There’s a reason I fell in love with Antigua 25 years ago and why I’ve returned three more times since—the people, the culture, the climate, the food, the vibe. It has everything you’d want from a tropical vacation and more.

Cocobay Resort Antigua captures all of these elements that make the island so special and brings them to life in a luxury, adults-only, all-inclusive setting. With breathtaking views, exceptional staff, and plenty of activities, it’s the perfect place to experience the magic of Antigua in style.

Location and How to Get There

Cocobay Resort is located just a 30-40 minute drive from ANU International Airport. Since this is the island’s only airport, all international flights arrive here, with multiple daily connections from Europe, the United States, and other Caribbean islands, making it relatively easy to find flight availability.

When I visited, I was actually coming from their sister resort, Escape at Nonsuch Bay (full review linked), on the other side of the island, so my transfer was seamless. However, it’s very straightforward to book a transfer through the front desk in advance. Upon arrival, a representative holding a sign with your name will be waiting just across the zebra crossing outside the terminal.

The airport itself is impressively efficient and well-organised compared to many other Caribbean airports, and there are plenty of staff on hand if you need assistance.

Check-In Process

Upon arriving at Cocobay Resort, we were greeted by a porter who promptly took our luggage and welcomed us to the reception area. There, another staff member warmly introduced us to the resort and guided us to a seating area overlooking the lush grounds and the Caribbean Sea. We were offered a welcome rum punch (or a non-alcoholic option if preferred) and handed our room keys.

One of the best parts of the check-in process is the ability to complete all paperwork ahead of time. You’ll receive an email before your arrival, allowing you to scan your passports, enter flight details, and even add a card on file for any charges during your stay. After a long travel day, skipping the paperwork and heading straight to your room is a game-changer!

Before settling in, we had a brief tour of the property where we were shown the restaurants, bars, boutique, coffee shop, and pools. Once at our room, the staff walked us through its features which included the air conditioning system and the convenient coffee delivery station (more on that later). With everything explained, we were ready to unwind and enjoy our stay.

Rooms

Cocobay Resort has 65 rooms and cottages, most of which are standalone units, something I absolutely loved. They’re all super private, uniquely designed, and bursting with Caribbean charm. I loved the vibrant, colourful exteriors. (If you haven’t noticed from my blog name and Instagram handle, I have a thing for colours, so you can imagine how much I adore the aesthetic here!)

We were lucky enough to stay in a Deluxe Pool Cottage, and it was absolutely gorgeous. Inside, there was a spacious king-size bed with princess netting, a couple of storage cabinets, a coffee machine, and a mini fridge stocked with sodas and beer. The large wardrobe included a safe, plenty of hangers, and, most importantly – robes. I’m a sucker for a good hotel robe.

The bathroom was beautifully designed, featuring a huge mirror, a vanity mirror, an open shower, and a stunning floating rock sink. A set of doors led directly from the bathroom to the deck, which I thought was a really cool touch. But let’s be real, the outdoor space was the true highlight. Our private plunge pool overlooked the Caribbean Sea, and I could have easily spent my entire stay just lounging on the deck, soaking up the view. It also had a cozy hammock and two deck chairs, which became my go-to spot for enjoying my morning coffee.

Cocobay offers a variety of room types to fit different budgets, including cottages without pools and suites with even larger pools and breathtaking views. All rooms are air-conditioned but do not have TVs to encourage guests to fully disconnect and embrace the moment. That said, there is Wi-Fi throughout the property. It was a bit spotty in the rooms at times, but reception had a strong connection. When I needed to make some last-minute flight changes, I just headed to reception.

Food and Drink

Cocobay isn’t your typical all-inclusive resort—all meals are à la carte, and the menu changes daily, so you’ll never have the same thing twice. Every meal is served at Rafters Restaurant, a stunning open-air space with breathtaking sea views and a beautifully modern yet nautical-inspired design.

Breakfast includes a continental spread of toast, pastries, yogurt, fresh fruit salad, cereal, granola, cold meats, and cheese. There’s also a full breakfast option with bacon, sausage, fried plantain, sautéed potatoes, and baked beans, plus a choice of eggs and French toast. As a Brit living in the United States, you have no idea how excited I was to see baked beans on the menu! (Much to the dismay of my husband, who is not cultured enough to appreciate baked beans with breakfast.)

Lunch is a two-course meal with three different options, including a vegetarian dish. I have to give major props to the kitchen for catering to my gluten-free dietary restrictions so well—they always had gluten-free bread available, and most of the menu could be adapted with small ingredient swaps.

Dinner is a four-course experience (if you can manage it!) with an appetiser, soup or pasta dish, a main course, and dessert. I never quite made it through all four courses, but everything I tried was delicious and so varied. I loved that they incorporated local ingredients and Caribbean-inspired flavors, alongside some familiar Western favorites.

If you get hungry between meals, bar bites are available at both bars, offering snacks like chicken wings and nachos. There’s also an on-site coffee shop where you can purchase snacks and drinks throughout the day. While the main bar sits across from Rafters Restaurant, there’s also a beach bar near the Sunset Pool, just steps from the sand, where you can grab a drink or a panini.

