LONG BAY, ANTIGUA — A US$200 million luxury resort development has officially launched on Antigua's eastern coastline, with government officials, tourism stakeholders, and investors gathering Thursday to mark the beginning of the Long Bay Zen Resort project. According to Antigua News Room, demolition is set to begin immediately, with major construction scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year.
The 113-key property is described by its developer as offering "quiet luxury – understated, refined, and deeply connected to this landscape."
Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment Hon. Charles Fernandez told those gathered that the development signals a broader shift in the country's tourism strategy.
"This project represents a new direction for tourism in Antigua and Barbuda," Fernandez said. "Long Bay Zen Resort embodies the evolving demands of the modern traveler – one who seeks not just accommodation, but experience, wellness, authenticity, tranquility and connection."
Developer Sophie Zhong framed the resort as a direct response to Prime Minister Gaston Browne's vision for a smarter, more sustainable Antigua and Barbuda.
"Antigua and Barbuda is already a champion of sustainable tourism. Prime Minister Browne has taken that further," Zhong said. "He has set out a bold vision for a Smart Island future – where renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and climate resilience shape how this nation welcomes the world. Long Bay Zen Resort is our answer to this call."
Zhong outlined several defining features of the resort, including green energy systems, a dedicated desalination plant, and what she described as "invisible technology" — an AI butler service, automated vehicles transporting guests silently across the property, and robotic delivery for back-of-house operations. She also confirmed the resort will feature an on-the-water chapel, which she said would strengthen Antigua's standing as the Caribbean's premier destination wedding location.
"Guests will feel only peace, comfort and the rhythm of the sea," Zhong said. "But behind that stillness is a world-class smart system for operations."
The project team selected China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as its construction partner, citing the company's experience in ecological protection, low-carbon construction, and international green building standards. CCECC brings expertise in Low-Impact Development (LID) methods and an internationally recognised green construction management system to the project.
Prime Minister Browne, who has championed transforming Antigua and Barbuda into what he calls a "lifestyle superpower," described the resort's design as "extremely exciting" and said he personally encouraged the developers to shift away from a larger, lower-end concept toward a higher-quality, more sustainable model.
"We're looking for quality, more so than quantity," Browne said. "They have come up now with the most exciting design – one that is in keeping with our environment and the cultural ethos of the country."
Browne noted that nightly room rates could reach as high as US$5,000, placing Antigua alongside premium destinations such as the Maldives and Bora Bora. He declared the project officially launched and described it as "the prototype going forward for a number of small properties" — quiet luxury, sustainable, and positioned to command a premium price.
The resort is expected to generate significant employment and contribute to the country's Tourism Vision 2030 goals.
