Veranda at Jumby Bay Island
Jumby Bay Island beach
Beachside Suite at Jumby Bay Island © Stefano Candito
From the moment I landed at Antigua’s V. C. Bird International Airport and exited the plane, the warm Caribbean breeze immediately welcoming me with a salty hug, I knew there was something extraordinary about this place. It’s almost like it releases a pressure valve in your body, suddenly ridding it of any iota of stress, worry or negative emotion. Instead, you are left with a sense of calm and ease, further heightened when you are quickly chaperoned past customs queues and find yourself in a private sedan on your way to your accommodation within minutes. For me, this was none other than the Oetker Collection’s Caribbean jewel, Jumby Bay Island.
I’d barely had a chance to adjust to the sweltering heat and swathes of lush tropical foliage unfurling around me before I arrived at the resort’s private dock, a sleek boat waiting to whisk me to Jumby Bay’s exclusive enclave — an all but 6-minute ride across the Caribbean’s calm turquoise waters. And let me tell you, this place feels like stepping into another world — a 300-acre private island set 2 miles off Antigua’s northeast coast, where the concept of luxury is in a league of its own.
As soon as I got off the boat, it was clear I was in for a treat. The staff greeted me as though we were old friends, handing me a cool towel and a freshly made rum punch — a sensory- and spirit-awakening tonic to relieve that post-flight fatigue. And as for check-in — what check-in? I signed in on an iPad while being offered a quick explanation of the resort — which spans 20 suites alongside 36 villas and a handful of swanky private residences — and then I was chauffeured to my villa in a golf buggy (the whole island is car-free). You can also cycle through the resort’s scenic winding paths, as each guest is provided with their own bicycle, which you’ll find neatly stowed at the entrance to your plush pad.
Interior of Beachside Suite at Jumby Bay Island © Stefano Candito
My luxe abode, perched on the northwestern shore across from the award-winning spa, was a modern tropical masterpiece. Designed by Studio IDC, the villas reimagine the beauty of the island through an artistic lens: picture whitewashed walls, private plunge pools that melt into the horizon, and an outdoor bath and shower shrouded by native flora. Inside, these palatial quarters are also infused with a sense of place, featuring organic materials and a layered colour palette of serene blues, elegant whites and sandy browns that blend in with the sea view in the backdrop. The massive 4-poster bed and treat-packed minibar meant I never wanted to leave. But of course, there was somewhere very important I had to be: the grand opening party of The Hut, Little Jumby.
If you’ve ever been to the Isle of Wight, you might already know of The Hut, Colwell Bay, a beloved seaside spot that’s become a pilgrimage site for anyone craving excellent food and a quick, fun escape from the mainland, all complemented by uninterrupted views of the Solent and Hurst Castle beyond. The original Hut is famous for its fresh seafood, cool yet casual vibe, and those breezy, sun-soaked afternoons that seem to stretch on forever. The new outpost on Little Jumby takes that same magic and transports it to the West Indies, swapping the chilly English Channel breezes for balmy trade winds and soft, sandy beaches.
Officially open as of 24 November, The Hut, Little Jumby’s rip-roaring launch party, which took place the evening prior, was the perfect introduction to this Caribbean reinterpretation of a British icon. The night buzzed with the excitement of something new, yet it felt as if The Hut had always belonged here, naturally blending into the rhythm of island life. Guests danced barefoot on the sand to live music from The Strikes, flown in from Europe specially for the occasion, and there was this magical moment when fire dancers took to the beach, setting it aglow under the star-lit sky. All around, eyes lit up with delight and smiles were painted across faces — you could tell that everyone there felt the same thing: we were part of something special. As the evening progressed, drinks and canapés continued to flow, and a live DJ kept the good times rolling, making this a night to remember in true The Hut fashion.
