Carlisle Bay

Danny Hayward

Stayed here and at Bluewaters, and honestly, there’s not much in it—they both have their strengths. If the beach is what matters most, this one wins hands down. The location is incredible, right on a stunning stretch of sand that really makes the stay. That said, if you’re after charm and atmosphere, Bluewaters just edges it. This hotel has loads of potential, but it could do with some refurbishment. But the best bit? Afternoon tea served to you on the beach. It honestly doesn’t get much better. A real standout experience that sets this place apart.

Bobak Kianoush

From the moment we arrived, we knew that we were among a team who love what they do.Greeted at the airport & driven to the resort,everything was organised in advance.The process of going through customs & baggage claim, chaperoned by a Carlisle Bay representative was seamless. We were greeted on our evening arrival by Kevonne, a lovely young man who got us set up in our room & made sure that nothing distracted us from our first dinner reservation. We settled quickly in our beautiful beach access suite & were escorted to Indigo to meet Kareem, a wonderful host & Michael, the sommelier, who was always smiling, gracious & fully engaged with our needs. The menus across the restaurants; Indigo, East & Ottimo, give you a broad selection with something for everyone. From your favourite salads, pasta dishes, pizzas, sushi, steaks & burgers, our only concern was not to consume too much. We enjoyed an all-inclusive stay & would highly recommend it. At Indigo, we fell in love with the staff. After a mere 48hrs, they were on first name terms w/ our entire family & Georgier, Leanne, Shantez, Jerica & Audicia, really did represent a highlight of our dining experience. Nothing was too much & the service could be described as nothing short of exceptional. Somewhat awkward subject is how much service represents too much or too little?! On an all-inclusive experience, you want to be afforded enough attention so as not to feel neglected, but you also don't want to be bothered unnecessarily. At CB, we always felt that the staff were attentive at all the right times. They were discrete & always sensitive to our 'private' conversations or family moments. We should note that our beach service from Len, encapsulated this perfectly. He was always there when we needed something, never hovering, never missing for long periods. As a team, the staff understood our needs perfectly, and as much credit as the individuals deserve in this regard, the management are also worthy of immense praise & credit. East is the Asian dining experience & the choice & quality is again exceptional. Michelle was a wonderful host, Jerica & Samaya became friends who made us excited about going back. Michael, the sommelier, seemed to be everywhere, bringing a smile to our experience and even encouraging our little boy, to eat his broccoli. Which he did. The staff have left an indelible impression on my family & I that will last as long as memories of the beautiful geography of the Bay itself. On that note, the waters are calm & clear. In march, the weather was perfect & the occasional rain worked wonders to cleanse the air & give you a break from the otherwise perfect heat & slight humidity. The tennis facilities & tennis coaching are excellent, no matter your skill level. There are paid lessons & complimentary group clinics. The kid's club (for 3+), is an incredible resource. Leaving your kids can be tricky, but the staff at kid's club were just as special to our children as the other staff elsewhere had become to our entire family. The Jetty Grill is also an incredible dining experience & though it is adult only, there's a weekly bbq w/ a live calypso band where children are welcome.The water sports team are outstanding.There are paid experiences, but canoes, pedalos, snorkels & masks are readily available for free on a first come first served basis. There are so many members of the team that I have failed to mention, but one we cannot forget is Vida from housekeeping.She was able to restore our suite to the check-in condition. Not just a daily turn down service, but incredible pride & attention to detail. Every evening, she made the idea of returning back to the suite a complete pleasure. We have had a beautiful experience at CB & as noted,aside from the magical culture & geography of Antigua, CB have done an exceptional job of bottling all of these elements for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. One we hope, as our family grows, we will be able to experience as many times as we possibly can.

Lee Pendleton

It’s not usually my thing to write reviews as time is a high priority to me but I really to feel it’s a priority to write one for Carlisle bay and the team there. It’s not that often you find a hotel that has an incredible culture, Carlisle Bay certainly has this at its highest level. We had the pleasure of coming with our little boy and he was treated like a prince from the moment we arrived. The staff at Carlisle Bay went above and beyond to ensure our family felt welcome and cared for. Ganja is incredible and is definitely a rising star for the hotel. From the warm greetings at check-in to the thoughtful touches in our room, every detail was meticulously planned to make our stay unforgettable. What truly sets Carlisle Bay apart is the genuine kindness and attentiveness of the team. They remembered our names, our preferences, and even our little boy’s favorite snacks. The kids' club was a dream come true for him, and it gave us the chance to relax and enjoy the stunning beachfront and luxurious spa and the gym. The dining experience was exceptional, with a variety of options that catered to every taste, including our picky eater. The fresh, locally sourced ingredients and the chefs' creativity made every meal a delight. Note: please attend the Thursday buffet, world class. When you try the corn try not to cry with happiness as it’s something else! Carlisle Bay isn’t just a hotel; it’s a sanctuary where you can truly unwind and create lasting memories. We left feeling rejuvenated and already planning our next visit. If you’re looking for a place that combines luxury, warmth, and impeccable service, Carlisle Bay is it. Thank you to the entire team for making our stay so special! PS the homemade pizza with pool side pizza oven, are as good as they are in Italy!!!! Pendleton’s

Geoff R

This is a wonderful location in Antigua, specifically great for families with young children. Our almost 2-year-old had a blast, which is our main barometer for a successful vacation these days. The Kids Club is great, with lots of toys (especially cars) in an air-conditioned setting, as well as a small splash pool, a pretty playground on sand, plastic scooters and all sorts of games and classes, with a very sweet group of caretakers who are lovely with the kids. The resort itself is situated on a paradisiacal beach with lazy water lapping in and out, perfect for floating, swimming, daytime snoozes with a paperback and solid rest at night. Some further breakdown of our experience: Pros - beautiful location with oceanfront patio suites, calm waters and a walkable beach; friendly atmosphere and well-kept grounds with lush plants, pathways and a koi pool; genuine, welcoming and helpful staff dedicated to customer service, who always stop to talk and joke with children; the suites are large and they are very well-cleaned each day, enjoy the small touches like a little water pool for dipping feet, free dried fruits, a fancy coffee machine; excellent breakfast with a view at Indigo and a warm breeze (daily smoothies, omelette and avocado toast were the go-tos); free kids’ pizzas at their Italian restaurant during the day; the Asian restaurant is the best choice for dinner, as dinner at Indigo left a little to be desired; afternoon iced tea with tiny sandwiches and cookies; a solid gym with a second floor setting and new equipment. We didn’t try the spa but it looked sleek and restful. Cons: bit of a drive from the airport (40 minutes) but worth the ride; it is expensive and the food is overpriced, I’m talking New York City+ expensive for most of the menu items, so that is something to consider. Likely the case at most upscale resorts though. The room, bathroom and bed are nice, but don’t expect St. Barth’s glitz or anything - I personally enjoy the more minimalist white-walled style. The outstanding location, picture-perfect beach, kids club, unique perks, and truly wonderful staff are the reasons to choose this resort.

Carlanne Herzog

Foremost, the staff is great: knowledgeable, friendly and will go that "extra mile" to assist you. The beach is beautiful; chaise lounges and towels for all, but get out there early if you want chairs near to your room location. Bartenders can pretty well concoct anything you want with a few limitations. A few top drawer liquors choices are charged plenty extra to have even if you are on full inclusive room/meal plan. I wish you well with the overly fancy coffeemaker in the room; it took me a few days to get hang of this gizmo. Good massage in the spa; fair job on the shampoo and blow dry (expensive at $70 plus almost 25% in taxes and service charges). We have been to Antigua 6 X now, but this is the first experience at Carlisle Bay.