The Caribbean has all the time been known for its postcard-perfect beaches and chilled-out vibes. Today, the region’s hotel scene is making the destination more exciting than ever. Latest design-forward resorts are redefining paradise, combining sustainability with daring architecture in destinations like Dominica and Grenada. Meanwhile, legendary properties—in every single place from the British Virgin Islands to St. Bart’s—are making dazzling comebacks, proving that some classics only recuperate with time.
So whether you dream of a beachfront resort with Michelin-starred dining, a villa with a personal plunge pool, or an island hideaway with wellness on the core, this curated guide—a part of Afar’s Hotels We Love series—spotlights 25 of the Caribbean’s most extraordinary stays.
Amanera
- Location: Dominican Republic
- Why we adore it: A brilliant-luxe Aman—need we are saying more?
- From $1,600
- Book now
Set high above Playa Grande on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Amanera is the coveted luxury hotel group’s second Caribbean outpost (the primary was Amanyara in Turks and Caicos). Besides offering the signature Aman mix of polished minimalism and top-notch service, it brings a much-needed dash of ultra-luxurious sophistication to an island higher known for its all-inclusives.
British architect John Heah has designed spectacular spaces: wide-open and lofty with floor-to-ceiling glass doors and partitions. Every detail has been fastidiously chosen, from the handcrafted lights to the remote-controlled, wall-size window shades. Lots of the 25 freestanding casitas have private plunge pools, and even the smallest one-bedrooms are spacious.
The central hub of the resort is Casa Grande, home to the foremost restaurant (with organic produce, fresh seafood, and contemporary interpretations of Dominican cuisine), a bar (serving custom Amanera cigars and an in depth rum selection), and an infinity pool. Down on the seaside Beach Club, you may enjoy toes-in-the-sand lunches and, torch-lit dinners, in addition to ceviche making and Dominican cooking classes. Golfers will love getting access to the 370-acre Playa Grande Golf Course, originally designed by Robert Trent Jones and later renovated by his son, Rees Jones—it’s got probably the most ocean-facing holes within the Western Hemisphere and is ready atop 60-foot cliffs.
Cambridge Beaches
- Location: Bermuda
- Why we adore it: A Bermuda classic gets a significant glow up, Brooklyn-style
- From $495
- Book now
You would possibly not know the name Dovetail + Co., but you may recognize a few of this up-and-coming hospitality company’s recent projects, including Urban Cowboy Lodge (a hipster redo of an alpine inn within the Catskills) and the Wayfinder Waikiki (an overhaul of a brutalist beach resort on O‘ahu). Dovetail’s latest design-forward reinvention is Cambridge Beaches, a property with deep roots in Bermuda.
Inbuilt 1923 on a scenic 23-acre peninsula on the west side of the island, this pretty-in-pink resort has long been a beloved destination for tranquility, authentic Bermudian charm, and romance (it’s big with honeymooners). After Dovetail + Co. bought the property in 2021, it set about giving Cambridge Beaches a contemporary spin. Historic architectural features were preserved—100-year-old stone partitions, Seventeenth-century cedar beams, and, after all, those pink exteriors—while the interiors got a tropical refresh. Now, the 86 guest rooms and cottages are splashed with vibrant shades of coral and turquoise, alongside quirky patterned fabrics and paintings by local artists.
You’ll find 4 secluded private beaches right on property (unusual in Bermuda), an infinity-edge pool overlooking Mangrove Bay, five acres of decorative gardens, pickleball courts, a croquet lawn, and a revamped spa. But the large news here’s a collaboration with the Brooklyn cocktail bar Sunken Harbor Club. Award-winning mixologist St. John Frizell has assembled a novel cocktail menu. There are drinks with a cause behind them (a portion of the proceeds from the Old Yachtsman helps protect the fragile ecosystem surrounding the island), while others aren’t for the faint of heart (guests are limited to simply two of the powerful Abyss drinks per day). Sunken Harbor Club also features a restaurant led by Kenyan chef James Wambui, whose menu fuses influences from Bermuda, Portugal, Italy, and beyond.
Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel
- Location: Anguilla
- Why we adore it: A slice of Santorini within the Caribbean
- From $1,470
- Book now
Set along the southern coast of Anguilla on Maundays Bay, lined with picturesque white beach umbrellas, Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel is full of domed roofs and archways that frame the ocean. The 128 accommodations are equally elegant, with white couches, blue throws, and slatted shutters. Yet the Santorini-inspired hotel maintains an easygoing vibe. That may mean a beachside lunch on the Capshack with rum punches, watermelon gazpacho, and a tuna poke bowl from a food truck. A bit of less rustic but equally inviting, Pimms serves jerk chicken and Caribbean red fish curry next to breezy curtains and soaring arches.
Spend sun-filled days snorkeling, sailing, or absorbing rays on the white-sand beach. For avid anglers, the hotel offers expeditions with an area fisherman who knows all of the secret spots across the island. The brand new Cap Juluca Spa by Guerlain is a haven of wellness and healing that pulls inspiration from the Indigenous Arawak tribe. The spa was designed by Rottet Studio, which oversaw Cap Juluca’s transformation in 2018. Also latest to the resort: a seasonal salt picking experience that celebrates nature and the soulful connection between land, sea, and the local people.
Como Parrot Cay
- Location: Turks and Caicos
- Why we adore it: An A-list escape where wellness takes center stage
- From $1,500
- Book now
A 35-minute boat ride off the coast of Providenciales takes you to 1,000 acres of paradise: Como Parrot Cay. This Turks and Caicos resort is a favourite hideaway for bold-face names searching for a wellness-inspired stay. (Keep a watch out for Keith Richards, Christie Brinkley, and Donna Karan—who all own private homes here.) The 61 accommodations embrace a breezy, beachy aesthetic with white shiplap partitions and driftwood tables. For the last word indulgence, splurge on a beach house, villa, or estate, which include butler service.
Sustainability is at the guts of Como Parrot Cay. Nearly 85 percent of the island is a protected habitat for native wildlife, while the resort’s coconut grove and banana farm provide fresh produce for its kitchens. The hotel also invests in the area people. Wellness is woven into every aspect of the experience, from Como Shambhala spa therapies and sunrise beach meditations to Ayurvedic consultations and nourishing, health-focused cuisine. Guests spend their days snorkeling along the reefs, paddling through the mangroves, or just sinking into island time with a fresh coconut.
Eden Rock
- Location: St. Bart’s
- Why we adore it: An elegant and storied retreat with a rare swimming beach
- From $1,784
- Book now
Surprisingly, there are only so many good swimming beaches along the white-sand shores of St. Bart’s. Eden Rock—a property from the Oetker Collection in sheltered St. Jean Bay—is on one in every of them, and guests can wade out to the hotel’s ruby red floating dock a number of feet from shore. Eden Rock, which debuted within the Fifties and have become a respite for the Hollywood set, can be one in every of the best places to remain on the island, with 37 guest rooms and suites and two villas, which were recently overhauled.
Each accommodation exudes personality, with wood-paneled partitions, leather tub chairs, and splashes of color throughout. Some rooms are within the garden, while others are set atop a boulder or on the beach with a terrace that juts over the water. Within the Rockstar Villa, there’s a lap pool with plenty of out of doors seating for lounging. Jean-Georges Vongerichten oversees the culinary program; don’t miss the truffle-topped pizza and locally caught lobster, all prepared with French flair, on the ocean-facing Sand Bar. Because of a latest partnership with Krug Champagne, guests get a complimentary bottle of bubbly upon arrival and may enjoy tastings and pairings on the restaurant and two bars.
4 Seasons Nevis
- Location: Nevis
- Why we adore it: A beachfront classic that put Nevis on the well-heeled traveler’s map
- From $669
- Book now
Nevis could also be small, but its history looms large. This tiny island once fueled 20 percent of the British Empire’s sugar trade, produced one in every of America’s Founding Fathers (Alexander Hamilton was born here), and was home to the Caribbean’s first hotel (the Bath Hotel, opened in 1778). And yet, when the 4 Seasons Nevis got here on the scene in 1991, the island was relatively undiscovered by travelers. The resort—set on a former sugar plantation next to the miles-long Pinney’s Beach—modified that, making Nevis a destination for travelers searching for a high level of hospitality with a way of place.
