Situated on Antigua’s unspoilt south coast, this natural
harbour, defined by a fine crescent of sand, is straight out of a Caribbean
press release. The lush countryside, the warm disposition of the people and
genuine hospitality is what distinguishes Antigua from other Caribbean islands.
Turquoise waters, surrounded by emerald green hills and swaying palms,
perfectly frame this tranquil, all-suite hotel. Guests reap the benefit of the
proprietor’s assured taste and magnificent attention to detail, from the lights
that illuminate the garden at night, to the abundance of orchids, and the
custom-made furniture and interiors. A variety of bars and restaurants treat
guests to delicious meals with gorgeous views, and spacious suites are the
perfect place to return to after a day enjoying the Caribbean sun. Indulge in
their all-inclusive package; with yoga, Pilates, water sports, tennis, children’s
club, afternoon tea and meals at four tantalising restaurants all included.
This is the best way to experience Carlisle Bay!
Amenities
Hobie Cats
Kayaking
Scuba Diving
Snorkelling
Kids Club
Bar
Internet Access
Restaurant
Spa
Swimming Pool
Where is it
Nestling on the magnificent undeveloped south coast of Antigua — set in a sweeping bay on a ravishing beach with a backdrop of rolling hills and lush tropical rainforest. Transfer time from Antigua Airport: 30 minutes.
Hotel information
87 spacious, contemporary suites. Cool, calm, luxurious interiors, each with a private balcony or terrace and breath-taking sea views. All suites include complimentary refillable water bottles, ESPA amenities, hairdryer, bathrobes, espresso machine and a fully-stocked minibar*.
Garden Suites are spacious open-planned suites with a large bathroom, steps down to a separate living area and terrace or balcony with tropical garden or partial sea views, with 1 king-size bed sleeping maximum 3 adults, or 2 adults and 1 child.
All Inclusive option: includes full breakfast, three-course lunch at Indigo on the Beach, The Jetty Grill (adults only) or at the restaurant by the pool, Ottimo!, daily afternoon tea, 3-course dinner from the à la carte menu at Indigo on the Beach, The Jetty Grill (adults only), Ottimo! pan-Asian restaurant, East. Drinks including all cocktails, spirits, house wine, beers and soft drinks. Premium spirits and bottles of wine are excluded from the fully inclusive rates and may be purchased at an additional charge.
Half Board option: includes 3-course dinner and coffee selected from the à la carte menus at Indigo on the Beach, East, Ottimo! and the Jetty grill (adults only). Does not include beverages.
Ocean Suites have a balcony with views over the gardens to the ocean, with 1 king-size bed sleeping maximum 3 adults.
Beach Balcony Suites have beach views, master bedroom with 1 king-size bed, and second bedroom with 2 single beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.
Bay Suites are oceanfront, adult-only suites featuring a four-poster king-sized bed, private butler and a beachside location, sleeping maximum 2 adults.
Beach Terrace Suites are located with direct access onto the beach and unrivalled sea views. All Beach Terrace Suites have a spacious open-plan layout, 1 king-size bed with living area plus an additional second bedroom with 2 single beds. Sleeps maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.
Carlisle Suites have large sitting area which extends onto an outdoor terrace, 3 en-suite bedrooms and can sleep maximum 6 persons with a central waterfront location. Carlisle Suites come with a kitchenette, and either large terrace or wrap around balcony with uninterrupted panoramic views.
4 restaurants: Indigo on the Beach serving grills and healthy salads in an informal setting, Pan-Asian cuisine at East. Poolside Ottimo! serves classic Italian fare from a wood-burning oven and the adults-only Jetty Grill serves fresh Caribbean seafood and meats overlooking the resort’s Jetty and Caribbean Sea.
Swimming pool. CARA Organic Beauty Spa* offers a full and comprehensive spa menu. Yoga and Pilates classes* available in the Garden Pavilion or on The Jetty at sunset (the first class is complimentary). 5 tennis courts with professional tuition upon request* and Pickleball courts. PADI dive school*, complimentary non-motorised water sports including snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding and Hobie cats. Boat excursions*. Fitness centre. Screening room with movie nights. Creche*. Cool Kids Club with its own paddling pool, sand pit and jungle gym (2-6 years). Crew Blue activity programme for children 7-12 years, including raft building, five-a-side football, zip-wiring and star fish hunting (during school holidays).
Beauty salon*. Complimentary WiFi access.
Please note: a room levy of $5 per guest, per night applies to guests aged 6 years and above (payable locally, subject to change).
3 nights between 22 Dec–2 Jan.
* Denotes local charge.
Please note: children under 18 years old are not permitted to stay in the Bay Suite room types.
Based on 1430 reviews
Rating summary
Location
Sleep Quality
Rooms
Service
Value
Cleanliness
Traveller rating
Excellent (983)
Very good (247)
Average (96)
Poor (61)
Terrible (43)
Laid back luxury
Aug 3, 2025Kate F
Carlisle Bay was truly laid back luxury. It’s difficult to find anything negative to say. Staff were delightful and excellent. The food was fantastic. The hotel and beach were stunning and the island was lush and green and beautiful. We stayed in a 2 bedroom suite with two teenage girls and there was plenty of room. The only thing that would have…
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Carlisle Bay was truly laid back luxury. It’s difficult to find anything negative to say. Staff were delightful and excellent. The food was fantastic. The hotel and beach were stunning and the island was lush and green and beautiful. We stayed in a 2 bedroom suite with two teenage girls and there was plenty of room. The only thing that would have been better would be having two bathrooms but the one bathroom was very large and we managed.
