The Caribbean Island of Jumby Bay Offers Luxury and Privacy
by Karen Schaler

“Your butler will make sure you have everything you need,” the smiling housekeeper told me as I walked into an amazing 8,000-square-foot estate home at Jumby Bay in the Caribbean.

“My Butler?” was all I could muster as I twirled around, trying to take everything in. I was so NOT in Kansas anymore!

Eagles Landing

I knew my trip at this private island off of Antigua would be special. Jumby Bay is considered one of the best island resorts in the world. However, I still wasn’t prepared for exactly how decadent it would be.

I was standing in the living room of the estate home called Eagles Landing — a privately owned beachfront home with five bedrooms, a workout center, tennis court and infinity edge pool that seemed to disappear straight into the Caribbean.

The home rents for around $17,500 a night, and it was now my “home away from home” for the next few days.

“You also have your own private chef,” the housekeeper grinned.

Of course I do, I thought, wanting to pinch myself to make sure it was all real. I kept thinking if I’m dreaming, please, no one wake me up!

Eagles Landing is just one of about a dozen estate homes for rent on this private 300-acre island owned by private homeowners. Rosewood Resort was brought in to manage the small island resort and is responsible for taking care of the private home rentals. Every homeowner I talked to said they started out staying at the resort and loved Jumby so much they decided to build their own home here. The island's homes are worth between $10-$20 million apiece. When development at Jumby Bay is finished, there will be a total of 38 homes on the island. That is a limit the owners claim will keep their secluded island private.

After touring several estate homes I was curious just who lives here? How often did the homeowners stay, and what in the world did they do to be able to afford this kind of luxury estate?

After spending an afternoon at the tiny beach bar I had my answers. People from all over owned homes on Jumby including a lot of Americans and Europeans. Many are in the banking industry, though some celebrities come here to stay including Robert De Niro, Will Smith and Hillary Swank. However, I was told no major Hollywood players own homes here. The people who own these estate homes only visit several weeks a year, and then they are off to their other homes in different parts of the world. The homeowners all maintain a full-time staff to keep an eye on the estates while they are gone. The dozen homes that are for rent get used approximately eight weeks out of the year.

What’s truly special about staying in one of these homes is you feel like you’re family. These homes are not set up as traditional rentals. These are private homes where the owners are willing to share their slice of paradise with a few select guests. The homes are impeccably decorated in themes from traditional Caribbean to Tuscan Style.

Jumby Villa view

The estate rentals are perfect for anyone wanting a true escape, and they’re only a short bike or golf cart ride (no cars are allowed on the island) to the main resort where estate home guests are invited to enjoy all the resort’s amenities. Depending on the time of year, renting one of the homes runs anywhere from $5,000 on up. If you find you don’t need all that space available, there are also lovely villas for rent beginning at $2,500.

At the main resort, you can also find 40 suites starting at around $800 a night including meals, drinks, activities, etc.

The Jumby Bay experience starts just getting to this secluded hideaway, which is only accessible by boat. Flying into Antigua, you can grab a private Jumby boat for the 8-minute trip to the island. Only guests staying on the island are allowed to make the boat trip.

When you arrive at the dock you’re greeted by Jumby staff waiting with cool towels and a cold drink. Jumby Bay is the kind of place you come to decompress. Main activities here include lounging at the beach or pool, eating delicious meals and sipping tropical cocktails. The resort does schedule some interesting activities. However, Jumby remains the ultimate escape where you’re forced by your surroundings to relax and rejuvenate.

My first day at Jumby, after having breakfast poolside at Eagles Landing, I grabbed a bicycle and headed off to explore. It only took about a 30 minutes to bike around the entire island where the views of the water are breathtaking. By the time I made it to the main resort, I wasn’t surprised to find Jumby’s beautiful beach nearly empty. Even when the resort is sold out, you can rarely see other people. You really do feel like you’re on your own private island!

As the day wore on I made my way back to my favorite beach bar with hopes of meeting more guests and getting a true feel for what makes Jumby special. However, you never need to go to the bar because there are beach butlers to attend to your every need, even bringing you fresh made sorbet and cookies. But the bar, with its 10 barstools, is the place to be if you wanted to socialize.

Sipping a refreshing cocktail called Cool Me Off, I met some wonderful guests including a British family with two charming young boys. They kept me entertained with their stories and quest to catch what they caled their “wish fish,” a translucent fish that swims close to the beach. The turquoise water at Jumby Bay is so clear it's almost surreal. I learned as the afternoon wore on that many guests come to Jumby to celebrate their honeymoon, anniversary or special occasion. There are also families who come seeking a quite vacation on an island where they feel safe enough to allow their children to roam free.

Swimming out to Hells Gate

Usually I’m not a fan of all-inclusive resorts. However, Jumby is in an entirely different category. The resort's new Executive Chef Erik Gremmer prides himself in designing delicious gourmet meals with menus that vary daily so you’re always given new choices.

There are two main restaurants to dine at besides your room. The Verandah is an open-air restaurant facing the water. Lunch and snacks can also be snagged at the tiny beach bar.

For a more formal affair, visitors can dine by candlelight at The Estate House, which is located inside a 230-year-old English plantation manor. Dinners are encouraged to come early and stop upstairs at the bar where you can find magnificent martinis and Cuban cigars.

One of my favorite dining experiences was Jumby’s special White Night on the beach, which starts off with a butler taking your shoes for you so you can walk barefoot in the sand. On the beach, visitors sip champagne and listen to live Caribbean music. Patrons dress in all white, creating a visual affect that is absolutely stunning. For the dinner, diners feast on a seafood BBQ of lobster, prawns, regional fish, oysters, steamed mussels, sashimi, ceviche…and the list goes on! For dessert, chocolate fondue is the perfect end to a perfect day.

The next morning, I hit the water to explore the surrounding islands. All non-motorized water sports are available, and every day Jumby offers a different excursion for its guests including snorkeling and sightseeing. We went with a group called Adventure Antigua, which offers several different choices. There are 22 small islands all around Jumby and we decided to stop at Hells Gate for a swim and snorkel. The adventure was followed by a private lunch on the tiny, uninhabited Green Island.

That night, back at Jumby, my private chef prepared a special meal, tailor-made to my personal tastes. At sunset patrons feast like kings before slipping off to sip champagne poolside and toast pure privacy.

What to Know
Some Jumby Bay Basics include:
Area — 300 acre private island
Location — 2 miles off the coast of Antigua
Beaches — 3 white sand beaches
Population — visitors only, as almost all the staff leaves the island at night
Language — English
Climate — Average temperature 81 degrees
Currency — US Dollar (US$) and the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$)
Time Zone — EST
Departure Tax — US $20 (EC$50) is assessed at V.C. Bird International Airport

If You Go...

Where to Stay
Jumby Bay Resort
P.O. Box 243
St. John's, Antigua, West Indies
(268) 462-6000
*Book well in advance! This resort is popular worldwide.

What to Pack
Bathing Suit
Sunscreen
Hat
Sunglasses
Resort Wear-Something all white for “White” dinner
Walking Shoes
Bug Spray-during rainy season
Camera amd batteries
Tennis Gear
* Don’t forget your passport