The Yepton Estates in St. John’s proved to be a very nice place to stay for my wife and me when we visited Antigua in May of 2009. The owners, Gabriella (aka “Gabby) and Doug couldn’t have been nicer or more helpful during our time spent on the island. The weather was a bit humid but it was nice and sunny every day though we did get a few showers from time to time.

Yepton Estates is made up of four cottages and we had one of our very own and it had everything in it we could need since it contained a kitchen with all of the accouterments. On Gabby’s advice, we had stopped at the local supermarket and stocked up on groceries on the way over from the airport after we arrived. We even did some cooking on the gas grill on our front porch. And on every meal we ate there, we dined with a few of the local birds and lizards that came out to enjoy some bits of our food with us which was nice. Plus we could observe the local humming birds zooming by when they visited the flowering plants in our vicinity.

There is a small pool on the property which I took advantage of and it was nice and relaxing to swing in the hammock in the afternoons. Plus there is nothing better than having a nice grape flavored Popsicle on a hot day in the tropics while relaxing over a novel.

We also visited the Cocoa Nut Grove beach on the neighboring resort which is within walking distance and they graciously allow the guests of the Yepton Estates to utilize. Even ate dinner over there a time or two. The drinks were pretty good there too.
Gabby also arranged for us to get a nice little rental car to scoot around the island in which was delivered and picked up for us at the Yepton Estates. Driving on the island is a little tricky but our main problem we encountered was watching out for the numerous potholes liberally scattered around the island. Also, us being Americans, we had to remember to drive on the wrong side of the road (ha-ha). But we got it together and we visited many of the places on the island that Gabriella and Doug recommended.

Josie and I are the exploring type so we visited as many of the island sites as possible such as the Devil's Bridge and Nelson's Dockyard among others and we had a nice time.

We had wanted to visit the neighboring island of Barbuda while we were there but due to some prolonged island ferry problems that didn’t happen. But Gabby did arrange for us to visit and tour the island of Montserrat by air which was quite an adventure in itself since not many people visit there anymore (only 5 folks on flight). Montserrat is the only island in the Caribbean that has a live volcano on it so we were able to visit Mount Soufriere and watch it smoke and rumble from a safe distance.
And the tour of the island afterwards was very nice too.

Among other island sites, our Montserrat guide pointed out all the celebrity owned villas on the island though the one I found most interesting was the one owned by the CEO of the Chrysler Corporation – the company that got all the federal taxpayer bailout money. Apparently he wasn’t hurting enough to give up his summer island home!

The best shopping we encountered was in St. John’s and there is a variety of things to buy. There were several duty free shops there where we stocked up on some alcoholic refreshments to take home with us for over summer parties. And as usual, my wife Josie enjoyed shopping for clothes in the island shops. Plus we visited and toured as many of the historic sites as possible around the island such as the Cathedral.

Our last day on the island was sort of sad but it was time to get back to America. But we did get one last good deal at the airport duty free section where we bought some final trinkets and I got my Mom a nice silver necklace for her birthday. In addition to a few more gallons of “spirits” (smile).

The one thing I would warn folks about though is the island mosquitoes. They bite fiercely all over the island when it gets dusk so I would recommend either bringing some Off bug repellant or procuring some on the island. And keep the doors shut after sundown so they don’t get in.

Also before I forget, the Yepton Estates didn't have an Internet Center though Gabby allowed me to use the office computer if I need it. No real need since we were on vacation but its nice to know information.

All in all, we had a good time on the island and at the Yepton Estates. If we ever get back there we plan on staying there again with Gabby & Doug.