Antigua: A Girl's Guide To The Best Shops, Hotels And Restaurants

Roz Spiers, The Daily Telegraph, December 09, 2013

Stay

A perfect mix of colonial style and luxury, The Inn at English Harbour, in the south of the island, has everything you could want: tranquil, beautiful grounds, and a perfect beach and pool. Heaven. From £336 per night; theinnantigua.com

Built around a sugar-mill tower that is now a bar boasting great views, Harmony Hall, on the east coast, has an art gallery and a restaurant that serves fresh, tasty Italian food. £155 per night; harmonyhallantigua.com

Eat

Papa Zouk, in St John’s, the capital, is a cool little fish and rum joint serving delicious seafood (make sure you try the conch fritters) and an impressive rum selection. 001 268 464 6044

Abracadabra is an authentic, family-run Italian restaurant. theabracadabra.com

Have a candlelit dinner overlooking the bay on The Inn at English Harbour’s hilltop terrace. The soursop sorbet is a must-try.

For something a bit special, try Le Bistro, a full-of-flavour French restaurant in Hodges Bay. antigualebistro.com

Drink

On the main street in English Harbour you can’t miss the open-air Rasta Shack, a laid- back local hangout ideal for dancing all night.

Head to Shirley Heights Lookout, overlooking English Harbour, on Sunday evenings. Enjoy rum punch, jerk chicken, live music and a spectacular view of the sunset. Flat shoes are advised – it’s impossible not to get into the carnival spirit. shirleyheightslookout.com

Do

Beach, beach and more beach. There is apparently a beach for every day of the year in Antigua. One of the most stunning is Half Moon Bay.

Take a sea kayak around the mangroves and to Green Island, off the east coast, to snorkel and discover the diverse wildlife. tropicalad.com

Shop

Let’s be honest, Antigua is not a fashion destination. But if you need to satisfy your shopping urges, wander to the converted dockside warehouses at Redcliffe Quay in St John’s. If nothing else, it’s a great place to find a T-shirt.

Pick up one of the Antiguan artist Nancy Nicholson’s pots, made from local clay and glazed in vibrant island blues, from her studio in English Harbour. rhythmofblue.com

Buy

English Harbour Five-Year rum is beautifully smooth, warm and dangerously easy to drink. antiguadistillery.com

Fly with

Tropic Breeze offers seven nights half-board in a junior suite at The Inn at English Harbour from £1,749 per person, based on two adults sharing, including return Virgin Atlantic flights from London Gatwick to Antigua, and airport transfers in Antigua ( tropicbreeze.co.uk )