Hermitage Bay all-inclusive resort, Antigua

There is a dramatic sense of entry coming to Hermitage Bay, both good and bad. The bad would be the pockmarked, moonscape road leading to the entrance of the resort, necessitating painfully slow driving, but Thesen says they like it that way because it forces you to slow down -- an essential state of mind for relaxing within Hermitage's gates.

As soon as you enter, you're embraced by the grounds, with light scents of flowers and jasmine drawing you through towering mangroves to one of the most welcoming welcome pavilions we've ever seen -- an airy, open space that draws your eye to the turquoise bay beyond, technically known as Five Island Harbor. There are seven beaches on this part of the island, including the long, sweeping white one before the resort, but all are open for use by guests willing to wander a bit.

Each guest accommodation offers astounding views and privacy. There are 17 hillside cottage suites dotting the steep hill, with floral landscaping making the rather brisk walk to your cottage less hard to take (they'll shuttle the less adventurous up and down in carts), walks exploding in bougainvillea and other flowers that provide a kaleidoscopic frame of the spectacular ocean views along the way and from the cottages themselves.

Each hillside cottage has a private plunge pool with sunbathing area and chaises, with a wrap-around open-air deck incorporating the lounge area, daybed, and dining room. Dark hardwood floors lead to a nicely airy bathroom, with a tub offering bathing with a most incredible view of the grounds below and ocean beyond. In all, these suites have more than 1,100-square-feet of space, their overall decor contemporary, sleek and relaxing.

The remaining eight suites are beachfront cottages along a white-sand beach and boasting terrace verandahs, daybeds and with the same exquisite amenities offered in the hillside cottages. All suites have electronic safes, dryers, robes, flat-screen TV, DVD player, iPod docking station, wireless connectivity and more.

There's plenty to do at Hermitage (or nothing, if you so choose) and all water sports are included in the price, such as double and single sea kayaks, windsurfing, snorkeling, sunfish and Hobie cat sailing. Tennis and golf are available at an extra charge at Jolly Harbour, 10 minutes away. Live entertainment is featured at least three nights a week.

Hermitage's restaurant and bar are located near the beach with spectacular views and intimate dining areas. All-inclusive eats mean three daily meals, plus afternoon tea, canapes and other assorted snacks, in addition to many excellent house wines and most beverages, including premium branded drinks. All dining is a la carte featurin foods with Caribbean and international flair. The wood in the bar and dining area is gloriously rich, consisting of green heart and purple heart wood, the roof covered in wallaba wood shingles. Thesen hopes to start an organic garden, where they'll likely grow lots of mint for their excellent mojitos.

A cool dining plus here: Upon request, Thesen will bring guests to Christian's vegetable farm, a local place where he buys his produce; tasty treats available on the farm include guava, Jamaican ackee, sour sop, and custard apple, the latter a bumpy blue fruit you crack open and slurp -- it tastes surprisingly like custard.