Guests can tee off beside a centuries-old windmill on the Robert Trent Jones II golf course, sip rare Caribbean rums at a beachfront bar, or take a tour to see the island’s famous green vervet monkeys. The resort’s design mirrors Nevis itself—refined yet relaxed, with plantation-style cottages and whitewashed interiors. The 189 rooms and suites have private balconies or patios with views of either Nevis Peak or the beach. A group of villas offers even extra space, with private pools and butler service.
Restaurant options range from the oceanfront Mango (known for its spiny lobster) to the Mediterranean-inspired EsQuilina. Within the Kids for All Seasons program, little ones can study Nevisian culture. And the resort’s sea turtle conservation program—now in its nineteenth 12 months—lets guests take part in efforts to guard the island’s marine life.
GoldenEye
- Location: Jamaica
- Why we adore it: A James Bond–worthy Caribbean getaway
- From $578
- Book now
GoldenEye has come a good distance since James Bond creator Ian Fleming wrote his 007 novels at an easy picket desk overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Music producer Chris Blackwell—who purchased the Oracabessa Bay estate in 1976—has expanded the property right into a laid-back resort with 45 beach huts and villas. The accommodations are chic but unfussy, with beds draped in mosquito netting, wicker chairs, and wood slatted shutters.
Days at GoldenEye are delightfully unstructured, whether you’re swimming within the ocean-facing pool, kayaking through the lagoon, or sailing along the coast. The resort’s FieldSpa—in a cottage on the water’s edge—offers treatments using botanicals grown at Blackwell’s Pantrepant farm, mixing traditional Jamaican remedies with modern wellness. Dining is equally relaxed: The Bamboo Bar on Button Beach serves grilled fish with scotch bonnet and jerk barbecue, best enjoyed together with your feet within the sand and a rum cocktail in hand. James Bond would approve.
Jade Mountain
- Location: St. Lucia
- Why we adore it: A resort that embraces nature with three partitions
- From $1,530
- Book now
Just a few many years ago, architect Nick Troubetzkoy and his entrepreneurial wife, Karolin, began their journey in St. Lucia, buying Anse Chastanet resort and remodeling it right into a Caribbean mainstay. In 2007, they opened a sister property, the 29-room Jade Mountain: a one-of-a-kind resort with open-air rooms overlooking the island’s legendary twin Pitons.
Jade Mountain calls its 24 accommodations “sanctuaries”—and so they are. With a seamless mix of bedroom, living area, and a personal infinity pool, these guest rooms seem to drift into nature, due to the absence of a fourth wall. The five Sky suites average 1,650 square feet each; as an alternative of personal pools, they’ve a chromatherapy bathtub large enough for 2.
Sustainability and social responsibility are on the core of Jade Mountain, the Caribbean’s first Gold LEED-certified hotel. The resort is recognized for pioneering measures including an on-site sustainable water supply, an organic farm, and an in depth coral reef restoration program where resort guests are educated by seasoned professionals on the importance of ocean and marine life conservation and identification.
Jumby Bay Island Resort
- Location: Antigua
- Why we adore it: An off-the-radar private island hideaway
- From $2,350
- Book now
Only reachable by boat, Oetker Collection’s Jumby Bay sits on a personal island off Antigua. It offers a real dose of seclusion on 300 acres of flowering Joewood trees, pearly white sand, and sparkling blue shores. The 40-room resort recently debuted refurbished suites in shades of sand and white, with palm wall coverings and tropical themed paintings by local artist Jan Farara. Latest to the island’s 13 villas: personal butlers who can organize the whole lot from unpacking your bags to scavenger hunts to romantic meals. Throughout the property, meandering paths for walkers and cyclists result in beaches with nearby coral reefs teeming with marine life. The hotel can be home to egrets and hummingbirds that live in a five-acre sanctuary and a flock of protected sheep (originally brought over from Spain 400 years ago).
