Hermitage Bay

Our stay at Hermitage Bay was absolutely exceptional. The staff were beyond amazing—attentive, kind, and truly made us feel at home. The food was fresh and farm-to-table, with standout dishes like the marinated sweet peppers, and fresh sushi offered daily. We also loved the beautiful atmosphere created by the staff singing—such a memorable touch. We experienced both a hillside suite and a garden view room—both beautiful, though we would choose the hillside suite for the entire stay next time for the views and privacy. The drinks were fantastic, the spa services were top notch with incredible massages, and the romantic touches like outdoor showers and large soaking tubs made it extra special. Transportation to and from the airport, as well as into town, was seamless and convenient. The biggest compliment we can give—before we even left, we were already booking our return trip. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a relaxing, luxurious escape.

We spent our honeymoon at Hermitage Bay - Antigua and could not have better things to say about our entire stay. As a reference point, we booked 2 nights at Hermitage Bay and planned to spend the rest of our week at another resort. Upon arriving at this other resort, we canceled that reservation to return to Hermitage Bay for the remainder of our honeymoon. It is that special. The view from our garden suite brought actual tears to my eyes. The suites had the most incredible views and the service was impeccable, from the spa treatments to the sushi happy hours to the evening bar cocktails and live music. We spent many afternoons on what felt like your own private beach, because it was so tranquil and the staff was available for any request. It was hard to leave the beach each evening, but we knew there was an incredible experience ahead of us with the sushi happy hour, dinner, and finally the musical numbers that play each night. Every staff members was so warm and welcoming, and we cannot wait to return back for an anniversary trip. Special shoutout to the front desk staff (Solange and Jaquan) for assisting us during our stay (and return!), Martin for escorting us to our room, and Kyle and Jesse for their service during our multiple lazy beach days. We cannot wait to come back to Hermitage Bay!

Our stay at Hermitage Bay was nothing short of Breathtaking! From the views, to the service, to the villa, everything was curated to 5 STAR experience! We can’t say enough about the attention to detail from top to bottom. One of our favorite parts was the resort has a max capacity of 60 people and offers what feels like, your own private beach. We would highly recommend this resort to anybody!

