Curtain Bluff, Antigua

Perched on a rocky headland (bluff) lapped by the calm Caribbean sea on one side and the wilder Atlantic Ocean on the other, Curtain Bluff is one of the more established hotels in Antigua. It has been under the same private ownership of the Hulford Family for over 50 years and has evolved into one of the Caribbean's finest and most luxurious establishments.

It is ideal for families, with plenty of activities for younger children and teenagers from learning to sail or play tennis, swimming and hiking or being entertained in the kids room or play area.

Adults can spend their days lounging by the beach side swimming pool, swaying in a hammock under the coconut palms or relaxing in the tranquil spa overlooking the sea.

For the more active, facilities include a fully equipped watersports centre featuring scuba, deep-sea fishing, waterskiing, windsurfing, Hobie Cats, paddle-boarding and kayaks, together with a championship tennis centre, fitness centre and squash court.

Rob Sherman, the Managing Director and his staff take pride in looking after guests with attentive service and superb cuisine, which is created by Curtain Bluff's award-winning culinary team led by its French-born Executive Chef, Christophe Blatz. Christophe was trained by notable chefs such as Alain Ducasse and has cooked in some of the finest Michelin star-rated kitchens in France.

Breakfast and dinner are served in either the Tamarind Tree Restaurant or the Seagrape and lunch at the Seagrape. Dishes are varied, imaginative and delicious enough to have been praised by numerous culinary magazines.

If you want a truly romantic dinner*, imagine dining at a table circled with candlelight on the beach with the waves softly lapping almost at your feet, whilst you are served a superb five-course dinner and Champagne by your own personal uniformed waiter.

For younger children, early dinners are served outside on the Tamarind Terrace at 6:00 PM. Baby sitters* can then look after children back in the room, freeing up parents for leisurely dinners and dancing to the nightly live bands.

* Arranged at extra charge.

ALL INCLUSIVE

Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea & dinner are included daily. Evening hors d' oeuvres and room service from 10am - 11pm. Unlimited bar drinks, including house wine by the glass. Watersports including waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing, snorkelling, kayaking, deep sea fishing and scuba diving (for certified divers only). Tennis, squash, putting green, croquet, fitness centre, aerobics, Pilates and yoga.

The Tamarind Tree is the main restaurant and is open-walled in the traditional plantation style, looking out over a terrace canopied by a majestic tamarind tree.

Breakfast here enjoying the cool Caribbean breeze and the shade from the bright morning sun with the sea, just visible through the palms. The menu includes favourites like banana pancakes, French toast and Eggs Benedict, together with traditional island dishes, fresh juices and fruit. All breads, croissants and pastries are freshly baked by the accomplished pastry chef.

Dinner here is a magical affair, with the tables speckled with candlelight and the terrace sparkling with decorative lights. A different five-course menu every night includes salads, locally caught fish, outstanding meats, healthy options and so many desserts they have their own menu. A new band is featured every evening and, as guests filter out of the restaurant to sit at the terrace tables, the tempo builds and couples dance in the moonlight.

The Seagrape restaurant is situated on the beach right at the water's edge at the far end of the Bay Beach, cooled by the sea breezes. At lunchtime, guests arrive from the beach wearing T-shirts and beach cover-ups to savour the famous lunch buffets (including the weekly beach-barbeque lunch accompanied by a live steel-drum band). On Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 7 to 9:30 pm, the Sea Grape becomes an alternative dinner venue. With a maximum of just 40 guests each night, it serves delicious Italian and Antiguan inspired cuisine as tiki torches flicker on the beach and moonlight illuminates the Caribbean Sea.

As with other alcoholic beverages, the excellent house wines are included in the room rate. But for those aficionados looking for a truly special wine, Curtain Bluff keeps one of the finest wine cellars in the Caribbean, stocked with over 25,000 bottles priced between $US 50 and $US 2,000.

The resident sommelier, George Williams, has trained in France and the California wine country and now oversees the purchasing, storage and serving of the extensive selection of wines from around the world. Ask him for a tour of the cellar or join one of George's wine tastings held in the cellar's tasting room on Friday afternoons ($US 70 per person).

FACILITIES

Two Restaurants and two bars, pool side and beach service. 75ft free form pool, lighted championship tennis courts (with full time pros available), squash, fitness centre, yoga, Pilates and land and water and aerobics. Golf is available at Cedar Valley and Jolly Harbour. Complimentary water sports - sunfish, windsurfers, sea kayaks, waterskiing, snorkelling, scuba diving (for certified divers), deep sea fishing and a 47ft ketch is available for trips at an extra cost. Business Centre with PC's and free internet access. Spa with 5 treatment rooms (extra cost) and infinity edge hot tub.

CHILDREN

Children are welcome year round and there's a fully equipped, unsupervised, children's room plus supervised kids camp during Christmas and Easter holidays.

LOCATION

30 minute drive from the airport, near the Old Road, on the south coast.

ROOMS & SUITES

72 luxurious rooms and suites, featuring :

Deluxe Rooms

The 18 Deluxe Rooms are the most affordable accommodations and fill a two-story Caribbean-style villa right on Surf Beach, a short stroll along a shaded pathway from the bar and restaurant. Nine of the rooms are on the beach level, with spacious terraces that lead straight out on to the sand, whilst on the first floor, nine more have verandahs with magnificent beach views. All are decorated in a colourful West-Indian style, with contemporary dark-wood furniture, white bed covers and colourful accents that evoke the colours of the sea.

Junior Suites

Junior Suites are located in three-story villas on Surf Beach, just a few metres from the water. All have sunken living rooms and separate bedrooms with elegant sea-grass sofas and armchairs. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors lead on to verandahs and terraces looking out over the sea. The beautiful marble-and white-tile bathrooms have double sinks, baths and large, open-walled showers.

Grace & Morris Bay Suites

The most luxurious accommodations, these two large suites occupy the third floor of a Caribbean-style villa, right on the resort's "surf" beach. Both suites are luxuriously appointed with blue-marble bathrooms, colonial furniture and richly coloured fabrics. The bedroom and adjoining living room lead out on to a sweeping verandah with sun-chairs and a Jacuzzi. The suites can be linked to a Junior Suite to create a two-bedroom suite.

Bluff Suites

Overlooking Surf Beach but slightly higher up the bluff, the one and two-bedroom Bluff Suites are more private and secluded. They have split-level interiors which are light and airy with bright, natural colours and decorated with natural wood and sea-grass furniture. From the large living room there is a garden patio with a hammock. Upstairs there is a breakfast area and dining terrace with panoramic views.

Bluff Room

Set into the rocky side of the bluff, the Bluff Rooms have same décor, bedroom and bathroom as the Bluff Suites, but no living room. Their large terraces look out over both the sea and Surf Beach. When joined with a One-bedroom Suite (using an interconnecting door), it creates the perfect accommodation for two couples or a family, with three different levels, a shared living room and well-separated bedrooms.

Terrace Room

The Terrace room is a popular choice for Honeymooners thanks to its secluded location at the very top of the bluff and stunning views over the beach, Morris Bay and the Caribbean. White walls, bright sea-blue fabrics, one-of-a-kind furnishings and glowing woods give the room a sense of calm, timeless sophistication. Its spacious terrace with an elevated Jacuzzi is the ideal spot for private relaxation and dining.

DINING OPTIONS

All-Inclusive

PRICES

Please call for prices