St. James's Club & Villas

The massive size of St. James’s Club & Villas can be felt from the moment guests enter through the main gate and venture down a winding road past villas and tennis courts on the way to reception. At the end of the drive, a partially open-air lobby awaits, outfitted with rich tropical woods and a stone wall, which creates an air of relaxed sophistication that extends throughout the property. At almost any time of day, there’s a mix of older couples, groups of adults, and families with small children relaxing on the colorful wicker and wood couches, enjoying the breezes from ceiling fans. There are designated family-friendly and adult-only areas at the resort, meaning that adults seeking a quiet vacation will have no problem finding it here.
The property is vast, with golf carts on hand to shuttle guests to the various amenities that are spread throughout its 45 acres. With two beaches and six pools to choose from, it’s easy for guests to find the right level of activity (or lack thereof) to fill their days. Water sports, kids’ and teens’ clubs, and plenty of organized activities are on hand for those with energy to burn, but the lush vegetation and sophisticated vibe make St. James’s Club & Villas more ideal for a tranquil, relaxing getaway than an action-packed vacation. The resort is the deal place to recharge with some solitude and a good night's sleep.

On a secluded, 100-acre peninsula (45 of which make up the resort) on the islands’ southeastern coast, the sprawling St. James’s Club & Villas has views of the beautifully calm Mamora Bay on one side and the sparkling, though choppy at times, Caribbean Sea on the other. While the resort offers an inviting sense of isolation, it’s still in a great spot for guests who wish to explore the rest of Antigua’s sights. The town of English Harbour, home to popular yearly sailing and yachting events and Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring 18th-century British Buildings, is a 12-minute drive away. Shirley Heights, offering some of the best views on the island and lively weekly parties, can be reached by car in 15 minutes. The capital city of St. John’s and V. C. Bird International Airport are each about a 45-minute drive from the resort.

Rooms at St. James’s Club & Villas offer warm, Caribbean-inspired decor. At the entry level are the Club Rooms, outfitted with terra-cotta tile floors, vaulted ceilings, and dark wood furnishings. Air-conditioning, ceiling fans, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers come standard, while closets are equipped with robes, slippers, safes, irons, and ironing boards. Note that Wi-Fi costs extra in room. Large bathrooms feature double pedestal sinks, large walk-in showers, deep bathtubs, hairdryers, and Elite Botanica toiletries. Perhaps the most notable feature of the rooms, though, is that they all have private balconies or terraces with sun loungers. Club Rooms offer garden views. Upgrading to Premium Rooms adds partial sea views, while Beachfront Rooms offer full sea views and direct beach access.
A step up from the rooms are the Royal Suites, which include warm wood furnishings and sunken living rooms. In addition to the amenities included in the rooms, they also come with marble-topped wet bars, DVD players, and iPod docks, as well as large bathrooms with double showers. All Royal Suites offer views of picturesque Mamora Bay in the distance.
The resort’s top-of-the-line accommodations are its 40 bi-level villas, which come in two- or three-bedroom layouts. Decked out in the same warm tones as the Royal Suites, the villas also include full kitchens, living areas, dining areas, and furnished terraces with grills. Two-bedroom Villas feature one room with a king-size bed and one room with twin beds; Three-Bedroom Villas add another room with a king-size bed. The extra space and variety of sleeping arrangements make the Villas popular for families, groups, and guests on extended stays.

St. James’s Club & Villas offers a wide range of upscale amenities catering to families and adults alike. There are six restaurants for guests to choose from. Rainbow Garden is the resort’s main eatery, which serves a casual buffet breakfast and lunch, as well as a la carte Caribbean/international dinners in a large, airy dining room with a wraparound patio surrounded by lush tropical plants. Mamora Beach Bar & Grill offers daytime dining on the beach. Eleven/11, set on a hilltop surrounded by gardens, offers lunch and dinner overlooking Coco’s Beach. Coco’s Restaurant serves up breakfast and locally influenced tapas-style dinner with sea views. Another casual dinner option is Docksider Grill, offering Caribbean/international dishes on palm tree-shaded tables overlooking Mamora Bay. The resort’s fine dining dinner option is Piccolo Mondo, which serves classic Italian dishes with a local twist. The dress code is fancier than at the other restaurants, and it’s not included in the resort’s all-inclusive plan (all other restaurants and bars are). Dinner reservations are required at Rainbow Garden, Coco’s Restaurant, and Piccolo Mondo.
Free afternoon tea is offered daily, and there are five bars scattered throughout the property. For those who can’t tear themselves away from the sand, Coco’s Bar and Mamora Beach Bar are right on the beaches and serve up the resort’s signature rum punch. Reef Deck Bar sits beside the main pool, while the aptly named Royal Suites Bar is near the suites. Jacaranda Bar is set just off the lobby, is open the latest, and offers nightly entertainment. Docksider Grill also has weekly Calypso evenings with steel drum performances.
Guests don't have to look far for a pool -- there are six on the property, including adult-only and kids’ pools. The main Reef Deck Pool, overlooking Coco’s Beach and the Caribbean Sea, is lined with plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas, and has a convenient poolside bar. A more secluded, tiered pool with waterfalls in the adult area offers solitude and privacy.
The two white-sand beaches have distinctly different personalities. The gently curving Mamora Bay Beach has calm, clear waters, making it a great spot for kids and those who want to swim. Guests who prefer to stay dry will find lots of sun loungers and thatched palapas for shade. Non-motorized water sports are offered, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and pedal boats. The waters of Coco’s Beach on the Caribbean side can be a bit rougher and are less ideal for swimming, but offer great snorkeling -- offered for an extra fee, along with fishing, scuba diving, and sailing excursions.
Perched atop a hill is the lovely Tranquility Body & Soul Spa, which features seven rooms for massages, wellness treatments, and facials, as well as a juice bar, and a salon offering manicures, pedicures, and haircuts. Its most alluring feature is a serene, open-air, thatched-roof pavilion with massage tables offering views of the sea. All spa services cost extra.
A large, modern fitness center is equipped with Cybex cardio and weight machines, free weights, and a dedicated yoga platform just outside. There are also four vibrant blue tennis courts, and a tennis pro is on hand to offer free lessons or serve as a partner if guests need one. The kids' club offers activities, games, and crafts for younger kids, while the teen club has ping-pong and pool tables. Free activities for adults include water aerobics, cooking classes, tennis, and volleyball. Parking is also free, as is Wi-Fi, but only in certain public areas.