ANTIGUA”S CARLISLE BAY REOPENS OCT. 10
Boutique Resort to Debut Kids Stay Free Offers and Cooking Demos
Oct 05, 2020
Carlisle Bay is vacation perfection on the south coast Photo Credit Carlisle Bay
After preventively pausing operations in late March due to COVID-19, Carlisle Bay resort will reopen its doors on October 10, 2020. Located on the tranquil south coast of Antigua, one of the first Caribbean islands to reopen to Americans, the 87-suite resort is set on a calm bay and pristine white sand beach backed by lush rainforest, allowing guests to enjoy a low-density property with plenty of room to roam while being immersed in nature. Carlisle Bay is renowned for its serene location and its ability to simultaneously cater to couples and families by accommodating them on opposite sides of the property. This makes the boutique retreat an ideal getaway both for families seeking new scenery for remote learning this fall and winter, as well as couples looking to reconnect or finally celebrate anniversaries, engagements and milestones. The resort is implementing several changes across the property and launching new offers to meet shifting traveler needs following the COVID-19 pandemic:
Kids Stay Free at Christmas: In an unprecedented move, Carlisle Bay will allow kids under 12 to stay free during Festive Season (December 21, 2020, to January 3, 2021) when sharing a Suite with their parents. Rates are available from $1,520 per night.
New Personalized Kids Club Programs: To help engage kids who have been stuck on screens this year, Carlisle Bay will implement new and safe hands-on learning programs at the resort’s Kids Club. These programs allow young guests to safely reconnect with peers with fun tactile activities like personal pizza-making classes, outdoor movie and popcorn nights, t-shirt tie-dye sessions, nature walks, and more. Each program will be personalized and emailed to kids daily.
Local Antiguan Cooking Demos: Americans are cooking at home more than ever due to lockdown orders, with 54% of adults saying they plan to continue the trend post-pandemic. To help guests bring new skills and island flavor into the kitchen, Carlisle Bay will host live and interactive cooking demonstrations led by the resort’s Executive Chef. Guests will learn the art of local Antiguan delicacies and desserts and receive a personal recipe booklet to recreate dishes at home.
Fireside Music and Rum Punch Evenings: Carlisle Bay will bring together the best local Antiguan musicians for intimate outdoor fireside performances on the beach under the stars, along with a special local punch cocktail each week.
Antiguan Culture Trail: To encourage guests to safely experience the island’s rich culture and history, Carlisle Bay created a self-guided cultural map to guide guests as they explore the island’s art studios, craft stores, historical harbors, and artisanal food shops.
Elegant dinners at sunset Photo Credit Carlisle Bay
New Wellness Offerings – Outdoor Gym and Immune Boosting Spa Treatments: To allow guests to pursue fitness goals safely, Carlisle Bay is moving its state-of-the-art gym to an outdoor yoga pavilion. Guests will reserve a time to use the open air space, with equipment fully sanitized after each use. The resort is also adding several outdoor fitness classes, including beachfront mat Pilates, yoga, guided kayak tours, and private rainforest hikes. Guests can unwind with a new ESPA Immune Boosting Spa Treatment delivered under the shade of a quiet outdoor pavilion. The 120-minute ritual starts with a Salt & Oil Scrub to exfoliate, increase circulation, stimulate the lymph system and remove impurities; followed by a Strength & Resilience Massage with reflexology to boost energy, support immune function, and relieve tension.
New Hotel Packages: Carlisle Bay is announcing several new hotel packages for the fall and winter season, including:
Celebrate Family: Make unforgettable memories in Antigua with this 5 night family package including a Half Day Picnic & Cruise with meals, Rainforest Hike, Kayaking, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Sailing, Breakfast & Afternoon Tea Daily, and VIP Meet & Greet Fast Track Airport Service which will whisk guests from the flight deck through a special customs line. Rates from $833 per night based on 2 adults and 2 kids under 12 sharing.
Send a Wave from Work: Working from home and ready for a change of scenery? Bring your Zoom background to life on Antigua. Aligned with America’s East Coast Time Zone, the island offers a seamless way to stay connected while savouring Caribbean breezes, swaying palms and sparkling seas. Book a 10-night minimum stay in a Garden View Suite and receive a complimentary upgrade to an Ocean Suite (space available), prepped with workspace essentials including a personal desk, essential office supplies, separate living area, secretarial services, and complimentary broadband Wi-Fi. Guests also receive a $200 resort credit, complimentary laundry service, fresh energy-boosting fruit drinks daily, early check-in and late check-out. Rates from $395 per night.