VIP treatment started within moments of getting off the plane in Antigua. Shortly after crossing the jet bridge into the airport, someone holding up a Hemitage Bay sign whisked us away, escorting and providing us with a "skip the line" pass at immigration, directing us to our baggage carousel, & rejoining us again before customs, and placing us in another fast track queue. Ten minutes after deplaning we were walking out the front door of the airport with our bags, where we were again met by another Hermitage Bay representative who confirmed our names and directed us into a luxury 4 x 4 vehicle that transported us 35 minutes to the resort in style. Its my understanding that Hermitage Bay includes this "meet and greet" service and transport (both ways) for any guests staying at their resort for 3 nights or more. We were certainly off to a great start. Our plane had been delayed before leaving the USA and I feared that on our first day we might miss the popular afternoon Sushi service at the Tree Bar, that had such rave reviews on this site and in several videos we watched online. Upon arriving at the resort we were escorted to reception and presented with a welcome drink, awaiting our orientation...but, since I inquired at that time as to weather we missed sushi, we were told it was just starting and immediately sent to join the other guests at the Tree Bar, effectively postponing any check in formalities until after the daily afternoon gathering...Sushi disappointment completely averted. Still in the jeans & street clothes we traveled in, we were happy campers, at an outdoor open air bar built around a Tree, on the sands of a very beautiful beach situated in an equally beautiful bay, with tropical drinks in hand, & fresh sushi between our chopsticks. The timesaving VIP meet & greet at the airport, waiting transport, and the thoughtful hospitality shown at reception saved the day! I should mention that we stayed on an all inclusive package, as did most of the guests we spoke to during our time there. Included in that package is all food, drinks, entertainment, beach chairs, some wonderful hospitality, non motorized watersports, and a (motorized) boat tour. I believe that a tour of their gardens where many of their fresh ingredients are sourced from is included for those who schedule one. (We did not tour the gardens.) Its my understanding that there is also a different bed & breakfast rate where people pay for lunch & dinner a la cart, and probably their drinks. I don't know the details of that. Everything we did, consumed, or imbibed was included in our room rate. There are some excursions and spa treatments (not included in the all inclusive package) available for purchase at an additional charge, including some pretty upscale ones like a dinner on the nearby island of Barbuda, flown there & back by helicopter. (Maybe next time... :) After sushi, we were golf carted to a nearby set of stairs cemented into the hill where someone carried our bags up for us to our villa where more oooohs and ahhhhhs ensued. Our villa was huge. I think that they're all mostly the same size and far enough away from each other to afford a reasonable expectation of privacy in the lush greenery surrounding them on the hill. Our private porch alone, sporting a truly killer view of the bay, the nearby islands, and an amazing sunset a little later on, was spacious enough to hold for a party for 20 people with a comfy outdoor couch, wrap around cushioned seating, a swing seat, a couple chairs you can really sink into, a coffee table and a sizable "decked in" private plunge pool with the same view as the porch, infinity style. There were two entrances into the interior of the villa, a locking side door to which we were given a key and sliding doors that lock from the inside that open up to our front facing porch overlooking the bay. His & her closets are provided with ample space for each's wardrobe. Our large bed, surrounded by mosquito netting that is lowered during turndown service in the evening, is positioned with a view off the front porch, unless the curtains are drawn, or the large screen TV, which is usually retracted into a cabinet at the foot of the bed is raised into its ascended position with the touch of a button. There are other screened wooden louvered windows that provide darkness or daylight as needed. The bathroom is also very spacious with 2 sinks, lots of counter space, a full length mirror that can be set to any angle, a luxurious bathtub, more of those screened louvered windows that provide light and a view when opened with no fear of sacrificing any privacy. At the far end of the bathroom is a locking door that opens onto a deck on the far side of the villa where one takes an outdoor shower. This is a super nice touch. We're not usually ones to spend a great deal of time in our hotel room, but with digs like these its a pleasure to hang out here, especially at sunset. And the tree frogs & crickets!...did I mention the tree frogs & crickets?...making beautiful immersive natural music to relax and sleep to every night from dusk to dawn. Incredible! Every morning started with waking up in paradise in our private villa (they're all private) with an idyllic view. Breakfast was from 7:30 to 10:30 and was yummy with different freshly extracted juice(s) of the day with lots of menu food choices and a full selection a caffeinated liquid creations. There are at least 3 resident kitty cats who share the breakfast and dinner spaces with the guests and look very well provided for...probably with smoked salmon, shrimp, and filet mignon. I really enjoyed my juice, tea, fruit plate, and bay wrap each morning. My wife varied her breakfast choices a little more with something different every day. Lunch starts at 11:30 every morning at an on-site open air restaurant on the beach called "La Petite Maison" a little further beyond where breakfast & dinner are served. And lunch is not to be skipped. The menu is exciting, the service is attentive, the food is fresh & well prepared, the setting on the beach is to die for, the craft cocktails are yummy & refreshing, and the live band performing every noontime we spent there knocked our socks off. We loved the "lobster salad" as did several of our fellow guests who said it was their favorite....its not what you think when you think "lobster salad". We ordered it more than once, as we did the burrata & tomato selection. I repeat: don't skip lunch...not here....don't miss it. I think its best that you arrive at this resort famished and skinny, because you won't be when you leave. I have no idea where we put all the food. Spend some time on the beach between breakfast and lunch, and then again after lunch to let your tummy settle. Maybe enjoy a cocktail, mocktail, or two, or three, on the beach served to you at your beach chair by the staff of the TreeBar. If you want a break from alcohol, or abstain altogether, they do have some very tasty smoothie craft quality mocktails available that I can personally recommend. (I can also recommend the alcoholic libations as well). At 4:30, people gather around the Tree Bar for Sushi. This was one of my favorite rituals of each day. Most of the socializing between different couples or groups of guests we witnessed at the resort took place at afternoon sushi, or after dinner at the lobby bar. On Tuesday we had really good live music at the Tree Bar during sushi time. Arseni, the resorts' personable Sushi Chef, who trained at Nobu in Marbella, Spain aims to please and is masterful in his daily preparations. They go well with the Tree Bar's cocktail concoctions. The afternoon before our last day, Arseni asked us if we would have any special requests, and then surprised us the next day with very delicious personalized creations, which we appreciated greatly, and made us feel special. I enjoyed our time getting to know him a little and also my discovering the fun facts that he not only trained at the famed Nobu Restaurant at the very resort we visited in Spain last July, but also, that both resorts, this one and that one, are owned by the same gentleman. I've learned to pay attention to coincidence. (A third coincidence, that I cannot ignore, was that on our flight back to the US from Antigua, I found & watched a movie documentary that I didn't know existed all about Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa himself, one of our airlines' current available movie titles to choose from inflight.) My general impression was that all those who partook in sushi time at Hermitage Bay Resort really enjoyed it. Dinner started every evening at 7:30 PM in the same roofed in open air location as breakfast, and was nothing short of superb, as was the service...Fine dining, where some dressed to the 9s and others came a bit more casual. Each night we followed it up with drinks at the lobby bar where a live band performed. The bar staff sang some songs with the bands one evening, and they could really sing! ...like they belonged in the band. They were also very good at getting us to come out of our shells & enjoy ourselves. Hermitage Bay has some really wonderful people. Lastly I want to mention the boat tour that was included in out stay. I'm not sure if its always separate couples or groups on the boat at any given time, but I can say that when we went out at 10:30 one morning it was just my wife & I and the captain of the boat...a nice boat and a nice captain at that. I think most people choose to snorkel but she gave us our choice and since it was a little choppy and windy for snorkeling (you have to "swim" harder so as not to drift when the currents are stronger) we chose to tour the nearby bays instead and were given a picturesque and very informative tour. Now had there been other people on the boat that morning, who wanted to snorkel, I'm not sure we would have had that option, but we enjoyed it immensely. Antigua is a beautiful place, especially from the water, at least any of the coast that we saw. All in all this is a relaxing tranquil paradise where we were pampered and wanted for nothing, except maybe to stay a little longer. Our vacation continued on in Florida for another week before completely returning ourselves to reality, and as wonderful as it was to spend time with family and friends there, its safe to say that Hermitage Bay was the highlight of our holiday and the memory of it will linger until we're able to return again.

