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Photo by: Zach Stovall

WORTH A SPLURGE

Antigua has a number of all-inclusive hotels at all levels of luxury, but 464-room Jolly Beach Resort is the beachfront bargain. It fronts the island’s longest strand, and every unit in the two- and three-story buildings has at least a partial water view, air conditioning, and a balcony or patio. Rooms in the Supersaver category are petite (a smart buy for singles), while many of the standard rooms have been revamped in the last year. Decor is merely perfunctory, but don’t let it detract from the fine beach. There are five restaurants and separate kids and teens clubs, and the roster of activities includes nonmotorized water sports, nightly entertainment, tennis and more. Rates include three meals, unlimited house-brand drinks and on-site activities and entertainment. Web specials can save you up to 30 percent on single and double rates, and even better deals are available through travel agents and wholesalers.

OUT + ABOUT

The beaches on Antigua’s Caribbean side are the island’s main draw, and relatively few visitors venture to its less-populated eastern half. Join a half-day guided tour with Antigua Paddles and explore the North Sound Marine Park aboard a two-seat sit-on-top kayak – no experience necessary. You’ll paddle through calm mangrove lagoons and then travel via motoryacht to nearby Great Bird Island, where you’ll spend the rest of the tour lounging on the island’s beaches or snorkeling on the reef. The tour price includes transfer from your hotel, letting you dodge pricey taxi fares.

Go back to Antigua: A Beach for Each...

Barbuda's Grand Strand...

ANTIGUA ON $168 A DAY*

HOTEL

Average $136 in low season ($156 high)

Anchorage Inn
Dickenson Bay; from $90 ($115 high season)
268-462-4065; antiguaan​chorageinn.com

Catamaran Hotel
Falmouth; from $145 ($170 high season)
268-460-1036; catamaran-antigua.com

Jolly Beach Resort
Jolly Beach; from $290 ($312 high season), including meals, drinks, tax and service
866-905-6559 or 268-462-0061; jollybeachresort.com

Long Bay Hotel
Long Bay; from $196 year-round, available until December 2010 (three-night minimum)
268-463-2005; longbayhotel.com

Ocean Inn
English Harbour; from $100 ($110 high season), including continental breakfast
268-463-7950; theoceaninn.com

Siboney Beach Club
Dickenson Bay; from $150 ($190 high season)
800-533-0234 or 268-462-0806; siboneybeachclub.com

BREAKFAST

Coconut Grove
Dickenson Bay; $9 for banana pancakes
268-462-1538; coconutgrove​antigua.net

LUNCH

Nest ​Beach Bar
Valley Church Beach; $12 for chicken curry and rice with fries or a salad
268-460-2989

DINNER

Papa Zouk
St. John’s; $21 for pan-fried snapper with bread and a salad; closed Sunday; no credit cards
268-464-6044

ACTIVITY

Antigua Paddles
$58 for half-day tour, including transfer and light refreshments
268-463-1944; antiguapaddles​.com

GETTING THERE

Air Canada flies to Antigua from Toronto; American from Miami and San Juan; Continental from Newark; Delta from New York-JFK; US Airways from Charlotte, North Carolina.

TAXI

From airport to: Siboney Beach Club, Anchorage Inn, $15; Jolly Beach Resort, $24; Long Bay Hotel, $28; Catamaran Hotel, Ocean Inn, $31

RENTAL CAR

Dollar Rent a Car from $31 per day (plus 15 percent government tax); 268-462-0362; dollarantigua.com; driving is on the left; a local driver’s license is $20.

TAXES

Room tax is 10.5 percent; a 10 percent service charge is typical; departure tax is $25.

INFO

888-268-4227; antigua-barbuda.org

*per person in low season ($178 high), based on double occupancy and excluding airfare, car rental, airport transfers, tax and service charges (US$1 = 2.68 XCD)

Go back to Antigua: A Beach for Each...