snacks come with a hefty price tag.Massive bathrooms feature large sink areas and walk-in closets equipped with hairdryers, safes, robes, slippers, irons, and ironing boards. Separate alcoves feature toilets, bidets, and huge walk-in showers. High-end (MALIN + GOETZ) toiletries, plus dental, shaving, and sewing kits, are provided. Additional closet space can be found in the entryways, and the hotel seems to have thought of everything guests might need: insect repellant, citronella candles, matches, flashlights, umbrellas, and fire extinguishers.On the third floor of each of the centermost buildings are the hotel’s three Two-Bedroom Penthouse Suites, measuring over 2,000 square feet and accessed via exterior stairs leading to private entrances. In addition to all the amenities that come in the standard suites, these units have espresso makers and bright blue living room furniture that adds some of the few pops of color on the property. One bedroom features a king-size bed and the other bedroom has two twin beds. Massive terraces offer large dining tables, several sun loungers, lounge areas with sofas, and panoramic harbor views. Evening turndown service is provided in all units.

The amenities at South Point Antigua are limited, but the ones it offers are lovely. The popular South Point restaurant (open to the public) capitalizes on the hotel’s prime harborfront location. The kitchen serves up Mediterranean- and Asian-inspired seafood dishes using local ingredients, in a chic yet relaxed open-air dining room that sits directly over the water. It also features an excellent sushi bar and a fully stocked bar. Upstairs near the lobby there’s also a hip, airy bar that mixes up creative cocktails from late morning till night. A comfortable lounge area with sofas and contemporary curved wicker chairs overlooks the harbor. The restaurant and the bar both offer stunning sunset views. The beautiful freshwater pool sits directly next to the harbor and features an immaculate wood deck with sun loungers. More sun loungers and umbrellas can be found on a small white-sand beach, which also has a small lounge area with sofas and a handful of paddle boards and kayaks for guests to use. While all beaches in Antigua are public, this is about as close to private as it gets, since it’s only accessible via land from the property itself. Jutting out into the harbor from the pool and beach area is a private jetty for guests arriving by boat. The hotel notably lacks a fitness center and a spa. In-room spa treatments can be arranged through the hotel’s concierge for a fee. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Parking is also free.