Travel Matters Insight

Carlisle Bay

About…

Carlisle Bay is a luxury resort that has the privilege of sitting amongst a natural harbour on the southern tip of Saint Mary. Antigua has been praised for its emerald landscapes & swaying palms, the high standards of its hospitality, lush countryside, turquoise waters & heavenly beaches and the vibrant character of its people.  

Carlisle Bay’s resort is comprised of 87 airy & modern suites that are laden with bathrobes, complimentary bottled water, Temple Spa amenities, an espresso machine, a fully-stocked minibar and a hairdryer. Each Ocean Suite has a private balcony or terrace, which present delicious views of the Caribbean Sea and range from 72-150 square metres. Lavish options are in abundance, so consider the Garden Suite! This room-type enables guests to enjoy expansive open-planned areas with large bathrooms, a detached living area and garden with tropical flora giving you more privacy - ideal for a couple or a family of 2 adults and 1 child. The Garden Suites interconnect to suit families or groups of friends. Larger alternatives are available as Beach Balcony Suites and Beach Terrace Suites. These Suites are able to house 2 adults and 2 children, with the Master Bedroom having bragging privileges of a king-size bed and the second bedroom with twin beds (baby cribs are available upon request). As you emerge from either your Balcony or Terrace, you will be greeted by unparalleled views of the beach. Kids will be in amazement, as countless water activities will be at their direct disposal. The biggest option that Carlisle Bay provides is its Carlisle Suites. Here guests will have the luxury of 3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen and a living space. If you’re celebrating a Honeymoon, or you’re just having a romantic getaway, the exclusive Bay Suites are the latest accommodation option at Carlisle Bay. These intimate havens of privacy can be found at the quieter, more private part of Carlisle Bay’s splendid crescent-shaped beach.

Carlisle Bay has four excellent dining choices for guests. ‘The Jetty Grill’ is themed around Caribbean-fusion cuisine and creates menus that embrace grilling meats and fresh seafood. ‘OTTIMO!’ is a fine option for those missing a European and Mediterranean diet. This is a more casual lunch and dinner option, with a wood-fired oven that whips up the delicious pizzas. The ‘East’ restaurant is renowned on the island and has been themed on Japanese, Thai and Indonesian dishes. As you enter through tall carved Indonesian doors, the dark wood and Fuschia arrangement will transport you to the South East of Asia. Here, you will discover that the menu consists of freshly-caught seafood, duck, beef, chicken, lamb and vegetarian options. We suggest considering the ‘All Inclusive’ option, which includes; full breakfast, three-course lunch, daily afternoon tea and a 3-course dinner. Drinks are included, so all cocktails, spirits, house wine, beers and soft drinks will be effortlessly accessible to help you ease your way into pure relaxation (excluding premium spirits)! A Half Board option is available and this comprises of a 3-course lunch. Yum!

Key Sustainable Features…

Carlisle Bay are owned by Harcourt Developments, who have a shared interested in the sustainability and development of Antigua. By promoting luxury resorts, such as Carlisle Bay, a more considerate type tourist will choose to visit the island. This will generate more chances to provide the goods and services international visitors require. In turn, small businesses will find that they are able to flourish their product and grow. Robert De Niro has been named as the Economic Ambassador for the country and has been calling for more investment and visitation.

Carlisle Bay is proud to be seen as an established economic-driver, particularly for their direct employment numbers. Guests welcomed to indulge in locally grown, organic cuisines, and eco-friendly amenities when visiting Carlisle Bay. The resort have also included the following measures in to their remit –

• A Reverse Osmosis plant which produces purified potable water (50,000 gallons daily) as our main water supply source has been installed.

• The use of energy saving equipment/devices such as inverter air conditioning units, LED lights, pathway lighting and sprinklers turned on by set timers.

• Chefs on site herb garden which produces fresh herbs such as seasonal hot peppers, kale, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, scallions, rosemary, bok choy, thyme and much more.

