Carlisle Bay Antigua, the luxury resort on the island's quieter south-west coast, is halfway through a multimillion-dollar overhaul, and the second round of redesigned suites lands in October 2026.
Phase one, unveiled in October 2025, refreshed the Ocean, Bay and Garden Suites under London-based designer Miminat Shodeinde of Miminat Designs. Phase two teams Shodeinde with Cara Doherty, who is part of the resort's ownership group, and covers two big categories: the existing Beach Suites, now rebranded as Signature Beach Suites, and the three-bedroom Carlisle Suites.
The Signature Beach Suites lean into a residential style of luxury — think generous living space, bespoke furnishings and a light-filled palette drawn from Antigua's sand, sea and sky. New two-bedroom Signature Beach Terrace and Balcony Suites add a second bathroom, a practical upgrade for families and multigenerational groups who want to settle in for longer stays.
The Carlisle Suites get the more story-led treatment. Each three-bedroom suite will be renamed after a much-loved Antiguan spot — Rendezvous Bay, Signal Hill, Fig Tree Drive and Great Bird Island — with colour schemes, textures and artwork echoing its namesake. Expect four-poster beds, timber detailing, expanded lounges and, in a nice local touch, original woodcut artworks commissioned from Antiguan artist and gallery owner Sallie Harker of Fig Tree Studio Gallery, inspired by traditional rainforest dancers.
Design continuity runs across the whole property: travertine floors, limewash walls, walnut and teak referencing the island's vegetation, terracotta nodding to Caribbean sunsets, and woven textures picked up from the beaches. Most furniture is custom-made for the resort, chosen for durability as much as looks — sensible on a Caribbean coastline.
The works don't stop at the suites. The full renovation, including the Entrance Pavilion and Bar and the Indigo on the Beach restaurant, is scheduled for completion by November 2027. So if you're booking for winter 2025-26 or 2026-27, some areas may still be in flux, though phased projects like this usually keep the resort fully operational.
Why it matters: Carlisle Bay already had a reputation as one of Antigua's most relaxed high-end stays — nine suites categories, a calm beach, a good spa and none of the mega-resort fuss. This renovation pushes it firmly toward the 'private island home' end of the market, which is good news if you prize space, privacy and design over glitz. Families in particular get a boost from the two- and three-bedroom configurations with extra bathrooms. If Antigua is on your list for 2027 onwards, this will be one of the island's most polished places to stay.