I have recently returned from a trip to the Caribbean. I stayed in Antigua and Barbados. This gave me a first hand chance to compare Verandah -  Elite’s two year old hotel in west Antigua with Almond Casuarina, the newest property in Barbados.

In location terms Casuarina is set on a white sandy beach to die for and it has the best nightlife in Barbados within walking distance.  The south coast of Barbados is also the windward side with big waves and a cooling breeze. Verandah is in an isolated position with two smaller beaches set at either end of the property. The beaches are protected and it is a great place to learn to windsurf or try a sunfish. For me the crash of the waves and the powder white sand of Almond Casuarina was the greater pull.

In terms of facilities both hotels have a range of restaurants and bars and great swimming pools. Verandah has a really large one as a focal point of the resort, Casuarina has a children’s and an adult only pool. There is nightly entertainment in both.

Verandah is more spread out with the need to get to reception by buggy. Casuarina is in a more compact location with some great trees in the centre of the property around which the accommodation circles. These gardens have been there for 25 years.

Both hotels have great kids clubs and a range of big rooms where 2 adults can share with 2 kids. Verandah has a small kitchenette in the rooms and a fridge. Their rooms will also take 2 adults and 3 kids.

In terms of staff it is always difficult. Clearly both hotels have excellent well trained professionals. On my visit to Almond Casuarina, I encountered a beach attendant and two waitresses who clearly had not had a good day, but there were others who were tuned in to our needs. In Verandah, we were charmed by Steve in the dining room. He had come from ultimate upmarket Jumby Bay, where he was Mr fix it. His service was superb and his humour great.

So what would I choose for my holiday…..

Tropical Sky sell both properties for around £1000 for a week (more in high season) inclusive of flights, accommodation on all inclusive, transfers and taxes. I would go to each in successive holidays - they are both excellent!!

Antigua is a really laid back island. The sign by the side of the road saying “Slow Down” is not only a road sign! It is the way of Antiguan life! It is great to take a car for a day and do a tour. We started from Jolly Harbour and went north to the capital St John’s. There are museums, government house and other things you should see but we loved the markets the people, and the buzz. There is a vegetable and a fish market opposite each other and a very lurid statue of Lester Bird the first prime minister. The statue was donated by the Cubans - not sure what that was about.

We then drove north to head out of town before the cruise ships arrived and flooded the area. We headed to Dickenson Bay for the first of our range of beautiful beaches. Two big hotels dominate the beach the American style Sandals and an excellent value for money Halcyon Cove with its typical pier restaurant. We had a brief dip and then went on round the north coast to the kite surfing beach of Jabberwock. There was lots of wind and kite surfers were out in force. We drove on up past the airport and the Stamford cricket ground off to the west of the island. This ground was home to the humiliating defeat of England in the 20:20 competition.

The great thing about Antigua is the shortage of road signs and the poor maps - that makes driving so exciting. When you get lost just ask, the locals are friendly and used to helping people who have taken a wrong turn.

The road surface is a constant source of local gossip and concern. The only time anyone mends the road properly is before a general election. The rest of the time they just patch up the holes with some tarmac and roll it in with a steam roller. It lasts about a week.

You hit concealed sleeping policemen and pot holes all the time so the ride is bumpy. We headed out west to Pineapple Beach. Three hotels Diane Bay, Pineapple Beach and Verandah are here, but access to the beach is free for all so you can walk along in front of them. Another dip and we drive south to English Harbour and Shirley Heights. On Sunday night this is where the reggae bands gather to make music. This is well worth a trip in its self. Here you also find the Nelson dockyard Heritage site.

We drove up to the centre and then south for Carlisle Bay. En route in the middle of the rain forest is Antigua’s zip wire excursion. We did not try it but lots did. We drove on to Carlisle Bay for one last dip. The south coast has mudflats and mangroves and there are migrating waders in Spring and Autumn. Then along the south coast to Cocos where we stopped for dinner. It’s a nice restaurant with a panoramic view. That was the end of our drive. Jolly Harbour was just around the corner

Not the most scenic wonderland, but people, road side activity, kids running home, families out shopping make for an amusing day. The beaches are great and they are all free.

50 years ago Hawksbill opened its doors in Antigua. This new style of hotel had bungalows along two beautiful beaches. It was a chic location on an idyllic island. Hawksbill is now an excellent value for money three star hotel run by the rex group.

