It all began in the 1950s, when Howard and Chelle Hulford, after several visits to the Caribbean island of Antigua as tourists, decided to try and find a serene and beautiful site on the island to build their own private villa and invite family and close friends.

© Curtain Bluff

After several years of searching, a location on the island’s south coast was chosen, at the time just a bare goat pasture. When the Antiguan government hesitated to sell the property for only one house, it was suggested the Hulfords construct a hotel on the site, which would encourage growth for Antigua’s nascent tourism industry.

Two-story Curtain Bluff, with its stunning location along two beaches and on a bluff above the Caribbean Sea, opened in 1962 with 22 guestrooms. This year, the property celebrates its 60^th year as one of the most popular resorts in the Caribbean. During expansion stages along the way, more rooms were added (72 rooms currently), along with a freshwater swimming pool, suites with plunge pools, four tennis courts, a dock and sailboats, fitness center and squash court, and two lovely beachside dining venues.

© Curtain Bluff

However, the most surprising feature of Curtain Bluff, during this era of hotel brand mergers and consolidation, is it is still family-owned. After Mr. Hulford’s death in 2009 at age 86, his wife Chelle has continued as the property’s owner, living on site in the beautiful Bluff House. She continues to maintain her late husband’s management philosophy of running an intimate, family-oriented retreat where repeat guests and staff have interacted with each other for years, the lush terrain is preserved, TVs are not placed in guestrooms, and business-casual attire is requested during dinner — all traditions still much appreciated by guests.

An example of how the Hulfords were committed to the resort’s staff, most of whom live in nearby villages, was their establishing of Old Road Fund in 1974, named after the resort’s location in the community of Old Road Village. When it began, the goal was to improve the villagers’ quality of life by supplying necessities like clothing and school supplies to staff children. A short time afterward, the definition of “necessities” was expanded to include tennis lessons and rackets, which led to teaching local kids new skills that would lead to productive career paths. The resort matches donations from guests, the funds going toward college scholarships, major medical procedures and educational grants for many staff and their families. For the Hulfords, as they often said, “It is simply the right thing to do.”

© Joanna Tricorache

Rates at the property for the summer range from $790–1,500 per night based on double occupancy, with special offers for multiple nights. The all-inclusive rate includes lodging and three meals per day at Tamarind and Seagrape restaurants, bar drinks, afternoon tea, a weekly beach party luncheon, water and ground sports, entertainment every evening and WiFi. Curtain Bluff will close during hurricane season, July 31–Oct. 22.