Blue Waters Beach Hotel, as it was originally known, is one of the longest established hotels in Antigua and first opened its doors for business in 1960 as a sixteen-bedroom hotel. At that time it was owned and operated by Mr Osmond Kelsick who had the distinction of being the only Antiguan Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force in World War II.
By 1984 Blue Waters had grown to 45 rooms, when it was sold to Mr Ronald Randall, an entrepreneur from England who had fallen in love with the property while staying there with his family. Though not based in Antigua Mr Randall has worked closely with the management team to make Blue Waters the property it is today, carefully maintaining the feel that can only be achieved in a family owned property.
In 1998 received an extensive US$9 million refurbishment and reopened with 77 luxury rooms, suites and villas with sumptuous public areas, restaurants and bars. Since then the hotel has received many accolades including “Antigua’s Leading Hotel” in the 2003 World Travel Awards. Soon after refurbishment Rock Cottage, an exclusive 4/5 bedroom villa built on a rocky outcrop, was opened. It was nominated by the UK publication Harpers & Queen as the ‘Best Waterfront Villa in the World’. Blue Waters also has followed an environmentally conscious policies, which were rewarded in 2004 when the hotel placed third in the American Express sponsored Caribbean Association ‘Green Hotel of the Year Awards’. None of these achievements could have been possible without a dedicated and determined team of management and staff who consider Blue Waters as one big family and who eagerly welcome guests to be part of that.
Of the many repeat guests that come back year after year, most agree that whilst many improvements have been made at Blue Waters it still retains the charm and character it had when it first opened nearly 50 years ago.