At Jumby Bay’s own farm—accessible only by foot, bike, or golf cart—guests can dine under the celebs, sharing a seasonally changing menu with dishes like poached Antiguan conch and lobster tartare. The property recently revamped its Veranda Bar and opened a latest beach club and restaurant called the Hut, Little Jumby, with all-day dining, live bands and DJs on an uninhabited island between Jumby Bay and mainland Antigua. Showing a robust commitment to environmental preservation, Little Jumby has walking trails and its own on-island naturalist.
Kamalame Cay
- Location: The Bahamas
- Why we adore it: A family-owned hotel with a locavore ethos
- From $625
- Book now
For 25 years, Kamalame Cay’s family owners have delivered standard-setting hospitality alongside a commitment to supporting local businesses. What began as 4 beach houses in 1997 at the moment are 35 bungalows, cottages, and villas spread along three miles of pristine beach within the eastern Bahamas. But the unique boho beach club feel has remained: The bungalows are sanctuaries of inviting white couches, picket floors, and distinctive design details like intricately painted cabinets. The resort’s six seasonal restaurants draw much of their fresh produce from Kamalame’s own sustainable farm, which also supplies organic eggs and honey. The hotel has recently expanded its farm-to-table program and is now producing a variety of organic hot sauces, pepper jellies, and ice creams. One other latest touch: full moon wine pairing dinner parties, held every month.
Snorkeling or scuba diving along the Andros Barrier Reef, the third largest reef system on this planet, is high on the agenda for a lot of visitors. Ditto a game of tennis or pickleball on the brand new pro courts. But so is a holistic sensory massage with marine-based cruelty-free products in one in every of the airy treatment rooms of the one overwater spa within the Bahamas.
Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa
- Location: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
- Why we adore it: A design-forward beachfront retreat with serious sustainability cred
- Loyalty program: IHG One Rewards
- From $500
- Book now
Sustainability is on the forefront at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, the primary LEED Silver–certified resort within the Cayman Islands. Think solar panels, geothermal cooling, and rainwater collection. With creative recycling programs, glass waste is repurposed to create pavement for the Community Bike & Walking Trail, while used cooking oil is collected and transformed into biodiesel. Guests are given reusable aluminum water bottles and bamboo room keys, cutting down on single-use plastics. The hotel also joined forces with an area dive company to launch Seafire Guardians, a program that helps replenish Caribbean coral.
Those aren’t the one feel-good aspects. The situation is in a major spot on Grand Cayman’s famed Seven Mile Beach. From the 264 ocean-view rooms and suites to the 6 villa-style bungalows, the design is gorgeous: floor-to-ceiling windows frame sea views, and bathrooms feature freestanding soaking tubs. There’s plenty to maintain everyone entertained, including a Splash water park and complimentary paddleboarding and kayaking. The Spa at Seafire has one in every of the island’s few hammams and an open-air hydrotherapy garden with a waterfall and Jacuzzi. And cocktail lovers won’t need to miss the literary-inspired Library by the Sea. Each drink is inspired by literature, poetry, and the ocean.
La Samanna, a Belmond Hotel
- Location: St. Martin
- Why we adore it: A secluded Caribbean escape with French flair
- From $895
- Book now
St. Martin’s La Samanna, a Belmond Hotel, combines the elegance of the French Riviera with the relaxed charm of the Caribbean. Set on the white sands of Baie Longue Beach, it’s a longtime favorite for travelers searching for privacy, impeccable service, and a touch of French style within the tropics. The 76 rooms have curated artwork and whitewashed partitions. The eight cliffside villas, recently refreshed by Rottet Studio, include private infinity pools and ocean views.
It’s hard to go away that beach, but guests can hike to St. Martin’s highest peak with an area guide, take a predawn boat ride to Tintamarre for snorkeling with sea turtles, or join a steel drum session led by a knighted musician. Dining is one other highlight, whether it’s sunset cocktails at Laplaj, refined French Caribbean cuisine at L’Oursin, or a personal candlelit dinner at La Cave Wine Cellar, two stories below sea level. The resort can be deeply committed to sustainability, working to cut back its carbon footprint and preserve the island’s biodiversity. A newly launched on-site apiary with 10 hives helps support local pollination, and the honey from the hives makes its way into house-made cocktails and desserts.
