The Catamaran Hotel

I stayed here for 3 nights during my trip to Antigua in November 2023 (as my first time visiting the Caribbean!). We chose the Captain’s Cabin, which I would highly recommend! Taxes and fees included, our rate was about CA$300 per night, which sounds high in absolute terms for a mid-range, 3-star hotel, but relative to the price of other hotels in Antigua after adding taxes and fees (hint: not cheap at all!)I think the Catamaran Hotel delivered great value.

First, the hotel’s location is perfect for a relaxing getaway. It is tucked in a quiet corner near English Harbour, with an amazing small beach right in front of it. It’s not a private beach due to national laws, but because of its location it is pretty much used exclusively by hotel guests, and as the hotel is quite small, it is never crowded. It gives you a sense of intimacy and down-to-earth feeling that larger resorts (or high-end boutique resorts) simply do not have. The hotel has easy, free parking for those with car rentals. There are a few restaurants beside the hotel – I would recommend Sweet-Ts, a few minutes walk from the hotel, for an authentic and reasonably priced island experience (whereas the separately-run Captain's Quarter restaurant that is right beside the hotel is overpriced according to our neighbours, who ate there on their first night). The hotel is also a short drive away from the attractions and restaurants of English Harbour, or you could take a free boat ride across the harbour or simply walk there. The location makes it a great base for exploring the island’s attractions for those with a car.

We booked the Captain’s Quarter for its characteristic wood panelling and extra space (the standard rooms seem quite bare, small and outdated from the pictures) and I’m so glad we did! Our Captain’s Quarter cottage is set in a separate, colourful building in front of the hotel’s pool (which is really small, but not a problem at all as the ocean is literally steps away). It is not exactly a modern room (some might feel outdated), and not luxurious, but clean and well maintained with a nice vibe compared with a cookie cutter hotel room. I really liked the wood panellings and the triangular ceiling. The kitchen and bathroom are well equipped. There is a small table in the kitchen where you could work, although you would need to move the table to be closer to the plug. The AC worked very well, if not being too cold at times. The room has lots of windows allowing in plenty of natural light; however, the shades do not block the light very well and it gets bright quite early, so if that affects you, be sure to go to bed earlier at night or bring eye masks.

The Captain’s Quarter has two beds, one queen bed and one much smaller (single sized) daybed, which my friend and I actually used as a “night bed” as we took turns sleeping on the two beds. However, it turned out that the daybed doesn’t have full bedding. It only comes with a thin sheet and I woke up feeling cold in the early mornings. I should have asked for another set of bedding but I kept forgetting until it was too late and the office had closed for the evening, so I don’t blame the hotel for that.

The room rate comes with complimentary breakfast, which really adds to its value. Each morning, we had a plate (for each person) delivered to the porch outside the room, consisting of some pastries, bread, ham, cheese, yoghurt, fruit, and juice. It’s a good portion and it’s so nice to have breakfast outside on the porch, surrounded by serene tropical scenery and saying hi to your neighbours and the occasional gecko. The specific breakfast items also differed from day to day, which was very thoughtful of the hotel. You don’t see the hotel staff very often but when you do encounter them or ask them about something, they are very warm and friendly. Check-in and check-out were such a breeze! I’d also like to give a shoutout to Colin for being super friendly and helpful, especially in terms of looking into day tour options in Barbuda for me at the last minute.

The whole island is fantastic.
Rates are fair enough.
The swimming pool is kind of small.
The sceneries are fabulous.
Cleaning and room service could be better.

Was just okay. Staff is friendly. Rooms are outdated. Could hear the constant walking and noise from the people above us. They bring you a complimentary breakfast every morning, which was nice. The food at the restaurant next to the hotel was was good, but when we were there, seems like half the menu items weren't available. What we did have was overpriced with small portions. Nice, quiet beachfront.

Caribbean energy and atmosphere with the sea at your doorstep.

Big bedroom, kitchen with everything you need, fridge freezer and seating are in the room and on the terrace.

Plenty of sun loungers available to bask in the sun on the beach or at the pool.

Great relaxing energy.

A beautiful location at a great price. The owner, her family and all the staff are wonderful! They all work hard to keep the grounds pristine.

My son very much enjoyed the small pool, our room was right next to it so we could sit on the patio and watch him play when we didn’t join him.

The beach is very nice with beautiful white sand, unfortunately once you get out 10ft or so it’s a very muddy bottom. But there are so many great beaches nearby we only ended up in the ocean at the hotel twice.

