Hermitage Bay

I rarely write reviews , it I feel this resort well deserves one. Hermitage Bay is located in a secluded corner of Antigua. The water is a beautiful turquoise , the sunsets are the most exquisite we’ve ever seen, the property is beautiful and pristine.(we stayed in the mountain suite, gorgeous views) What stood out for us, beyond the hotel itself, was the wonderful, genuine and attentive , and super caring staff. One of the highlights was the Sushi at the bar every afternoon. Also , try the cheesecake!

Our six day vacation here was perfect. The staff is very friendly and always aim to please. The grounds are beautiful - with amazing plants, birds and local wildlife. Our food was delicious and the menu is varied enough to offer something for every taste. The evening sushi sittings at the sushi hut were delightful and fresh beyond fresh. The beach is perfect. We hope fo come back again!

Intro: Being a Hilton Honors Diamond member, we were able to use 520,000 HH points for a 5-night stay. We booked our stay when the points rate was 130,000 per night (standard room rate with 5th night free). Since then, they have raised the standard room rate to 150,000 per night. The standard room we booked was the Beach Front Villa. The cost of the room would have been around $18,000 at that time for the 5-night stay. Obviously, this was an exceptional use of HH points, probably the best on the planet I’d say. If your stay is 3 or more nights, then your airport transfers (from and to) are included in the cost. You also get fast-track immigration upon arrival. Arrival: They provided us with details of how to navigate the arrival hall and all went without any issues. We met Lisa and she guided us through the process. It was smooth and stress-free. We were in our private car with Vernon to Heritage Bay in no time at all. At the resort, check-in was seamless. They provided welcome drinks, an explanation of food times and planning, and a brief tour of the grounds. They made us feel special from the very first interaction (and it had nothing to do with our Hilton status). Room: Our beach villa was an amazing place to relax throughout the day. A bi-level deck in front, with various places to sit, lounge, and sleep provided comfort for any mood we were in. The room was huge, with a very comfy bed as well as various areas to sit and lounge. There was also a high-quality Bluetooth speaker in the room that we used on several occasions, and it did not disappoint. The only oddity in the room (as you have probably read about before) is the toilet not having a private room within the bathroom. It’s just in the bathroom, like the two sinks are and the giant soaking tub. This may be an issue with some, but if you are a couple spending 3 to 5 grand a night on vacation, then hopefully you’d be over this minor inconvenience. We were not bothered by it. Nor were we bothered the the amazing (private) outdoor shower. As for some room basics, we always had plenty of hot and cold water, and most importantly, the AC worked great and we were able to make the room as cool as we needed it to be for a great night’s sleep every night. Our room also came with robes and thong sandals and was serviced twice a day. Food/Drink: Yes, I hate all-inclusive too. At least that’s what I always said before I got here. I can state that the food here was comparable to or better than the best à la carte resorts we have ever visited! (check out my other reviews, we’ve been around). The menus had plenty of variety and the food was always fresh to order and most importantly it was all excellent. And for those with food issues (and we all have them), they always asked and were always able to accommodate you no matter what your issues were. The cocktail menu at lunch, Tree Bar Sushi, and dinner were surprisingly creative and again made with fresh ingredients. No pre-mix sugary shortcuts here! The selection of wines by-the-glass were also very impressive. We are wine ‘people’ and we never had to order a bottle (which would have been an extra cost) since the choices by-the-glass were very good. Each day from 4-6pm they offer sushi at the tree bar on the beach. We enjoyed it every day. Different and creative presentations and always very fresh. I could honestly say that I could have probably stayed there 2 weeks and not gotten bored of the food. Coffee, pastries, and fruit were also put out each morning in the lobby for the early risers or for those that maybe wanted to just skip breakfast. Beach and Pool: The infinity edge pool was quite large with plenty of loungers. The beach also had loungers, umbrellas, and couches spaced throughout the water’s edge for your various relaxation needs. All were high quality wooden furniture with thick cushions, no cheap plastic or metal loungers with mesh or thin ribbons. Service at the beach and pool were always attentive and able to get you whatever you needed. The Grounds: This all-inclusive, adult-only property with only 30 individual villas spread out from the beach up along the hillside. All villas have their own pool except the beach villas. We didn’t feel we missed the pool since the beach/ocean was right out our door. Each morning, the staff were out cleaning the grounds and the beach. By the time the day started, the resort was immaculate. We visited in Jan/Feb timeframe and definitely got bug bites, usually at dusk during our Tree Bar Sushi time. A small price to pay for sushi in paradise! So, make sure to bring good bug spray. Staff: Everyone was exceptional, these are just a few names that stood out: Bartender Anthony, server Simone, Shalanda at the front desk. I wish I knew more names because they ALL deserve kudos!! Above and Beyond Service: Our first night there, we were at the bar and I noticed they had Canada Dry tonic water. I joked with the bartender and asked "where's the good Fever Tree tonic water? You can't make a proper GnT without it." He said they were currently out, but for me he was going to stop at a store on the way to work tomorrow and pick some up for me. I thought nothing else of it...then when I got back to my room after lunch the next day there were three half-liter bottles of Fever Tree in our refrigerator! For the next three days I'd bring a bottle to the bar to have my special GnT ! Activities: If you came here looking for a wild and crazy time, then you came to the wrong place. With that said, they had a different amazing live band every night that always resulted in dancing and general merriment after dinner. The staff were even able to join in and sing a few songs, it felt like a fun family wedding atmosphere that was a great way to end each night. Music was always done by around 10:30pm. We like to exercise each morning, so the gym was part of our daily routine and was acceptable for a resort of this size. I did have two issues with the gym. First, would be to remove the various pre-weighted barbells. They just take up too much space and their use is not practical for such a small space. Secondly, they need to get a full set of dumbbells. They were missing 8kg, 10kg and 12kg dumbbells pairs. They have 4kg (8.8lbs), then right to 14kg (30lbs). Missing lots of key weights in-between resulted in some inconvenient workouts. They have plenty of non-motorized water sports available for use also included. I did the paddle board in the bay a couple of times during our stay. I enjoyed the view of the resort from afar as well as getting closer to the various yachts in the bay. We also got the 2.5-hour Art of Love spa treatment for my wife and me. This service was done in the comfort of our villa and relaxed us for the rest of our stay. We would certainly get this service again; it was well worth the cost. Summary: The exclusivity of this property with 30 adult-only villas makes this an amazing place for an escape. The high quality of food, drink, and service are what I’d expect at a resort with such a high price tag. The rooms, grounds, and beach are so well maintained that mostly everything looked new or recently reno’d. I can honestly say that I would stay here again, even if I had to pay cash instead of HH points, knowing that I was going to receive the highest level of customer service, experience great food, drinks, and entertainment. All in an adult-only resort with a great beach, villas, grounds and general zero-stress atmosphere! We will be back!!

We are regular visitors to Antigua but this was our first stay at Hermitage Bay. The warm welcome we received got our stay off to a great start. Our suite was perfect and we wanted for nothing. The ambience, created by attentive (not overly) and professional staff, made it easy to be relaxed straight away. It’s a fabulous getaway for couples, the resort is beautiful, entertainment just right and there are great amenities for those who want to be more active. I would definitely recommend spending some time there.

My husband and I have traveled all over the Caribbean and after a week at Hermitage Bay, this resort has risen to the top of our favorites. The food is amazing, the beach is gorgeous, and the accommodations are the perfect balance of luxurious and rustic. The staff are friendly and take great pride in their resort and island - they are what truly set Hermitage Bay apart from the larger Luxury resort chains. Thank you Hermitage Bay for an unforgettable week! We will be back!!