BLUE WATERS ANTIGUA | PART I

...and they mean blue waters. I'll let this turquoise seascape do the talking...

After a week of pretty much daily partying in Antigua – we were out there celebrating the superhuman effort of a team of four brave and brilliant boys who'd just completed an Atlantic row to raise funds for depression and suicide awareness, but more to come on this later – checking into the Cove Suites was akin to a giant warm hug. Champagne on ice awaiting our arrival, gentle tide lapping outside our window... A restorative time for banking some much-needed zeds.

Picture this: ginormous and super comfortable bed (and high – something you're more likely to note as a small child but I found it fun), two giant Joey-esque lazy boys (just in cream and a lot more stylish – ideal since the Australian Open was reaching it's obscenely exciting Federer-Nadal climax), a vast en suite comprising roomy shower laden with Elemis goodies, double basin (bathroom goals) and bath-on-feet with slated doors that can be fully pulled back to open into the main bedroom.

And the balcony: a table and two squashy chairs plus a sun lounger all pointing out across an expansive stretch of turquoise punctuated only by the occasional boat or diving pelican (more on these guys later too).

The staff treat you like royalty but there's no trace of any stiffness... more beaming smiles and a cheeky glimmer of character. In fact, the Presidential Suite directly above us was the base for Prince Harry's recent visit. And if it's good enough for him...

Dress | Brave Soul

PJ Set | Cheek Frills

We met General Manager Alistair for a drink at the Pelican Bar after settling in and sipped on a Southern Star (me) and a Tropical Remembrance (Olly), picked for us from the extensive cocktail list by the barlady. As consumers of everything Olly and I generally get the waiter to choose our menu at most places.

Alistair shared tales of 30 years of Caribbean life – including Lionel Ritchie spontaneously taking to the piano one evening in the very bar we sat in. We (or should I say Olly which is slightly worrying) clocked one of the Strictly Come Dancing professionals, who's figure was enough to make anyone never want to put on a bikini again. Then it was time to hitch a ride in a golf buggy across to the Cove Restaurant, perched right on the seafront. Here it was menus on iPads presenting painstakingly difficult decisions to be made; lobster, tuna tartar, Antiguan favourite mahi mahi... And we were joined by a resident cat who knows the exact timings of dinner and never fails to make an appearance (right up my street).