Vow to visit Antigua Weddings & honeymoons
Matthew and Caroline at St James’s Club M
inutes after our plane touched down at V C Bird International airport, a man is singing on a PA system and pink cocktails
are on offer – all for our pleasure as we wait in the passport control queue. Heathrow, take note.
A Caribbean wedding/honeymoon combi- nation can no doubt offer instant relaxation, sunshine and, with British wedding costs still rocketing, real value for money. But do resorts have the romance factor?
ST JAMES’S CLUB.
The clue is in the name here, as St James’s does have a “club” atmosphere, with its emphasis on tennis and watersports such as Hobie Cats, kayaks and windsurfing. But the mostly American and Canadian guests during our stay in January seem to be on first-name terms with most staff, treating them like old friends, highlighting the repeat factor and how popular a resort it is. The fact that the ocean is the focus is only natural, as the resort sits on a peninsula in the south of the island, before tapering out to a thin sliver of land that ends with Timothy Dalton’s modest, shack-like wooden
Dream weddings Specialists tell us where they would like to get married, p43; Safari brides Ulusaba’s wedding planner talks bush weddings, p46; News round-up Hot romantic leads from popular destinations, p48
Elite Island Resorts has a range of romantic getaway options for your clients, with Antigua a firm favourite for weddings and honeymoons. Matthew Parsons and his wife Caroline weigh up the options at two of the island’s properties, St James’s Club and Galley Bay
home – easily stalkable by kayak, we soon discover.
Despite the beaches on both sides of the strip being fairly crowded, there are plenty of smaller areas to hide away in, either on the sand or along the wooden walkways that line the resort.
The catamaran cruise on our first day ticks the romance box, sailing to a deserted beach – all very Robinson Crusoe – where we swim ashore to sip champagne on the beach. The resort’s Royal Suites should be recommended to honeymooners. Far from the hustle of the beach club, these are located in the south of resort, and feature twin showers and deep baths, and are also next to two children-free pool/bar areas that are perfect for privacy.
Food glorious food A decorated gazebo: one of several wedding venue options at St James’s
Our suites overlook tranquil Mamora Bay, and in the evening it is great to be able to enjoy a drink on the terrace before heading to one of the five restaurants. Dining, as well as the scenery, usually makes or breaks the romantic feel, and St James’s doesn’t disappoint. The star of the show is Piccolo Mondo, the resort’s premium restaurant (and with a premium of $35pp), which is located in the hills. Overlooking the bay, the Italian- themed restaurant’s stand-out dish is lobster with lime or thermidor sauce. The lighting is ambient, if a little low, but combined with the views, candles and excellent food, romance definitely makes it on to the menu. The Docksider restaurant, nestled among the mangroves, comes a close second, but it’s only at Piccolo Mondo where we’re out of sight (literally) of other guests.
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