I was headed for my favorite beach lounger when I realized that I was in a race with Julio, who had spotted me as soon as I hit the sand. He had a chair cover in one hand, a Diet Coke in the other. And even with his face half-covered by a mask, I could tell he’s smiling. It was only day three of my stay at Hammock Cove, and Julio already knew that I like the umbrella all the way open — and the Diet Coke cold and frosty.
Julio’s service was par for the course at this small and intimate all-inclusive resort in Antigua. My “ambassadors,” Sheldon and Kenya, had given me a cell phone with just one contact saved: the number to call for anything and everything I could have needed or wanted. Orange juice and coffee on my guestroom’s deck at 7:30 a.m.? A carafe and full pot were there. Aloe for the sunburn I got while lying on the ocean seats placed strategically in the water? A fresh spiky aloe leaf, cut from a plant outside my door, was handed to me shortly after my call. The staff even offered to bring me some ice cream to cool off.
I picked Hammock Cove for my first trip during the COVID-19 pandemic for several reasons. My Vitamin D levels were way too low, so all-day sun was a must. And even though I was fully vaccinated, I still didn’t feel comfortable staying at a big resort with lots of people; Hammock Cove’s intimate setting was appealing. And Antigua’s COVID-19 precautions are said to be first-rate; in a year, only about 1,000 cases have been recorded on the Caribbean island.
All Hammock Cove villas feature plunge pools, dining areas and more.
Credit: 2021 Hammock Cove
Beyond Hammock Cove’s size, the resort layout and accommodations were also a huge plus in this pandemic climate. Each group of guests has its own villa — there were no hallways to walk down, no elevators to share. Many of the 42 villas hang out over the cove, and all of them boast plunge pools, dining areas and fully stocked minibars. The beds are made up with fine linens, and the Wi-Fi signal is strong enough that I could conduct afternoon meetings with colleagues back in the U.S.
That villa was also a place of respite, where I slept in and ordered room service breakfast and looked out at the ocean while I read a beach novel I’d been saving for months. This isn’t a resort where there’s a volleyball tournament slated after a tie-dye class to be followed by a salsa contest; rather, it’s all about white sand, lazy days, the personalized service and the incredible food.
Speakng of food, the dining options available were not the typical all-inclusive food. No buffets (thank goodness, while COVID-19 is still a real threat), and there were no no swim-up bars. There is one casual restaurant and one fine-dining venue, with both offering menus that change daily. One day, the lunch might include pan-seared wahoo with parmesan potatoes; the next day, spicy pork and quinoa stir fry is on order. For dinner, the choices are high-end and varied, ranging from a sous vide lamb rack to a stewed spicy creole conch; from duck risotto to pan-seared scallops in a corn sauce with crispy prosciutto. For breakfast and lunch, outdoor tables are available, while at dinner, the tables are widely spaced for aesthetics and (presumably) for safety.
The menus at Hammock Cove’s restaurants change daily so guests never have to repeat meals.
Credit: 2021 Hammock CoveEven though clients won’t find the more typical all-inclusive activities at Hammock Cove, there’s still plenty to do. Some chose to hang out by the three-story infinity pool, others on the beach. I took a tour of the island in a Pink Panther jeep, during which I explored old forts made of island stone, visited the marina, met some rescued donkeys at the island’s animal shelter and searched for fresh mangoes. On another day, I joined a catamaran cruise that took me from the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea through a number of islands. Along the way, I spotted pelicans in a bird sanctuary and turtles and rays swimming beside the boat. Because both of these activities are open-air, I felt safe. Doing something other than binging Netflix and knitting is soul-enriching, as is a facial at the on-site spa.
Two days before I left for home, I was shown into a small administrative office for an on-site rapid COVID-19 test. Every afternoon, the resort hosts a clinic so that travelers can obtain the necessary documentation to re-enter the U.S. [https://www.travelagewest.com/Industry-Insight/Business-Features/CDC-Requires-Negative-COVID-19-Test-for-Entry-Into-the-U-S-] Little details like this — not having to use a chunk of a precious vacation day to go to an off-site clinic — contributed to the Hammock Cove atmosphere of pampering and easy living.
On my way home, I texted photos of the resort to friends. They were jealous, of course, mostly because they hadn’t really left home in a year, but also because the images called up the perfection of a Hammock Cove vacation: Sun, sand and sleep. I told them to book now; Hammock Cove’s sure to be a popular destination as more and more people start traveling.
The Details
www.hammockcoveantigua.com
