Rock Cottage

In Depth

Rock Cottage Villa is an award winning Antigua villa property set at the end of its own rocky promontory in the grounds of Blue Waters hotel on Antigua’s northern shore. It is completely private and has everything you need to hide away in delightful seclusion, surrounded by a spectacular setting and views - there are platforms and terraces on the exposed flanks of the point where you can sunbathe, a plunge pool set into the rocks, and a bathroom with a full-wall view. Even Rock Cottage’s private jetty can double as a sundeck. From here you can swim and snorkel in the calm water, or kayak across to the stretch of beach at Langford Bay, which is deserted most of the time (it is used occasionally by the Antiguans on weekends). Rock Cottage has the best of both worlds. Its location is pure virgin coastline without a building in sight on one side, but then, if you feel like a bit of activity and the buzz of a crowd, the resort of Blue Waters is right there on the other, just a few minutes walk away.

Perched on a promontory, Rock Cottage originally started out as a two bedroom villa. Its main living areas, one of the bedrooms, the small pool and the master bedroom (in its own separate building) all occupy the tapering rocky point right above the water. The villa has now been extended and there are three more bedrooms in a separate annex known as Rock Cottage Two. This is the first building you come to as you approach along the pathway from the main resort (a golf buggy is available for those who want to use it). Next to it is a small area of lawn with a double hammock on a frame that gets lovely through-breezes. The area surrounding Rock Cottage has been well landscaped with plants that can cope in such a rocky and sunny area. You will see sea grapes, cacti, palms, bougainvillea and lovely yellow candelabra flowers.

The entrance to the original section and heart of the villa is an archway and door made of local greenstone. It opens to reveal the master bedroom immediately on your left and then the mosaic tiled Jacuzzi plunge pool, set into the rockface a few steps below. The pool is on its own platform with room for two loungers and has a seating ledge on one side where you can sit and look out to sea and the coastline. Back on the upper level, laid with a natural coral stone tiled terrace, you come to the villa’s main living and dining areas. These open out and are surrounded by terraces with elegant balustrades.

The living room has two sitting areas, with an archway that provides a slight division between a formal area and the more casual family area. Here there is cable TV, DVD, CD player and selection of CDs and books. The décor of the room is mostly white with elements of brass and gold, so there are white walls, ‘tray’ ceilings, varnished bamboo furniture with cream damask cushioning, and either glass or coral stone topped bamboo coffee tables. The room has a certain air of formality and a slightly colonial feel, with selected accessories that add touches of glamour and tradition.

The rooms look out through French doors, made of both glass and louvres, onto a wraparound terrace built out to the cliff edge. One section looks back to the resort, but the other, the main living terrace, which is protected form the prevailing wind, looks over the deserted coastline to the west. This is a lovely area in which to dine or relax and it has a couple of coconut palms for natural shade. To one end is an additional dining area with a round teak dining table shaded by a large umbrella. At the other there is a smaller patio table with an umbrella and two comfortable chairs with footstools. From here a gate opens onto thirty-two steps down to a wooden jetty and sundeck, from where you can look down into the water straight onto rocks and coral. A powerboat is available for use. Another sun terrace is located beneath the main living terrace farther out on the point, a stunning and sometimes breezy spot just above the water. It has six comfortable sun loungers with low cocktail tables, with a wooden bench in one corner and a double hammock on a frame.

Back in the house, off the main living area, there is a small galley kitchen, which is suitable for preparing simple meals. It has two small fridges, an electric kettle and a halogen hob but no cooker or microwave. The main kitchen is located next to the entrance archway and is operated by the cook or chef if you have arranged for one.

There are four full size bedrooms and one smaller double at Rock Cottage. The Master has its own separate building. Downstairs is a tiled bathroom with a whole wall of shutters above the basin that open out to a full width view of the coastline. A raised tub sits against the wall and there is a separate mosaic-tiled, circular shower. The actual bedroom is upstairs. It has been furnished with varnished rattan and has a king size bed, tv with mini-bar in the cabinet below, but the most spectacular feature of the room is the view on two sides. Glass doors slide back, giving excellent sea views over a slim wraparound balcony. The second bedroom is off the living room and gives onto the main terrace and the bay. It has two singles pushed together to make a king bed and it has been furnished with rattan and wicker. There is also a TV. Windows to the rear look out towards the resort. The en suite, fully tiled bathroom has a corner tub, separate shower and hairdryer.