Although we visited at the end of the season, the weather was lovely. Not too hot. A bit of rain at times but it only lasted a few minutes. There was a nice breeze most of the time.
We found the trip very relaxing and would love to return one day. Having the fast track through the airport was a very nice touch as well. Can very much recommend this hotel.
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An unforgettable two weeks in paradise
Jul 26, 2025ReigateFReigate, United Kingdom
We were lucky enough to spend two incredible weeks at Carlisle Bay in early July on an all inclusive stay and it completely exceeded our expectations.
Originally, we’d booked through BA Holidays for August 2025, only to be told in January that the resort would be closed for refurbishment. We brought the trip forward, and after being there, we now…
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We were lucky enough to spend two incredible weeks at Carlisle Bay in early July on an all inclusive stay and it completely exceeded our expectations.
Originally, we’d booked through BA Holidays for August 2025, only to be told in January that the resort would be closed for refurbishment. We brought the trip forward, and after being there, we now realise Carlisle Bay usually closes in August each year, so it’s a mystery how we were able to book it in the first place! With that hiccup, and a few less than glowing TripAdvisor reviews, we were admittedly a little apprehensive.
But any nerves disappeared the moment we arrived. The resort is beautiful, calm, and welcoming. Service was impeccable; yes, occasionally on “Caribbean time,” but always with warmth and grace. The food was delicious, the cocktails even better, and the entire resort was kept immaculately clean.
We stayed in a beachfront suite which was just perfect. Our loungers were only a few steps from our terrace, and we loved starting the day with the sound of the waves. Vida looked after us so well in the evenings, always thoughtful, always smiling. Len kept us cool and refreshed on the beach, and nothing was ever too much trouble.
Our 12-year-old daughter had a fantastic time with the Crew Blue activities and especially loved sneaking some breakfast to feed the tortoises at the kids’ club (shhh!). Akim was brilliant with kids of all ages.
Lunchtime at Ottimo! became a daily favourite, and the Monday beach BBQ at Jetty Grill with the steel band was a highlight. I’m already dreaming about returning for my birthday one day, just to have Leanne from Indigo sing Happy Birthday to me!
If there’s one downside, it’s the mosquitoes as they really went for us, despite using all the repellent available (and the hotel does provide some). So come prepared!
We also chartered a boat through Barefoot Antigua and can’t recommend it highly enough. We visited Stingray City, Bird Island, and several beautiful snorkelling spots.
The spa was a dream. Michelle gave fantastic treatments and the whole experience was incredibly relaxing.
Our two weeks flew by, and we now fully understand why so many people return year after year. Carlisle Bay is understated luxury at its best. We would return in a heartbeat. Highly recommend.
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Jul 24, 2025annievvOverland Park, Kansas
Picturesque beach/bay in a boutique like setting! The service was excellent at every turn from the front reception ( Fern) to the servers ( Leanne is the best) to the spa staff ( Eve gives a great massage) service to the watersports staff ( Lenny!). At every turn, service was incredible. I would recommend here if you are looking for a relax and…
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Picturesque beach/bay in a boutique like setting! The service was excellent at every turn from the front reception ( Fern) to the servers ( Leanne is the best) to the spa staff ( Eve gives a great massage) service to the watersports staff ( Lenny!). At every turn, service was incredible. I would recommend here if you are looking for a relax and chill type vacation. We did half board and I highly recommend that or all inclusive as the menu prices are steep. The spa is priced fairly, as is watersports in my opinion.
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Another wonderful stay at Carlisle Bay
Jul 22, 2025Lenka BHenley-on-Thames, United Kingdom
Just left Carlisle Bay after our second visit. We were last there 3 years ago.
We had a wonderful time, and met many guests who return year after year. It’s easy to see why.
The best bit about this resort is the beachfront location. Most rooms and suites are on the beach, literally steps from the sea. You wake up to the most wonderful sea views…
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Just left Carlisle Bay after our second visit. We were last there 3 years ago.
We had a wonderful time, and met many guests who return year after year. It’s easy to see why.
The best bit about this resort is the beachfront location. Most rooms and suites are on the beach, literally steps from the sea. You wake up to the most wonderful sea views from your room. The bay is gentle and clear, so super safe for the kids to play in. On a kayak or snorkelling you will see stingrays, barracuda, starfish, lobsters and turtles.
The service levels have definitely improved since our last visit and it feels very slick/seamless now. Many of the staff have worked at the hotel for years.
The hotel is partway through a refurb, and we were staying on one of the newly upgraded ocean suites which was stunning.
We love the fact that this resort is small, so all the kids of varying ages get to know each other. It’s incredibly safe and a place that you instantly relax.
Our favourite restaurant was East, with superb Asian food. We also enjoyed lunches at Ottimo where the food quality was also excellent.
My only negative is that the Jetty Bar wasn’t open every night for sundowners.
Overall, a fantastic stay and we will definitely return.
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Quality resort, superb beach
Jul 14, 2025colin bDublin, Ireland
Staff amazing, food amazing, beach amazing. Met with a smile, snorkelling with rainbow fish, walking with sting rays on the shore, swatted some Moskitos, ate some snapper, fell asleep on the chair. Played some tennis, worked off the pasta in the gym. Amazing.
Laid back luxury