Yes standout service from Simone and Zoe but also Kyle was great at the Tree bar/beach, even if he is an Arsenal supporter! All the service was good though, and the food superb, especially at La Petite Maison- proper Provençal restaurant in the Caribbean! Loved the cocktails and live music in the bar after dinner - shame it wasn’t better supported some evenings

We were here three years ago, it was great; this time it was exceptional. Subtle but wonderful upgrades. Meticulous maintenance and super service. I’m hesitant to be too glowing because I am not sure I want the whole world to find this amazing hideaway. Waba’s incredible tour of the natural beauty of the landscape was memorable, he’s a keeper! Simone and Zoe were service standouts.

This is an absolutely luxurious place to stay. The attentive staff ensures a peaceful and comfortable experience. The rooms are adorned with fresh flowers, a welcome fruit plate, and prosecco. Airport pick-up service. Live music is played at the beach club and in the evening at the bar. The beach is gorgeous, with a sandy shore and a few spots of cute shells. The food in all the restaurants is delicious.

Everything about my experience at Hermitage Bay was wonderful. From the pre-trip excursion-booking with Solange, to the welcome from Shawna, to the drinks from Simone and Stoney (sp?), every detail was considered, kind and welcoming. My beachfront villa was immaculate and the property is breathtaking, but what makes Hermitage so special is the people who work there. They help ensure your stay is exactly how you envisioned it - and then some! I don’t often visit places more than once, as there is so much world to see, but I know I’ll be back to Hermitage as it now holds a special place in my heart. Thanks for the great holiday!

The Bottom Line Returning for our second stay (Feb 2026), it is clear that Hermitage Bay is evolving under new ownership. While the grounds are lusher and the new culinary additions are stellar, the rapid increase in Hilton redemption rates (doubled to 260,000 per night in 18 months) and a "nickel-and-diming" approach to premium spirits and service lapses create a friction that wasn't there before. It remains a special sanctuary, but the balance between intimate serenity and revenue-driving expansion is currently at a delicate intersection. ________________________________________ Accommodations & Service • The Room (Beachfront Suite #12): Exceptional. The villas are spacious, the AC is powerful, and the "island-modern" tech upgrades (USB ports/wireless charging) are seamless. The permanent window screens and lush, manicured landscaping offer both comfort and privacy. • The Staff: The heartbeat of the resort. Sincere, happy, and remarkably attentive. Being remembered and welcomed back by name made the experience feel truly personal. • Logistics: The airport fast-track and private transfer remain gold-standard, whisking us from the plane, through customs, and on to our private driver within minutes. ________________________________________ Culinary Highlights & Critiques • The Wins: Le Petit Maison (pop-up lunch) was the culinary highlight—true 5-star dining with live music. The nightly Sushi Bites at the Tree Bar remain excellent, and the Omakase Experience ($295pp splurge) was worth every penny for the quality and intimacy. • The Misses: Dinner remains "good, not great" (4/5). More concerning were service lapses: a 90-minute wait for breakfast (with no service recovery on a $30 upcharge dish) and being served a $150 bottle of white wine at room-temperature. • The "All-Inclusive" Identity Crisis: For a resort charging $4,000–$5,000 per night during high season (includes taxes/fees), charging "visitor prices" ($38 for a margarita) for mid-tier premium spirits like Monkey 47, Woodford Reserve, or Patron Silver feels inconsistent with a luxury all-inclusive model with a Michelin Two Key rating. ________________________________________ Facilities • The Spa & Yoga: The in-suite Dorissima Siddhartha Art of Love couples treatment is a must-do for relaxation. The new yoga deck offers stunning coastal views and a serene practice environment. • The Gym: This remains the property's Achilles' heel. Despite the "2-Key" Michelin status, the gym is cluttered with outdated equipment and lacks basic functional tools like a complete dumbbell rack, rowing machine, two functioning treadmills or proper flooring. It needs a total overhaul to match the resort’s caliber. ________________________________________ Final Thoughts The new paved road to the resort and "pop-up" concepts are savvy improvements, but they signal a shift toward inviting more outside visitors. We hope the owners can maintain the quiet, soulful intimacy that makes Hermitage Bay unique. It is still a top-tier destination, but the value proposition is becoming harder to justify as prices climb while service consistency and "all-inclusive" inclusions narrow.