Malliouhana
- Location: Meads Bay, Anguilla
- Why we adore it: The grande dame of Anguilla, with a postcard-worth location
- From $749
- Book now
Few hotels have shaped a destination quite like Malliouhana, which is generally known as Anguilla’s “grande dame.” When the resort opened 40 years ago, it didn’t just introduce luxury to Anguilla—it defined it, with a spectacular location on a bluff overlooking Meads Bay and Turtle Cove, a trailblazing culinary program, and world-class hospitality. Dressmaker Giorgio Armani was the primary guest.
The resort’s 63 accommodations range from expansive guest rooms and suites to personal villas with butler service, a dedicated concierge staff, and on-site security. The enduring two-tiered infinity pool has some prime sunset views. A dream team of celebrity chefs—culinary director Kerth Gumbs, executive chef Wilson Macedo, and chef Kelston “Sweets” Connor—deliver memorable island flavors. Rum and chocolate tastings are hosted by cultural ambassador Chesney Hughes, who has been here since opening day in 1984. And Albert’s wine cellar—named after Albert Lake, the resort’s original and only sommelier—has a Wine Spectator award-winning list featuring 335 labels and greater than 5,000 bottles.
Malliouhana is committed to cultural and environmental preservation. Guests can take a look at the hotel’s extensive collection of Haitian art or participate in an eco-tour to study native plants and wildlife. If the timing is correct, you may even help release baby sea turtles into the crystal-clear waters.
O2 Beach Club & Spa
- Location: Barbados
- Why we adore it: A swanky all-inclusive resort on the island’s low-key south coast
- From $783
- Book now
The all-inclusive, eight-story O2 Beach Club & Spa opened on the relaxed south coast of Barbados in 2021, offering a up to date alternative to a few of the island’s more traditional retreats. The 116 fuchsia- and blue-accented suites are all set on a sandy beach. With three swimming pools (one is a rooftop pool, rare on the island), 4 restaurants, and a 5,600-square-foot spa, plus free Bajan-inspired classes (steel pan drumming, playing dominoes like an area), guests have ample things to do. Oro’s monthly Bubbles & Brunch—with limitless mimosas, artisanal cocktails, and a Caribbean-meets-European menu—has change into a scene, and the restaurant is about to launch a latest Rum Bar.
There are also places to seek out a respite: a personal dinner on the beach, paddleboarding on the water, or relaxing within the island’s only hammam treatment room. Don’t miss an tour to the nearby Barbados Boardwalk, which winds along the shoreline past outdoor pools and white-sand beaches.
Peter Island Resort
- Location: British Virgin Islands
- Why we adore it: A Caribbean icon is reborn
- From $1,000
- Book now
After a six-year transformation, Peter Island Resort is making its long-awaited return. This exclusive retreat—the most important private island resort within the British Virgin Islands—spans 5,000 unspoiled acres with five white-sand beaches and dramatic climbing trails. Many of the 52 accommodations are steps from the sand; 11 have private outdoor hot tubs. The crowning glory is the Falcon’s Nest, a six-bedroom estate atop a hill with 360-degree ocean views, an infinity pool, and ample indoor-outdoor living spaces.
Guests can spend their days indulging in wellness treatments at the ten,000-square-foot spa or dining on surf-and-turf on the Drake Steakhouse. This island has access to a few of one of the best sailing within the Caribbean, and the Yacht Club’s revamped marina welcomes vessels as much as 200 feet. Sustainability is woven into the island’s DNA. Two wind turbines provide as much as 75 percent of its energy, while an on-island water bottling plant eliminates single-use plastics. Locally sourced materials were utilized in the development of the beachfront spaces, and an revolutionary food-waste reduction program partners with an organic farm on nearby Tortola.
The Potlatch Club
- Location: Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera
- Why we adore it: A meticulous restoration of a Bahamian legend
- From $775
- Book now
The Potlatch Club—a boutique resort originally founded by socialites on Eleuthera’s pink-sand shores—marries a glamorous Sixties past with modern sophistication. Once a retreat for celebs like Greta Garbo and Paul McCartney (who spent his first honeymoon here), the property closed within the Eighties. Fast forward a number of many years. A pair of entrepreneurial up-and-coming hoteliers—Hans Febles and Bruce Loshusan—found the abandoned property and brought it back to life. They kept a few of the original structures, just like the 1923 Clubhouse with its black-and-white checkerboard marble floors and large fireplace. Many of the 11 cottages, villas, and suites are latest, with a design that channels retro Bahamian vibes: pink coral floors and use of rattan.
