My husband I spent half of our honeymoon at Hermitage Bay and had an incredible time. The resort far exceeded our already high expectations. We had a hillside cottage with a plunge pool - the views were tremendous and the room was the nicest room we have ever stayed in...and we are hotel snobs! The food was great and the service was perfect. Everyone was so kind and eager to help with any request. We left for the 2nd half of our honeymoon and spent everyday wishing we were back at the Hermitage! We are looking forward to making many return trips!

I planned our vacation to Hermitage Bay after reading all the glowing reviews here on TripAdvisor (it seems many guests used it as a resource as well) and most were spot on. Here is my completely subjective revew based on our stay:

Rooms: Quite simly the best rooms we have ever stayed in. We stayed in a beachfront bungalow and loved waking up to the view of the beach every morning. The hillside cottages are equally amazing - it is just a matter of choice. The highlight was the outdoor shower. Nothing beat looking up at thousands of stars every night while cleaing off from a day at the beach.

Beach: It is quite a mix of rocks shells and sand. Once you get to the water, it is nothing but soft caribbean sand, but the beach itself nothing but rocks and shells. If want talcum soft beaches like the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, this is not the place. The water is also filled with jellyfish, which keeps you from relaxing when in the water.

Insects: As long as you consistenly use spary - you will be fine. My wife always comes back from the Caribbean with numerous bites, however she sprayed daily and had less than 10. However, we did see some who were covered with bites because they did not take precaution.

Food: Never a bad meal - not amazing, but when you consider the food at other all-inclusives Hermitage Bay stands out significantly. One tip - if you see any local specials on the menu order it! IMy best meal was the Antiguan Curried Goat and it was amazing. Even my wife who doesn't like curry or goat, enjoyed it.

Staff/service: You can still see they are working the kinks out of a new resort. The staff struggles to find the balance of anticipating the guests needs without being agressive worthy of $700 a night, and a cool indifference. That being said several members stood out including Tajah and Roselyn at the bar, Nakita in the dining room and WIllis and Janice on the beach. My biggest complaints resulted from our check in. After 14 hours of travel - we wanted nothing more than to get into our swimsuits and cool off in the sea, however it took nealy an hour and a phone call to get our bags finally delievered. Also, the "room ambassador" is really a farce. We only met ours after asking about it on our second day and the best response to our question was to contact the front desk. It didn't impact our stay, but don't hype it as an amenity when it really doesn't exist.

Overall we had a great time and met some great people and I have no doubt that these small issues will be smoothed out shortly.

That is simply the best hotel I ever stayed in. Everything is perfect, it is pure class. The hotel opened in December 2006 and it will be become, I'm sure, an even more exclusive place. It is expensive but worth every penny. It's an eco chic place. Stay in one of the bungalow up the hill, each one has its own plunge pool which is a very good size. They all have an outside shower which is a delight. The hotel is very tastefully decorated. The food is outsanding from the presentation to the quality.
I would recommend it to everyone, specially if you are after a romantic and secluded place. I would not stay more than a week if you are an active person.

There is not much to do in Antigua (except for a trip to the capital and Jolly harbour which are boh close to the hotel). If it wasn't for this hotel I would not go back to Antigua a second time, but I would specifically return to Hermitage Bay. The staff is so nice and helpful.

We have just returned from two weeks in paradise. This place is just the tonic if you are looking to unwind from the stresses of working life. This resort truly embraces the 'no problem' attitude of the West Indies.

Having based our decision to go to Hermitage Bay from the reviews from this page, it only seems fair that we should post a review on our return.
Considering the hotel has only been open since the end of 2006, the management and staff should be commended on how well the hotel is running.
If you are going, you must book a hillside cottage, the seclusion you get is great, they are large and luxurious and the plunge pool is heaven. You will also get a seaview from anywhere in your cottage, even from the toilet!

The room ambassadors are there to attend to your every need, from booking your dinner reservation, spa appts, ironing, booking excursions, to re-stocking your fridge. A word of advice, if like us you don't want beer, just ask to have it stocked with whatever you prefer, it's all included. The food is excellent for all meals, and all the staff are warm and friendly and take the time to talk to about the island, which isn't the same for other resorts.
Make sure you get Devon, Willis or Janice to take you out Hobie Cat sailing.

Now to the mosquitos, there is a lot of talk in the reviews about this problem, and all I can say from someone who always provides a good meal for these pests, is be prepared. However this must not deter you from going to Hermitage Bay, after all I spoke to someone at the airport for the flight home who was covered in bites and hadnt stayed at Hermitage Bay. In any case you can go to the Maldives and be eaten alive and much worse, but this hasn't deterred me from going back there.
If you want pure relaxation, luxury accommodation, excellent food, nice quiet evenings in the bar,friendly attentive staff, then go to Hermitage Bay.
If you want lively nightlife and more noise, I would suggest you book another resort to stay.

Well done to Hermitage Bay for getting it just right. We can't wait to go back.