The Hut, Little Jumby offers seafood-forward fare and cocktails with a tropical twist in an easy-going seafront setting
The next day, we went back during daylight, and it was just as magnetic. Nestled steps away from the water on a previously uninhabited 20-acre island, 75 percent of which remains a designated nature reserve, The Hut, Little Jumby feels like the more bohemian sibling to the easy-going elegance of the Colwell Bay location. It’s unpolished in the best way, with a laid-back charm that’s impossible to resist. Open on all sides, dressed in rattan décor and constructed almost entirely of wood, the dining area oozes a sense of effortless chic from every corner. Radiant under the Antiguan sun, framed by ivory sands, rustling mangroves and the sea shimmering in every shade of blue, this is what you imagine in your mind’s eye when you envision a quintessential Caribbean beach club.
Destination dining at its finest, The Hut, Little Jumby delivers on all fronts, including the food, which perfectly marries the venue’s British roots with West Indies flair. For Executive Head Chef Felipe Rubio and Chef de Cuisine Elio Debae, it’s all about showcasing beautiful ingredients, simply prepared and presented. There are nods to the original menu from the Isle of Wight, with dishes like freshly grilled seafood and indulgent desserts, but with a local touch — think Cornish Dover Sole with Little Jumby sea purslane, butter sauce and capers, and surf ‘n’ turf with 28-day aged Tomahawk steak and whole local lobster. And, of course, the cocktails are the star of the show— there’s a reason The Hut is cherished among epicures and revellers alike. I was drawn to the Aperol Sour, a tropical twist on two of my favourite drinks, featuring Aperol, pineapple, lime juice and foaming bitters — delivering the perfect balance of zing and sweetness.
For those looking for the ultimate beach day, there are 7 private huts scattered across the northern shore (available from US$100 per person, including a bottle of Château Saint-Esprit Rosé) equipped with sun beds, sofas, board games, showers and a private bar, all under the gentle breeze of fans. It’s the kind of place where you can lounge all day, getting lost in the sea views while sipping on tropical tipples and grazing on light bites, like crispy salt fish croquetas (a personal favourite) and cloud-like focaccia with a moreish tomato and green chilli salsa. This is a beach club, after all, so during peak season, guests can also look forward to live music from visiting bands and a resident DJ spinning the decks while the waves lap in the distance.
One of the beach huts at The Hut, Little Jumby
Whether in the United Kingdom or the Caribbean, getting to The Hut is all part of the adventure — and its allure. Matt and George Adams, the brothers who founded the concept back in 2013, have grown it from a small rustic beach bar frequented only by locals to an international sensation over the years, and much of its success is rooted in its simple yet incredibly enticing motto, which invites guests to “go on holiday for lunch”. If you’re visiting from the Antiguan mainland, it’s as easy as driving to The Hut Dock at Barnacle Point and hopping on the complimentary ferry, which runs all day and takes just 4 minutes to cross over to Little Jumby. The team can also arrange moorings for those arriving by private boat. It’s seamless, stress-free and exactly what you’d expect from a place like this.
If you’re staying at Jumby Bay Island or anywhere else on the mainland, The Hut, Little Jumby is the cherry on top of any Antiguan experience. For anyone who’s fallen in love with The Hut in England, Little Jumby takes everything we love about the original on the Isle of Wight and gives it a Caribbean makeover. And for those new to The Hut experience, there’s no better introduction than in the breathtaking setting of Little Jumby. It’s a celebration of everything great about its predecessor — delicious food, a carefree atmosphere and an unapologetic sense of fun — wrapped in the sunny, tropical charm of Antigua. So, if you’re dreaming of Caribbean bliss with a dash of British nostalgia, this is the place to be.
Saltfish croqueta at The Hut, Little Jumby
Cornish Dover Sole at The Hut, Little Jumby
Aperol Sour at The Hut, Little Jumby
To find out more about The Hut, Little Jumby and book, visit the links below…
The Hut, Little Jumby
Maiden Island (Little Jumby)
St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda
Web: thehutlittlejumby.com
Tel: +1 268-484-6084
Email: reservations@thehutlittlejumby.com
Online Booking: thehutlittlejumby.com/reservations
Instagram: @thehutlittlejumby
Facebook: @thehutlittlejumby