Blue Waters Resort & Spa

Antigua, Caribbean

Star rating

The hotel

This is a truly superb recently refreshed hotel with elegant surroundings, outstanding service and an enviable location on two white sand beaches lapped by gentle aqua waves, epitomising the Caribbean fantasy. The 17 tropical acres of gardens are beautifully tended and each of the buildings is romantically draped with brightly coloured bougainvillea — just adding to the delightful ambience. There's plenty to do during the day and you'll no doubt be tempted on to the beach by one of a generous array of water sports. Table tennis is popular and there's an 18-hole golf course 5 minutes away. Wind down in the evening (if you haven't done so already!) with a delicious coconut crush — liberally splashed with local rum — while you watch pelicans dive and swoop for their meals. Your dinner can be taken at one of the hotel's gourmet restaurants, complimented with an excellent Claret from the wine list. An amazing holiday experience.

Amenities

  • Hobie Cats
  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Snorkelling
  • Tennis
  • Windsurfing
  • Yoga
  • Honeymoon
  • Wedding
  • Bar
  • Evening Entertainment
  • Fitness Centre/Gym

Where is it

Located in historic Soldiers Bay on two white sandy beaches at the northwest tip of the island. Transfer time from airport: 15 minutes.

Hotel information

85 luxury rooms, villas, and suites on 2 floors with no lifts. All with private patio or balcony (most with sea views), air-conditioning, ceiling fan, complimentary WiFi access, satellite TV, alarm/clock radio, tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-bar or fridge, safe, iron and ironing board, bathrobes, bathroom amenities, and hairdryer. 

Deluxe Beachfront Rooms are just steps from the white sand beach, featuring bathrooms with separate shower enclosure and free standing bath, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 child (on a rollaway bed).

All Inclusive of: all meals, some premium-brand drinks, house wines and mini-bar items. Sundowner service at Veronica’s bar (includes cocktails and hors d'oeuvres from 5:00pm-7:00pm each evening). All activities unless stated, including daily activities programme.

Please note: the All Inclusive programme is available from 3:00pm on the day of arrival and until 12:00pm on the day of departure. If you want to dine outside of these times, you can do this and charge to your account.

Luxury Suites are on the 2nd floor with balcony and 1 king-size bed, with doors separating the lounge area which can accommodate either a queen-size bed or rollaway bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 3 children (with 3 rollaway beds).

Pelican House is a 3-bedroom villa which has a shared pool with 2 neighbouring villas, featuring views over Soldier's Bay and private beach access, kitchen, living room, outdoor and indoor dining area, and concierge service. Each 3-bedroom villa sleeps maximum 7 adults, or 6 adults and 4 children.

Turtle Cottage is a luxury 4-bedroom villa with views overlooking the Caribbean Sea, secluded sunbathing areas, private pool fully equipped kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining areas, and concierge service. Each of the 4 bedrooms has a king-size bed and en suite, sleeping maximum 9 adults, or 8 adults and 4 children.

Rock Cottage spans 2,000 sq ft and overlooks the Caribbean sea, with beach inspired dècor, living area, kitchen and private pool overlooking the ocean, as well as concierge service. Sleeps maximum 9 adults and 3 children.

The Palm Restaurant (open daily for à la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner), The Cove Restaurant (open on a rotation basis during the evening for à la carte dinner, combining Caribbean and French cuisine), The Reef (serving light lunch and drinks). Pelican Bar (adjacent to the lobby). Veronica's (poolside bar serving drinks throughout the day, as well as sundowner cocktails and antipasti).

Daytime activities and live evening entertainment most days.

7 swimming pools (4 exclusively for Cove Suites guests), Jacuzzi. Spa* with Elemis & ila treatments. Salon*. Fitness centre. Tennis. Table tennis. Pool table. Water sports centre offering sailing, paddle boarding, windsurfing, kayaking (safari tours included), Hobie Cat sailing, and snorkelling. Yoga. Pilates. Aqua aerobics. Walking and garden tours. Games room (children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult). Blue Waters Kids Club is open all year round, with a wide range of activities available for children ages 5-12 years (Monday-Friday).

Complimentary WiFi access. Room service*. Babysitting available* (reservations required). Gift shop. Laundry service*. Complimentary self-parking.

Please note: a government room levy of $5 per guest, per night applies to guests aged 6 years and above (payable locally, subject to change).

