Where to Stay for CHOGM 2026 in Antigua: A Practical Guide

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) comes to Antigua and Barbuda from 1 to 4 November 2026. Leaders, delegations, officials, media, forum delegates and support teams will all need somewhere to stay on an island where most rooms are spread along the coast. This guide explains where the CHOGM venues are, which areas make sense as a base, what kind of accommodation suits a working trip, and how to book late without paying for it in stress.

We run LambLion Apartments, 11 self-catered apartments in central Antigua listed on the official CHOGM 2026 accommodation directory, so we will tell you honestly where we fit and where we do not.

What is CHOGM?

CHOGM stands for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Leaders of the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries meet roughly every two years to agree shared priorities, alongside forums for young people, women, civil society and business. The last two meetings were held in Rwanda in 2022 and Samoa in 2024. Antigua and Barbuda is hosting in 2026, and cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards has been appointed the CHOGM 2026 Envoy.

CHOGM 2026: dates, venues and what is happening

CHOGM 2026 takes place from 1 to 4 November 2026, with St John’s, the capital, as the host city. The theme is “Accelerating partnerships and investment for a prosperous Commonwealth”. The official programme published so far includes:

• 1 November (evening): the “One Commonwealth, One Team” cricket celebration at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, after Independence Day.
• 2 to 4 November: the Commonwealth Women’s Forum in St John’s, and the Commonwealth Youth Forum, which the Commonwealth Secretariat lists at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.
• 3 November: the Opening Ceremony at the National Performing Arts Centre on High Street, St John’s.
• 2 to 3 November: side events at the Sir John E. St. Luce Finance and Conference Centre in St John’s and the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (Eustace Hill Campus) in Coolidge.
• The People’s Forum and Business Forum also run as part of the week. Check the official site for their venues.
• News reports name the American University of Antigua campus in Coolidge, near the airport, as the main summit site. Your accreditation pack will confirm your own venue.

The official sources are chogm26.gov.ag (the host government’s site) and thecommonwealth.org/chogm-2026. Programmes move, so treat both as the final word.

Where to stay for CHOGM: the main areas compared

Antigua is small, about 280 square kilometres, but roads are slow and CHOGM week will add security and traffic. The question is not just “how nice is it?” but “how far is it from where I need to be, and how easily can I get back?”

St John’s (the host city)

Staying in town puts you closest to the Opening Ceremony venue and the conference centre. The trade-off is that much of the week’s security activity, including a restricted zone around upper High Street, is here, and the city has fewer self-catering options. Good if you will walk to sessions; less good if you want quiet.

Dickenson Bay and the north-west beaches

The resort strip north of St John’s is close to town and popular with visitors. Expect beach hotels and all-inclusive packages, with prices to match, and a lot of demand during CHOGM week.

Jolly Harbour and the west coast

Marina, beaches and larger resorts on the west coast, further from St John’s and from the stadium in the east. Lovely for a holiday, but a longer daily commute if you are attending sessions.

English Harbour and the south

Home to Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, with restaurants and boutique stays. Beautiful, but it is at the opposite end of the island from the airport and further from the CHOGM venues.

Central Antigua

The middle of the island is the practical choice. From LambLion, on Freemans Main Road near Sea View Farm, it is about 7 km by road to Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, about 9 km to the airport, about 8 km to High Street in St John’s (around 20 minutes on a normal day), and about 15 minutes to the nearest beaches. You give up a beach on the doorstep, and you gain short drives in every direction.

Will there be enough accommodation in Antigua for CHOGM?

CHOGM falls at the start of Antigua’s winter season, when demand is already rising, and it brings delegations, media and forum delegates on top. The organisers have widened the official list to 78 properties, from resorts to guesthouses and apartments, so rooms do exist. The best-located, best-value options go first, though, so if your dates are fixed, book now rather than waiting for a delegation block to come through.

How much does CHOGM accommodation cost?

Rates on the official directory vary widely. To give you a sense of the range from published listings: all-inclusive beach resorts are listed from around US$287 to US$359 per night, boutique hotels from around US$350, and self-catered apartments such as ours from US$138 per night plus taxes. Check what each rate includes (meals, tax, service charge) before comparing, because the headline number rarely tells the whole story.

Hotel, resort or apartment: what suits a CHOGM trip?

All-inclusive resorts

Easy if you want everything on site, but you pay for meals, drinks and activities you may barely use on 14-hour working days.

Hotels

Good service and a front desk, but usually one room, so evening calls and drafting happen at a small desk or on the bed.

Self-catered apartments

Your own kitchen, a living room and space to spread out. You eat when your schedule allows, keep costs predictable and have somewhere to work that is not your bed. For a working week, this is often the most comfortable option, and the best value for small teams sharing.

Villas, guesthouses and serviced apartments

Villas suit larger groups with a budget to match. Guesthouses are simple and friendly, and often family-run. Serviced and holiday apartments sit in between: hotel-style cleanliness with a home-style layout, and often the best fit for stays of a week or more.

Monthly and medium-term rentals

If CHOGM is part of a longer posting or project, a monthly rental with a full kitchen and laundry will be far more comfortable than a hotel room. See our medium-term apartments. Ask properties directly about medium-term rental terms.

