Wooden Cottages on Bluffs Overlooking Caribbean Sea

The aerial views of Cocos Hotel Antigua are jaw-dropping. A palm-covered cliff towers over the beach, and there are 26 wooden cottages poking out among the lush foliage. But the views from the cottages are even more impressive: from the private balcony, ocean vistas stretch for miles.

In the premium-plus sea-view cottages, dark wood floors serve as a nice counterpoint to the gauzy linen canopy draped over the poster bed. These cottages sit highest on the hill, so you can enjoy unobstructed views of the Caribbean from the balcony, outfitted with adirondack chairs and a personal hammock. A hilly path leads from the cottages down to the infinity pool and beaches that flank either side of the peninsula. The hotel's intimate size means employees can devote attention to the little things: staffers restock in-room fridges daily with drinks of your choice, and the beach bartender sees to it that you have a cold drink in hand while lounging beachside.

You can freshen up after the beach in your own outdoor shower and dismiss any lingering tension with a complimentary, one-hour spa service at the Serenity Cottage. At the onsite restaurant, Cocos's chef prepares a mix of international cuisine three times daily beneath the vaulted ceilings of the open-air dining room. Though the menu borrows from diverse culinary traditions, you'll find a strong Caribbean influence in almost every dish, such as fresh-caught-seafood entrees to the coconut crème brûlée for dessert.

Antigua: Colonial History Blends with Laid-Back Island Charm

The resort is near the Valley Church beach, frequently touted as one of the most scenic—and tranquil—beaches along the Antiguan coast. Excellent snorkeling and scuba diving is only a 10-minute boat ride away at Cades Reef. The 32-foot-deep (10 m) barrier reef is home to a flourishing ecosystem of marine life, including barracuda, eels, eagle rays, and nurse sharks.

Lingering evidence of Antigua's colonial roots can be found in its capital city, St. John's, about a 7-mile (11 km) drive away. In the 17th century, Antigua was a major port for the British Royal Navy, and Fort Barrington served as an important military defense post, dating back to 1652. You can traipse about the fort's crumbling ruins, which include a powder magazine and gun platform. Across the street from West Street Bus Station in St. John's, the Saturday Morning Market bustles with vendors selling pineapple, breadfruit, sugar apples, and tamarind. Next door, a smaller market is filled with artists selling crafts and jewelry, and parrots selling summer's hottest feather extensions.

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