THE VERANDAH ANTIGUA

The Verandah Antigua occupies a private thirty-acre peninsula on the island's east side, with two beaches of its own, Lover's Beach and Rasta Beach. The resort holds around 180 suites and villas. One point deserves flagging up front, because many websites still miss it: the hotel reopened on 17 November 2023 as a sixteen-and-over property. It no longer takes young children and no longer has a kids' club.

The Verandah at a glance

Thirty acres on a private peninsula, two beaches, four pools, six restaurants and six bars. The property spreads across rolling ground: the hillside suites look down on the water, which explains the name, and every verandah faces the sea.

Around 180 suites and villas, all generously sized. The resort belongs to Elite Island Resorts and earns 4.3 out of 5 across nearly 5 400 TripAdvisor reviews. A renovation preceded its November 2023 reopening.

The 2023 change: no more kids' club

This is the most important point on this page, and many booking sites still miss it. The Verandah used to be a family resort. Since its reopening on 17 November 2023 it takes only travellers aged sixteen and over, and there is no longer a kids' club or any facility for younger children.

The resort's own website still carries a stale family experiences page, which keeps the confusion alive. If you read elsewhere that The Verandah suits families with young children, that page or a copy of it misled you. Our advisors check the ages of your travellers before booking. Call 1 866 628-6241.

Two beaches on a peninsula

The peninsula faces two distinct beaches. Lover's Beach and Rasta Beach belong to the property, and you walk from one to the other. That lets you choose your water by the wind, which counts on the island's east side.

Devil's Bridge National Park lies nearby: a limestone arch carved by the Atlantic, one of Antigua's most photographed natural sites. The east coast takes the trade winds head-on, which cools things and masks how strong the sun is.

Which suite to choose

Four suite categories, all around sixty-five square metres: Hillside Suite, Waterview Suite, Waterfront Suite and Superior Waterfront Suite. The difference comes down to position and view rather than to space, which simplifies the choice.

Above them sit the two-bedroom villas of around a hundred and thirty square metres, including a version with a private plunge pool. For two couples travelling together or for a long stay, the villa changes the nature of the trip.

Where you eat on site

Six restaurants, which is generous for an address this size. Seabreeze handles the buffet, Portofino Ristorante Italiano the Italian, Sails and Tales the bar and grill, Papa Ricco's the pizzeria and The Beach Grill the meals on the sand. The sixth, Nicole's, is the fine-dining room and carries a supplement.

Six bars fill things out, among them the Lazy Pelican on the beach and the Wavy Wicket, a sports pub added during the 2023 renovation. A Café 1761° counter serves specialty coffee.

Is it an all-inclusive?

Yes, a single plan, with a supplement at Nicole's. It covers meals in the other five restaurants, drinks, activities and non-motorised water sports.

One privilege is worth knowing: meals can also be taken at the chain's sister properties, Pineapple Beach Club and St. James's Club and Villas, under the dine-around programme. That largely solves the fatigue of a two-week stay. Our advisors confirm how it works.

The pools, the spa and the activities

Four pools serve the property. Worth stating because sources vary between three and five: the resort's own site and its British distributor both say four.

The Tranquility Spa handles treatments. Four courts serve tennis and pickleball, and an eighteen-hole minigolf course was rebuilt during the renovation. Non-motorised water sports are included. No casino.

Who this resort suits

It fits couples and groups of friends who want the space of a private peninsula, two beaches and six restaurants without paying luxury prices. It fits families of teenagers aged sixteen or over. It fits long stays, thanks to the dine-around with the sister hotels.

Families with young children can no longer stay, as of 2023. Anyone wanting a west-coast beach, a head-on sunset or a flat, easily walked property will be better served elsewhere on the island. Our advisors will say so plainly.

What to know before you book

The resort sits about twenty-one kilometres from V.C. Bird International Airport, roughly forty minutes by road. The terrain rolls: ask for a suite near the beach if walking is a problem.

Antigua lies inside the hurricane belt, whose season runs from 1 June to 30 November, with a peak in August and September. The East Caribbean dollar is the official currency, though US dollars circulate everywhere, and driving is on the left. For entry requirements, consult travel.gc.ca before departure.

Booking The Verandah with an advisor

The sixteen-and-over minimum, the Nicole's supplement and the dine-around with sister hotels are three things a booking site will not explain to you. An advisor does, before you pay.

Reach a Voyages AquaTerra advisor at 1 866 628-6241, or explore our Antigua all-inclusive packages, our Antigua and Barbuda travel guide and the full range of southern all-inclusive vacations.