Both adventure and tranquillity are on the menu at this award-winning tropical paradise; Welcome to Galley Bay Resort & Spa

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Even though we were rushing to head to the Carnival City Party Monarch Competition, we were given a few minutes to drop off our stuff, freshen up, grab a quick meal, and get back to our meeting spot.

The concierge brought my bags up to the top of the stairs, and opened the door for me. As I stepped in, I had to stop and catch my breath. The suite was complete with all of the amenities a person would ever need: wireless internet, flat-screen TV, DVD player, and iPod alarm clock. It had detailed, lavish décor, acacia wood furniture, shining granite countertops, and vibrant Caribbean photographs, which added an even more opulent feel to the suite. It had ceiling-to-floor doors, a sunken living room, and an incredible view of the ocean.

As I walked through the room, I noticed that the resort had gifted me with a charcuterie board. It had a variety of meats and cheeses, fruit and nuts. There were red and black berries; dried apricots, fresh herbs, pickles, and olives. There was also a bottle of red wine, and a bottle of champagne. I couldn’t help but start to nibble on the cheeses, and I took the liberty of pouring a glass of wine to drink while I was getting ready.

It is no wonder that Galley Bay Resort & Spa has been voted one of the best hotels in the world. For total relaxation their shoreline looked sublime with inspirational Instagram worthy views, which I planned on taking full advantage of. Set between one of the best beaches on the island and acres of lush tropical gardens, this all-Inclusive boutique resort delights guests with a refined, yet unpretentious atmosphere. It is Ideal for couples and newlyweds seeking a romantic getaway, both adventure and tranquillity are on the menu at this award-winning tropical paradise.

Another appealing factor is Galley Bay Resort features just under 100 rooms, adding another element of privacy and intimacy. The sweeping 40-acre property offers a feel of grandeur, more so than some resorts that have huge acreage, but hundreds of suites. Galley Bay Resort Antigua has distinctly embellished the property with lush gardens and private areas for an added sense of remoteness.

I quickly finished getting dressed, took one last swig of my wine, and headed down to the restaurant. The restaurants at Galley Bay Resort Antigua are another amenity to rave about. Three full-service, al fresco restaurants offer up a wide open place for dinner with no separation from the surrounding natural beauty. Three relaxing lounges, cocktail parties, live music and entertainment, beach barbeques, and other special events make the resort perfect for socializing.

Even though it was a quick dinner, I enjoyed a romantic, candlelit dinner, and listened to the waves crashing hypnotically. I almost got caught up, and realized that I better hurry up and get back to the meeting spot.

After an exciting night, which I will fill you in on at another time, I had a chance to speak with Derrick, Operations Manager at the Galley Bay Resort, and he shared with me some of the challenges, and the great recovery that the resort has made since the pandemic.

“I started working here in December of 2019, and it was a great two and a half months, and then the pandemic hit. It was difficult during those seven months, and the government didn’t offer much assistance. During this time, we made the best of it. It was a great opportunity to connect with the management team, and revamp the procedures, conduct staff training, and survey the property to see how we could improve it once everything opened back up.

By November of 2020, we were fully booked, with strong numbers coming from the U.S., and although we have had our ups and downs, we have managed to bounce back in fine style.”

I asked Derrick what made Galley Bay such a magical place.

“No other property has a view from every room, and the staff here is amazing. The greatest strength of our property is the staff. People come here to disconnect from the world, and find peace and tranquillity.”

I truly enjoyed the three days that I spent there, so much that I wanted to share it with you. There is so much that I can say about it, my advice is to check it out yourself. You can start by visiting their website, and taking a look at what your next couples vacation could look like (https://www.galleybayresort.com/?msclkid=a4086cdd5e5c189a2f6b0fef1225556c&gclsrc=3p.ds)