Romantic Caribbean Couples Resort

My latest honeymoon clients dream of a romantic, overwater bungalow in Fiji or Tahiti, but they have a budget more in the $6,000 range, so they are looking for something more economical.  They want to have a bungalow experience at a smaller, more intimate resort, and are hoping I can work my magic.  I put my thinking cap on and went to the bank of my experiences to find a romantic Caribbean couples resort for them that I think they are going to be very excited about.

For this, we are going to head to the island of Antigua.  My husband and I visited the small island of Antigua with its 365 beautiful beaches, one for every day of the year two years ago.  We visited several resorts and love this one for its affordability, intimacy and character.

The adults-only Galley Bay is hidden off an obscure dirt road, about 30 minutes from the airport on the western coast.  It is somewhat remote, so its being all-inclusive is a huge bonus.  Galley Bay is a very laid-back resort, where you can truly relax and enjoy some well-earned “us” time.

This postcard-perfect Caribbean hideaway offers a prime seafront location, good food and beachfront accommodations.  Situated amid natural tropical vegetation, between a saltwater lagoon and a talcum powdery stretch of beach, this resort has more of a Polynesian flair than Caribbean, with skinny palms, bamboo and terra-cotta accents, and a group of unique, thatch-roofed huts that make you feel like you’re Robinson Crusoe.  You arrive through a gated entrance and continue past tropical landscaping including an old sugar mill to the open-air main pavilion for registration.  Once you’re checked in, a driver will take you in a golf cart on a pathway across the lagoon to the main resort space, where your room is located.

Galley Bay is a nature lover’s paradise.  At the natural bird sanctuary, you’ll enjoy the presence of swooping pelicans, majestic frigate birds and elegant heron, to name just a few of the numerous avian residents. You’ll also want to keep your eyes peeled for the intriguing bright-red ghost crabs that call this place home, as well as the turtles hatching on the beach at certain times of the year.

Wooden columns and peaked ceilings with whirling fans create an island feel in the nearby European-Caribbean fusion restaurant and bar. You’ll really enjoy the unobstructed water views from the restaurants, including the thatched-cabana-style Gauguin Restaurant. This venue serves a dynamic menu dominated by fresh seafood, and the setting is undoubtedly upscale with a dress code in place.

The boardwalk, which is lit at night, connects to a dramatic freshwater pool with rocks, waterfalls, water views, and a thatched hut for drinks.  The newest restaurant addition to the resort is Ismay’s; an open-air, beachfront dining venue serving local cuisine, close to the sand.  Be sure to ask how the restaurant got it’s name, if you go.  Please note that it is not part of the all-inclusive program and requires a supplemental fee. Romantic couples; you will appreciate the live music at the resort every evening in the lounge bar and weekly calypso music at Sea Grape Restaurant.  For an extra charge, you can experience a romantic dinner on this beach, known for its spectacular sunsets.

The good-sized, freeform pool is surrounded by one palapa for every two lounge chairs, so you’ll be well shaded.  The architect created faux rocks and a multi-level waterfall that would make Fred Flintstone say “Yabba dabba doo”.

Complimentary sailing, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailboarding and snorkeling is offered, but if you love to swim, you may have trouble with the oft rough sea.  Ping pong, croquet, bicycling and jogging tracks are available, as well.  A single tennis court with on-site pro is available during the day, but stays unlighted in the evening.

 

Indulge, the small spa, offers you the utmost in relaxation and pampering. The staff is available to arrange tours, and you can browse through a boutique or work out in the fitness center.  You can unplug from the world at Galley Bay, but if you must, free Wireless Internet access is available in the cozy library lounge or in the beachfront suites. There is also a rental car desk and free parking available on-site, but Antigua’s roads and signage can be challenging, so I recommend a taxi for your transportation needs.

The most expensive of the accommodations are the beachfront suites, which are set well away from each other to give you maximum privacy. Their large sitting areas open to sea-view balconies or terraces, and the tiled baths are among the most impressive on the island, offering the only tubs in the hotel.

The beachfront rooms are in a series of one- and two-story buildings, two of which are directly on the beach. All rooms have a distinct island style, with ceiling fans, air-conditioning, tiled floors, bamboo and rattan pieces, armoires, refrigerators stocked with drinks, coffeemakers, safes, hair dryers, robes and king beds.  Baths have stone-tile floors, pedestal sinks, spa-quality toiletries and gigantic stall showers. Each room also has a large balcony or patio.

The least expensive, but most romantic choice is my favorite; the Gauguin Cottages.  These unique bungalows are two-room (one for sleeping, one with bath and shelving) plaster and thatch huts with terraces and plunge pools.  Between the two is a small covered lounging area.  Mosquito netting drapes the bed romantically.  Although only a bit larger than your average hot tub, you’ll find privacy enough to make skinny-dipping an option. These are the most tropical of the choices here, set back from the beach and closer to the saltwater lagoon.

So, my recommendation for this couple’s honeymoon or your romantic getaway is a week at Galley Bay in Antigua in a romantic Gauguin Cottage, which with airfare, is a hair over their $6,000 budget and I think they’ll be thrilled.

So will you, if you go, so contact me today by calling 909-255-1410 to arrange your own romantic honeymoon or getaway to Galley Bay.  (Imagine renewing your vows in this beautiful gazebo).  Or, if you aren’t sure where you want to go, visit my website at www.AppointmentWithSheila.com to complete my romantic vacation questionnaire and schedule an appointment with me.  I’ll do some research, based on your answers, so I have some ideas for you during our conversation.  I look forward to speaking with you soon!

To read about another Antigua resort, Hermitage Bay, that I highly recommend as well, which offers private bungalows right on the beach, click here.