Welcome to paradise. The second your plane touches down, your fun officially begins. Check in, toss your bags in the room, and immediately ditch your shoes—because Dickenson Bay doesn’t wait. The water here is that unreal shade of turquoise that looks filtered even when it’s not. Take a dip in the beach-entry pool to shake off the flight, grab a frozen drink from the swim-up bar, and let the Caribbean breeze do its thing.
As the sun starts melting into the horizon, wander down Dickenson Bay. The beach glows gold, the air smells like salt and sunscreen, and for a moment you’ll forget what day it is. Dinner at Bayside keeps the mood easy: toes-in-the-sand dining, steel-drum music drifting by, and views that scream “you’re finally here.”
Want to see more of the island beyond the resort? Follow my Two Weeks in Antigua itinerary for beaches, food, and day trips.
You’ve earned a lazy day, so sleep in and claim your favorite pool lounger early. Order a mimosa, open a book, and let time dissolve. For lunch, grab a Bella Napoli pizza—fresh-made, wood-fired, and the perfect poolside bite that doesn’t interrupt your relaxation streak.
When the afternoon heat kicks in, cool off with a swim or a stop at the café for iced coffee. As the sun sets, head to Soy for dinner. It’s Sandals’ cozy sushi spot, and even if you’re not a sushi pro, the staff will help you find a roll you’ll love. Pair it with sake and call it an early night—or a very romantic one.
By now you’re ready to explore beyond the resort gates. Join the shopping tour in the morning—it hits Heritage Quay, the Vendor’s Mall, and a few local spots where you can snag a bag of Antigua’s famous black pineapple or handmade souvenirs.
Head back mid-afternoon for a quick swim or nap, then get ready for dinner at Mario’s. The antipasto and charcuterie bar here will absolutely ruin you for all future vacations. Between the pasta, the wine, and the candlelight, this meal feels straight out of Italy—just with palm trees instead of piazzas.
Today’s the day to get a little wild. Book a Barbuda day trip or a beach-hopping excursion—you’ll see pink-sand beaches, hidden coves, and that jaw-dropping turquoise water from every angle. Expect to come back sandy, salty, and completely in love with Antigua.
Dinner at Barefoot by the Sea is the perfect post-adventure reset. You’ll sit directly on the sand under string lights, eating conch fritters and grilled fish while waves lap a few feet away. It’s one of those moments that becomes a forever core memory.
Morning is made for play. Take advantage of all those included watersports—paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling gear, or even a Hobie Cat if you’re feeling brave. (Don’t worry, the instructors make it easy.) Follow it with an afternoon nap by the pool—you’ve earned it.
For dinner, head to OK Corral, Sandals’ Tex-Mex restaurant. Order the fajitas, chase them with a margarita, and whatever you do, do not skip dessert. La Media Luna will wreck your self-control in the best possible way.
Before booking, take a look at my full Sandals Grande Antigua Review for insider details on dining, pools, and rooms.
This one’s your official reset day. Start with a slow breakfast at Eleanor’s overlooking the water, then schedule a couples massage at the spa. Spend the rest of the afternoon floating in the pool or wandering the gardens—there’s no rush today.
When evening hits, dress up for a romantic dinner. Whether you choose Eleanor’s again or one of the other fine-dining options, make it count. Afterwards, head to the main stage for live music or dancing under the stars.
Savor every last minute. Take an early-morning walk along Dickenson Bay, watching pelicans dive for breakfast. Float in the pool one more time, order that final Bella Napoli pizza, and linger until checkout insists you leave. Dinner at your favorite spot—mine was OK Corral again, because apparently three desserts equals tradition—is the perfect send-off.
Craving off-property eats? Here are the Best Lunch Spots in Antigua to check out between excursions.
Sandals Antigua may not be the newest Sandals resort, but it’s got character, heart, and one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. The pool is huge and perfect, the food surprised me in the best way, and yes, I may have befriended a few cats along the way.
