Antigua’s now on the green list – and this new five-star hotel on the island?
The gold list, for sure.
Hammock Cove is a shining new gem of a place to stay and from the minute our personal butler (included with every room – along with a mobile phone to call them anytime) swept open the door to our suite, it was clear leaving would be tough. And the longer we lingered, the more challenging escaping became.
Hammock Cove, pictured, is the fifth Elite Island Resorts property on Antigua, joining St. James’ Club and Villas, Galley Bay Resort and Spa, The Verandah Resort and Spa, and Pineapple Beach Club
Accommodation at Hammock Cove is in the form of 42 ‘light and spacious’ villas with ’embarrassingly large private wooden decks’
Each villa comes with a mobile phone, which guests can use to summon their private butler
Each of the 42 villas at the property is light and spacious and boasts a frankly embarrassingly large private wooden deck.
Open the sliding French doors in front of your bed each morning and you can choose to relax on your own sunloungers or suspended armchair, or in an infinity plunge pool.
All this is enjoyed overlooking a calm and empty azure sea – the benefits of the hotel being situated in a cove and being on the less busy Atlantic side of the island.
‘Open the sliding French doors in front of your bed each morning and you can choose to relax on your own sunloungers or suspended armchair,’ writes Katy
Sizing it up: There is plenty of room for manoeuvre throughout every villa
Water great position: Every villa has a sea view, so you won’t feel short-changed
Hungry? No need to move – you can order food from both the hotel’s incredible restaurants to your room free of charge, delivered with panache by your butler.
However, despite the room’s temptations, leave you must.
As well as the sugar-sand beach, postcard-worthy sea and some seriously plush cushioned beach loungers, there is a fully equipped and deliciously cool gym, luxurious spa, and a range of water sports on offer just yards from your room.
Guests can order food and drink via their butler to the sunbeds on the Hammock Cove beach
A boat trip was one of Katy’s favourite ways to see the island (left). Pictured right is her partner cooling off in gin-clear waters during one of the stops
You can also use your butler mobile to call for drinks and food to be delivered to your sunbed – anytime.
Be warned – if you are someone who likes to let loose on the dancefloor on holiday, this isn’t the hotel for you.
The mood of this adults-only resort is laid-back, with attentive high-end service.
Evening music is kept to a minimum, usually just a jazz singer or steel band at Hammock Cove’s signature restaurant, Lighthouse.
However, guests made an effort to dress up for the elegant restaurant setting, a daily-changing menu worthy of any Mayfair establishment and the charming sommelier, Silvia.
Don’t be scared to ask to speak to Italian Executive Chef Marco Festini. Despite his Michelin-starred experience, he cheerfully came and sat with me one morning over coffee to plan a menu just for my partner and me for a special evening.
Most nights will see him doing a round of the dining tables, personally checking guests are happy with their meal.
Food comes courtesy of Michelin-trained Italian Executive Chef Marco Festini. Pictured here is the signature restaurant, Lighthouse
This image show’s the resort’s tempting spa centre, which features five treatment rooms equipped for a variety of face and body therapies
Katy writes: ‘This is the only hotel I have visited with a team I’m still in contact with – they really did help to make it the ultimate escape’
This is the stunning view from the Shirley Heights lookout, a top day-trip spot
Should you wish to venture beyond the hotel’s boundaries, you have a range of day trips available – walking to the nearby Devil’s Bridge National Park, jeep tours of the island’s high points and seeing the sunset at the famous Shirley Heights lookout.
Our favourite was exploring Antigua’s coastline from the sea on a boat trip that leaves from the hotel’s jetty.
As with any resort worth its salt, the staff are what make it.
And Hammock Coves’ are in a class of their own.
Nearly every team member will know your drink or meal preference, if not your name.
They don’t bow or scrape, they just genuinely love Hammock Cove and care about their guests’ comfort and enjoyment.
This is the only hotel I have visited with a team I’m still in contact with – they really did help to make it the ultimate escape, inside and out.