CAR 11 26/1/10 14:18 Page 44
hot property
Checking out
Overall
It’s not a hotel for clients that want to walk
Sugar Ridge Antigua
out of their room and onto the beach, but
This funky boutique hotel opened in December, and is just a few
younger couples and groups will love the
minutes walk from Jolly Harbour in the south west of the island hip vibe of this hotel (the bar is rather noisy).
The hotel could work on its environmental
Rooms and furnishings bar which comes alive at night, with DJs and policy – I came back to a room with the
The four-star-plus property has 60 guest live music. The huge gym and Aveda spa is air-con left on, and my carry-out breakfast
rooms arranged in villas of four. Rooms and bigger and better than I’ve seen in hotels came in polystyrene and plastic. But overall,
bathrooms are quite small, and you’d have five times this size. Other facilities are few Sugar Ridge is an exciting and unique
to take turns in the plunge pool, but the (the hotel is not particularly targeting the addition to the island, and looks set to
large verandah with day bed gives a nice family market) but recommend your clients become a popular nightspot for Antiguans
amount of outdoor space. I loved my go on an early morning nature walk and ex-pats too. 7/10
muslin-draped four poster bed, with resident “medicine man” Vorn.
and the fresh, contemporary The hotel is not on the beach, but by Philippa Jacks
decor. Rooms are also high tech,
with iPod docking station, coffee
pod machine, and flatscreen TV, 78
there is a free shuttle to those
%
nearby. 8/10 Booking it
The hotel is offering an introductory
although I was less convinced by Value for money commission level of 15% to agents booking
the need for “radio frequency Rack rates are from $210 ($260 with directly, before 28 February. Caribtours has
activated door locks”. 7/10 plunge pool) per room per night based on seven nights in a deluxe king upper floor
two sharing B&B between April 10 and room from £945 per person including flights,
Service and welcome October 22. With the current special offer breakfast, transfers and access to a private
Check-in and check-out were not super-slick, of 20% off, rooms can be as little as $84 per lounge at Gatwick. The hotel is around a
as staff still seemed to be getting to grips person. It’s difficult to compare it with other 30-minute drive from Antigua’s airport.
with the technology. Service in the bar and Antiguan properties as Sugar Ridge is quite ■ sugarridgeantigua.com
restaurants was top notch – the chef in the unusual but this seems great value. 9/10 ■ caribtours.co.uk
Sugar Club made a point of coming round to
chat to all the diners. My spa therapist was
also exceptional. 8/10
Facilities and dining
There is an all-inclusive option, but most
guests stay half-board. There are two fantastic
a la carte restaurants – Sugar Club, open all
day, and Carmichael’s, a formal restaurant
on top of the hill with stunning views out to
St Kitts and Nevis. Sugar Club has a stylish
44 29.01.2010
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