Blue Waters Hotel

In Depth

Blue Waters has been a leader among Antiguan hotels for the past 35 years. It is a classic Caribbean getaway in its own pretty and secluded bay in the far North-west of the island. It is quite lively and has a good buzz of activity, down on the beach by day and then in the bar and dining room in the evening, and its setting is delightful. You turn off the road in a residential area of the island and sweep down around the wall of the bay in a circle, eventually drawing up under a covered ‘porte cochère’ entrance, enabling you step straight into the foyer protected from any passing tropical rainstorms.

The architecture at Blue Waters is modern, but it echoes traditional Caribbean themes that use the best of the climate. Tall buildings with pitched wooden ceilings and fans whirring overhead, open-sided rooms that give onto a view, all creating an impression you are part in and part outside. Plants grow inside and act as ‘walls’. There are pretty Caribbean embellishments such as gingerbread fretwork, fanlight windows and white picket fences and balustrades.

The foyer is a large, open-sided pavilion, with low wicker seating around its edges, behind which are banks of tropical plants, with palms and runs of hardy green perennials including multi-coloured crotons. The reception is immediately on your left and ahead of you is the bar, where a piano plays in the evenings. The bar can be lively, but if you are in contemplative mood there are nooks to hide away in and by day there is a lovely view through the palms and out over the bay to the sea.

And it is not only the view out to sea that is so good at Blue Waters. The general layout of the hotel, with its excellent tropical greenery, is extremely attractive. All the buildings look down over the gardens, the pools and the sea, or they look over the point, where there is a gazebo that is popular for wedding ceremonies. Opposite the bar, over an outside sitting area with wooden garden furniture and white parasols, is the main dining room, the Palm Restaurant. This is also set in a tall, open-sided Creole style building, its eaves fringed with gingerbread and surrounded by a balustrade and ranks of tropical plants.

If these areas are the centre of the resort in the evenings, the heart by day is the main swimming pool, which is surrounded by a terrace with loungers for sunbathing and more greenery. To the side is a daytime bar in a gazebo. And beneath it you come to a second pool, and beyond it the main beach, a pretty area of light-sand. Under palms that stretch out over the sand you will find loungers and sports equipment. The watersports building is at the left hand end of the beach.

The bedrooms at Blue Waters are set in two-storey blocks and villas. Some line the front and others are set behind in the grounds. Most have a view over the sea and they are comfortable, air-conditioned and decorated in neutral tones. They are also designed to get the best of the West Indies climate with a balcony or small veranda at the front, again defended by greenery for a little privacy from passers by.

If one of the points stretching out into the bay culminates in a gazebo, the other point at Blue Waters is slightly hidden away. It is here that you find Blue Waters own private four/five bedroom villa, Rock Cottage.

Back at the foyer you will find other facilities of the hotel, including the beauty salon, where some spa treatments are available, and the boutique. And across form the entranceway are the tennis court and a gym and games room with some facilities for children. For a slightly smarter or more romantic meal you can dine upstairs at the a la carte restaurant Bartleys.

While Blue Waters has everything you need for a week on the beach, it is also worth considering the hotel as an option if you want to do some island hopping in the area or as one half of a two-centre holiday. The hotel is just five miles from the airport (and the nicest one so close) and so it is ideally positioned to minimise the inconvenience of the inter-island travel.

In recent years Blue Waters launched its 24 Cove Suites and four Penthouses. Located next to The Cove, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, each of the three-storey units has its own infinity swimming pool and houses six Cove Suites and one three-bedroom Cove Penthouse. The penthouses feature a lounge, dining area and kitchen, and a spacious balcony.

See here for a History of Blue Waters Hotel.

Beach & Swimming

The main beach at Blue Waters is a relatively small but pretty stretch of light golden sand overhung with palm trees and protected by a causeway to one side. It is usually quite busy with guests but there are lots places to lounge. The water is not rough and so the swimming is good.

There is a second, smaller beach farther the other side of the wedding gazebo. It is not quite as nice as the main beach but it is perfectly pleasant and quieter. A third, more secluded beach can be found in an inlet beyond Rock Cottage and the point. It has a lovely stretch of sand and it can only be reached by sea.

There are three swimming pools at Blue Waters. The large main pool at the centre of the resort, beneath the dining room and bar, set in amongst all the palms and tropical greenery. A second is set right above the sea and the third slightly higher in the gardens, between the blocks of rooms.

Sports & Recreation

A watersports shop offers complimentary use of small sail boats, windsurfers, kayaks and snorkeling equipment. There is a daily introductory group lesson in sailing and snorkelling.

Behind reception you will find a tennis court (Laykold, for day play only) and an air-conditioned, fully equipped fitness centre. Instruction is available on request for an additional charge. In the same building is a games room with pool, table tennis and table football.

A new full service spa is now located across from The Cove Restaurant and includes a beauty and hair salon. A range of services and treatments using Elemis products include body waxes, facials, manicures, pedicures, mud wraps, sea salt scrubs and of course massages including aromatherapy and reflexology.

