No matter the language, country, race or creed, most people identify the importance of a mother and her contribution to society.  So much so that every year a special day is set aside to celebrate motherhood and maternal bonds.  Mother’s Day as it is called, is observed on the second Sunday in May and brings the extraordinary love of a mother into focus.

Here in the Caribbean Mother’s Day is celebrated in various traditional and non-traditional ways.  A grand church service normally starts off the day in which gifts and awards for the year’s top moms are bestowed.  Oh and it’s also the day that Mothers make a fashion statement with their hats of different colours and designs.

The worship segment of the day is often followed by a special breakfast or brunch at a fancy restaurant, hotel or an elegantly prepared home cooked meal from the children.  It is that one day in the year that moms put their feet up and take a day off from the hustle and bustle of the job and stresses of taking care of the home.

As usual, the Trade Winds Hotel will join the rest of the world in saluting and highlighting the ones who birthed and raised us with utmost love, care and sacrifice. Mother’s Day will be observed on May 13, 2012 and this will be evident at our hotel.  A special Bay House All Day Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. or a Carvery Luncheon which starts from 12:30 to 3 p.m. with musical entertainment by Vincent Blaze, and efficient service from our friendly staff, will provide all the pampering your mom needs.

But this is not the end of it.  Stay at the Trade Winds Hotel on a room only basis with your loved one for the price of one and get an automatic upgrade to a Junior Oeanview suite.  So join us as we celebrate Mothers by making a reservation Now!

Follow and share with us your Mother’s Day traditions on Facebook and Twitter.

Comfortable, relaxing, affordable, well equipped, and strategically located, at the Trade Winds Hotel, we make it our business to accommodate your business; from the multifaceted boardroom to business centers which provide all the basic corporate paraphernalia, equipment and more, all in cool air-conditioned comfort.

We’re just fifteen minutes from the country’s main airport and ten minutes from the capital St John’s, we provide a quick getaway from home while at the same time keeping clients in close proximity to the central business district of the island.

A spacious and comfortable boardroom is available for meetings and conferences.  These air-conditioned facilities have the capacity to seat up to thirty people theatre-style.  If you’re looking for a not-too-formal setting, then consider having your meeting in an open air pool bar with private dining.

After that all-important business is conducted, retiring to your room will be something you look forward to at the Trade Winds Hotel.  Keep in touch with the rest of the world using our Wi-Fi internet, TV, telephone services or just relax and enjoy delicious meals via our efficient room service while lying on a comfortable bed.  You can also try our tasty a la carte breakfast with colleagues from 7 a.m.

Who says you can’t mix business with pleasure?  Our coastal location makes it quite easy for guests to delight themselves on the beach or simply lounge in our crystal clear swimming pool at any time of the day or night.

No need to worry about feeding your appetite as we offer alfresco dining from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on a beautiful terrace which makes outdoor dining a beautiful experience.

Transportation to and from the hotel is never a bother and is just a phone call away.

The Trade Winds Hotel dedicated service is driven by the great reviews we receive from our guests but don’t take our word for it, visit our TripAdvisor page and form your own opinion.  You can also stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

In addition to the affordable rates that we offer, the above mentioned services are even more reason to BOOK NOW with us.

In less than 44 days the Antigua and Barbuda national football team, the Benna Boys, will compete in two qualifiers which will determine whether or not they advance to face even stiffer competition, as their bid to secure a spot in the FIFA World Cup scheduled for Brazil in 2014 continues.

For the first time in 38 years of attempts at the World Cup championships, Antigua and Barbuda has progressed to the third round of qualifiers in the CONCACAF zone, their greatest achievement thus far.

On June 8, 2012 they will play the United States in Tampa Florida and on June 12, they come up against Jamaica at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

The Benna Boys is managed by Fernando “Nando” Abraham with head coach Tom Curtis who led the team to one of their most decisive wins on their road to Brazil 2014, with a 1-0 win against Haiti in a previous qualifying match up. Since that victory, support has been mounting for the Benna Boys.  Various factions of society have already lent their financial and moral assistance to the team in order to help see them through to Brazil. According to the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) which owns the team, approximately $9 million is needed to make the second round of semifinals of the qualifiers possible.

Among those who have openly pledged their support is Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, who believes that the Benna boys has the ability to demonstrate to the world that Antigua has the ability to achieve. Other prominent sporting and governmental officials have also expressed confidence in the team’s capability to pull through.

As always, the Trade Winds Hotel is in full support of sports and youth on the island.  Our Hotel recently hosted the Tottenham Hotspur International Football Development coaches Ryan Hines and Miles Leighton who were here conducting a football clinic in conjuction with St. Anthony’s Secondary School (read more here).   Similarly, The Trade Winds Hotel will be cheering on the Benna Boys.

