Antigua - First Trip - Which Beach and Which Bed ?
 

We will be visiting Antigua for a week next August. We enjoy beaches, snorkeling, long walks, adventure and good food. We are not looking to stay in a high priced resort, as we will be too busy to take advantage of the facilities offered there. At the same time we do like large comfortable beds, beautiful environments and excellent value for money. Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Good_Will from Downunder

What is your budget?
Are you looking for AI? I would recommend it, since eating out and finding great food seemed to be a challenge for me when I was there. Snorkelling is not great, but the beaches are fabulous.

We will be there for a week and dont want to be captive to a resort. We would rather wander from place to place by car or bicycle. No point in siting by the edge of resort swimming pools, given that the various beaches are a large part of the reason to visit Antigua. Budget is really value for money driven. Might splurge on a good apartment with great view for a week, but probably would settle for a king size bed in a clean happy place with some view.

I know there is an assumption that if you stay in an AI, somehow you are a prisoner who doesn't leave the "resort". We almost always rent a car and go around the island by ourselves & eat out. This is how I know that good restaurants are hard to come by. I don't sit by pools, don't swim in them either. It's all about the sea and the beach for me.
I would look in the Dickenson's Bay, Jolly Harbour and English Harbour area which should have apartments and restaurants nearby.

There are so many options.

We would be grateful for any comments about apartments, condos, B&Bs etc that provided great value and were very memorable.

Thanks again.

As we will be there for a week plus and would like to visit many beaches and be on the go for most of the time it seems that an AI would be wasted on us.

Does anyone have a recommendation for an apartment or cottage ?

Alternatively maybe we could split 8 days and spend half our time by travelling on LIAT to another destination - maybe St Lucia or another Caribbean option with flights out to NYC which is the next point on our planned itinerary.

I was on Dickenson's beach in April 2014@ a Sandals. I know you don't want to stay there.... There were several places- low key looking properties that you might like..... The beach is gorgeous. Lapping waves, great sand. I really loved it. I googled them..... Halcyon Cove, Dickenson Bay Cottages, buccaneer Beach Club....We also took an excursion to the South Coast-went kayaking through mangroves which led to the sea. It was awesome. Looks like there is a hotel called South Coast Horizon. Again- I stayed at the Sandals& loved it .. You sound like an adventurer & might want to research other places. Shirley Heights is a must do.

Hi BellaClaire.

You are correct. Sandals would probably be an over indulgence. We are taking a seven week around the World trip from Australia and Antigua is just one stop. The specials at Sandals are affordable but I am really searching for a week rental of a modern apartment with views if possible and a king size bed. Thanks for your advice.

Does anyone have a favourite place to stay that is not an AI ? We are adventurers who prefer to visit many beaches that are available to all and variation in places to eat.

We are searching for an apartment or cottage in August for a week and car rental. Any suggestions ? I will take a look at TripAdvisor. If you have any recommendations would greatly appreciate advice. Thanks again .