Curtain Bluff

Curtain Bluff is the kind of resort that ruins all-inclusives for you in the best possible way. Open since 1962 - and under new ownership since November 2024, when UK entrepreneurs Tim and Pat Scott acquired it while keeping the same management team and all 230 employees - it sits on a narrow promontory with the calm Caribbean Sea on one side and the open Atlantic on the other, a setting that's genuinely rare in the Caribbean. Sixty-five percent of guests come back repeatedly, and you'll understand why after your first dinner: daily-changing a la carte menus, a wine cellar with tens of thousands of bottles, and breakfasts cooked to order. Travel + Leisure consistently puts it in its World's Best rankings, and its Relais & Chateaux membership signals the caliber of experience to expect.

The new owners have launched a three-year, multimillion-dollar transformation carried out during the resort's seasonal closures: all 42 suites have been redesigned by OBMI and Studio Talomb, the Sea Grape beachfront restaurant was renovated with a new tiled bar and a glass-enclosed, air-conditioned dining area, and Bentley airport transfers debuted at the season reopening. Where Curtain Bluff really separates itself, though, is watersports. Daily snorkeling trips to Cades Reef are included with no reservation or fee, and the PADI diving program is part of your rate rather than an expensive add-on. Water skiing, sailing, kayaks, and paddleboards are all covered. Tennis courts are in top condition and the gym is well-equipped. Kids Club runs through summer and holiday periods, and babysitting is available. Staff-to-guest ratios are high, which means service is attentive without being performative - the kind where your drink order is remembered from yesterday.

Curtain Bluff is best for couples and families who want genuine luxury without the corporate resort machine. It's not for people seeking lively nightlife, Instagram-perfect infinity pools, or the frenetic energy of a large Cancun property. The dress code and evening pace are decidedly old-world. Note that the renovation program means longer seasonal closures - the resort is closed June through October 2026 for the next phase, reopening November 1, 2026 - so check dates before planning a summer trip. For guests who prize excellent food, serious watersports, and a staff that actually knows your name, this resort competes with virtually anything in the Caribbean. Budget accordingly - it costs significantly more than comparable-quality resorts in Mexico, but for Antigua and for what's included, serious travelers consider it worth every penny.