Blue Waters Antigua

Set on 17 acres of well-manicured grounds, the aptly named Blue Waters hugs the sparkling shores of picturesque Soldier’s Bay. Tucked in a cove on the island’s north shore away from other properties, the resort’s serene, laid-back vibe starts with the airy lobby full of colorful couches and continues throughout the property. With rooms spread out through several low-rise buildings and villas, no one area of the resort ever feels particularly crowded, though it can take some time to walk from one place to the next. The walks are pleasant, though, as winding paths take guests through palm trees, fragrant flowers, and remnants of an old sugar plantation, with the sound of crashing waves always in the background. Blue Waters draws a mix of couples, retirees, and families with small children, with many guests hailing from England (thanks, at least partly, to the fact that Prince Harry once stayed here). While the resort is family-friendly, offering amenities like a kids’ club, it has much more of an adult-centric atmosphere. 

Perched along the vibrant waters of stunning Soldier’s Bay, Blue Waters is the northernmost resort on the island. It’s also one of the closest to the V. C. Bird International Airport, which is a 15-minute drive away. With no other properties nearby, the resort feels private. Cedar Valley Golf Course is just seven minutes away by car. The busy capital of St. John’s is a short drive away. Many of its most popular restaurants, as well as attractions like the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, the V. C. Bird Monument, and the bustling Saturday market can be reached by car in 15 minutes or less. 

Blue Waters offers a wide range of airy, high-end rooms, suites, and villas, all decorated in pleasant muted colors and featuring private furnished balconies, king-size beds, air-conditioning, and ceiling fans. Wi-Fi is free, though service can be spotty around the large property. Superior Hillside Rooms are the resort’s entry-level rooms. Flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and tea and coffeemaking equipment come standard. For guests who book all-inclusive packages, the mini-fridges are stocked to order with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (premium liquor is extra). Large closets are equipped with safes, irons, ironing boards, robes, and slippers. Bathrooms are huge, and come with walk-in showers, hairdryers, and luxe Elemis toiletries. Beach towels are provided. Evening turndown service is an upscale touch. 

Deluxe Beachfront rooms are closer to the beach and add partial sea views. All rooms at this category and above also include clawfoot bathtubs. Upgrading to suites gives guests living areas. Cove Suites, offering over 700 square feet of living space and set on a more secluded part of the property, have small pools for use only by guests of those rooms. Cove Penthouses, some with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, feature kitchens, living rooms, dining areas, infinity pools, and panoramic sea views. Pelican House and Turtle Cottage are luxe residential-style villas that offer sprawling suites with large sea-view terraces. The Villas also have their own private pools. 

Rock Cottage is the highest level of lodging at Blue Waters, and a popular choice for high-profile guests. It's set on a private peninsula jutting into the turquoise waters of Soldier’s Bay. The 2,000-square-foot house features five bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a private infinity pool. Guests staying in the Cove Suites, Villas, or Rock Cottage receive extra concierge service, complete with cell phones for reaching the concierge, the management, and the food and beverage team.

Blue Waters offers the extensive amenities that most guests expect from a high-end resort. There are three restaurants to choose from: Palm Restaurant, an open-air buffet serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner; Bartley’s, a romantic, air-conditioned Caribbean restaurant for dinner; and The Cove, offering upscale French/Caribbean fare, for dinner only. Dinner reservations are required at all of the hotel’s restaurants. Pelican Bar is the hotel’s main bar, located just off the lobby, and offering nightly live piano music. There are also Carolyn’s and Veronica’s Bars, each named for the pool it sits beside, which are open until early evening. Carolyn’s also serves snacks and light fare for lunch. The Cove Suites also have their own private bar.

The resort offers breakfast-only or all-inclusive rates. The all-inclusive package covers breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and a three-course dinner at any of the hotel’s restaurants, along with house wines by the glass, select premium spirits, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks. Not included is a supplemental Connoisseur’s Choice menu of premium meats at The Cove. There is a fee for room service regardless of the packaged booked.

There are three white-sand beach areas dotted along the shore of the resort, which are well maintained but a bit rocky in parts and somewhat small given the number of guest rooms. The main beach features plenty of cushioned sun loungers and umbrellas, and offers free non-motorized water sports including windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, kayaks, pedal boats, and catamarans. There are also three freshwater pools open to all guests. Carolyn’s and Veronica’s offer poolside bars and views of the sea, while an adult pool (no bar) is set off on its own and tends to be quieter. Six other pools are scattered among the Cove Suites and Villas for use only by guests of those rooms.

The tranquil Spa at Blue Waters offers a wide range of massages, facials, and beauty treatments using high quality Elemis spa products. Fitness options include a fitness center with personal trainers available upon request, yoga classes, and a tennis court (reservations required) with lessons. Spa treatments, personal training, and tennis lessons all come with a surcharge. Parking is free, as is Wi-Fi in public areas, though service can be spotty in many parts of the property.