The new bedroom annex sits opposite the small guardhouse and has three bedrooms, one downstairs and two above. The lower bedroom is very spacious and has large wooden louvered doors on two sides. It looks out onto a small balcony facing the main house and another larger one with two sunbeds facing the bay and jetty. The room has ceiling fans and is air-conditioned, and is furnished in honey coloured wicker and rattan. There is a king size bed, a sitting area with a comfy reading chair and day bed, and in one corner a cable TV mounted on a cabinet containing the mini-bar. There are also coffee and tea-making facilities. The bathroom is a large and luxurious, and has a double step-in mosaic tiled shower with shower heads at each end. Tiled steps lead from the main entrance of the annex up to a small landing and the ‘Nanny’s room’ on the left. This is the fifth bedroom and it is suitable only for one adult or two children. Compared to the other rooms it is small but it has two single beds pushed together, a tv and a very small balcony with one simple patio chair. It also has a small fully tiled en suite bathroom with step up shower, and hairdryer. Across the landing is the fourth full size bedroom, which faces the bay to the west. This has a fully tiled bathroom, slightly smaller than the one downstairs, with a large corner shower. The bedroom has similar furnishings to the one below and has a king size bed, again with TV, mini-bar fridge, two ceiling fans, air-conditioning. There are two sets of doors on two corners, including a good size balcony with two comfortable sun beds facing Rock Cottage and the bay. The corner windows in this bedroom also look down to the sea below, with its jade and aquamarine water. All the bathrooms at Rock Cottage have large bottles of Gilchrist and Soames toiletries.

Please note that due to its location, Rock Cottage is not suitable for young children

Beach & Swimming

Rock Cottage Villa has a mosaic tiled Jacuzzi plunge pool set into the cliffside below the main villa's veranda, within its own small terrace with room for two sun loungers. The pool is an unusual bottle shape and has a seating ledge on one side so that you can sit and look out to sea, jetty and a sundeck below. It looks out over a secluded beach, which you can swim to or reach by kayak.

Blue Waters Hotel itself has two white sandy beaches within easy walking distance. Guests at the villa have use of the resort's three swimming pools, one of which is reserved for adults only. There is a watersports shop which offers complimentary use of small sail boats, windsurfers, kayaks and snorkelling equipment. There is a daily introductory group lesson in sailing and snorkelling.

Sports & Recreation

Guests of Rock Cottage Villa have complimentary use of the sports facilities at Blue Waters Hotel . There is tennis court in the grounds (Laykold, for day play only) and an air-conditioned, fully equipped fitness centre with instruction available on request for an additional charge. The resort also has a games room with table tennis, billiards and table football, a beauty salon and spa, gift shop, 3 restaurants and bars, and nightly entertainment. The nearest golf course is Cedar Valley, an 18 hole course within 10 minutes drive of the resort.

Locality

Rock Cottage is set within the grounds of Blue Waters Hotel and so all the facilities of the resort are available for guests. Blue Waters itself is located in the far North-west of Antigua, hidden away from most of the island's hotels and apartments complexes in a quiet and fairly residential area of the island. There is a golf course at Cedar Valley close to the airport and the best windsurfing and kitesurfing in Antigua is just five minutes east of Blue Waters, on Jabberwock Beach, also close to the airport. The hotel is a fifteen minute drive from St John's, the capital of Antigua, where you will find several streets of pretty creole houses as well as extensive shopping. If you particularly want to go down to Dickenson Bay, Antigua's busiest beach, then that is just ten minutes away. Both of these areas have a selection of good restaurants.

Tucked away in the North-west, Blue Waters is as far as it is possible to be from the main historical interest of the island at English Harbour and Nelson's Dockyard. The area is well worth a look and the ride takes about forty minutes.

Useful Hints

The cost of food for meals provided by the cook will be charged to account and payable upon departure. Your meal requirements will be discussed on arrival. Same course meals rather than individual dishes are cooked for guests, unless there are vegetarian or dietary requirements. Guests may also dine at the hotel, with meals charged to an account payable upon departure.

An all inclusive (AI) supplement is available in which guests are able to take all their meals and drinks at the hotel, either in Palm or The Cove restaurants. The cook, and a waiter, will still be available should guests wish to dine at the villa, however same course meals will be cooked for guests rather than individual dishes, unless there are vegetarian or dietary requirements.

A chef is available for a daily cost of US$131 for lunch and US$195 for dinner including 10% service charge & 10.5% government tax. The chef can also prepare a la carte dishes from special menus for an additional supplement to the BP or AI rates.

A 24ft power boat with skipper is available with 48 hour notice and takes a maximum of 9 persons. Price on request. Daily charters are available from US$1,200.

Babysitting is available at an additional cost but please note Rock Cottage is not suitable for young children.

Please see here for information on Blue Waters dress code.

Airport 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 cost 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

Although a hired car is recommended for all villa holidays, Rock Cottage is set within the grounds of Blue Waters Hotel and so pretty much everything is on hand and you may decide that you do not need one after all. Island tours can be arranged at the front desk and a taxi shuttle service into St John's operates at US$6 per person, minimum 3 passengers.

A rental car will be useful if you want to dine out at night and explore the island and particularly when it comes to shopping for groceries, should you prefer to do this rather than leave it to the resort. 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. Ask for your vehicle to be delivered to the property approximately 2-3 hours after your scheduled time of arrival on Antigua or the following morning. Vehicles can be returned 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.