I came to Antigua with a very specific vision: to host Unplug • Unwind • Unwrap, an intimate leadership retreat designed around something I believe deeply—rest as strategy.
Although I was at Blue Waters for business, this was intentionally not a traditional business retreat. We gathered accomplished leaders who spend their lives building organizations, serving communities, caring for families, leading teams and carrying significant responsibility. We wanted to create an environment where they could step away from constant output long enough to breathe, restore, reflect and gain clarity about what comes next.
Blue Waters Resort & Spa became more than the location. Their team became partners in creating the experience.
Our retreat included daily breathwork and reflection guided by Rich Mancuso of BSRNow.com, whose sessions overlooking the Caribbean helped our leaders slow down, reconnect with themselves and begin each day with intention.
We also experienced a wonderful Food as Medicine workshop with registered dietitian Stacey Woodson, MS, RDN, LDN, of StaceyWoodson.com, exploring nourishment, health, culture, joy and sustainable performance.
And this is where Blue Waters truly distinguished itself.
Carla, whose roots on the island brought an authentic Antiguan perspective to our experience, helped transform our Food as Medicine programming and international cuisine experience into something richer. Food became more than a meal—it became culture, connection and part of the curriculum.
Chef Michael and the culinary team beautifully supported our curated group dining. Some of the most meaningful moments of the retreat happened around those tables—learning, laughing, reflecting and simply being together.
And then there was Nicole—the consummate concierge.
When you are responsible for a curated group experience, the person who can anticipate needs, understand the larger vision and quietly solve logistical details is invaluable. Nicole helped us navigate transportation, timing, experiences and the countless details that allow a retreat host to remain present with guests rather than constantly managing operations.
Behind the experience was an administrative team that worked through an extraordinary number of moving pieces with us. Trisha, Eddison, Kevin the GM, Cameron, and so many members of the Blue Waters family whose names I unfortunately cannot capture here, contributed to making our stay memorable.
What surprised me most, however, was how beautifully Blue Waters accommodated the different reasons people come to Antigua.
I was there for business.
My 91-year-old mother, who was born in Antigua, was there with me.
My husband was there.
Our 8- and 12-year-old children were there.
Our retreat guests were there.
And somehow, none of those experiences felt incompatible.
That is one of Blue Waters' greatest strengths.
The resort strikes an exquisite balance.
I could imagine coming here as a solo traveler seeking quiet and restoration.
I could imagine returning with my husband for an intimate couples escape.
I experienced it as a multigenerational family traveling with a 91-year-old elder and young children.
And I now know firsthand that it can serve as an exceptional setting for a thoughtfully curated group or leadership retreat.
There is room for activity and room for stillness.
Room for community and room for solitude.
Room for children to experience joy and for adults to exhale.
Room for business conversations without making the experience feel like work.
That mattered tremendously to me because part of what I wanted my children to witness was a different model of leadership.
I want them to understand that leadership is not measured by exhaustion.
That ambition and rest can coexist.
That purpose and family can coexist.
That health, nourishment, reflection, joy and meaningful work do not have to compete with one another.
At Blue Waters, we didn't simply talk about rest as strategy.
We practiced it.
We breathed.
We rested.
We learned.
We ate beautifully.
We experienced Antigua.
We laughed.
We reflected.
We unplugged, unwound and unwrapped.
And the extraordinary natural setting made all of that possible—but the people made it memorable.
I have experienced beautiful properties around the world. Beautiful surroundings alone do not create extraordinary hospitality. People do.
To Nicole, Carla, Chef Michael, Trisha, Addison, Kevin, Cameron, and the many people working quietly behind the scenes: thank you for caring for our guests, my family and the vision we brought to Antigua.
My mother was able to experience this on the island where her story began. My children were able to witness their grandmother's homeland while watching adults model a healthier way of leading. And our guests were given space to put down some of what they carry every day.
That is difficult to quantify.
I arrived at Blue Waters with a business objective and a retreat vision.
I left with deep gratitude, renewed courage and memories across three generations of my family.
Whether you are traveling alone, reconnecting as a couple, bringing your family, or creating an intimate curated group experience, Blue Waters has an unusual ability to give each traveler room for the experience they came to Antigua to have.
Some resorts give you a beautiful place to stay. Blue Waters gave us a beautiful place to become still enough to remember what matters.
Blue Waters will forever be part of our Antigua story.
