Destination Design | Hodges Bay & Resort, Antigua
A look inside Antigua’s newest design-forward property, Hodges Bay & Resort.
The Ambiance
The West Indian island of Antigua is a tropical gem boasting around 365 beaches—locals say there is one for every day of the year—and a type of undeveloped beauty that will leave you feeling like you really got away. The Hodges Bay Resort & Spa, part of the Elegant Hotel Group, is their newest beachfront property, located on the north side of the island. The overall aesthetic was conceptualized by Kobi Karp, an architectural firm based in Miami, who was commissioned to bring the hotel to life with an aesthetic that is elegant, approachable with a sustainable luxury element. The Great House, where visitors check-in, is an open and spacious three-story space that invites in the island’s ever-present breeze. The welcoming design juxtaposes elements of modernity with a Mediterranean feel in the form of plush cream sofas with sturdy wooden armrests, tonal woven chairs and glass tables with intricate, sun-bleached wooden bases. The stone flooring and many of the walls are imprinted with remnants of seashells and coral, while the backsplash behind the main desk glints with a golden hue. From the main house, a central staircase leads you into a lush courtyard, with frangipani, bougainvillea and flowering vines, and through a covered walkway, which takes you under a village road that passes overhead. The path winds down and eventually opens to the sparkling blue sea.
The Scene
There are three restaurants on the property from casual to fine-dining. NaCl, the chemical formula for salt, offers the latter. At the helm is Chef Edward Lee, his résumé includes author, James Beard Award nominee and contestant on Top Chef, who oversees the menu. This well-heeled space boasts velvet seating like a curved rose settee and woven chairs with metal accents. White Sands is more laidback in nature with prime oceanfront dining serving breakfast and lunch menus, while Black Sails Tapas Lounge and Bar, situated just above, does small plates alongside cocktails and nightly live music. Both have a relaxed, global feel with hand-painted Cuban tiles that trace throughout the spaces.The hotel also taps into wellness with a large fitness center and daily on-site activities, like water aerobics, in addition to kayaks and paddle boards to use at your leisure. On the relaxing side, The Spa at Hodges Bay incorporates products from Elemental Herbology, the holistic beauty brand from England, into their various treatments for face and body.
The Rooms
The guest quarters are sprawled out and are reached by walking through what could only be described as a tropical paradise, towering coconut trees and hibiscus line the pathways between the white buildings. There are 79 guest rooms and suites; each is adorned in a serene palette of soft grays and creams along with natural wood accents. All options have a balcony, with a garden or an ocean view. Amenities include toiletries from Elemental Herbology and a rainfall shower.
Photography by Alison Engstrom