Working in travel since 2007 when I left school at 16, I am well versed in matching the right product to the right client. Any travel agent worth their salt will know Royalton’s All-In Luxury resorts very well, dotted around the Caribbean in key hotspots like Antigua, Mexico, Jamaica and Cuba to name just a few. When I was offered the opportunity to attend their latest familiarisation trip to Royalton Chic Antigua naturally, I jumped at the chance. Despite selling Royalton for a long time and always receiving great customer feedback from recommending the product, I had never had the privilege of experiencing this fantastic product for myself. The fact that this fam trip was also to Royalton’s newest Chic concept resort was an added bonus.
I also wanted to get properly acquainted with the beautiful island of Antigua. All my visits up to now were very short, either as a day stop as part of a Caribbean cruise itinerary or as part of my previous role flying as cabin crew for Virgin Atlantic. All my trips were always just for one or two nights, ‘flying’ visits if you’ll pardon the pun, but they were enough to give me a taster and leave me wanting for more from this charming Caribbean outpost.
Arriving at Royalton Chic Antigua hits you as hard as one of their tempting cocktails, from the get-go when you arrive the resort lives up to it’s strap line of ‘party your way’ with a glamorous lobby DJ looking more at home in Ibiza than the Caribbean spinning the decks to celebrate your arrival. The fun doesn’t stop at the lobby DJ booth as we are greeted with a welcoming cocktail and invited into our exclusive Diamond Club lounge to check-in. The lounge features plush seating and an open bar with premium liquors and help-yourself snacks including fresh fruit, salads and sandwiches/wraps – sure to come in handy for customers after a long day travelling.
Once check-in and an introduction to the resort are completed, we walk through the chic reception area (see what I did there?) and walk around the corner to what can only be described as another ‘wow’ moment. The main pool area is the showstopper of the resort, complete with a ‘swim-up’ bar, packed with guests having the time of their life! The air is filled with the beats of the latest dance chart toppers and Royalton Chic’s ‘Vibe’ team creating just that… a vibe!
After a quick lunch at the fabulous Olympus restaurant, we can hear that the infamous Royalton foam party has already begun, our agent instincts naturally kick in and it’s off to our rooms for a quick change to join in the fun of this iconic Royalton staple. Once there the atmosphere is electric, the cocktails are flowing, and the fun really begins, bubbles aplenty! This hotel is sure to capture the imagination of the young, or indeed young at heart from the very beginning. My biggest selling tip for Royalton Chic Antigua: this resort is not one for those looking for a Robinson Crusoe style low-key escape, it’s for those that love music, love life and go on holiday to party and desire a good time from sunrise to sunset.
Whilst at Royalton Chic Antigua I was privileged to be accommodated in a Luxury Junior Suite, Ocean View. This spacious suite boasts the most stunning views of the resort and surrounding bay, signature Royalton DreamBed and rainfall shower, a well-stocked minibar and bathroom stocked with luxury amenities. The DreamBed makes sleep something to look forward to and leaves one feeling refreshed and recharged ready for a day sampling everything Royalton Chic has to offer.
Around the Chic resort we experience the exclusive Diamond Club pool and bar, as well as the the exquisite All-In Luxury restaurant inclusions such as the Olympus Mediterranean Restaurant, the Haven Caribbean Grill, Vespa Italian Trattoria and not forgetting the stunning Pescari Overwater Restaurant serving sushi and contemporary seafood cuisine. Our Diamond Club Butler is never far away, catering to our every need both in-person and via convenient WhatsApp. Restaurant or spa reservations; consider it done! Mini-bar or coffee machine top-up; consider it done! Complimentary in-room full bottle spirit orders; consider it done!
What are the stand-out features of the Royalton Chic Antigua you ask? Where do I start! The foam party and vibrant pool scene are a must, the rooms are are the perfect retreat from wild days and wilder nights, but the real highlight for me was Pescari, the contemporary seafood restaurant. Pescari gives both Maldivian vibes with its overwater setting, contrasted with a DJ spinning the decks and the finest sushi and service more akin to Dubai or Las Vegas than the Caribbean. Also worth a mention was the complimentary hydrotherapy session included in all Diamond Club bookings, the perfect way to relax and unwind.
Before we checked into the Royalton Chic Antigua we were treated to two nights at the Royalton Antigua. The Royalton Antigua is a well-established luxury five-star all-inclusive resort of this beguiling gem of the Caribbean. We again enjoy the opulence of Royalton’s signature Diamond Club concept, having the use of the private Diamond Club lounge and pool, various room and restaurant amenities to make use of, as well our very own Diamond Club Butler Service to ensure our every need and want was answered.
At Royalton Antigua we enjoyed the fantastic beachfront resort, the Hunter Steakhouse, Grazie Italia Trattoria, SCORE Brewhouse, as well as private cabanas with butler service which further enhanced this already perfect escape. One of the many things that I loved about both resorts, was having our room keys as a wristband – no lost keys or trips back to reception! Recommend this resort to your clients and you won’t go far wrong – it caters for families and couples in equal measure, with both looked after perfectly.
My fond memories of Antigua prove correct, the friendliness of the people here is infectious, the streets feel safer than anywhere else in the Caribbean and the quality of the hotels is excellent. A key must-do here is the sunset party at Shirley Heights, held every Thursday and Sunday, with Sunday being the most popular, do not leave Antigua without ticking this one of the bucket list. With stunning sunset views of English Harbour, local steel-drum band, authentic Caribbean barbecue and the rum punch flowing, this experience serves up a perfect slice of Antigua. To say we all had sore heads the day after would be the understatement of the century.
Book it: Tui offers seven nights’ all-inclusive at the Royalton Chic Antigua from £2,299pp, based on two adults sharing, for travel in March and April 2025, and includes flights departing from Gatwick. Price valid until 19 December; tui.co.uk, royaltonresorts.com. To earn agent rewards and access training about Royalton Resorts, visit bluediamondrewards.com