A few standout dining experiences deserve a special mention:

• The Cliffside Cabana Lunch: During our private day cabana rental, we had a dedicated chef preparing a curated menu, and it was hands down some of the best food we had on the island—from freshly made sushi to perfectly cooked steak. We were absolutely blown away!
  
• Premium Private Dinner: For our last night, we booked the premium dining experience, and it was magical. Our table was set up on the cliffside with tiki torches, offering total privacy and the most romantic ambiance. We had a curated menu that we had pre-selected, and every single dish was exceptional.
  

One final thing I have to mention is the coffee delivery service—this was such a fun little perk! Each cottage has a QR code linking to the on-site coffee shop, where you can place an order for custom coffee drinks, delivered directly to your room. The best part? There’s a two-way opening hatch, so your coffee arrives without you even needing to open the door! There’s a small surcharge for this service, and orders are delivered between 7–9 AM, but you can pre-order the night before. Absolutely worth it!

Facilities

Despite having just 65 rooms, Cocobay boasts two large pools and an additional two pools at the cliffside. The pools never felt crowded even though the hotel was fully booked. The resort is also right on the beach, so you’re never more than a short stroll from the soft white sand.

Little Ffreyes Beach is a public beach, but Cocobay has its own reserved loungers exclusively for guests. Several local tour operators pick up directly from the beach, offering boat tours, jet ski adventures, and island excursions. It was convenient having a few drinks at the beach bar while we waited for our tour.

There’s a small activities hut just down the hill from reception where guests can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for free. You can also book a guided Hobie Cat sailing tour with Vernon, who is fantastic—there’s nothing quite like gliding across the water and seeing all the colorful cottages perched on the hillside from the sea. The Hobie Cat tour isn’t included, but it’s affordable and well worth it.

Other on-site amenities include a fitness center and a boutique shop that doubles as a coffee spot, where you can find everything from snacks and drinks to souvenirs and jewelry.

Activities

One of the things I really love about Cocobay is the variety of extra activities and experiences you can arrange during your stay. Although I was there for only four days, I packed my schedule with special touches that made the trip feel truly unique.

On our first morning we booked the floating breakfast experience, and it was nothing short of magical. Ever since I first saw these on social media from the Maldives, I knew I had to try it. Having the chance to do so in the Caribbean, a place that holds a special place in my heart, made it even more memorable. 

You can choose where to have your breakfast delivered: if your room has a private pool, you can enjoy it there, or you can opt for one of the two cliffside pools—the Romance Pool (a stunning square-shaped pool right on the cliffs) or the Black Rock Pool, where we chose to have ours. This infinity pool offers breathtaking views right over the sea. You’ll receive an email ahead of time to pick your preferences, everything from eggs, sausages, bacon, beans, fruit, granola, French toast, to waffles—you’ll be truly spoiled for choice! We also added a bottle of champagne to make poolside mimosas, which was a decision I definitely don’t regret. Don’t forget your camera for this Instagram-worthy moment!

Another unforgettable experience was booking a day cabana at the cliffside. These cabanas are perched right over the crashing waves, offering unrivaled views of the Caribbean Sea. When you rent a cabana, you also get your own bartender and chef. We had drinks made to order and a curated lunch that was absolutely incredible—sushi and steak that could rival any Michelin-starred restaurant. The cabanas are located near the Romance Pool and Black Rock Pool, and depending on your room category, you may be able to access them during your stay. The Sheer Rocks Restaurant, which is located on-site but not part of Cocobay, also uses the pools on certain days.

As previously mentioned, we also booked a premium private dinner experience, which was the perfect way to round off what was already an exceptional stay. It felt incredibly special and is definitely something to consider if you’re celebrating a special occasion (or even if you’re just toasting to the fact that you’re on vacation!).

One of the complimentary activities offered at Cocobay is the nature walk with the “medicine man”. I did this tour both here and at the sister resort, Escape, and Vorn has such a wealth of knowledge about plants and wildlife. He learned everything from his grandmother, and it was fascinating to discover the different homeopathic uses of the plants surrounding the resort.

Service

The service we received at Cocobay was truly exceptional. I’ve never encountered a more energetic and passionate group of staff.  They clearly care about their jobs, and it shows! Service was consistently fast and personalized. On several occasions, before I even mentioned it, they had already noted my gluten-free dietary restrictions and brought out gluten-free bread without me asking. The bar staff were lively and fun. They even customized cocktails based on our preferences. The front desk staff were incredibly helpful and efficient as well. No request was too big or too small, and all of my activities and experiences were planned and organized to perfection.

Closing Remarks

I was genuinely sad to leave Cocobay. I now understand why so many guests return—this place truly feels like a home away from home, where the hardest decision you’ll face is whether to order a pina colada or a strawberry daiquiri. Everything is taken care of for you, with so many wonderful additions to make your stay even more memorable. The stunning views, the enthusiastic staff, the delicious food—it honestly felt like a dream I didn’t want to wake up from. I’m already planning my next visit!

Ready to book Cocobay Resort? Click Here!

You can find out more about my stay on my “Antigua 3.0” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.

Disclosure: chasetherainbows.com participates in affiliate advertising programs as a way to earn revenue. Some links to products and services are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you click an affiliate link and finalize a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.