Galley Bay Resort & Spa

Galley Bay Resort Antigua isn’t aiming to be the fanciest resort on the island, and it doesn’t need to be. What makes it so inviting is its tranquil natural setting and feeling of seclusion, first observed in the open-air lobby that appears in harmony with the lush gardens. From there, guests approach the rest of the resort via a land bridge that passes over a vast lagoon and bird sanctuary, part of the property’s 56 acres of unspoiled tropical land and lush gardens. The resort consists of entirely one- and two-story rustic Caribbean-style buildings, leaving the focus where it should be -- on the nature. For convenience, free golf cart shuttle service is provided around the property.
Lined with palm trees, the three-quarter-mile white-sand beach on picturesque Galley Bay anchors the resort, touching each of the four restaurants and serving as the stage for the resort’s regular activities and entertainment. As an adult-only property, most of the guests are couples, ranging from young honeymooners to retirees living the good life; day passes are also available occasionally from online retailers, most often used by cruise travelers. From guided walks through the herb garden, to the quaint turtle sanctuary, to some breathtaking sunset views, Galley Bay Resort & Spa provides an ideal setting for adults to want to unplug, relax, and enjoy a sense of privacy – all with a convenient all-inclusive rate.

In the Five Islands Village area of a secluded peninsula on Antigua’s northwest coast, the 56-acre Galley Bay Resort & Spa overlooks the stunning white sands and turquoise waters of Galley Bay. While one of the resort’s main draws is its sense of isolation, it still provides a good base for exploring other parts of the island. The remains of Fort Barrington, dating from 1779, are a 10-minute drive away. The capital city of St. John’s is a 15- to 20-minute drive. St. John’s is home to attractions like the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, the V. C. Bird Monument, and a bustling Saturday market, as well as several popular restaurants. V. C. Bird International Airport can be reached by car in 45 minutes.

Galley Bay Resort Antigua’s 98 rooms are divided between two separate areas: the beach and a more secluded garden area with cottages. Most rooms are housed in two-story Caribbean-style buildings directly on the beach. These units feature bright interiors in neutral hues, tiled floors, acacia-wood furniture, and welcome pops of color in vibrant local art and patterned throw pillows. Ground-floor rooms allow guests to walk directly onto the beach, while second-floor rooms have stunning beach views. The entry-level rooms are the Deluxe Beachfront Rooms, which offer air-conditioning, ceiling fans, king-size beds, and private patios facing the sea. HD flat-screen Smart TVs, coffeemakers, bedside USB charging ports, free minibars, safes, and robes come standard. Bathrooms offer hairdryers, Elite Botanica toiletries, and showers, plus outdoor showers. All rooms have snorkel masks for exploring the seas and free Wi-Fi, though it can be spotty.
On top of those amenities, the romantic, 570-square-foot Premium Beachfront Suites have sunken living rooms with wet bars, private balconies on the second floors, and bathrooms featuring bidets, double walk-in showers, and deep soaking tubs for two.
Set away from the beach and tucked among tropical vegetation are the charming Gauguin Suites -- popular with the newlywed set, though they’re the only units not beachfront and they’re on the smaller side at 400 square feet. Said to be inspired by Gauguin’s paintings of Tahiti, each suite is housed in an individual stone cottage with a wood-shingled roof. Two adjoining rondovals create living areas and sleeping areas, and the same shingled roofs show up inside the cottages, adding to their character. Bathrooms here, however, only feature showers. The centerpiece of the Gauguin Suites are the patios with private plunge pools. Some are fenced in, while others face the lagoon.

The boardwalk-lined beach is a stretch of golden sand that’s notable for being less crowded than Antigua’s other beaches, keeping the secluded vibe at this resort extending even to the waves. The waters can sometimes be rough, so guests should use caution when swimming and pay attention to the posted safety flags. If the beach is unsafe, the hotel provides a shuttle to another beach for those wanting to get in the water. No matter the current, sunsets from here are quite special.
The beach is also the stage for weekly events like a manager’s cocktail party, barbecue nights with steel drum music, and movies under the stars. During the day, free non-motorized water sports are offered, including Hobie Cat sailing, snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, and kayaking.

Much of the resort’s life centers around its stunning three-quarter-mile white-sand beach that runs along the sparkling blue waters of Galley Bay -- and that includes the restaurants. All four restaurants touch the beach and offer beautiful sea views. Sea Grape Restaurant is a large, open-air eatery offering both buffet-style and a la carte meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It also has an airy lounge area where guests can relax over drinks. Gauguin Restaurant is more intimate and romantic, made up of individual thatched huts and oceanfront tables directly on the beach. It offers two seatings for dinner, and reservations are required (call early). For fine dining, there’s the open-air Ismay’s Restaurant, though guests should note that it carries a surcharge above the all-inclusive rate. Barefoot Grill serves burgers, sandwiches, and lighter fare throughout the day directly on the beach, complete with a fun tiki bar that offers strong drinks. The property’s restaurants draw on the on-site garden’s produce for much of their fruit, vegetables, and herbs.
In addition to open-air bars at each of the restaurants, there’s also a bright coffee shop serving pastries and coffee drinks, as well as a rustic rum shack with colorful outdoor lounge areas, open in the evenings and offering a splash of local character.

Galley Bay Resort Antigua all-inclusive packages are fairly straightforward, covering meals and drinks at all restaurants and bars except for Ismay’s. The rate includes branded drinks at the bars, in-room snorkeling gear, and non-motorized water sports. All activities and entertainment are also covered, including fitness classes, live music, and weekly barbecues.

Resort life doesn’t end at the beach: A beautiful freeform pool with a towering rock waterfall is a popular spot to lounge and it has plenty of surrounding padded sun loungers (equipped with a call button for drinks) and thatched palapas for shade. A small air-conditioned fitness center has Cybex cardio and weight machines and TRX equipment; land sports like croquet and yoga classes in a beachfront pavilion are also available.
The tranquil Indulge Spa offers a range of massages and treatments, many featuring local ingredients like lemongrass and mango. Tucked among palm trees in the gardens, it features open-air treatment huts with privacy curtains and views of the lagoon. It also has a salon, a small plunge pool, and outdoor lounge areas. Spa services are not included in the all-inclusive rates.
Other amenities offered at Galley Bay Resort & Spa include a quaint tortoise sanctuary, garden tours where guests can pick herbs to be included in their meals, and regular cooking demonstrations. There’s also a gift shop with beach essentials and clothes offering a little retail therapy. For guests who want to venture outside the resort, excursions and tours can be arranged for a fee. Parking on-site is free.

The resort offers two picture-perfect spots for couples to get married: Ismay’s Wedding Gazebo and Gauguin Wedding Gazebo. The wedding package covers most ceremony basics and includes coordination services from the hotel’s wedding planner, a single-tier wedding cake, and even a best man or maid of honor if one’s needed. Other optional inclusions, like make-up and videography, are available via third parties at the resort. Ceremonies are not available on weekends and only performed certain times of the day (no sunset weddings).