Carlisle Bay

We had such a wonderful time at Carlisle Bay. It really was the perfect family holiday for us. We were incredibly lucky to be on a room on the beach with was perfect for us with our little boy, as well as being very near the beach and some of the restaurants - it meant it was seamless for us to travel around the hotel easily and quickly nip to the pool or the beach. The beach itself is absolutely stunning and one of the best that we have stayed or been on. One of the greatest attributes of the hotel. The pool is perfect for kids and adults too - never did I think I would appreciate a shelf in a pool so much! Restaurants were great, and the half board in particular was well worth doing. We particularly loved East and Jetty experiences. We did a few of the planned activities which were well worth doing - tennis lesson, group hike as well as the pilates. Special mention to some of the staff too who went above and beyond to make our stay seamless - particularly Leanne at breakfast. Some things do seem overpriced and expensive - drinking, the gift shop, food if we were not on half board etc. particularly with the American tax and service addition. However, overall, we had the most wonderful stay and would love to return one day.

Carlisle Bay is a dream. The people are so genuinely kind and we had the best service the entire time we were there. We traveled with our toddler and stayed in a beach terrace room which made potty breaks, naps, snacks, etc super easy. No need to pack a bag or lug things back and forth - just open the door and go. Most times it felt like we were on a private island. We never had to battle for chairs at the beach or pool and there were plenty of beach toys and boogie boards for all the kids to enjoy. The ocean rafts were an huge hit with the toddler and adults alike and again were always available. Everything at the resort was just a quick walk away which added to the ease and convenience. We did some of the included water sports and played some tennis while we were there and again it was all so easy. No lines or hassle. We are picky about food but enjoyed every meal. We didn’t utilize beach service until halfway through our trip and I wish we would’ve done it sooner because everyone was so attentive and quick. We cannot wait to return.

Absolutely wonderful, relaxing and fun family trip at Carlisle Bay. Our room was literally on the beach, with a large balcony and amazing view. The beach was immaculate and calm. Never felt crowded, and always lounge chairs available. Free water sports available and quick and easy to take out SUPs, kayaks, sailboats. Great 7 min boat ride to the reef for snorkeling ($50pp). The beach and pool were both perfect for our kids (age 7 & 1). As others have mentioned, the property is in need of some updating, but that is currently underway. While our room was not yet updated, we did get to view an updated room and it was lovely. Breakfast at Indigo and dinner at Jebby's were our favorite. Food was great at these meals but most of all, the service was incredible. The nightly live music was a great touch as well- excellent talent. The hotel really stands out with its service. I have never stayed at a hotel in which my name (and my kid's names) were used in every interaction. It was as if we'd been friends for years. This service is what would bring me back to this particular property again and again. I'd specifically like to recognize Ganga, Myrleen, Adicia, Leanne, Darleen and the manager at Jebby's. Thank you for making our stay so special!

**Honest & Brutal Review of Carlisle Bay Resort** I have to start by saying that I love Antigua. This is my fourth visit, and my first time traveling with kids in tow. The people here are incredibly friendly, and I always feel safe, which is why we decided to bring the kids for spring break. My previous visits were to Pineapple Beach Club, Galley Bay, and Hermitage Bay. **Room Category: 2-Bedroom Beach Terrace** **Travelers: 2 Adults, 2 Kids (Ages 11 & 13)** **Pros:** - **The Staff:** The team at Carlisle Bay is super sweet, friendly, and mostly helpful. - **The Food:** Although we didn’t choose the all-inclusive option, the food was decent for a hotel that offers it. - **The Beach:** While I expected the water to be more turquoise like the other properties, the beach itself was clean, with very little seaweed and no sargassum during our stay. We never had trouble finding lounge chairs, and it never felt overly crowded. **Cons:** - **The Room:** The description of a “2-bedroom” is misleading. There is one actual bedroom for the kids with two twin beds and a door, but the so-called master bedroom is just a king-size bed in the middle of the living room—no door, no closet, and definitely not a bedroom. - **Privacy Issues:** None of the doors have locks—not the kids' room, the bathroom, or even the toilet! Additionally, there’s no fan or ventilation in the bathroom, which is quite unpleasant. We had to change in the kids' room or in a steamy bathroom, leading to a terrible design experience overall. - **Cleanliness:** The rooms were not cleaned with care and appeared run-down. It’s in desperate need of renovation. Anyone who labels this as a luxury resort clearly hasn’t experienced true luxury. - **Bugs:** The mosquitoes were terrible—infesting our room and bothering us at dinner. This was my first April visit to Antigua, and I’ve never encountered this issue at the other properties. They do provide bug spray, but it was ineffective. My daughter ended up having an allergic reaction to her bites. - **The Price:** The cost was exorbitant—$8,000 for five nights at a rundown hotel is outrageous. Normally, I’m all for all-inclusive, but that would have been almost another $6,000… charging my 13-year-old adult prices, despite her not drinking . - **Lack of Activities for Teens:** The resort isn’t great for teens or preteens, as there were no activities tailored to their interests. While there were many younger children, which was cute to watch, it may not suit all families. Given these experiences, I will not return to Antigua with my kids. In the future, Hermitage Bay will likely be the only resort I consider when returning to this beautiful country.

Following a very very pleasant flight from the UK we were greeted by an enormous smile as soon as we departed the plane, fast tracked through customs and arrived effortlessly at Carlisle Bay were we received a very warm welcome to the resort and a refreshing cocktail. Check in was seamless. Our beachfront villas were extremely roomy and comfortable, directly overlooking the beach and immaculately clean. All restaurant food was cooked to order and served immediately were nothing was over looked, the attention to detail was superb and all the staff were extremely professional. From the early morning coffees, breakfast service, attendance on the beach to exquisite meals served in all the restaurant's the quality and service was fabulous. Ben at the beach hut bar was a hoot and a special thank has to go to Jay Eisse who was a proper gentleman to the ladies and pointed us in the right direction for attractions outside the resort and excursions. he was very personable and extremely professional a credit to the hotel. If the resort is looking for someone to fast track to a management position this young man is worthy of a chance. A truly wonderful holiday filled with very happy memories, relaxed, luxurious and fabulous, we would highly recommended this resort for all travelers. The owner Pat was in resort at the time and what a very nice chap he was also. Met at the bar and did not have a clue who he was until a member of staff asked if were with the owner's party!!