Sandals Grande Antigua: The perfect hub for couples looking to explore the Caribbean island | Beach vacation | Journey

Lying on a lounge chair on the white sand beach at Sandals Grande Antigua, with the sound of gentle waves rolling in and the smell of jerk chicken wafting through the air, I understood why everyone is raving about vacations in the Caribbean. Antigua often comes first when you ask Brits and locals where to visit – Barbados and Jamaica, also up there. For any Caribbean vacation, an all-inclusive resort is a popular choice, and for those looking to try the all-inclusive concept for the first time, Sandals Grande Antigua may be the perfect getaway.

Voted “World’s Most Romantic Resort” year after year and located on one of Antigua’s most famous beaches, Dickenson Bay, Sandals Grande Antigua has it all for couples in love looking to escape the reality.

First is where to stay in the hotel. There are two sides to the hotel – the Caribbean Beachfront Village which, as the name suggests, is located on the beach front, and the Mediterranean Oceanview Village, which is set a little further back, overlooking the main pool and the sea ​​view. Guests are free to explore both sides. And there’s a wide range of accommodation to choose from; from suites with private balconies offering stunning views of Dickenson Bay to secluded villas with their own pool and butler service.

So what to do at Sandals Grande Antigua?

There are 11 restaurants dotted around the resort – name your favorite cuisine, they probably have it. Mario’s offers classic Italian cuisine prepared by Italian chefs. The chocolate lava cake for dessert is highly recommended.

Shirley Heights Viewpoint

Shirley Heights is a restored military lookout and gun battery with stunning views of English Harbors and Falmouth – arguably one of the best vantage points in Antigua. Every Sunday, locals and tourists alike gather to watch the sunset while enjoying live music, rum punch, and jerk chicken straight off the barbecue. Everyone I know who has visited Antigua has always recommended a night out at Shirley Heights.

Entrance to Shirley Heights costs US$10 (£8.75). For more information and to book, visit https://shirleyheightslookout.com/.

Kayaking/snorkeling

A kayaking and snorkeling trip is another way to explore the island. You don’t have to be an experienced kayaker or diver to join the Antigua Nature Tours trip. You’ll take a speedboat ride to its kayak dock to paddle around the mangrove inlets of the North Sound Marine Park, home to sea cucumbers—you can even have a stroke if you dare. After kayaking, you’ll be taken to one of Antigua’s best reefs, Great Bird Island, for a chance to snorkel and see brain coral and blue tang. The tour ends on the beach at Great Bird Island where you can lay back on the sand, soak up the rays and sip some more rum punch.

The kayaking and adventure tour costs USD 60 (£52.50). For more information and to book, visit http://antiguanaturetours.com/.

Pillars of Hercules Hiking Adventure

To explore the island on foot, it is worth booking on The Pillars of Hercules Hiking Adventure offered by Island Routes. The route begins with an uphill walk along the Shirley Heights Lookout Trail. You’ll then head to the Mermaid’s Pool at the water’s edge, where you’ll spot schools of fish, before approaching the main attraction.

The hike can be booked on www.islandroutes.com. Prices start from US$118 (£104.15) per person. You can also book at the Island Routes office at Sandals Grande Antigua.

Other trips that can be booked through the Island Routes tour desk include:

Discover Antigua Safari – 143 USD (£126.11) per person 286 USD (£252.22) per couple

Explore Antigua in a 4×4 jeep on a personalized guided experience.

Antigua Rainforest Zipline Adventure – $125 (£110.24) per person $250 (£220.48) per couple

Sunset cruise – $95 per person $190 (£167.56) per couple

As part of my stay at Sandals Grande Antigua, I also had the opportunity to visit the Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD) with the Sandals Foundation.

This year, the Sandals Foundation launched its 40 for 40 initiative as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations of Sandals Resorts International (SRI). The initiative involves 40 projects in eight Caribbean destinations where SRI operates that showcase the incredible connection between tourism and its power to transform communities and improve local lives.

GARD provides vocational training and business counseling to vulnerable youth to help them develop employable, technical and entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to compete in a global work environment.

The Sandals Foundation has worked with them over the years to introduce young people to climate-smart agriculture, and as part of this year’s 40 for 40 initiative, they were trained in home gardening, nutrient solutions , plant problems, growing and cultivation, as well as building a hydroponic unit and growing hydroponic vegetables, and how to make a business out of it.

As a guest of Sandals Grande Antigua, you can make a difference for causes supported by the Sandals Foundation simply by packing the necessary supplies in your suitcase.

As a valued partner of Pack for a Purpose, the Sandals Foundation encourages guests staying at any Sandals or Beaches resort to bring up to 5 pounds of school supplies needed to meet the educational needs of island students.

All donations can be dropped off at the resort reception and the Sandals Foundation will ensure prompt delivery to local schools in the area. For a complete list of supplies needed by educational institutions the Sandals Foundation works with, visit packforpurpose.org.

To book a stay at Sandals, book through Sandals Resorts UK tour operator, Unique Caribbean Holidays Ltd. (UCHL), visit www.sandals.co.uk or call 0800 597 0002.