7 nights between 27 Dec-1 Jan.

10 nights between 22-26 Dec. 

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: families booking the Deluxe room category with children under 12 will be allocated ground floor rooms.

Dress code: when wearing wet swimwear, you are requested to use outdoor terraces for dining and cocktails. In the interest of safety, children require footwear at all times. In the evening, all restaurants are smart casual - this includes tailored shorts and collard shirts (including polo shirts).

Please note: this hotel may be unsuitable for guests with mobility restrictions as there are steps around the grounds and down to the beach.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1996)
  • Very good (392)
  • Average (109)
  • Poor (55)
  • Terrible (25)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Superb hotel

Apr 6, 2025 RWandfamily Bury, United Kingdom

We absolutely loved our time at the hotel. Firstly, all the staff are amazing - very friendly and helpful, simply can’t go enough for you and always with an authentic smile on their face. In particular, Derha, Annia, Sparkel and Kina in the Palm. Pearle in the Pelican Bar and the amazing Tramaine in the pool bar - thank you all for making our stay… Read more
We absolutely loved our time at the hotel. Firstly, all the staff are amazing - very friendly and helpful, simply can’t go enough for you and always with an authentic smile on their face. In particular, Derha, Annia, Sparkel and Kina in the Palm. Pearle in the Pelican Bar and the amazing Tramaine in the pool bar - thank you all for making our stay more enjoyable. The room was wonderful (116) overlooking the beach and the sea - listening to the wave crash into the shore was like listening to a wellness sleeping app every night! We liked that they had a sustainable approach to the water and provided bottles that could be refilled rather than plastic bottles. The gym facilities were absolutely fine and I actually used them (for once!) - and boy, did I need to after all I have eaten and drunk in the last ten days! The restaurants were excellent - enough choice and variation for it not to be repetitive. The quality of the food was superb - especially in the Cove. We had arranged to eat in the Cove every night by emailing the hotel before we came, but when we arrived we found that this had not happened and so had to re-book them - Cove was not then available for some nights, but this proved to be a godsend as it would have been too much using just one restaurant. Nice entertainment every evening in the relaxing Pelican bar - but I won’t miss hearing ‘One Love’ for a while! External feedback (concierge related but more to do with the external contractors they used): we wanted to go to the Pigs Paradise (it was great by the way, good fun for a few hours) and the concierge arranged it. The first attempt was to use a water taxi and at first this all went well but half way through the trip the driver seemed to realise he had forgotten someone or was given a last minute pick up and he turned around - as we were going to be late, he put the hammer down - far too fast in my view and this was proved correct when the wind caused by the speed ripped the canopy roof off the boat - tearing the steel poles (one of which we were holding) off the boat. We asked to be dropped off! We then went for Take II - using a firm that provided a 4x4 to get there - he arrived and said he was going to use a bus to take us to pick up the 4x4. The bus was disgusting - dirty, smelly, uncomfortable and old. We were in this for 90% of the return trip and only used the 4x4 for a short period. This was not what we had agreed. So my advice is be careful who you use! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Just wonderful

Apr 4, 2025 jeannieBournemouth Poole, United Kingdom

We just have returned from two wonderful weeks at this hotel. We have enjoyed every minute and our only grumble was that it passed too quickly. We stayed in a beach front room as we liked the privacy and amazing view, we would definitely book this again though the Cove suites do look lovely. Staff very friendly and professional. Food, great… Read more
We just have returned from two wonderful weeks at this hotel. We have enjoyed every minute and our only grumble was that it passed too quickly. We stayed in a beach front room as we liked the privacy and amazing view, we would definitely book this again though the Cove suites do look lovely. Staff very friendly and professional. Food, great especially the Cove where the Chef Ronald is very talented and cooks fabulous food. Brian, Sharon and Rachel looked after us very well also another young lady whose name we have forgotten but was Vegan! Julia and Nicole also were so helpful and Derar at breakfast and lunch, and Treamaine at the beach with Deon looked after us so well infact all the staff were great and apologies for those we haven’t mentioned. The gardens are absolutely beautiful, flowers and colour everywhere. Yes the beaches are slightly small but adequate. We met some great people whilst there too. Entertainment was just right with music every evening and a little dance if you were in the mood. Hopefully nothing will change at this delightful hotel we will definitely look forward to returning. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great stay at Blue Waters!

