Jumby Bay
Hotel Name: Jumby Bay Island
Number of Rooms: 56 villas and private residences + 40 hotel suites
Location: A private island off the north coast of Antigua (a mere 7 minutes from the airport!)
Named for the Antiguan word for "playful spirit" Jumby Bay has perfected the art of living well -- not that it's hard on a 300-acre private island, where sugar white beaches stretch for miles and steel drum melodies provide a windswept soundtrack. Adjusting to island life is easy when your private villa is staffed with butlers and personal chefs who are on hand to customize the entirety of your stay. Want a private rum tasting on your terrace? Feel like circumnavigating the island? How about a movie night under the stars? With Jumby's all-inclusive pricing, enjoying your stay is as carefree as [having someone else pour] that second glass of Tattinger.
What We Loved: Jumby’s all-inclusive pricing makes for a hassle-free stay. Everything under the sun is included, from round-the-clock kids entertainment to romantic sunset sails. The hotel touts that you’ll need “nothing but your swimsuit,” though we’d recommend some breezy linen for dinners at The Estate House.
What We Didn’t Love: Jumby only has two dinner restaurants, which may start to feel repetitive after a few days — all the more reason to hire a private chef for your villa.
Right For: Fly and flop holidays, destination weddings, extended stays
Wrong For: Hitting the town
Best Time to Visit: Jumby can be a couples’ hideaway or a family affair, depending on the time of year. School holidays bring throngs of children while off-peak weeks easily resemble romantic retreats. Plan accordingly, depending on your travel companions.
TLF Tip: Hotel rooms and suites may be housed in traditional thatched rondavels, but interior decor more closely resembles Floridian condos. For Jumby’s most luxurious accommodations, opt for the private villas.