Restore Serenity: Shake off the stress of 2020 and revive the spirit with this five-night yoga, meditation and spa experience. This package includes completely private one-on-one yoga and meditation instruction daily, four 60-minute restorative outdoor spa treatments, all meals and beverages, daily afternoon tea, and VIP Meet & Greet Fast Track Airport Service to minimize contact after touching down on the island. Rates from $685 per night for a five-night stay.
Hiking Antigua: Explore the boundless natural beauty of Antigua’s mountains, valleys, and 300+ beaches with this outdoor-driven package, Hike Caribbean. Explore the history of Antigua through its landscape, starting at the seventeenth century port at Nelson’s Dockyard and leading up to Shirley Heights, traversing dry jungle, while absorbing the knowledge of the ecosystem and local wildlife. This five-night package includes all meals and beverages, three guided private hikes, daily afternoon tea, and VIP Meet & Greet Fast Track Airport Service. Rates from $600 per night.
For more information on Carlisle Bay’s reopening, including cleaning protocols, cancellation policies, safety measures, arrival protocols, and special offers, visit www.carlisle-bay.com.
Breakfast with a sea view Photo Credit Carlisle Bay
About Carlisle Bay
Carlisle Bay is the epitome of laid back luxury. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the contemporary property rests in a secluded cove on Antigua’s south coast and features just 87 suites, each with its own private balcony or terrace leading directly to a pristine white sand beach. The architecture is in keeping with the simple yet charming style of the Caribbean, and the décor throughout is restful and elegant. Guests dine at four distinct restaurants, most of which are open air to maximize the resort’s tropical surroundings. Carlisle Bay’s activities highlight its beautiful setting, including water sports, world-class sailing, guided rainforest treks, tennis on nine courts and outdoor fitness classes surrounded by fresh Caribbean breezes. Families enjoy specialized activity programs designed exclusively for kids and teens, while parents can work remote with specialized secretarial services and powerful broadband WiFi, or unwind with treatments in the resort’s 17,000-square-foot Cara Organic Beauty Spa.
Carlisle Bay COVID-19 Protocols
Carlisle Bay is committed to upholding the highest industry safety standards to ensure guests can rest easy with complete confidence on their Caribbean getaway. The resort implemented enhanced deep cleaning and sanitization measures guided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and retrained staff in these protocols. Stations with sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are accessible throughout the property. Cleaning and sanitization are done with electrostatic sprayers and hospital-grade disinfectants certified to kill bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19. Cleaning frequency is increased for public spaces and high-use common areas, and additional staff were hired to oversee this process. For their safety and that of guests, resort team members will undergo temperature checks, wash hands frequently, and wear disinfected masks, eye protection and uniforms. Sanitation mats will be placed at employee entrances. Guests will check-in online to minimize front desk activity, and luggage and keys will be sanitized. The resort will also limit occupancy, reduce dining seating capacity, add single-use disposable menus, and deliver room service via contact-free methods.
With just 87 suites, each with its own private terrace and direct beach access, Carlisle Bay naturally allows guests to social distance in paradise. All dining is outdoors, with four restaurants offering flavors varying from the authentic Caribbean to Asian fusion and wood-fired poolside pizza. Guests can embark on private nature hikes, unwind with outdoor spa treatments, and set out on private trips aboard the resort’s our Fjord36 boat for secluded beach picnics without a soul in sight. The resort’s signature VIP Airport Fast Track Service whisks guests immediately through a smaller customs line and into an awaiting sanitized taxi, minimizing touch points, queues, and traveler contact.
Travel to Antigua
The dual island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has been open for tourism since June 4. All passengers arriving on flights must present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR taken within seven days of their flight. Tests are available for a $100 fee upon arrival. Masks are required in public spaces and social distancing guidelines must be followed. For those arriving on a yacht or ferry, passengers must quarantine and adhere by rules outlined by Port Health. Additionally, travelers will be subjected to temperature screenings and instructed to fill out a health declaration form. For more information, visit https://visitantiguabarbuda.com/travel-advisory/.
