ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

“And if somebody loves you…won’t they always love you?”- Whitney Houston
 

Whitney Houston visited A & B at least a dozen times and often touted Antigua as her favorite island. Following the success of her first album, Whitney, a single woman in her early twenties, jet set to Antigua’s St. James’ Club for 10 days, for some well needed R & R, a rare choice in the late ‘80s since the concept of “solo travel” and “unplugged vacations,” had not yet been coined.
 

Delia Horton, retired travel agent who booked vacations for the Houston family for many years said, “Whitney just wanted to relax and go somewhere where she could meditate and be inspired. I recommended St. James’ Club because it was laid back and had sophistication and class.
 

TiTi Thwaites, of TiTi Rent-a-Car in Antigua became great friends with Whitney and was her "bodyguard" of sorts, taking her to see many of the local attractions. At the time, Thwaites was manager of a local hot spot Colombos, at Galleon Beach. In addition to hanging out at the restaurant, TT remembers Whitney’s love for Pigeon Point Beach and Shirley Heights Look Out on Sundays. He also recalls a sail that they took to Rendezvous Bay and her love of the water and sense of adventure. ‘She liked the freedom, local vibe and the fact that people were friendly and not pretentious.”
 

In her later years, when the going got tough, Whitney checked in to Eric Clapton’s Crossroads, a drug rehab center in Antigua for treatment.
 

Known for her melodic voice and powerful love songs, Whitney always found respite and inspiration in A & B. She departed this life during the month of Love, leaving a legacy for all to enjoy.