There’s a small but mighty spa and two pools—one overlooking the ocean, the opposite set in a secluded garden. The Fig Tree restaurant serves locally sourced dishes with a world flair, while the Sand Bar’s craft cocktails include uninterrupted sea views. It’s the proper base to explore sleepy Eleuthera—or to easily do nothing in any respect.
Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Dorado Beach
- Location: Puerto Rico
- Why we adore it: A property that mixes glamour with a commitment to the environment
- Loyalty program: Marriott Bonvoy
- From $1,545
- Book now
Set on Puerto Rico’s pristine northern coast, Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve has quite a history. Once a pineapple, grapefruit, and coconut plantation, the land was bought by visionary tycoon Laurance Rockefeller within the Fifties; he reimagined it as a world-class hotel and nature preserve. In 2012, Ritz-Carlton transformed it into its first Reserve property within the Americas.
Each of the 96 rooms and suites immerses guests within the natural surroundings via generous terraces and expansive picture windows with cinematic water views. They’re beyond spacious, even on the entry-level—the East Beach Ocean King starts at nearly 900 square feet, between interior and exterior spaces. Every guest is assigned an embajador, a private butler who could make anything occur, from touring the island by helicopter to staging a family photo shoot on the beach. For the utmost pampering, book one in every of the 14 residences, which come equipped with a golf cart.
The resort is home to numerous restaurants, including the waterfront COA (which will probably be hosting a quarterly pop-up Asian dinner series starting in April 2025) and Positivo Sand Bar (which serves Asian-inspired and Latin fusion dishes). The resort takes its commitment to the environment seriously with programs like Ambassadors of the Environment, which teaches kids about biodiversity, sustainability, environmental conservation, and Puerto Rico’s history.
Rock House
- Location: Turks and Caicos
- Why we adore it: A cliffside hotel bringing a taste of the Mediterranean to the Caribbean
- Loyalty program: The Leaders Club (Leading Hotels of the World)
- From $640
- Book now
It’s no surprise that Rock House got here out of the gate swinging when it opened in 2022: It is a property with provenance. It’s a sibling to Grace Bay Club—which put Turks and Caicos on the luxurious travel map when it opened in 1993. Carved right into a rocky cliff on the north shore of Providenciales, the Rock Home is a vision straight out of the Mediterranean, all white lines and turquoise water. Mark Durliat, CEO of Grace Bay Resorts, says that he was inspired by vacations he took at France’s Hotel du Cap along with his wife (who named the hotel).
This high-style hideaway has 46 rooms crafted from white limestone, each with 13-foot vaulted picket ceilings, hand-woven chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame ocean views. The accommodations range from studios with private terraces to one- and two-bedroom cottages, complete with private pools and outdoor shower gardens. As well as, the property has 10 freestanding Reserve Villas with personal butler service.
Guests have access to such on-property amenities as a 100-foot infinity pool (the most important in Turks and Caicos). But Rock Home is greater than a beach getaway: It’s a champion of eco-conscious hospitality. Wrapped in Indigenous foliage, the resort embraces sustainability with gray-water harvesting, the elimination of single-use plastics, and the creative repurposing of native limestone from the cliffs below. .
Rockhouse Hotel and Spa
- Location: Jamaica
- Why we adore it: A laid-back home away from home that’s doing good
- From $160
- Book now
Situated in Negril, on the western tip of Jamaica, Rockhouse is a feel-good vacation for a lot of reasons. The 40-room clifftop hotel is Green Globe Certified. And the hotel’s nonprofit Rockhouse Foundation has invested greater than $8 million within the local school system, which guests can visit. The resort’s destination stewardship makes it that far more rewarding to bask in snorkeling off the rocky shoreline, visiting the spa, lounging across the pool, or taking the complimentary shuttle to the nearby Seven Mile Beach (home to sister hotel, Skylark).