This place is highly recommended if you want to truly disconnect and relax. The quality of the people and the food is incredible. We’re not usually fans of all-inclusive resorts, but this one truly feels like a 5-star all-inclusive experience. From morning to night, everyone always has a smile on their face, which makes the atmosphere even more special. We will definitely be coming back!

My review Wow! Where do I even begin with my stay at the Beautiful Hermitage Bay!? The general manager Rachel has crafted a masterpiece in the Caribbean island of Antigua. This all inclusive resort defines luxury & relaxation with a sprinkle of kindness through culture. Management went above and beyond upon arrival to make my stay smooth and easy. I was dealing with some last minute issues outside of the hotel and the team was very understanding and helpful. Upon arrival I found myself arriving late without a view, but the following more being able to see the sunrise over the property is something you can’t forget. The rooms are large, fun and very accommodating for any size traveler. Rebecca and Micheal really went above and beyond to make sure I was able to have the best experiences on property possible. The spa and massage I had was one of the best I’ve had in a long time; their team is highly talented. Activities were also really great, I did paddling boarding, which, in their water is so blue it’s a fun morning activity. Resort food manager stayed extremely diligent, made sure everything was always on point, but also provided a relaxed vibe to the guests through the entire day & night. The sushi happy hour lived up to its hype, great choices and unique dishes. Just a near perfect experience. I can’t wait to come back & already miss everyone I got to meet there. The staff & team make this property one of my favorite. Thank you again!

We've been fortunate to travel throughout the Caribbean, but this was our first stay at Hermitage Bay. We will be back for sure!! Hermitage Bay is one of the highest quality resorts in the Caribbean. The staff are welcoming, professional and clearly enjoy what they do. The grounds are stunning and the accommodations have a great, relaxed island vibe, with all of the modern comforts that you expect at a five-star resort. While it's difficult to describe how relaxing and well-done the general atmosphere is, it is impossible to describe the quality and variety of Hermitage Bay's culinary offerings. We were there for 7 days/nights and didn't have time to try all that we wanted, which sets it apart from many all-inclusive Caribbean resorts. Daily dinner specials are varied and creative and the 4:30 sushi/cocktail hour is a highlight of every day. Even the breakfast and lunch menus, which don't vary on a daily basis, offer great variety. The bartenders and wait staff are friendly, funny and attentive. Live music everyday at lunch and dinner puts the experience over the top!! Our only constructive comment for improvement relates to the fitness center. While every other feature of the resort meets a five-star standard, the fitness center is cramped, poorly ventilated and has out-dated and/or malfunctioning equipment. It's actually a strange contrast to everything else at the resort and should be remedied. Hermitage Bay provides a top-tier Caribbean getaway. Their airport transfers are seamless and from the time you arrive to the sad time that you leave, everyone makes you feel like you are a repeat customer, which we now will be!!

We had an amazing 5 night stay that Is difficult to put into words to describe what an incredible Hotel this is. From the moment you arrive and take in the gorgeous view of the Caribbean you will have a sense of instant relaxation. The staff is absolutely incredible and truly there for you at every moment that you need them. You can tell they all truly love what they do and appreciate where they work. We had a Ocean view hillside villa which was just beautiful with a pool and huge outdoor area overlooking the Caribbean with the most amazing views. The food is excellent and we never had a bad meal, we were lucky enough to be able to enjoy the pop up restaurant La Petite Maison, which was our favorite for delicious lunches while sitting at a table in the sand. Do not miss the sushi happy hour at 4:30 if you are a sushi lover! The chefs are amazing and the sushi is incredibly fresh and perfectly prepared! This was our first trip here, but we are certainly looking forward to looking out next one as soon as we get home!

