Nestled amidst pristine landscape of a 100-acre peninsula, which is gently lashed by waves of a deep cerulean sea, the St. James’s Club is Antigua’s prime holiday destination. If you are looking forward to spend time in a place that is truly sophisticated and majestic, this is where you have to be. The property boasts of many superbly landscaped tropical gardens, and it has two beautiful white-sand beaches and four spectacular pools. But all that is in addition to the whole array of lovely accommodations, opportunities for fine dining, a proficient staff to look after your every need, and last but not the least, a casino that ranks amongst the best in the Caribbean.

In keeping with its general theme of ultra sophistication, the casino at St. James’s Club is designed for a more intimate kind of gaming. The garrulous and flamboyant kind of casino experience, which is the hallmark of Las Vegas, is simply not what this place is all about. Conveniently located at the south of the island of Antigua, the casino out here is classically European in design and is quiet, rather than noisy. Despite the general ambiance of regal grandeur, the mood is absolutely lighthearted and playful. American roulette, blackjack, Caribbean poker and slot machines of different types are some of the games that can be played.

If you happen to be a celebrity buff, it would make sense for you to try your luck at the St. James’s Casino. In case you were to get lucky you might win a bagful of cash and as an added benefit catch a glimpse of a celebrity or two. Best of all, you might even be able to play with them. Some of the hottest names in sports, entertainment, politics, media and royalty happen to be regular patrons of this place. Another exceptional feature is that the casino out here comes with a range of health club benefits. Even as you get entertained at the roulette, blackjack or poker games, you can pay attention to your health as well.

A sociable club like ambiance prevails wherever you go in St. James’s Club. If you choose to stay in the Club Rooms then you will find yourself in a spacious living environment furnished with excellent beds, combination bathrooms (tub/shower), commodious vanities, dual basins, and sliding-glass doors that open onto private balconies or patios. Then there are the premium rooms that are even more spacious and their private balcony offers an unforgettable view of the sea. Those who happen to fall in the category of beach hounds will love staying in beachfront rooms. These spacious guestrooms feature an airy floor plan and are all equipped with a private balcony or terrace only steps away from the famous Coco Beach.

But to really savor the joy of staying here, you have to book yourself in the pricey private villas, each of which is developed to exude the charms of an ultra luxurious residence that is quintessentially palatial. Each villa has two regally appointed bedrooms, plush living area, lavish bathrooms and a porch that is geared to let your eyes bask in the most pristine view of the surrounding landscape. It is possible for you to see the yachts that keep coming and going from the nearby harbor and that only adds to the glamour. These villas are a particular hit with honeymooning couples, primarily because of the definitive privacy that they offer. So, if you’re looking to vacation with someone special this is the place to park yourself.

St. James’s Club hosts a whole range of restaurants that you can choose from. But before you decide to visit any restaurant, it is always better to inquire about the dress code that they follow. Most of them follow a simple dress code that requests their guests to wear their shoes and have their bathing suits covered. But it is possible to have different code for different occasions and for different times of the day. Post 6.30 PM guests are requested to wear slacks (no shorts or jeans) and collared shirts in short or long sleeves (no tshirts or tank tops). Female guests are advised to wear dresses, skirts, slacks, culottes, or tailored Bermuda-length shorts (no “short shorts”, cutoffs, or jeans).

The most popular restaurant at the club happens to be the Rainbow Garden. Set amidst the resort’s tropical gardens, its spacious dining room opens out onto a terrace that overlooks a delightfully appointed pool. Every Monday this restaurant hosts live calypso music. Another restaurant that offers excellent alfresco settings, right on the edge of tranquil Mamora Bay happens to go by the name of The Docksider. Traditionally it opens only after dark and offers grilled favorites such as fish kebabs and sirloin steaks. Specialty dishes like freshly caught lobster and prime beef tenderloin are also hot favorites with diners.

Then there is the inimitable Piccolo Mondo that is famous for the fine dining experience that it offers. Its sequestered hillside setting is definitely a part of its charm and so is the creative Caribbean cuisine that it serves. Out here you can hope to regale your palate with some deep-fried calamari, fresh lobster and grilled beef tenderloin. For more informal dining the Coco restaurant that overlooks palm fringed Atlantic shoreline comes as a good choice. The Garden Patio restaurant is primarily for those who are seeking to savor their coffee or tea.

When it comes to bars, St. James offers an array of choices. There is the Reef Deck Bar located by the main pool. There is also Jacaranda Lounge. If you are looking forward to get adventurous then you must give the Sundowners at Mamora Beach Bar a try. The Coco Bay Bar is built in more racy settings and it serves a delectable variety of food and drinks. An added advantage of these bars is that they are the kind of venues where you can expect to meet the top echelon of celebrities. You never know, but it is possible that on a particular night the guest at table next to you might turn out to be your favorite movie star. Such an encounter is just one of the many things that can make your trip unforgettable.

There is just so much enjoyment that you can have in this 100-acre spread of St. James’s Club. The aquamarine waters of the peaceful seas that skirt the coastline beckon you to indulge in all kinds of water sports. Snorkeling, windsurfing and kayaking, are just some of the non-motorized ways by which you can imbibe your dose of adrenalin pumping thrill. Or you may decide to go in for activities like yachting, deep-sea fishing and motorboat racing. In fact, fishing expeditions organized by the St. James’s Club are known to have yielded anything from mahi mahi to an occasional marlin.

For land buffs there are six tennis courts on which to sweat it out. The body shop gym proves to be a good place to make you lose some extra flab. If you are an avid golfer then you are going to love playing at the Jolly Harboured Golf Club and the Cedar Valley Golf Club, both of which are about a 35-minutes drive away and are 18 hole courses. But the best thing about this place could be the nifty wedding chapel that is famous for being the venue for many celebrity couplings. Clearly this is the place to get married in style. All you have to do is decide on the date and be present with your sweetheart. Just leave it to the club to take care of all the arrangements.

It is quite fitting that St. James’s Club is called Antigua’s most glamorized address. This is the kind of style that is seldom overbearing and is most quintessentially regal in its sophisticated settings and its immaculate entertainment. This clearly is the place where you can relish the joys of living like a king!