Staff

The General Manager of Blue Waters is Alistair Forrest who opened Carlisle Bay in the south of Antigua as well as Banyan Tree in the Seychelles. The Executive Chef is Graham Singer, an award winning Scot who was a member of the Scottish National Culinary Team for over a decade, competing for them in the Culinary Olympics and World Grand Prix (he has won several gold medals). He started his career at The Old Course Hotel in St Andrews and has worked at Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel in the Scottish Highlands, Cambridge Beaches in Bermuda and for Hilton Asia Pacific. He joined Blue Waters in March 2007.

Some staff have been with the hotel for many, many years. Veronica Williams, an Antiguan, has worked at Blue Waters since 1960 when it had just 16 rooms. She started as Head Maid and has been Assistant Housekeeper and worked in the Laundry Department. She was awarded a long service award in 2004. Veronica continues to play a vital supportive role and can always be seen with a pleasant smile for co-workers and guests alike.

The Rooms

There are several different categories of room at Blue Waters. They are all similarly decorated, with neutral tone fabrics on a white or off-white background. They have rattan furniture and most have king beds. All rooms have a balcony or private patio and inside they are equipped with cable TV, CD player/radio alarm, small fridge, safe and bathrobes. They are all air-conditioned but also have ceiling fans. Some rooms have interconnecting doors to enable families to stay together. If you are on the all inclusive package then the mini bar will be stocked and included.

Dining

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served in the large main dining room, the Palm Restaurant, which is open air and overlooks the pool and sea. At dinner the formula varies according to the day of the week. There may be à la carte service, a buffet or a table d'hôte menu with four or five choices. There is live entertainment most evenings.

For a more elegant dinner there is also a smarter, à la carte restaurant called Bartleys. Tucked away upstairs, the dining room has a nautical feel and an altogether ship-shape feeling with model boats and brassware. Reservations are required for dinner at Bartleys.

The Cove Restaurant, has a lovely cliffside setting just outside the hotel and serves top-notch French, south-east Pacific, Caribbean and international cuisines. The restaurant is connected to Blue Waters and is open during winter season (subject to occupancy) for dinner only. During closure, selected items from The Cove's menu are available at Bartleys. Reservations are required.

Dining at The Cove and Bartleys Restaurant is included in meal plans, however a supplement will apply to items such as lobster and imported meats.

Weddings & Honeymoons

Blue Waters offers a honeymoon package (a room upgrade and a Champagne breakfast on your balcony) and a nice wedding package. They look after you well and there is no production line. In fact Blue Waters will not do more than one wedding on any day. The most popular place to get married is at their gazebo at the end of the point, which they decorate. The setting has a nice atmosphere and is slightly separate from the rest of the resort and the guests in their bathing costumes.

Below is an interview with Alastair Forrest at World Travel Market 2010, where he talks to Sara Macefield about weddings and honeymoons at Blue Waters Hotel.

Children

There is no dedicated children's building at Blue Waters, but there is a daily hour of activities for children between 11am and midday (ages 5-13) supervised by the staff. Activities include pool and beach games, snorkelling and sailing rides, kayak and paddle boat races and board games.

Babysitting can easily be arranged, through the front desk.

Useful Hints

While Blue Waters' lively atmosphere in a very attractive setting in superb gardens is one of its advantages, it is important that you should be right for the type of hotel. It may not be your sort of place if you are looking to hide yourself away somewhere remote and quiet.

Practical Facts

Annual Closure dates: open year round

Dress Code: Casual elegance - see here for dress code in detail

Facilities: 2 beaches, 3 main swimming pools (one for adults only) and Jacuzzi, 4 infinity pools exclusively for the Cove Suites, cocktail bar, pool bar, beach bar, Palm al fresco restaurant, Bartleys à la carte restaurant, The Cove fine dining restaurant and bar, all weather tennis court, air-conditioned gymnasium, full service spa and beauty salon , live music and entertainment most evenings, 17 acres tropical gardens, sun loungers, umbrellas, tables at beach or pool, beach towels.

Complimentary: None motorised watersports. Live music/entertainment. Use of tennis courts and fitness centre. Weekly management cocktail party. Luggage and night porter. Watersports including: Hobie Cats, sailboats, windsurfing, kayaks, snorkelling equipment. Golf buggy shuttle service between The Cove Suites and main hotel.

All-inclusive Plan: Full breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, all premium branded bar drinks and house wines. A free stocked mini bar is provided in all rooms.

Other Services: Hair, beauty salon and spa, Games Room with table tennis, billiards and table football. Gift shop. Room Service. Laundry service. Wedding services.

Facilities arranged by the hotel: Waterskiing, 18 hole golf (5 minutes from hotel), sail boat excursions, deep sea fishing, horseback riding, para-sailing, casinos, restaurants, discos, helicopter tours.