There are some sailing dinghies and kayaks that the hotel provides and early in the day the water out front is like glass. We took the kayaks around the bay. If you do definitely head for Blake island. It seems like it was one of the oldest forts on the island and some of the foundation remains as well as a cannon on the beach rusting away.

We also enjoyed watching the sailboats and massive motor yachts cycle through the bay.

The included breakfast was always delicious!

There’s lots of food options nearby and the owner gave us a rundown of all the options as well as best prices when we checked in.
Sweet T’s is a very short walk up the road and was a big hit they often have events in the evening that can bring in a lot of people, so we tended to eat early if we went there. We also stopped in almost daily for ice cream.

Whiskey (the adorable 3 legged cat) Likely needed a break from the love my son forced on him anytime we were at the hotel.

I’m sure we will return!

Amazing place, views, things to do. Excellent staff, very helpful and polite, fantastic service and Feona is amazing (thankyou for making my birthday so special) Spent 10 days here and felt completely at home, all the staff are friendly and always had a smile, a great relaxing holiday, there's plenty to do or you can just chill as it's like being part of a big family. Lovely room with a fantastic view, bathroom could do with a bit of a spruce up but the shower etc were all working as expected. This is a really charming place to stay that gives you a big cuddle. The Cuban bar only open from 6pm to 10pm but this wouldn't stop me from going back as the supermarket is only a 5 min walk so you can stock up your own drinks, Sweet T's cafe near to supermarket serves fantastic food and lunched there often as it was so good. The area a great place with great people.

We very much enjoyed our time at the Catamaran. We hope to return. Perfect location for a beach and poolside holiday. The staff are very helpful and friendly and always go the extra mile.

I stayed for a week with my mom and brother. Best experience we’ve had in Antigua in a few years. Customer service, spot on, Hotel activities, very fun. If you’re ever coming to Falmouth Harbor or vacation in Antigua, I highly recommend the Catamaran hotel!

Great experience. The building is older and gives a very island feel. The room was clean, bright and cool despite the Antigua heat. Staff was friendly and accommodating and practiced good safety. Views are spectacular, with ocean views from the room's balcony and mountain views from the front. There are a lot of birds and lizards which are somewhat used to people. I didn't manage any good shots of the birds but one small lizard on the balcony allowed me to get close enough with my DSLR to take some fantastic shots which I will try to upload later. Did not try the pool, but the private beach had calm, clear water with paddle canoes and am ocean shuttle to a different beach on request.

Great little place. Very quaint and charming. Well appointed basic rooms that are kept very clean. Incredible view and location. Close to grocery store. Very close to English Harbour and many restaurants. Great value. Has pool and use of kayaks and sunfish sailboat.

Great hotel. Extremely friendly staff. The owner Feona is absolutely wonderful. The location is perfect, situated in the heart of Falmouth Habour tou are less than a ten minute drive from the Nelsons Dockyard.

Total home from home, only nicer. So friendly and welcoming. It was a real wretch to leave, but going back as soon as I can. X

The most beautiful, incredible place to visit. It will blow your mind and the people who work there will make you realise how incredible people can be. So worth a visit.

The food was very good, the place was clean and has a very nice view. I think that the customer service needs improvement and something need to be done about the insects that gather around the lights and drop on the customers when the night comes.

Absolutely awesome place with really friendly people, they can't do enough to make your stay on this island an awesome experience, come here, you won't regret it.

What an amazing piece of paradise, Fiona and her team are excellent, helpful and full of love. The Hotel is everything you need and more when looking for an island getaway spot. Balconies have amazing views, rooms comfortable and air conditioned.

Local spots around are beautiful, lots of restaurants, shops and adventure places within a 10min drive.

Snorkeling in front of the hotel also amazing ️

Great place to get away, and relax. The restuarant serves great food and the wait staff is courteous.

Friendly helpful staff, excellent breakfast, Very nice room, pristine beach, had a great stay and would come again

Tried the restaurant. Located right by the water. Fantastic views! Good food and great rum punch!

Just spent 7 nights here.simple Carribean Hotel with friendly staff.well worn and not at all stuffy.guests need to be self sufficient on food and drinks especially at the weekend.great roadside eatery at main road called Sweet T's with supermarket in same spot.
Included breakfast is just toast and coffee but cooked menu available extra.
For smarter dining 1mile into Falmouth or English Harbour. Cloggy's or Mount Gay Pizzeria we tried.
Free to use canoes and Sunfish dinghies with buoyancy aids.
Safe swimming with shallow water first 15 metres out. Cracking little protected sandy beach with shade and sunbeds.