We had a wonderful time at Hermitage Bay! The staff were warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about making sure we had a great experience. They shared fun facts about Antigua and never tried to oversell anything — everything felt authentic and heartfelt. We tried four different water sports and loved them all. The resort’s daily snorkeling tours were amazing — you even get a quick motorboat ride and the chance to see some cool shipwrecks! Huge shout-out to Galloway and Tefari from the watersports team for helping us when we got stuck kayaking and paddle boarding. They were so calm and professional — we felt completely safe with them around. The spa teaser was also fantastic. The technician was very professional, and we left feeling totally relaxed. Sadly, we didn’t have time for a full spa session, but if you’re staying longer, don’t miss it! Lunch and the sushi happy hour were the best all-inclusive resort food we’ve ever had — fresh and delicious. The hotel also helped us arrange a horse-riding tour (with transport) that took us up a hill overlooking the Five Islands and ended at Hawksbill Beach — it was beautiful and absolutely worth it. There’s a small 5 % cash advance fee, but that’s very reasonable. We stayed four days and three nights and still didn’t have time to try everything. We’d love to come back soon！

We absolutely loved our stay at Hermitage Bay. Each villa is beautiful, very private, and honestly feels like a dream — spacious, peaceful, and perfect for switching off. The whole resort has such a calm, relaxing atmosphere. It’s quiet and serene, but still with just enough going on so it never feels boring. The beach and water activities are great, and you can now also rent boats to discover the island, which is such a fun experience and makes the stay feel even more special. One of the highlights for us was La Petite Maison for lunch — such a great addition and an absolute must while you’re there. A special mention to Tarek at LPM, who made the experience even better. Something that also really stood out is how hard the staff work to keep everything looking beautiful and comfortable at all times, even with the occasional rain, wind, and sand. They work effortlessly to ensure the hotel stays clean and pristine. Everyone is genuinely kind, helpful, and welcoming, which makes you feel at home from the moment you arrive. The staff really make the experience special! We had an amazing stay and would definitely come back.

This was our third visit to the resort, and it was as beautiful as ever. However, we did notice several cost-cutting measures that, unfortunately, detracted from the experience, leading us to doubt whether we will return. Pros: Staff: Exceptional. Although we were not recognised as returning guests at check-in, the resort staff treated us like family. Beach: Stunning—white sands and crystal-clear water. Rooms: All rooms are fantastic. The Beach Villa offers direct beach access, the Garden Villa provides seclusion with a plunge pool, and the Hillside Villas afford breathtaking views. Cons: The food was repetitive, having to order the same dishes on multiple occasions, which became monotonous. One evening, we ordered fish that arrived completely raw inside, requiring us to return to the kitchen. Staff acknowledged and agreed with us that it was very undercooked and offered us an alternative but the moment had passed. The steak varied in quality; one day it was perfectly cooked, the next overdone. The Deserts were amazing. The "catch of the day" was no longer available, as we were informed the fish was frozen, vacuum-packed, defrosted, and served on the same day. The lobster starter has been removed from the evening menu. When we raised our disappointment - one evening they recreated our previously favourite meal which we greatly appreciated. Additionally, a new pop-up restaurant, La Petite Maison, is now available to outside non-resident guests. While some items were very tasty, overall, the food was too heavy and rich for a lunchtime menu. The only alternative was ordering at the bar, which felt somewhat disjointed, being located away from the beachside. Service at La Petite Maison can be quite slow; we often waited over an hour for our main courses. It was not unusual for us to arrive around 12:30 and leave two hours later, having only managed two courses. At times, the food was lukewarm at best. Outside guests smoking at the tables. Mini Bar: Since our previous stay, some items have been replaced with cheaper brands, and certain treats like chocolates are no longer provided. While not essential, these small touches are appreciated. we requested a previous brand but advised they no longer supply. Gym: The equipment needs upgrading. For a five-star resort, the gym is inadequate—outdated, small, and in poor condition. The only two treadmills were out of order for the entire duration of our stay. Overall, while the resort remains beautiful and the staff outstanding, these recent changes have impacted the overall experience.

We enjoyed the idyllic setting and the lush greenery. From the moment we arrived, the staff was friendly and welcoming. The spa services were spot on and enhanced our relaxation. The resort has a laid-back vibe, but is consciously eco-friendly. Water was always available in glass bottles. We felt cared for from morning to night, and it exceeded our expectations. The afternoon sushi hour was our favorite, and do NOT skip the omakase experience with chefs who have worked at Nobu.