Coming to Antigua for the match against Jamaica and need accommodations?  We invite you to stay with us at Trade Winds Hotel just 15 minutes away from the stadium.  Opt for our 2 for 1 special with an automatic upgrade to a junior oceanview suite.   Click here to book now or send us an email at info@twhantigua.com

(Celebration after goal score against Haiti)

Hosting over 50 to 60 yachts every year, the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta has become one of the most premier classic yachting events worldwide.  The race facilitates both traditional and non-traditional vessels which form a beautiful fleet on the Caribbean Sea.  The Antigua Yacht Club organized race takes place annually and will run from April 19-24, 2012.

To add to this spectacular showcase, the Antigua Sailing Week follows from April 29 to May 4, 2012. This yacht regatta features various exciting boat races and is held at Nelson’s Dockyard.  The Antigua Sailing Week attracts over 150 yachts with 1,500 participants and five times as many spectators annually.

This is definitely an island-wide party with lots to do in Antigua.  Golf, kite surfing, shopping, sailing, tanning, enjoying good food, lounging in perfect tranquility or do nothing at all!  Trade Winds Hotel invites you to take a shore-side break with us and enjoy our 2 for 1 special with an automatic upgrade to an Oceanview Junior Suite.  To top it off, we offer picnic baskets filled with delights for trips to Jabberwock Beach where you can enjoy kite and wind surfing.  Whilst lazing on the beach be sure to check out our latest feature in A&B Buzz Magazine.

On your return from your day out it only gets better, because the sunsets from the Bay House deck is breathtaking and best enjoyed with one of our delicious sundowner cocktails.

Now that you know that your every need will be catered to, where will you be?

Tiki torches which silently blaze in the background gives life to the Weekend Sundowner Happy Hour as the silhouette of the sunset glistens off the pool. An ideal location for cocktails and a view to die for in this tropical oasis. The sundowner celebrations takes place from 5-7 p.m. every weekend and includes happy hour prices on drinks and special discounts on meals every Friday and Saturday evenings.

Menu options are not often limited at the Bay House Restaurant. Whether it’s an appetizer, main course or a decadent desert, your satisfaction is guaranteed. The mussels steamed in a white wine sauce and served with linguine or perhaps later delve into a “sinfully good” apple pie, topped with vanilla ice-cream for dessert. The choice is all yours.

All in all, this encounter is best experienced than read about, so don’t delay and make a reservation NOW! Find us on Facebook and Twitter and don’t forget to check in on Foursquare and leave us a tip.

So now that you know where to find us. Where will you be?

This year you can be a part of this wonderful experience since the Environmental Awareness Group of Antigua & Barbuda (EAG) are teaming up with Adventure Antigua to go Whale Watching on Saturday April 14, 2012!  However, before you marine life enthusiasts get too excited please note the dos and don’ts necessary for preservation of the species.

The St. John’s Antigua –  New Best Practice Guidelines for Marine Mammal/Sea Turtle Watching seeks to ensure whale-watching is safe for these elusive mammals and also for tourists since well-run whale-watching trips inspire respect for the animals and action to help protect them.  The guidelines were put together through collaboration with the Antigua Conservation Society and The EAG, with assistance from Adventure Antigua’s Eco-tourism guide Nicola Nash who attendedPanama’s Whale Watching Conference last year. The guidelines urge:

• that whale watchers refrain from touching or feeding the animals, as they may become aggressive or dependent;
• that vessels turn off their engines when approaching and should move at no more than five knots;
• that vessels leave a clear path for the animals to move through, so they are not trapped;
• that humans avoid approaching directly in order to prevent accidental injury to the animal or human;
• that humans and vessels avoid closely approach the animals; minimum safe distance should be 50 meters or 164 feet.

For more information see the entire set of guidelines: http://antiguaisland.blogspot.com/2012/03/whale-and-dolphin-watching-in-antigua.html

Now that you know a bit more about what not to do while Whale Watching you can sign up for the Whale Watching half-day trip on Saturday 14th April, 2012.  Departing from the Jolly Harbour Marina at 1PM with a check in time of 12:30PM to ensure an on-time departure.  Drinks will be provided, and you can bring along a light snack along with the all-important sunblock.

Whatever you decide to do on April 14^th, be assured that the view from the pool deck at the Trade Winds Hotel will be just as magnificent at sunset when the sky turns on its spectacular colour palette. You can opt to dig out your binoculars and do your Whale Watching from the enviable vantage point of our Bay House Restaurant; you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a Humpback or two!  Our friendly and helpful staff will be on hand to pamper and tempt you with one of our many delicious cocktails at happy hour or a decadent dessert after an enjoyable dinner.  So the question is…. where will you be?

