Hermitage Bay

Why book?

This resort is a true slice of paradise, and the kind of place you'll be itching to return to the moment you leave. Expect utter peace, relaxing accommodations, excellent food, and a plethora of water activities.

Set the scene

Down a long dirt road, this secluded resort backs up to a private cove (its namesake, Hermitage Bay), offering smooth turquoise waters you can stroll into and float around in from sunup to sundown. You very well might not want to leave (the yoga, breakfast, beach routine was quite easy to slip into), but if you do fancy an excursion off the property, the hotel will be happy to arrange a driver to take you to sites on the island like Nelson's Dockyard and Dow’s Hill Interpretation Center, or coordinate a ferry ride or helicopter over to Barbuda for a leisurely lunch at Nobu. On site, you're sure to spot couples and honeymooners, and maybe a solo traveller or two, all in a state of vegged-out bliss.

The backstory

When Andy Thesen first visited Antigua in the early 2000s to consider buying a villa, the stretch of land that would become Hermitage was nothing but acres and acres of hillside abutting a stunning beachfront. Over time, plans shifted, and Thesan became an investor in the hotel as it is today. It took well over a year to delicately clear the land needed while still preserving the hillside's natural beauty; around the winter holidays in 2006, Hermitage Bay finally opened up to visitors.

Thesen remained with the property until last year, when Daniel Shamoon, co-owner and director of Luxury Hotel Partners, purchased it. (Shamoon's other hotels include Spain's Marbella Club and several Nobu hotels, including the one under construction on Antigua's sister island, Barbuda.) Since then, it's been undergoing a makeover, with updates to the food program, spa, and guest suites.

Hermitage Bay itself is now part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, a selection of boutique hotels around the world that “offer one-of-a-kind, secluded, and discrete accommodations with premium standards of luxury and guest wellbeing.”

The rooms

The spacious, contemporary cottages – 30, in all – were recently redesigned to be lighter and airier, swapping out dark wood for light and granting unobstructed ocean views via large sliding glass doors. Rattan accents, white linens, and mosquito-netted beds create a Balinese-esque look, while hideaway TVs encourage you to unplug a little (at least until it's dark outside). The decks are nearly as large as the bedroom, with lounge chairs, day beds, and private plunge pools to dip into. For those up on the hill, staff are on standby to ferry guests up and down in golf carts.

Food and drink

With one main restaurant (a second was near completion when I visited and is now open for lunch), it's easy for the food to become tiresome. However, the seasonal menu offers enough variety to keep weeklong guests more than satisfied, but not overwhelmed with choice. Order traditional dishes like the Antiguan chop-up, classic hotel favourites like a club sandwich or burger, or something in between. Dishes are made mainly with fresh, local produce and fish – stroll down the beach to the on-site farm to see where your vegetables and herbs are blooming.

Whatever you do, don't skip out on the daily sushi happy hour – Nobu-trained chefs serve up appetisers omakase style, based on what's caught that day. Served at the gorgeous Tree Bar – a bar circling the massive beachfront tree – it's a truly decadent experience.

As an all-inclusive property, your meals, afternoon snacks, and fresh sushi are covered, as are cocktails and beverages, like the juice of the day served at breakfast (premium drinks and a larger wine list are offered at an additional charge).

The spa

Like the rest of the property, the spa is nestled into nature – stroll through tropical gardens to reach the gate, where you'll enter before your massage, facial, or Dorissima colour ritual (a blend of treatments designed around a specific focus, like empowerment or intuition). If you prefer, any of the treatments can take place in your suite. When I visited, plans were underway to add a pool and sauna to the spa in 2025. Complimentary yoga, meditation, and Pilates classes are held each morning, too, in a pavilion overlooking the ocean.

The neighbourhood

Situated on the western side of the island, there's nothing within walking distance. However, the island itself is quite small, so a car can take you nearly anywhere you want to go in an hour or so. On site, you're here to rest and delight in the calm waters of the cove. With the change of ownership came new water sports options – two speedboats (29 and 44 feet, respectively) and a 103-foot sailboat are now on the property and available for guests to enjoy boating trips around the island, as well as deep-sea fishing trips and sunset cruises. Snorkelling, paddleboarding, and kayaking gear are available, too.

The service

General manager Rachel Browne is an absolute delight – she and her team, many of whom have been at the property for more than a decade (Browne's been there since it first opened), are the type to know guests by name and go out of their way to make your stay special. After all, this is a property that welcomes many special-occasion guests, whether it's a couple on their honeymoon, hosting a micro-wedding, or returning for an annual pilgrimage.

Eco effort

Getting goods to the island is costly, and at times a logistical nightmare, so sourcing ingredients locally is a huge focus of the property. The fish served at happy hour is dependent on what's been recently caught, and just past the last suite along the beach, an onsite farm is thriving – guests can go by for tours to see where the fruit, vegetables, and herbs used in their meals are coming from.

Accessibility

This property is very much on the beach, so it may be tough for those with some disabilities to navigate certain spaces (the Tree Bar, for example). We recommend reaching out to the hotel to relay any specific needs before booking.

Anything left to mention?

This is a tranquil space, and one designed to encourage you to unplug and decompress – listening to the sounds of hummingbirds, tree frogs, and crashing waves. While you can take Zoom calls from your room if you must, large electronics are largely discouraged around the property – in fact, the one place they are sanctioned is the “electronics and smoking area” tucked into the back corner of the main pool deck.