A Floating Tiki Bar Next to a Deserted Island Is the Drinking Experience You Didn't Know You Needed

When your vacation takes you to an all-inclusive resort in the middle of the Caribbean, you’re likely booking for the lavish rooms, the attentive staff, and the enviable details found at every turn. But, food and drink-wise, all-inclusives don’t exactly have the highest reputation. Usually, you’re not asking for much more than a cold beverage and a bowl of French fries within easy reach of a body of water. But at Ambergris Cay, an all-inclusive private island, one of the 40 islands in Turks and Caicos, you can always expect much, much more. 

Booking a stay here — whether you’re sleeping in one of the sexy beachside bungalows or occupying one of the larger villas that can accommodate up to 12 guests — comes with a few standout perks. (Perks are one of the charms of an all-inclusive, right?) Daily yoga class? Sign me up. An hour-long tennis lesson? I’m there. Golf carting around, you’ll even spot an outdoor workout obstacle course because … why not? And that still leaves plenty of time to drink frozen cocktails at the pool or nap under an umbrella on one of the island’s tranquil beaches.

However, one of the latest (and greatest) additions to the inventory of resort experiences is the Hangover, Ambergris Cay’s floating tiki bar. More plainly, it’s a boat serving drinks while docked about 100 yards from the sugar-sand beach of Little Ambergris Cay, an island without another soul in sight. 

It sounds simple enough, and given the logistics, the menu of beverages is pretty straightforward: some rosé, some beers, and a few easy-to-make cocktails. Still, it has become one of the most popular hangouts for guests staying at the luxurious hideaway for its limited but delicious offerings and ultra-instagrammable charm. 

And what’s not to like? Aboard the Ambergris Cay speedboat, you’re whisked away to an uninhabited Caribbean island where you can sip a few drinks on a docked bar between swim sessions in warm, crystal-clear waters. Or you can walk your beverage of choice from the Hangover across the shallow waters, digging your toes into the soft sand, and spotting a few other-worldly orange starfish as you make your way to the beach to unwind on the lounge chairs set up just for you. 

Spending time at The Hangover comes with one more perk — meeting fellow guests. To put it mildly, the vibes here are immaculate, setting the tone for a friendly chat with other travelers. Otherwise, the resort can feel so expansive you may believe you have it all to yourself (unless, of course, you want to say “hello” to your neighbor while in downward dog during your morning yoga class.) 

And it’s because of its growing popularity that the staff at the resort decided to expand the Hangover’s offerings to include the occasional beach barbecue. A few times a week, a grill and a buffet magically appear on the sand, providing an indulgent affair that includes juicy hamburgers, classic hot dogs, perfectly grilled steaks, chicken, pork belly, and skewered prawns. There are plenty of sides to go with it all as well, including veggies, dirty rice, and what is perhaps the sleeper hit of that feast — a homemade potato salad that is somehow both rich and light in every bite. 

The party winds down in the mid-afternoon, just as the sun begins to sink toward the water, providing a gorgeous exit below the now pastel-hued sky. Guests need not worry about their transport: the resort’s in-house boats will chauffeur guests back to their rooms. 

There is, however, one more way to make this already over-the-top experience even better, and that’s by adding on exclusive excursions like a private barbeque on a smaller section of Little Ambergris Cay or on Fish Cay, another nearby uninhabited island. Or, you can go fishing for conch that one of the resort’s chefs can turn into a ceviche, followed by a tasting of the best rums you’ll find both in the Caribbean, and, frankly, anywhere in the world. Guests can even take part in a cocktail-making class right on the Hangover so they can take a new skill home. 

Does this sound like doing too much for an island vacation? Well, sometimes more is more.