Mar 30, 2025 aWonderfulLife Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina

My group of 9 Americans stayed at Rock Cottage and thoroughly enjoyed this resort. Blue Waters is a great place to go for quiet relaxation. We met a lovely British couple and their daughter vacationing at the resort. We had great conversation, and other guests were cheerful also. The hotel is staffed with wonderful people. Nicole was… Read more
My group of 9 Americans stayed at Rock Cottage and thoroughly enjoyed this resort. Blue Waters is a great place to go for quiet relaxation. We met a lovely British couple and their daughter vacationing at the resort. We had great conversation, and other guests were cheerful also. The hotel is staffed with wonderful people. Nicole was accommodating to our requests and offered helpful advice. Our group particularly enjoyed Ryan, a bartender at the Pelican bar. We looked forward to seeing him each night. A business is only as good as the people in it, and Ryan is very genuine, pleasant, and fun. We loved him and our time spent together. We recommend the BBQ dinner at the Palm on Saturday night. That was probably our favorite meal. We enjoyed classy dining at the Cove, but also enjoyed the more lively atmosphere at the Palm because of the music there. It is a wonderful time to be alive. Thank you Blue Waters, Eric Colossians 3:12-14 Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful stay at Blue Waters!

Mar 16, 2025 Barun C Stamford, Connecticut

We stayed for a week here and loved it. For us, the best part was the spectacular view of the sea from our Cove Suite room 2B, we were fairly close to the sea and had an absolutely clear view of it. Watching the sunsets from our balcony was also lovely. We thought the views from any of the 2nd floor rooms in Cove Villa 1, 2 or 3 would be as nice.… Read more
We stayed for a week here and loved it. For us, the best part was the spectacular view of the sea from our Cove Suite room 2B, we were fairly close to the sea and had an absolutely clear view of it. Watching the sunsets from our balcony was also lovely. We thought the views from any of the 2nd floor rooms in Cove Villa 1, 2 or 3 would be as nice. The Cove suite rooms are lovely, very spacious and comfortable. The 3 beaches are all a little small, but very nice; the sea is quite peaceful, the water is warm and you can walk out quite a ways and still be only chest-deep. As other reviewers have mentioned, sometime hard to find an empty beach chair. All 3 restaurants are good, we would rank Cove as the best one, followed by Palm, followed by Reef. Cove is more of a fine dining experience, while Reef is more beach casual, with Palm somewhere in between. We also had a wonderful dinner (roast pork being the highlight) on the beach one night. You need to reserve tables a few days in advance, specially at the Cove. All of them are situated well in terms of looking out at the water. We were on the all-inclusive plan, but the a la carte prices for the restaurant are not crazily expensive, on our next visit we are not sure whether we will go in for the all-inclusive. The staff here are just wonderful, we would particularly like to thank Derah and Sparkel at the Palm, Kia at different bars and the Cove villa 2 housekeeper. All in all, a lovely relaxing vacation, we will be back! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The perfect Caribbean rest and recuperation!

Mar 11, 2025 christopherbarcock Fleet, United Kingdom

From arrival to farewell this resort is superb. One of the, if not the best, in the Caribbean. An excellent room with a view and super efficient cleaner to keep it in pristine condition. The restaurants are all complement each other very effectively although the service at each of the three is very professional and friendly and with excellent… Read more
From arrival to farewell this resort is superb. One of the, if not the best, in the Caribbean. An excellent room with a view and super efficient cleaner to keep it in pristine condition. The restaurants are all complement each other very effectively although the service at each of the three is very professional and friendly and with excellent and varied menus. The fish dishes are particularly succulent. A warning, however: to get exactly what you want it is best to book well in advance. Exceptionally noteworthy are the bar staff: all very friendly and obliging. It would be invidious to single out any individual as they were all so good. Perhaps we just saw more of the perfect Ryan and Brian and Alex who we look forward seeing on our return next year for that perfect old fashioned rum punch. Clients are mainly British (and of varying ages) although we met and dined with some charming New Yorkers. Just a shame that one large group of braying Brits behaved as if they owned the place and attempted to dominate the place at everyone else's expense. The site is interesting and well worth some close attention particularly the topography and the siting of the windmill which drove the distillery which it originally was. The gym is air conditioned and well equipped for those who are in the habit of exercise. We will certainly be back! Read less