It has grown to 111 rooms across three beaches and has a fourth beach - the only “clothing optional” beach on the island. Richard Michelin the laid back Jamaican manager says  “people still want the bungalows rather than the blocks”. The hotel still retains much of its roots - some rooms have no air conditioning and fans and vents with the constant wind keeping them cool”. There are no phones in the base room types and the only TV is in the beach bar. However, the idyllic location and well kept gardens make this a wonderful value for money hideaway.

One of the latest editions to the Antigua scene, now three years old, is the ultimate hideaway hotel Hermitage. Only 25 rooms on an isolated bay, this hotel is also all cottages. The owner Andrew Michelin, cousin of Richard, said ” it is modelled on the concept of Hawksbill, people love cottages”. These ones are eastern in style with an all wood finish of Balinese nature. A large rear bathroom has an outside shower with a view. There is a bath big enough for two. You can choose air-conditioning or open all the vents and use the wind and a fan to cool the room. There are three categories and the most expensive is surprisingly the furthest from the beach. They have small plunge pools and views to die for.

The beach is a collection point for small shells and locals come to collect them to make necklaces. Close to the hotel are four or five idyllic isolated beaches. Some with only sea access, the watersports leader Devon can drop you off for a picnic.

The staff at Hawksbill are often long serving - Ornella who showed us around had worked there for 15 years. Sandra Francis a cleaner we met had worked there for 24 years. The food at lunch was simple and served from the beach bar but there was a choice of dishes Great fried mahe mahe, Antiguan hotpot, burgers and hot dogs. Salad rice and French fries were served with it. Every one was tucking in.

Hermitage is a top of the range all inclusive with branded drinks, excellent served food and lots of excellent touches. The range at breakfast included bicher-muesli, Antiguan fresh fruit, special local juices such as water melon, carrot and ginger, all sorts of eggs including antiguan omelette, eggs Antiguan chop up.. Lunch and dinner had an excellent variety too. Staff here are also of excellent quality. Lots of smiles, anything you asked for was done swiftly and service standards were exceeded.

Hawksbill is mainly British in clientele and there are lots of people who return here again and again. Hermitage is more universal. Brits, Italians, Americans and other Europeans were amongst the guests. Many were on honeymoon.

If you want excellent value for money from a three star plus hotel come to Hawksbill with Tropical Sky this Autumn. A week can be bought for £799 inclusive of flights, transfers and All Inclusive accommodation.

If you want a weeks ultimate all inclusive in 5 star luxury come to Hermitage. 7 nights all inclusive with Tropical Sky comes to £1699. Flights, transfers and All Inclusive accommodation is included.

Jolly Beach Resort & Spa is the ideal destination for family holidays with a varied mix of activities to keep the young ones occupied, including the newly re furbished kids club, a dedicated Jolly Teenz Club and even the option of a small bit of pampering at the Palms Wellness Centre.

The resort has also recently created the Think Jolly Family programme which is packed full of new activities and gives parents and kids the chance to experience a memorable holiday together.

The think Jolly family programme is a mix of three of the resorts best loved family friendly activity programmes. The Jolly adventure package includes star gazing and mini bonfire - plus kayaking and sailing lessons, the sports package includes tennis and dance classes, not forgetting the highly competetive family beach olympics. The Jolly relax package gives parents the opportunity to sign up for date night where they can enjoy a romantic dinner (while the kids experience an evening of fine dining and etiquette lessons) or steal some golden moments and indulge in a couples massage class.

The most popular resort on Antigua, Jolly beach is a low rise structure and facilities are spread over its 40 acres of landscaped gardens. The ameneties are extensive and the mile long beautiful white sand beach draws holiday makers back time after time.  The fantasy pool provides a central hub to the property and borders the beach offering welcome space to cool down.

So if you are looking for somewhere packed with facilities and activities for the whole family, consider Jolly Beach for your next holiday!

Starting this Sunday at 8pm, ITV air ‘The Secret Caribbean‘ hosted by Trevor McDonald.

He travels the 2000 miles across the Caribbean experiencing the incredible extremes that make this region so unique.

From the private island of the billionare to communist Cuba, rare sightings of Giant turtles in Grenada to violent volcanic eruptions in Montserrat - this unmissable series is a rich voyage of discovery.

In our opinion our favourite  ‘Secret Caribbean‘ hotels include: The House, Little Arches, East Winds and Coyaba.

Don’t miss this exciting new series for a great insight into the Caribbean islands!