My Summers in Antigua & Barbuda

Some 1,200ft of secluded powdered alabaster seashore would be enough on its own, but this Antiguan boutique bolthole offers a heck of a lot more than sun-kissed beach-bumming. Active types can enjoy sailing, snorkelling, windsurfing or kayaking in the aquamarine waters, while those of us who are more at home sprawling on a poolside day-bed - novel in one hand, frozen margherita in the other - will be equally contented. Every iota of Hermitage Bay is geared towards deep-breathing, head-lolling relaxation, from the bliss-inducing massages at the spa to the expansive loungers on your private terrace.

There's an eco-friendly touch, too: all of the hotel's 25 cottages are built entirely from local hardwoods, allowing them to blend seamlessly into the (hummingbird-filled) gardens of the bay.