The stone-and-thatch rooms and freestanding cottages are built from local materials, designed by two Frank Lloyd Wright alums to mix into the landscape, and have picket four-poster beds; some cottages sit along a rocky volcanic cliff with terraces jutting over the ocean. A latest block of 800-square-foot Ocean View Suites has unrivaled sunset views.
Rockhouse is all the time on the vanguard. The property has created immersive programming like an eco-friendly candle-making class, a 4,500 square-foot hydroponic greenhouse (where guests can study organic farming), and Psilocybin Sound Bath (a two-hour wellness session that comes with psychedelic plant medicine). And in honor of its fiftieth anniversary, the hotel published a coffee table book with archival photos and launched the limited-edition single-barrel Rockhouse Rum.
Round Hill Hotel and Villas
- Location: Jamaica
- Why we adore it: A storied Caribbean retreat with timeless elegance
- From $750
- Book now
Round Hill Hotel and Villas has been synonymous with Caribbean glamour because it opened in 1953. This Montego Bay hideaway has hosted everyone from John and Jackie Kennedy (who stayed in Villa 10) to Oscar Hammerstein (who wrote The Sound of Music while staying in Villa 12). Today, Round Hill retains its storied charm, with 36 oceanfront rooms designed by Ralph Lauren and 28 private villas (each with its own unique character and a dedicated staff).
The extent of service here is unmatched—many staff members have been with the property for many years, making it feel like a real home away from home. Beyond the beach, guests can explore the gardens on guided tours, spot marine life from a glass-bottom boat, or participate in seasonal events like culinary collaborations with Michelin-starred chefs and tennis fantasy camps. Sustainability is at the guts of Round Hill’s mission, with an on-site organic garden supplying its restaurants and extra ingredients sourced inside a 35-mile radius. The resort also supports community programs and has partnered with local scientists to revive the island’s coral reefs.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth
- Location: St. Bart’s
- Why we adore it: A much-loved resort bounces back from a hurricane higher than ever
- From $860
- Book now
When the enduring Guanahani reopened after years of renovations following the devastation attributable to 2017’s Hurricane Irma, it returned looking higher than ever with a latest name—Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth. Some things stayed the identical (or were rebuilt to look the identical) just like the 66 accommodations, which include rooms, and suites whose exteriors are painted a rainbow of pastels along winding pathways. However the interiors were completely redone, courtesy of designer Luis Pons—all soaring white-beam ceilings and billowing white curtains with pops of color.
With its prime location on an 18-acre private peninsula on the quiet northeastern side of St. Bart’s, Le Guanahani gives travelers ample room to opened up. The hotel is framed by a reasonably lagoon and a pair of beaches: Maréchal Bay (a sandy stretch) and Grand Cul de Sac (known for snorkeling and sea turtle spotting). Certainly one of Rosewood’s most enjoyable additions is its Sense Spa, a Zen-inspired sanctuary with a wide selection of treatments and activities. Don’t miss “Le Morne” Sense Spa Journey, which starts with a walk through a nature reserve, followed by a body wrap, leg massage, and head-and-scalp massage. Families can even find plenty to like, due to the Rosewood Explorers Club, which keeps kids ages 4 to 11 entertained with island-inspired crafts, treasure hunts, pétanque, and more.
Secret Bay
- Location: Dominica
- Why we adore it: An intimate all-villa resort that shows how sustainability will be sexy
- From $987
- Book now
Despite the name, the key’s out on Secret Bay, an all-villa Relais & Châteaux resort committed to sustainability and preserving the encircling rain forest on Dominica, an under-the-radar island that’s making big strides in environmental stewardship.
On the northwestern coast, Secret Bay is a 10-minute drive from Portsmouth, the second largest town on the island. (Large is relative here—it has fewer than 4,000 residents.) The 23 (soon to be 27) villas were responsibly built to not disturb the encircling rainforest, but luxuries weren’t spared—think, private pools and well-equipped kitchens. The resort’s latest Bwa Denn is a minimalist two-level structure centered around an art gallery that honors the memory of Dominican artist Earl Etienne. The immersive cultural experience features food, retail, fitness, a kombucha brewery, and a set of latest Caribbean and Latin American art.