Wrap-Up:
Sandals Antigua might not wow you with marble lobbies or brand-new sparkle, but it wins with soul. It’s walkable, relaxed, and perched on one of Antigua’s most stunning beaches. Add in good food (La Media Luna forever), friendly cats, and a pool you’ll dream about, and you’ve got a resort that feels like home base in paradise. Antigua may claim 365 beaches, but for me, the one at Sandals Antigua is enough.
A hotel that’s also a free 24-hour contemporary art museum penguins included. We booked a Corner Suite at 21c and it was massive: separate bedroom, living room, dining area, 699 square feet to spread out in. The bathroom alone had a double vanity and custom Rookwood Pottery tile that made getting ready weirdly entertaining.
The location is downtown, two minutes from Fountain Square, walkable to Boca for dinner, and close enough to hop the free streetcar into Over-the-Rhine. If OTR is where most of your plans are, you might want to stay closer to that neighborhood instead downtown worked for us, but we spent more time in OTR than we expected to.
And yes, there’s a recycled-plastic penguin sculpture that will absolutely scare you the first time you open your door and forget it’s there. Link in bio for the full review rooms, parking, walkability, and everything else before you book 🎨
Three neighborhoods, one streetcar, and more Cincinnati specialties than I could finish in one afternoon.
We hit a goetta breakfast sandwich, chocolate chip ice cream from a shop that’s been at it since 1870, a Liège waffle that earned its Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives spot, and Cincinnati chili the way it’s actually meant to be eaten... over a hot dog, buried in shredded cheddar.
$75 got us three and a half hours, a local guide, free streetcar rides, and a genuinely full stomach. Don’t eat breakfast before this one, the portions add up fast.
My third Secret Food Tour in my third city, and it’s still undefeated.
Link in bio for the full review cost, route, parking, and every stop we hit 🥟🌶️
13 creek crossings, a canyon that keeps closing in around you, and a hike I’d genuinely put back on my itinerary, West Fork Trail was the one.
We got to Call of the Canyon at 7:15am and the lot was barely a quarter full. By 12:30 it was 85% full, so if there’s one tip that matters most, it’s this: go early.
The maintained trail is 6.6 miles round trip, mostly flat, mostly shaded, but I kept my regular tennis shoes dry the whole way by hopping across the rocks at each crossing. It’s rated moderate, and honestly that’s about the distance, not the terrain.
Here’s what nobody tells you though ✨ the maintained trail isn’t the end. We changed into water shoes at the official endpoint and kept going another mile straight through the creek, canyon walls narrowing around us the whole time. That extra mile ended up being my favorite part of the entire hike.
5/5 for me. I’d bring the water shoes again in a heartbeat.
Link in bio for the full guide parking, timing, what to pack, and everything I wish I knew before I went 🥾
Two hours, zero regrets. The Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour is hands down one of the most fun things we did in Sedona.
Open-air Jeeps crawling over slickrock, backcountry views you can’t reach on your own, and the famous Road of No Return, steep, thrilling, and somehow completely safe the whole way down.
If you’re picking one paid activity in Sedona, make it this one.
You have to do @pinkjeeptours 🌵🚙 Link in bio for the full review.
Dinner beside Oak Creek at Cress, and yes, it’s a splurge, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.🤍
Candlelit tables under the trees, the creek running right beside us, a menu that mixes Arizona ingredients with French technique. We ordered a little of everything: the squash and beet salad, milk rolls with three different butters, sweet potato gnocchi that somehow felt light instead of heavy. Then two desserts because we couldn’t decide. The Vanilla Crème Caramel with Manchego cheese completely stole the show, salty and sweet in a way that sounds strange until you taste it.
Plan on $100–250 for two depending on what you order, and this isn’t the spot for a quick casual dinner, it’s slow, intentional, and worth every minute. Book ahead and ask for a creekside table if you can.
If you’re looking for one unforgettable meal in Sedona, this is it. Link in bio for the full review 🍽️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
