Carlisle Bay, Antigua

Luxury Caribbean resort set on a stunning beach with excellent family-friendly facilities and services

7 nights from £1,700pp sharing a Garden Suite, including daily breakfast, flights and transfers

Carlisle Bay is set on a dazzling, white sand beach in a secluded bay, against a backdrop of hills and rainforest. The suites are spacious and luxurious: from the couples-only Garden and Ocean Suites to the family-friendly Beach and Carlisle Suites. All have cool, calm contemporary interiors and a terrace or balcony with stunning Caribbean views.

Accommodation

A haven of tranquillity, Carlisle Bay's cool, calm and contemporary interiors contrast wonderfully with the magnificent beach and lush rainforest surroundings. The Caribbean-facing suites each combine polished dark woods with pale, crisp linens with options for both couples and families. All the resort's suites have air-conditioning, mini-bar, espresso machine, safe, hairdryer, flat-screen TV with satellite reception, iPod docking station, CD/DVD player, complimentary wi-fi, a private terrace or balcony and a twice-daily maid service.

Activities & Experiences

Even though it's a fairly boutique resort, Carlisle Bay has an impressive array of activities on offer. Complimentary activities at the resort include sailing, snorkelling, windsurfing, kayaking, gym and tennis. At an additional charge you can also go scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, water skiing and kite-surfing nearby. There are also two 18 hole golf courses, including Cedar Valley where the Antigua Open is played every October.

If all those choices don't provide you with enough exercise, you can hit the gym for a workout. Alternatively, if you think it's time to relax and rejuvenate, the enticing spa has luxurious treatment rooms, a dedicated wet room, a couples treatment room, sauna, plunge pools, and a blissful relaxation zone.

Families

Children all have a great time at Carlisle Bay. A range of clubs and activities ensure younger guests have a fun-filled holiday and parents can feel at ease leaving children in safe hands. "Cool Crèche" is for 6 months to 3 years (an hourly charge for under 2s applies), whilst "Cool Kids" is for children aged from 4 to 6 - both are open daily. Complimentary kids high tea is served daily.

Well designed indoor and outdoor areas include a sand pit, paddling pool, jungle gym, mini tennis court and tricycles. Activities range from painting to treasure hunts, turtle watching to tennis coaching. The resort organises programmes during the school holidays:

"Crew Blue" for 7 to 12 year olds and "Crush" for teenagers.

Facilities & Services

All tastes are catered for, with the resort's 4 restaurants serving local, Italian and Asian cuisines. You can even have your order brought to the beach or the pool. The Jetty Grill is an adult-only beachside restaurant. For a cooling drink by the pool or a cocktail before dinner, there are three stylish bars to choose from. The resort features a swimming pool, Spa, sauna, plunge pool, hair salon, yoga pavilion, gym, nine tennis courts (four floodlit), library with books and CDs and a screening room (with films for children and adults).

Weather & Seasons

The Caribbean is warm throughout the year. The peak season (which is also the dry season, with very little rain) runs from December to April. May to November are the slightly wetter months, but the summer months are still a great time to travel as the temperatures are hot and the rain tends to come in short heavy bursts.