A new, all-inclusive resort showcases the beauty and hospitality of Antigua
HIDDEN AWAY IN A SECLUDED INLET ON THE WEST Indies island of Antigua is a charming new resort where hospitality and luxury reign. The delightful Caribbean property has only 42 luxury villas, each with a private plunge pool and a full bar stocked with the finest spirits, wine, mixers, sodas, and beers. Each private villa of Hammock Cove has over 1,000 square feet of living space with epic views of aquamarine waters and the dramatic environs of the coastline.
Along with incredible views, the resort employs an impres- sive crew of guest ambassadors. The ambassadors offer person- al assistance for guests, including lovely amenities like morning coffee preparation; meals delivered either in-villa, on the beach, or around the swimming pool; dinner reservations; and other personal concierge services.
The owner, Mr. Barrett, is a native of Central California and has an incred- ible story of wit and ingenuity. A high school dropout, he found his mojo in the Caribbean when he was 18 years old. And over the past 50 years, he has built a legacy of high-end resorts that include locations in Barbados, the Gren- adines, Panama, and St. Lucia. One of the reasons why Antigua’s Hammock Cove is so wonderful is because of the thoughtfulness and commitment to ex- cellence that Mr. Barrett has fostered over the decades he has been a hotelier.
Fine-dining and international cuisine takes center stage at Hammock Cove, led by Michelin-trained, Italian Executive Chef Marco Festini Cromer. He blends years of international culinary expertise with the flare of Caribbean spice. Chef Marco has elevated the all-inclusive dining experience at the re- sort’s two restaurants, four bars, and 24-hour in-villa dining.
The resort’s spa, gym, and water-facing yoga shala redefine resort wellness and relaxation. The spa, Tranquility Body and Soul, features five treatment rooms equipped for a variety of face and body therapies, including wet room facilities, a cold plunge pool, and sauna.
Hammock Cove is delightfully named after a gentleman named Happy, who returned home to Antigua after living in London. Happy returned to this slice of heaven because he wanted to be “Happy,” and lounging in a hammock in the cove was the way he found happiness. Now, with the opening of Ham- mock Cove, the rest of the world can enjoy a bit of “Happy” as well.
A PERFECT DAY AT HAMMOCK COVE
- 9:00 am In-villa breakfast delivered by your guest ambassador
- 10:00 am Gentle yoga on the yoga shala
- 11:30 am 60-minute Ocean’s Deep Restoration massage
- 1:00 pm Lunch at Irina’s
- 2:00 pm Beach front relaxation time, perhaps a cocktail or kayaking
- 5:00 pm Rum tasting at Nobody Knows bar
- 7:00 pm Cocktails at Lighthouse Bar
- 8:00 pm Romantic 5-star dinner at Lighthouse with three delicious courses that can be paired with wine
- 10:00 pm Night cap and a game of pool or scrabble in the Chairman’s Lounge
- 11:00 pm Private time in your plunge pool overlooking the cove
The excellent staff at Hammock Cove can also organize island excursions for you to popular destinations like Nelson’s Dockyard and Shirley Heights. Some favorite trips include a day with Pink Panther Safari tours, where you will be given an intimate tour of the island and end with a delicious lunch on a hidden beach.
Antigua has 365 beaches nestled in tiny inlets and on vast golden shores that wrap around the island. Locals boast that you can visit a new beach every day for a year. With a population of 80,000, the island feels like a cozy village where everyone knows each other.