The weekend long celebration starts Good Friday with family and friends gathering together and some of the local dishes like Ducana, Saltfish and Chop-up are usually a special treat at the dinner table.

Easter Monday is usually a day for relaxation and fun at the beach and the traditional kite flying which is also common to the rest of the Caribbean.  This year there is an attractive lineup of activities during the long weekend commencing on Thursday April 5^th with the 3^rd annual Hayden Walsh Easter Classic 5-day sporting event inLibertaVillage which culminates on Easter Monday.

Other attractions include the Antigua & Barbuda International Kite Festival on Saturday April 7^th at Freemans Village Playing Field and on Easter Monday at Devil’s Bridge.   Also in the lineup is the Jolly Harbour Yacht Club’s Easter weekend Dinghy Racing on Saturday and Sunday, and the Annual Easter Road Relay and Fitness Walk on Easter Monday commencing at 6:30am.

Here at the Trade Winds Hotel we invite you to celebrate Easter with us and indulge yourself and a companion with our 2 for 1 special.  Stay all weekend for the price of one and qualify for an automatic upgrade to a Junior Oceanview Suite where you can relax and enjoy the scenery!

The island’s best kept secret Bay House Restaurant invites you to enjoy our scrumptious ALL DAY BREAKFAST which is offered everyday featuring Antiguan and English breakfast delights.  The panoramic view from our restaurant deck offers the perfect setting to enjoy our Sundowner Specials with a 40% Happy Hour discount from 5-7pm Friday and Saturday on all drinks or when ordering from our fine dining A La Carte menu.

To avoid the rush we encourage that you book early via our website or by calling (268) 462-1223.

So as we prepare to enjoy the Easter break share with us your “perfect” Easter breakfast, along with some of your Easter traditions and plans.

Happy Easter!

Principal of St Anthony’s School Joann Boulos-Callias and Chairman of the Board of Directors Ricky Santos said the just concluded four-day clinic was an overwhelming success and plans are in place for a the clinic to become an annual event.

It was Ryan and Miles’ first trip to the Caribbean and during their stay at Trade Winds Hotel they became fast friends and nightly stargazers with Milton the night security officer.  When asked what they enjoyed most during their visit besides the smiles from the kids faces at the football clinic they said it was waking up to the beautiful view of the sea.  They are both excited about returning not just in a professional capacity but as holidayers.

We bid a fond farewell to Ryan and Miles, it was a pleasure to have you and we look forward to hosting the Tottenham Hotspur International Football Development coaches again next year.

Do you want to wake up to the same amazing views and stargaze at nights browse through to our BOOK NOW page and escape to island paradise.

The airline took it one step further on Monday, all in the effort to bridge and increase regional travel in the Caribbean, with the announcement of their newest route, Barbados to Antigua, with rates starting as LOW as $16.99US. The flights begin on June 6, 2012. This is in addition to their Guyana to Antigua route.

It is with this same conviction that Trade Winds Hotel aims to provide the greatest experience to persons staying with us, whether for pleasure or business. Tagged as an Antiguan favourite, as well as being known as a popular hotel amongst business travellers, we offer a warm and welcoming place to relax, vacation, host your business meetings and celebrate milestones at the most affordable rates.

Trade Winds Hotel is also the home to ‘Bay House Restaurant & Bar’, a best kept secret that has gained notable popularity amongst locals and travellers alike, offering fine dining and a popular ALL DAY BREAKFAST.

“Now….wouldn’t you like to have the Caribbean experience of a lifetime at a cost comparable with your budget?” Click through to our “Book Now“ page and treat yourself to a trip in “paradise”.

www.flyredjet.com

Although Jean-Pierre worked in security, he could be asked to do almost any task around the hotel and he did so without a frown or complaint. He is known for his energy, helpfulness and efficiency. Jean-Pierre is such a good worker, that he was Employee of the Year four times and Employee of the Quarter five times. Jean-Pierre continually demonstrated that he was a person of integrity by regularly taking leftover food to the homeless. Many staff members also think highly of Jean-Pierre, describing him as a “good, good soul” and “saint-like.”

Jean-Pierre says he will miss taking care of the guests and miss being there to help everyone. Of, Mrs. Carter, he says she is the greatest Manager and the best thing to happen to Trade Winds Hotel. He also recalls his favourite memory of working at Trade Winds; it is of helping the British Airways flight crew. Jean-Pierre says his ultimate wish is for the hotel to be prosperous. Mrs. Carter commented on Jean-Pierre saying he is “a ray of sunshine in these trying times.”

The Trade Winds Hotel management and staff wishes Jean-Pierre the very best on his return home and his future endeavors.