Pickleball in Paradise: The Verandah Antigua Is Where Luxury Meets Leisure

When the girls trip finally makes it out of the group chat, book your stay at The Verandah Antigua. The adults-only, all-inclusive resort has everything you need for a memorable vacation, where your days will be filled with a custom itinerary to suit your every desire. Whether you prefer to relax while on vacation or fill your days with adventure, you’ll find both while visiting this gorgeous Caribbean island resort.

Located in the Eastern Caribbean Sea, Antigua is a breathtaking tropical island in the West Indies. Famous for its 365 beaches, the country of Antigua and Barbuda is rich in culture, from traditional music played on steel drums to authentic local cuisine like pepperpot and fungee. And situated on the northeast coast of Antigua lies The Verandah Antigua, a luxury resort nestled on 30 beachfront acres of white sand beaches and turquoise waters.

How to get there

Throughout the U.S., airlines like JetBlue and American Airlines offer flights to Antigua’s V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU/TAPA). Select U.S. cities, including New York and Miami, offer nonstop flights into Antigua, while others require a brief layover.

Upon arriving at ANU/TAPA, grab a taxi at the airport. The Verandah Antigua is about a 30-minute car ride away. Since the airport is located in the northeastern part of the island, you’ll likely travel through scenic areas like Saint George and Betty’s Hope along the way to the resort.

Accommodation

With 170 hillside and waterview suites on site, you can’t go wrong when it comes to an ocean view or a lush, tropical garden setting. For an upgrade, consider booking a two-bedroom Plunge Pool Villa, which features two king beds, a full kitchen, private plunge pool and unparalleled views of the ocean.

View from two-bedroom plunge pool villa | SI Staff

Regardless of which suite you choose, all accommodations on The Verandah Antigua property feature lush amenities like vaulted ceilings, a walk-in shower, mini fridge and private verandah. Housekeeping services are provided every other day throughout your stay.

Dining

Nicole’s Restaurant

A fine dining restaurant at The Verandah Antigua, Nicole’s offers delicious and refreshing starters like Watermelon Feta Salad, followed by entrees such as Seared Scallop and Shrimp Skewers. There are a number of vegan options on the menu, as well.

*Note that while all restaurants are included in your stay, dining at Nicole’s requires a $50 additional surcharge per person.

Seabreeze Restaurant

Open for breakfast and dinner, Seabreeze serves an international buffet in the morning hours so you can grab a quick bite before you hit the beach. You’ll find basics like bagels and cereal along with heartier fare such as French toast and a make your own omelette station, as well as local fish and incredibly fresh fruit.

Papa Ricco’s Pizzeria

Take a midday break from sunbathing to grab a Margherita Pizza while you take in the scenic views of the water. The casual eatery is steps away from the beach, so it makes for the perfect lunch spot.

Portofino

The Verandah’s Italian restaurant, Portofino, serves classic dishes like lasagna and risotto with sophisticated wine pairings. Lamb shank and a delicious pumpkin penne pasta are a few additional menu highlights.

Sails & Tales

While the resort’s seafood restaurant was closed for renovations during my stay, it’s typically open for lunch and dinner and offers great cocktails with a scenic view of Lover’s Beach.

The Beach Grill

Located across from the resort’s pickleball courts and in front of Rasta Beach, The Beach Grill offers gorgeous cove views paired with tasty eats. The panko crusted fish sandwich made up for Sails & Tales being closed, while the venue also served one of my favorite cocktails from the trip: A refreshing frozen guava colada.

Pool adjacent to Rasta Beach — Rasta Beach Pool | SI Staff

The Wavy Wicket Pub

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals took place during my stay, and The Wavy Wicket Pub celebrated in style with a fun tailgate party. The pub, which typically serves the likes of Crispy Chicken Tenders and Fish and Chips, set up a burger and hot dog food truck and served ice-cold local Long Bay Brewing beers from a cooler. It made for a unique and enjoyable way to watch the tournament’s final game among fellow soccer fans.

Cafe 1761

And in case you forgot to pack a beach read in your bag, there is a cute little “Take and Trade” bookshelf right outside of the cafe where you can grab a donated novel or magazine.

The Pool Bar

Situated just steps away from the Main Pool, you’ll find the Pool Bar. In addition to a special cocktail of the day, there is a vast selection of liquor to choose from, as well as beer on tap. The only downside is that the resort doesn’t offer poolside service, so if you’re planning on sipping an Aperol Spritz (or two) by the pool, you’ll need to get up and walk over for a refill.

Lazy Pelican Beach Bar

Located on the sands of Lover’s Beach, enjoy a frosty Miami Vice, refreshing Bahama Mama or your preferred drink of choice while you listen to the waves lap up on the shore.

What to do

Pickleball

Whether you’re a pickleball pro or a novice at racket sports, you’ll find no more beautiful place to pick up a paddle than at The Verandah Antigua. The resort’s four courts are lit for night play and every Wednesday at 5 p.m., guests have the unique opportunity to play with the Antigua National Team.