The tree house–style spa and riverside yoga pavilion let guests get in contact with nature. Don’t miss the Botanica Organic Garden & Chef’s Table, an open-air garden-to-fork culinary experience where you’ll sample plant-based dishes with ingredients from the chef’s organic garden. And an energy-efficient funicular—the longest within the Caribbean—allows guests to view the rainforest from latest heights.
Six Senses La Sagesse
- Location: Grenada
- Why we adore it: A next-level wellness escape on the Spice Isle
- Loyalty program: IHG One Rewards
- From $1,200
- Book now
Six Senses has brought its signature mix of luxury and sustainability to the Caribbean with the debut of Six Senses La Sagesse, an eco-conscious retreat set on a secluded bay in Grenada. The resort’s 56 pool suites and villas mix into the green landscape, with natural materials, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting supporting its commitment to sustainability.
Guests can hike to hidden waterfalls, sail along the coast, or participate in cultural experiences like spice mixing and artisan workshops. On the Earth Lab, sustainability involves life with hands-on conservation programs, while the Alchemy Bar offers interactive sessions using island-sourced botanicals. The wellness-focused spa features oceanfront treatment rooms, a biohacking recovery lounge, and therapies inspired by local healing traditions.
Dining follows the brand’s “Eat With Six Senses” philosophy, with farm-to-table dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Even the handcrafted cocktail use herbs from the organic garden.
Soho Beach House Canouan
- Location: Grand Bay, Canouan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Why we adore it: A trendy island escape with a private-club feel
- From $1,100
- Book now
Soho Beach House Canouan isn’t your typical Caribbean resort—it’s the most recent outpost of the exclusive members club with locations in London, Latest York City, and Los Angeles. This property brings Soho House’s signature design aesthetic, social atmosphere, and effortless sense of cool to one of the exclusive islands within the Grenadines.
The 40 rooms are easy yet sophisticated, with emperor-size timber beds, woven cane mirrors, and shuttered windows that open onto private sea-facing balconies. In step with Soho House’s unplugged ethos, there are not any TVs—simply uninterrupted ocean views. The foremost restaurant serves wood-fired local dishes (conch fritters, jerk chicken tacos), you may have a personal candlelit dinner on the jetty, and the beach bar and terrace is a major spot for a Caribbean omakase-style dinner and sipping rum cocktails under the celebs.
Wellness is woven into the experience. The Cowshed Spa offers treatments in open-air palapas, and the two-story gym has Pilates Reformer equipment, a beachside yoga terrace, and a full slate of fitness classes. Guests can borrow paddleboards and kayaks or arrange guided hikes up Mount Royal. And while there’s no pool, guests have access to the nearby Mandarin Oriental Canouan and Canouan Estate, which also has tennis courts and a Jim Fazio–designed 18-hole golf course. But with hammocks swaying under the palms and DJs spinning sunset sets, it’s hard to assume wanting to go away.
Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort
- Location: St. Lucia
- Why we adore it: A beachfront retreat with a world-class art collection
- From $859
- Book now
Set on a white-sand beach right between St. Lucia’s iconic Piton mountains, Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort is an element resort, part art gallery. It’s home to an in depth collection of works by Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Banksy, and more. The 130 accommodations range from beachfront bungalows to villas and residences, each with a personal plunge pool and 24/7 butler service. The newest addition, Spice of Life, is a sustainable, ultra-luxe villa with nine bedrooms, an infinity pool, and museum-worthy art.
Days listed here are anything but atypical—think glass-bottom kayaking, whale-watching, and chocolate-making workshops on the Cocoa Mill. On the Rainforest Spa, treehouse treatment rooms and a temazcal (volcanic steam room) set the scene for Tata Harper facials and chocolate-infused scrubs. Dining is one other highlight, whether it’s open-fire grilled seafood at Jalousie Grill or locally inspired dishes at Saltwood, the resort’s signature restaurant with Piton views. And that art collection? Don’t miss the immersive latest audio tour that brings its stories to life.
This story was published in November 2023 with additional reporting by Mary Holland. It was refreshed with latest reporting in February 2025.