How to book CHOGM accommodation (and what to check)

1. Start with the official directory. The organisers publish an official CHOGM 2026 accommodation list of 78 properties, each with a CHOGM rate and booking details.
2. Check the transport zones. Official CHOGM transport will run between official accommodation and venues within designated zones from 1 to 4 November, with schedules and pick-up points shared closer to the event. If you will not have a car, ask the transport desk about your property.
3. Confirm deposit and cancellation terms in writing. Many directory rates carried deposit deadlines earlier in the year. With the event days away, ask each property what applies now.
4. Ask about airport pick-up. It saves a taxi queue on arrival day.
5. Plan for the week, not just the night. Laundry, Wi-Fi, parking and somewhere to buy food matter more than a pool you will not have time to use.
6. Book direct where you can. You get faster answers on availability and changes, straight from the people running the property.

Getting around Antigua during CHOGM

• Official transport between official accommodation and venues, within designated zones, from 1 to 4 November (see the official transportation page).
• Rental cars: the most flexible option. Antigua drives on the left.
• Taxis: licensed taxis have yellow plates. Agree the fare before you set off.
• Allow extra time for security checks and road management around venues, especially in St John’s.

Food, groceries and eating out

If you are self-catering, stock up once on arrival and you will have breakfast and late suppers sorted for the week. St John’s has supermarkets and plenty of places to eat, and Antiguan staples such as fresh fish, saltfish and local fruit are worth trying. At LambLion, guests can also pick herbs and fruit from the garden, and we will happily point you to where we shop.

Things to do around CHOGM

• 1 November is Antigua and Barbuda’s Independence Day, followed that evening by the CHOGM cricket celebration at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
• Beaches: Antigua is known for having a beach for every day of the year. Most are within 15 to 30 minutes of the centre of the island.
• Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour, the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Antigua and Barbuda Art Week, 11 to 18 November, if you can stay on.

More ideas in our guide to things to do in Antigua.

Before you fly: entry, money and essentials

• Complete the mandatory online entry form at ArriveAntigua.com.
• Most Commonwealth, UK, EU, US and Canadian passport holders do not need a visa for short visits. Check the official immigration page.
• The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, and US dollars are widely accepted.
• Early November is warm, around 27 to 28°C. Bring mosquito repellent and reef-safe sunscreen.
• Local SIM and eSIM plans are available from Digicel, Flow and inet.

Why LambLion works for CHOGM visitors

We are a family-owned property run by Lionel and Lorilyn Walker, and we are on the official CHOGM 2026 accommodation directory. Here is what you get:

• 11 self-contained apartments: studios, one-bedroom, one-bedroom twin and two-bedroom units, each with a kitchen or kitchenette, living room with sofa bed, A/C bedrooms and a balcony or patio.
• Central location: short drives to St John’s, the stadium and the airport.
• Free Wi-Fi, free self-service laundry and free parking.
• Help arranging airport transfers: just send us your flight times.
• Green Globe certified: solar power, rainwater harvesting and gardens full of fruit trees and herbs you are welcome to pick.
• CHOGM rate from US$138 per night (plus taxes, as listed on the official directory). Booking code CHOGM26.

See everything delegates need to know on our CHOGM 2026 accommodation page, browse all apartments and prices, or read about our sustainability commitment.

Frequently asked questions

When is CHOGM 2026?

CHOGM 2026 takes place from 1 to 4 November 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda, with St John’s as the host city.

What does CHOGM stand for?

CHOGM stands for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the summit of leaders from the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries.

Where should CHOGM delegates stay in Antigua?

It depends on where your sessions are and how you will travel. St John’s is closest to the main city venues, the north-west beaches suit resort stays, and central Antigua gives short drives to St John’s, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and the airport.

Can I stay in an apartment instead of a hotel for CHOGM?

Yes. The official CHOGM accommodation directory includes self-catered apartments and guesthouses as well as hotels and resorts. Apartments give you a kitchen, living space and room to work.

Are self-catering apartments cheaper than hotels in Antigua?

Usually, for a working week. Published CHOGM rates for apartments start lower than most resort rates, and cooking some of your own meals keeps daily costs down.

How early should I book accommodation for CHOGM?

As soon as your dates are fixed. CHOGM falls at the start of the winter season, and the best-located options are booked first.

How far is St John’s from V.C. Bird International Airport?

About 8 km by road. Allow extra time during CHOGM week for traffic and security.

Do I need a car in Antigua during CHOGM?

Not necessarily. Official transport will run between official accommodation and venues within designated zones from 1 to 4 November, and licensed taxis have yellow plates. A rental car gives you the most flexibility. Antigua drives on the left.

Is November a good time to visit Antigua?

Yes. Early November is warm, around 27 to 28°C, and marks the start of the winter season. Bring mosquito repellent and reef-safe sunscreen.

Can I rent an apartment monthly in Antigua?

Yes. Many self-catered properties, including LambLion, welcome medium-term stays. Contact the property directly to ask about medium-term rental terms.