Hermitage Bay, an SLH Hotel
Adults-only resort in Saint Mary's. Romantic, Quiet.
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Atmosphere
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Amenities
Traveler Insights(421 discussions)
Hermitage Bay sits at the top of Antigua's all-inclusive category and earns comparisons to properties that cost twice as much. The resort occupies a private bay on the island's quieter southwest coast, with hillside villas stacked above a beach that travelers consistently describe as the most beautiful private beach setup they have ever experienced. The defining feature of the property is not the architecture or the beach - it is the staff. Within a day of arriving, your name is known, your preferences are logged, and the team operates around your schedule rather than the other way around. It is the kind of service that makes guests question why they have ever stayed anywhere else.
The all-inclusive package is one of the most comprehensive in the Caribbean, covering premium spirits, mini-bar restocking to personal preference, all water sports equipment, Wi-Fi, and every meal from the beach club lobster lunch to the main restaurant's island cuisine. The diving and snorkeling program is a genuine athletic offering - PADI-certified instruction, motorboat excursions to nearby shipwrecks, and daily guided reef tours - rather than the token watersports desk you find at most resorts. Chef Desroy's kitchen earns specific praise in discussions, with the beach club emerging as the most talked-about dining experience thanks to its lobster program and sand-in-your-toes setting.
Hermitage Bay is ideal for couples celebrating something significant - anniversaries, honeymoons, milestone birthdays - who want a level of service and seclusion that larger resorts structurally cannot provide. It competes with Curtain Bluff and Galley Bay within Antigua, and with Jade Mountain and Ladera in the wider Caribbean. Of those, Hermitage Bay wins on service culture and all-inclusive inclusivity. It is also one of the most attractive uses of Hilton Honors points in the Caribbean, with award rates that represent exceptional value given the cash price. For anyone willing to invest in a transformative rather than transactional vacation, Hermitage Bay is among the strongest arguments for all-inclusive travel anywhere in the world.
Pros
- +All-inclusive package covers all meals, all beverages including premium spirits, Wi-Fi, and most water sports - leaving virtually nothing to budget for on-property
- +Staff learn guest names and room numbers within hours of arrival - an attribute that comes up in nearly every positive review and defines the property's culture
- +Plunge-pool suites scattered across the hillside offer complete privacy with direct ocean views, making each villa feel like a private retreat
- +The beach setup is extraordinary - one row of chairs spaced 30-40 feet apart with mountain views behind and Caribbean blue in front, never crowded
- +PADI-certified diving and motorboat snorkeling tours are included, with guided shipwreck dives that experienced divers specifically mention as highlights
- +Non-motorized water sports - kayaks, paddleboards, windsurfers, a Hobie Cat catamaran sailboat - are available free with a waiver, encouraging spontaneous exploration
- +The new beach club lobster menu has become a signature draw, with guests describing it as among the best meals of their Caribbean travels
- +Yoga classes and a full spa provide wellness options that complement the resort's unhurried, restorative atmosphere
Cons
- −Rates routinely exceed $2,000 per night, placing it among the most expensive all-inclusive properties in the Caribbean - value judgments depend entirely on your expectations for service and intimacy
- −The resort is in a remote bay in Antigua's southwest with no walkable town or off-property dining options - you are fully committed to the property's food and drink program for your stay
- −Room service has been noted as occasionally slow during busy meal periods when the kitchen is stretched across all villa categories
- −The small size (boutique scale) means there is no resort nightlife, no casino, no organized evening entertainment beyond the resort's nightly program
- −Getting to the resort from the airport requires a taxi or shuttle - there is no resort-operated complimentary transfer included in most rates
- −Windsurfing and horseback riding options depend on conditions and scheduling - not everything is available on-demand every day
- −The hillside terrain means guests in higher villas walk a meaningful gradient to reach the beach - not ideal for guests with mobility considerations
- −Hiking trails in the surrounding area are beautiful but not guided by the resort itself, requiring guests to self-navigate or arrange external guides
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Google Reviews
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Our stay at Hermitage Bay was absolutely incredible from start to finish. The staff is truly exceptional—so warm, attentive, and genuine that it’s impossible to name everyone individually. Every single person made us feel welcomed, cared for, a...”
“I personally cannot recommend this hotel more. We used our Hilton points to stay here. This was a phenomenal use of Hilton redemption points. We stayed in the beachfront room, which was very large and had wonderful AC. The staff was so friendly and...”
“We had a fantastic stay at this all-inclusive resort. The staff were warm, professional, and always ready to assist with anything we needed. The chef was especially kind, making sure our halal dietary requirements were fully accommodated. He personal...”