While that may sound intimidating, I can assure you that the group is incredibly welcoming and you will certainly leave your vacation a better player than when you arrived. Led by Anna-Maria Joseph, known as the "Pickleball queen of Antigua,” the national team is currently gearing up for the Pickleball World Cup 2026 later this month in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Antigua national pickleball team | SI Staff

Joseph, who first began playing pickleball during the pandemic, says she became “addicted” to the game immediately. After falling in love with the sport, she has made it her mission to introduce the game of pickleball to as many people as possible. Joseph, who is also the founder of Pickleball 268, an outdoor pickleball facility along Antigua’s southern coast, loves the way the game brings people of all ages and walks of life together—and it doesn’t get any better than playing at The Verandah Antigua.

“You’ve got the lush trees, all the tropical settings and across the road there’s the lovely sea, the sand, the sunshine and you’ve got the bar,” Joseph says. “At Verandah, you’ll meet guests from all over the world, so everybody intermingles and you meet people and you can play with everybody and everybody just has a good time.”

For those who haven’t yet gotten into pickleball but are interested in taking up the sport for leisure, take Joseph’s advice during your stay: “First off, just have fun! Enjoy the game. Have a few friends, laugh, get the ball over the net, and then you can start learning the actual skills and strategy. But the initial concept is just have fun and enjoy the game.”

Watersports

Whether you enjoy paddleboarding or wish to try out snorkeling, The Verandah offers plenty of watersport activities. Kayaking and sailing are also available amenities at Lover’s Beach, where you’ll also find plenty of people lazily lounging in the sand with a book in hand.

Mini golf, billiards and other games

Located next to the pickleball courts is an 18-hole miniature golf course, where you can engage in a little friendly competition on the green. The resort also features an area with pool tables, a dart board, shuffleboard, table tennis and more. Additionally, there is a giant chess board located next to the Main Pool.

Tranquility Body and Soul Spa

If your goal is to relax as much as possible on your getaway, be sure to book a treatment at the resort’s spa. Open daily for massages, facials, haircare treatments and more, a little TLC is just what you need to really lean into the tranquility of your surroundings.

Visit the resort’s beaches and pools

No trip to the Caribbean is complete without a little sunbathing. The Verandah Antigua’s four swimming pools and two white sand beaches make sure you check this item off your list. Be sure to check out the water hammocks at Lover’s Beach, where you can enjoy some R&R with a cocktail in hand while relaxing in the water. Additionally, the Main Pool features loungers immersed in the water so you can stay cool while you soak up the sun.

Daily resort activities

Be sure to check out the daily activity schedule, which is posted around the corner from the Main Pool Bar. On any given day, the resort might host aqua aerobics, pool trivia, beach volleyball, a mini golf tournament, foam party, magic show or silent disco. No two days are the same!

What to see

Shirley Heights

One of the most memorable aspects of my trip, Shirley Heights is an 18th-century lookout situated on the island’s southern coast. Located within Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, it sits nearly 500-feet above sea level and overlooks the English Harbour, offering unparalleled panoramic sunset views. With live music, barbecue and craft vendors, it is the place to be on Sunday evenings to immerse yourself in Antigua’s local culture.

Devil’s Bridge

Another incredible historic landmark on the island, Devil’s Bridge features a breathtaking natural limestone rock arch formed by erosion from the Atlantic Ocean. A popular photo spot for tourists, you can watch the waves crash while taking in the sights.

Other excursions

Venture off property to see the island by booking a Pink Panther Safari tour, or take in your surroundings by water on a Calypso Cat Catamaran ride. Visitors can also try their hand at deep-sea fishing or swim with stingrays! Find a complete list of tours and excursions with rates here.

What to wear

No trip to the Caribbean would be complete without some incredible swimwear—and because you’re likely going to be active during your stay at The Verandah Antigua, a mix of bikinis and sporty athleisure will take up a large part of your suitcase. Since the restaurants do adhere to a dress code, be sure to also pack more elevated options for evening, from breezy sundresses to cute tanks and skirts.

Some of my personal favorite athleisure brands fit for the occasion are Outdoor Voices, Club Recess and Splits59, all of which offer tennis dresses and skirts with functional features like built-in shorts and pockets that allow you to focus on your game rather than fussing over your wardrobe.

Find SI Swimsuit’s full beach to pickleball shopping guide here.

Pro tips

Visit during the off season for lower rates and great weather

While peak tourism season in Antigua tends to fall between December and April, consider booking your stay in the off season for lower rates and fewer crowds. Do keep in mind, however, that hurricane season in the region is between July and November, so be mindful of that while booking your stay.

Attend Carnival

Consider planning your visit around Carnival to immerse yourself in the country’s music, food and festivities. Antigua’s Carnival is a dazzling celebration of local culture, and is celebrated in late July. This year, it took place between July 25 and Aug. 4.

Pack something pink for the Shades of Pink Beach Party

On Fridays, the Verandah Antigua hosts its Shades of Pink Beach Party, in which guests are encouraged to dress in—you guessed it!—pink. Held at the resort’s Rasta Beach, the evening features a delicious buffet spread (including delectable dishes like jerk chicken, lobster and more), live music and tasty cocktails.