I’ve never considered myself lucky. Not unlucky, just not lucky. Then I received an email from Luxury Link last August. I had participated in Luxury Link’s Hotel Games, where Luxury Link travelers choose their favorite hotels from some of the most popular on the site.

One lucky winner would win a 5-night stay at their choice of one of the 15 hotels that ended up as finalists on the Hotel Games list. Unbelievably, that lucky winner was me!

The Hotel Games finalists included properties literally all over the world: Bora Bora, Fiji, and Rome to name a few. Needless to say, choosing just one was not easy. I eventually decided on the all-inclusive Hermitage Bay in Antigua. I think I made the right choice!

My boyfriend and I arrived at Hermitage Bay in late February, which is high season in Antigua and low, cold, snowy, get-me-out-of-here season where I reside. The experience was surreal from the second we made it through customs until we were dropped off at the airport six days later.

Hermitage Bay’s exemplary service was apparent as soon as we walked through the customs gate. A greeter from Hermitage escorted us to our driver, who offered us cold bottles of water and drove us straight to the resort. We arrived and were offered welcome drinks and shown to our stunning, private villa nestled on the hillside of the very secluded Hermitage Bay property. Our villa had its own plunge pool, an outdoor shower, ample outdoor space with a daybed and lounge chairs, and views of neighboring islands, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Meals were served in the open, outdoor, beachside dining room. The 3-course lunch and dinner menus changed daily and included fresh, local ingredients like cockle and Red Snapper. They offered an impressive wine list that was available at any time, but we enjoyed taking it at lunch and dinner. Breakfasts were lovely, with fresh squeezed juice available each morning as well as lattes, cappuccinos, coffee, or tea.

We enjoyed our days pre-lunch lounging at the beach in the comfy lounge chairs under the shade of the umbrellas. The staff checked on us often, bringing pina coladas, beer, fresh fruit, and water whenever we needed (ok, wanted) it. We enjoyed a motorboat tour one day and tried our hand at paddle-boarding another. There were also kayaks, windsurfing, and snorkeling gear available to use. On the weekdays I enjoyed group yoga and pilates classes on the spa deck overlooking the ocean.

We liked to spend the afternoons in our villa, opening up all the doors and windows to let the sunlight and fresh air in- making it one big, outdoor space. We plunged in our pool, lounged on the outdoor daybed, drank wine and beer from our fully-stocked mini-bar, and played music through the surround sound iPod system installed in each villa.

All in all, Hermitage Bay was fabulous. Everyone should treat themselves!