Hawksbill Resort (Antigua)
Hawksbill Resort is one of those Caribbean properties that inspires completely opposite reactions depending on what you're looking for. For travelers who want to genuinely disconnect, with no crowds, no manufactured spectacle and no towel art on the bed, it is close to perfect. Four beaches (including Eden Beach, Antigua's only clothing-optional beach), lush tropical grounds and a quiet Five Islands Village location on the calm west coast create a setting that feels genuinely far from the world. Guests who've been to more polished resorts describe Hawksbill as the place where they finally felt like they were on an island rather than at a hotel.
Things to Know
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Four beaches on a single property, including Eden Beach, Antigua's only clothing-optional beach, so you get a genuine variety of beach experiences without leaving the grounds
- +Almost no crowding: Antigua's beaches are public by law, but the resort's are almost always empty apart from hotel guests, and you can often have a stretch of sand to yourself on a weekday
- +West-coast, Caribbean Sea location means calm, clear water, and the resort states the sargassum seaweed that hits Antigua's Atlantic side does not reach its beaches
- +Non-motorized water sports are included in the rate: paddleboards, kayaks with life jackets, Sunfish and Hobie Cat sailing, plus free snorkeling gear to use right off the beach
- +A main pool (open 8:00 am to 7:00 pm) now sits alongside the beaches, so a property once known for having no pool gives you a freshwater option too
- +Lush, garden-like grounds with mature tropical vegetation create an atmosphere travelers describe as a real Caribbean hideaway rather than a manicured resort campus
- +The Healing Hands Wellness Spa runs daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with couples and single massages, and treatments can be done in your room or outdoors on request
- +Easy, cheap arrival: V.C. Bird International is about 25 minutes away, and a shared taxi runs about US$30 per couple
Cons
- −Room interiors are noticeably dated, with furnishings and bathrooms that read as older Caribbean charm rather than contemporary design; 42-inch smart TVs only arrived in October 2024 and several room categories still have no TV
- −Getting anywhere requires a taxi, since Five Islands Village has no walkable town center and St. John's restaurants and shops are a drive away
- −Minimum guest age is 16, so families with younger children cannot book, and guests who wanted a strictly adults-only crowd will share the resort with older teens
- −No room service at all, and the minibar is only stocked free and restocked daily for guests who booked direct; everyone else pays to have the fridge filled
- −Food is solid rather than memorable: guests describe the buffets as good but not extraordinary, and the a la carte options at Sea Grapes and PD's Grille can carry extra charges
- −Housekeeping thoroughness is the most repeated complaint in recent guest reviews
- −Not wheelchair accessible, which the resort states plainly; guests with limited mobility are steered to the Royal Palm Beachfront and Oceanfront rooms
- −The extras add up: private beach dinners are US$200 per couple, late checkout to 8:00 pm is US$150, and jet skis and boat rides come from independent vendors at extra cost
The practical experience is deliberately understated, but there is more on the property than its reputation suggests. A main pool now complements the beaches, and the rate covers all meals and drinks plus paddleboards, kayaks, Sunfish and Hobie Cat sailing and snorkeling gear. Dining runs across three restaurants: buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner at Tamarind Tree on a seven-day rotating menu, a la carte lunch and reservation-only dinners at Sea Grapes, and lunch at PD's Grille, with bars open 10:00 am to midnight. The Healing Hands Wellness Spa handles massages and beauty treatments daily, booked at least 24 hours ahead. There is no room service, rooms are air-conditioned but clearly dated, and complimentary Wi-Fi reaches the rooms and the rest of the property. Evenings bring daily activities and nighttime performances the resort itself calls low key and traditional, closer to a house party than a stage show.
Hawksbill is the right choice for travelers who find mega-resorts exhausting, who want the Caribbean to feel wild and real rather than polished and predictable, and who are comfortable with dated room aesthetics if the surroundings are exceptional. It appeals particularly to naturist travelers (nudity is restricted to Eden Beach, which is signposted and staffed by security during the day), to couples seeking peace and simplicity, and to small groups, since the minimum guest age is 16. If you need a modern room, room service or a big resort's facilities list, look elsewhere. If you want four beaches, free sailing and actual quiet at a price well below Antigua's luxury all-inclusives, this is your property, and July to September is when the resort itself says it is cheapest.
Common Questions
What exactly is Eden Beach and do guests have to participate?
Is there a pool at Hawksbill?
What water sports are included?
How remote is Hawksbill and do I need a car?
Are the rooms worth it or is the resort overpriced for what you get?
Can I bring my kids to Hawksbill?
Restaurants (3)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | Tamarind Tree Restaurant |
| American & grill | PD's Grille |
| International & fusion | SeaGrapes Restaurant |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
What's nearby
Shirley Heights40 min drive · 18 mi
Devil's Bridge35 min drive · 17 mi
Darkwood Beach20 min drive · 11 mi
35 min drive · 17 mi
Galleon Beach35 min drive · 17 mi
8 min drive · 2.2 mi
More things to do (24)
- Long Bay Beach · beach30 min drive · 16 mi
- Ffryes Beach · beach20 min drive · 11 mi
- Stingray City snorkel trip · excursion25 min drive · 14 mi
- Deep Bay Beach · beach7 min drive · 2.1 mi
- St. John's · town9 min drive · 4.3 mi
- St. John's Cathedral · historic site10 min drive · 4.8 mi
- Museum of Antigua and Barbuda · museum10 min drive · 4.6 mi
- Government House Museum · museum10 min drive · 4.8 mi
- Barbuda day trip by ferry · excursion10 min drive · 4.8 mi
- Dickinson Bay Beach · beach14 min drive · 7.4 mi
- Fort James · ruins20 min drive · 7.6 mi
- Cedar Valley Golf Club · golf20 min drive · 7.5 mi
- Jolly Harbour Marina · marina20 min drive · 10 mi
- Jolly Beach · beach20 min drive · 10 mi
- Turners Beach · beach25 min drive · 12 mi
- Jabberwock Beach · beach25 min drive · 12 mi
- Betty's Hope · ruins25 min drive · 12 mi
- Wallings Nature Reserve · nature25 min drive · 14 mi
- Antigua Rainforest Zip Line · adventure park25 min drive · 14 mi
- Antigua's Donkey Sanctuary · wildlife30 min drive · 15 mi
- English Harbour · town35 min drive · 16 mi
- Falmouth Harbour Marina · marina35 min drive · 16 mi
- Half Moon Bay · beach35 min drive · 19 mi
- Pigeon Point Beach · beach35 min drive · 17 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Seaweed & sargassum
Antigua gets sargassum, typically worst May through August.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.3 · 1,029 reviews
“This property grounds are STUNNING!! Booked last minute and exceeded our expectations. This is a very calm, secluded and relaxing resort, a great value. The infinity pool and views are incredible. The resort never feels crowded because everyone has t...”
“30th Anniversary Private Beachfront Dining at Sea Grapes – Hawksbill Resort, Antigua We celebrated our 30th anniversary with a private beachfront dinner at Sea Grapes at Hawksbill Resort, and it was truly an unforgettable night. From the moment we a...”
“This is a great option for a reasonably priced all-inclusive resort. The resort grounds and beaches are beautiful, our room was clean and provided fresh towels daily, the food was varied and delicious. The friendliness and attentiveness of some of th...”
