Jumby Bay Resort in Antigua

Jumby Bay is a fully inclusive, very expensive resort set on a 300-acre private island providing spectacular natural surroundings and haven-like seclusion. Located two miles off the coast of Antigua, the exclusive resort offers lush landscape with rare tropical flowers, stately palm trees and abundant foliage.

Jumby Bay Island is a secluded hideaway accessible only by boat that is known worldwide for providing discerning travelers with world-class service and distinguished amenities. After clearing customs, guests are greeted by resort staff and are escorted by chauffeured car to the resort's catamaran for a 10-minute cruise to the exclusive island resort. Guests are then met by a member of the resort's management team and escorted directly to their guest room/suite where a welcome amenity is waiting.

Jumby Bay is home to just 40 suites and 11 villas. Suites include carved mahogany four-poster king beds. Villas include four-poster bamboo beds. No TVs. This resort has two beaches and an 18th-century plantation house containing a fine-dining restaurant and lounge.

300-acre Long Island is owned by Americans and Britons who maintain multi-million-dollar vacation homes on the island away from Jumby Bay Resort's 85 acres and ensure the island's environment remains unspoiled.

The island is so ideally situated to catch tradewind breezes that for a long time the resort offered no air conditioning. There are no cars other than a small security-staff van. Guests use bicycles and a complimentary golf-cart shuttle service is also available.

The resort's main beach curves along a calm-water bay facing Antigua Island to the west. Thatch-roof shades and thickly cushioned lounge chairs line the beach, ensuring ample room for uncrowded sunbathing and swimming. (Children have their own beach and swing-set south of the resort's dock.) Another beach lies along the northern shore, providing beachcombing and snorkeling among coral heads.

One of the resort's lodging buildings, called Pond Bay House, includes a three-story tower with panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea to the west and south, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and east, Antigua 2.5 miles away, and all of Long Island. Guests can also ascend a spiral staircase inside a stone tower to reach another lookout.

Discreet, private, luxurious and expensive best describes Jumby Bay Resort.

Dining at Jumby Bay Resort

Estate House - Two-story 18th century building that once served as sugar-plantation "great house." Spanish-style garden-courtyard. Open-air linen-service dining under veranda roof and on starlit terrace. Multi-course dinners featuring international cuisines with Caribbean influences. Lavish dessert buffet. Dress code: long pants and collared shirts for men.

Estate House Bar - Upper-floor open-air lounge with wood bar, plumply cushioned inside seating and island-view balcony tables. Palm-tree wall murals. Cocktails, tropical drinks, Cuban cigars. Afternoon tea service.

Verandah - Open-air restaurant with beach/Caribbean view. Breakfast and lunch buffets and à la carte menu. West Indian and international dinner buffets twice weekly with live music.

Verandah Bar - Open-air seating on orange banquettes under bougainvillea arbor, beside rock-wall garden. Blue tile bar. Colorful potted cacti. Sunset and Caribbean views.

Beach Bar - Located at midpoint of main beach. Tropical drinks. Wide mirror above back bar reflecting tranquil turquoise bay.

Weddings at Jumby Bay

Wedding Ceremony Package
$2,000

Personal assistance in obtaining the license and interview at the Ministry of Legal Affairs in St. John's
Marriage License
Marriage officer
Witnesses if necessary
Ceremony at location of your choice at Jumby Bay
Bridal bouquet & groom's boutonniere
Photography (one album with 30 5x7 prints and negatives and one 8x10)
Two-tier wedding cake
Bottle of champagne

Package price includes application fees and wedding coordination fees. Prices are subject to change.

Legal Requirements - Antigua
Local authorities are most cooperative and have simplified arrangement for marriage and renewal of vows on Antigua. There is a 24-hour residency requirement, to include at least one business day (Monday – Thursday, if you arrive on Friday you will marry on the next Tuesday). If neither person has been married before, birth certificates are sufficient; otherwise, a former spouses death certificate or divorce decree is needed. At the Ministry of Legal Affairs in downtown St. Johns, you meet for a friendly interview where you present the necessary legal paperwork and submit the Marriage Application (application will be completed prior to your meeting at Jumby Bay). You will proceed to The High Court where you meet with a Marriage Officer who will review your application, issue a Marriage License and set the date, time and place for the ceremony. On the date of the wedding, the marriage officer will come to Jumby Bay to perform a civil ceremony. A non-denominational religious ceremony is also possible.

Awards

2006
Condé Nast Traveler: Gold List
Caribbean & Atlantic Islands

Travel + Leisure: World's Best Awards
Caribbean, Bermuda & The Bahamas