• Supporting local farmers by purchasing most of the perishables such as vegetables and fruits & ground provisions.

• Use of all environmentally friendly cleaning detergents/chemicals in all Food & Beverage and Housekeeping outlets departments.

Travel Matters Highlights…

Experiences Galore…‘Carlisle Bay Time’!

During your time in-resort, you & your guests will have an abundance of leisure time. That’s why we encourage you all to participate in what we have been educated to know as ‘Carlisle Bay Time’! This is a chance to book ‘Resort Experiences’ and ‘Resort Experiences’.

‘Resort Experiences’ are activities that are planned within the heavenly bubble of Carlisle Bay. Having crystal clear waters on your doorstep offers an unlimited possibility of fun. A complete & comprehensive variety of complimentary on-site non-motorised water-sports are offered to all guests. Make use of Kayaking, Paddle Boarding, Raft-building, Sailing, Snorkelling and Windsurfing - all of which are appropriate for beginners as there is expert tuition on hand to assist. If you want to stay a little dryer, sign up for the resort’s ‘Personalised Health Retreat’, where you will be assigned a holistic health practitioner and Yoga Instructor who will help build a fitness regime that is perfect for you. The resort has the privilege of high-quality tennis facilities, so book in a slot to work on your groundstroke, have a professionally-led lesson or be part of a competitive in-resort competition. ‘Island Experiences’ give you & your party more flexibility in your activities! Outsourcing highly trained businesses means you are in great hands. The resorts concierge can assist with Hiking Trips, Art Trails, Horse Riding, Helicopter Tours, Kite Surfing, Zip Line Tours, Sting Ray Expeditions, Boat Excursions and Scuba Diving.

We are also aware that you may be travelling with little ones. Great news! You can drop your kids off at the resort’s Crèche so they can have exhilarating mornings & afternoons with like-minded children, whilst they participate in specialised activities. This could be your most useful aid, if you’re planning on booking a treatment with the ‘Cara Organic Beauty Spa’. This sanctum specialises in the restoration in inner harmony & balance that will re-connect you with your body, mind & soul. A list of healing massage therapies and holistic offerings can be booked in advance, so just let us know what you are craving.

Finally, all guests are welcome to enjoy ‘Firepit Fridays’. This is a renowned in-resort experience that will give you the chance to taste Carlisle Bay’s old-fashioned rum punch and local Caribbean music at their Jetty Grill. Come together for a boogie, or just simply sit back and enjoy local singers produce enchanting performances.

Map & Location…

Antigua, also known for its sister island Barbuda, is an islands that forms the independent state in the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. Antigua is renowned for its remarkable coastline and bays, where hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to every year to enjoy the reefs and shoals. With a relatively small area of 108 square miles (280 square km), visitors have a real sense of island life and are graced with undulating scenery that include volcanic rocks – with a peak 405 metres at Mount Obama.

A trip to St John's, the islands capital, will reveal architecture from a British Colonial past that has been mixed with a contemporary style. One of the prettiest spectacles in St. John is admiring vibrant coloured architecture and the ruins of sugar plantations that back onto the baroque style of Cathedral of St John the Devine. A real indication of the island’s past, which has been fortified by the local’s faith. There are some further key attractions to visit that will give you a great idea of the island’s identity, so make sure to visit; Fort Barrington, Betty's Hope, Fort James and Museum of Antigua & Barbuda.

Antigua lies within close proximity to the Equator, which has a direct effect on its weather. The islands experiences constant temperatures, so it’s not likely to encounter seasonal variations. You can expect average temperatures in the mid-twenties (80 degrees Fahrenheit) for most of the year, which is met with low rainfall and smaller levels of humidity. The other constant you can rely on is Antiguans. Wherever you find yourself on the island of Antigua, you can be assured of one thing – the happiness of its locals! Don’t be surprised at the warmth of engaging locals, who will lighten your day with an exuberant smile.