Accommodation: 67 rooms, 32 suites, 4 penthouses, 2 villas and Rock Cottage

Room Types: All rooms and suites have A/C, ceiling fans, flat screen (LCD) cable TV, mini-bar, clock radio, hair dryer, 240v shaving socket, 110v and 220v outlets, wall safe, telephone, tea/coffee making facilities, fridge, iron and ironing board, en suite bathroom with tub and shower, and bathrobes. Private patio or balcony, chaises lounges, tables and chairs. Superior Hillside Room - these rooms have sea or garden views, nestled within the hotel's gardens, and are situated above the beachfront rooms. Deluxe Beachfront Room - just yards from the hotel's main beach (some located above the smaller beach to the east), these rooms have a prime location with a view of the Caribbean Sea. Hillside Junior Suite - with their own lounge area, these suites are very spacious and are set within the hotel's tropical gardens, above the beachfront junior suites. Beachfront Junior Suite - also very spacious, with their own lounge area, these suites are situated a few yards from the hotel's second beach, with sea views. Luxury Suite - close to the Palm Restaurant and opposite the main beach these suites have their own separate lounge, with magnificent double balcony, and spectacular views of the bay. Pelican House -  located to the east of the property just above the smaller beach, with two newly refurbished villas within their own private area, with a sun terrace and shared infinitiy pool. Each villa has a spacious living room, dining room and kitchen, a master bedroom with en suite bathroom and the ability to interconnect with premium beachfront rooms to make a 2 or 3-bedroom villa. Note: Interconnecting rooms are available in a number of room categories. The Cove Suites - are situated within their own landscaped grounds located between The Cove restaurant and the units above the hotel's second beach. The Cove consists of four sets of three-storey buildings, three along the sea cliff and one set back into the grounds behind. Each has its own infinity-edge swimming pool, a three-bedroom penthouse and six suites. All rooms have cable plasma TV, full air-conditioning, mini bar, en suite bathroom with a free standing bath and golf buggy shuttle service from the main hotel. The Cove Suites (730sq ft) are located on the ground and first floors with a bedroom en suite, living room, patio or balcony. The Cove Penthouses (2690sq ft) are located on the 3rd floor, have 3 bedrooms (2 master) en suite, lounge, dining area, kitchen and large balcony. Please see a full Review of Rock Cottage

Children: Complimentary children's high chairs, cots and cribs. Children's menu is available as well as babysitting services (extra).

Credit cards: All major credit cards are accepted - American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discovery and Diners.

Locality

Blue Waters is located in its own bay in the far North-west of Antigua, hidden away from most of the island's hotels and apartments complexes. It is surrounded by a quiet and fairly residential district. There are some good restaurants in the area. Very close by is The Cove, set on waterfront cliffs right next door. Le Bistro is also not far off in Hodge's Bay and there are other good restaurants on Dickenson Bay and in the outskirts of St John's. You will find a golf course at Cedar Valley close to the airport and the best windsurfing and kitesurfing in Antigua is also close by, just five minutes east of Blue Waters, close to the airport.

Blue Waters is a 15 minute drive from St John's, the capital of Antigua. Here you will find several streets of pretty Creole houses with some nice daytime restaurants and extensive shopping. If you particularly want to go down to Dickenson Bay, Antigua's busiest beach, then that is just ten minutes away. Dickenson Bay also has a good selection of restaurants.

Set right in the North-west, Blue Waters is as far as it is possible to be from the main historical interest of Antigua at English Harbour and Nelson's Dockyard. The ride takes about forty minutes but it is well worth doing once in your trip.

Meet & Greet

If you are travelling independently, taxis are usually readily available at the airport and the ride from the airport will take around ten minutes and costs around US$12. Alternatively, if you would prefer to be taken care of from the minute you arrive at the airport until the time that you leave, a Transfer and Concierge Service is offered by St James Travel & Tours.

If you have booked through a travel organiser, it is likely that their representative will be at the airport to meet you. This service and your return airport transfers should be included in the cost of your holiday. Please check at the time of booking.

Getting Around

Blue Waters is quite isolated and so if you want to explore the island you will need some transport. The options are an island tour with a regular company or with a private cab that can be arranged through the front desk. A taxi shuttle service into St John's operates at US$6 per person, minimum 3 passengers. No bus service works to this area of the island.

A rental car enables you to explore the island at your own pace, visiting some of Antigua's excellent beaches by day and then going out to the restaurants in the evenings. We recommend you book in advance via your travel organiser or direct with Thrifty Car Rentals, who will deliver to the property and issue your Antiguan driving licence, price US$20. Vehicles can be left at the airport or be collected from the property at a pre-arranged time on your departure day. Be aware that around Christmas and over the sailing festivals there can be a shortage of cars in Antigua, so you are advised to book well in advance. Also book early if you want one for a week or more because the pre-booked rates can be better.

Blue Waters Video

Please see below for a video of Blue Waters Hotel.