The 40 Best Resorts in the Caribbean: 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards
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Unforgettable food. Cutting-edge design. Immersive experiences. These are some of your top criteria for judging what makes a quality hotel—not to mention a worthy resort, cruise, spa, or island. In tallying up the 575,048 votes cast in our 37th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey, we were struck by both your eagerness to embrace the new and your reverence for tried-and-true classics. Your favorite hotel in the five boroughs is the two-year-old Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, but you also can’t stop returning to storied French Polynesian resort The Brando. You’ve jetted through the sprawling Istanbul International Airport, booked intrepid sailings to Antarctica, and fallen in love with historic yet innovative cities like Copenhagen. Read on to start planning your next round of travels—these are the best resorts in the Caribbean, as voted by our readers.
View this gallery as a list of the top resorts in the Caribbean with scores here.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Courtesy Sandals Resortshotel40. Sandals Grenada
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Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024This spot on Pink Gin Beach, formerly LaSource, was taken over by Sandals, and reopened the adults-only, all-inclusive in 2013 with 150 rooms and 75 suites. Only five minutes from the island's main airport, some oceanfront accommodations come complete with butler service and private pools—in fact, the resort seems to be happily obsessed with pools: "pools in the sky, and living rooms in swimming pools. Private plunge pools, cascading waterfalls, and meandering river pools" they declare. Take your pick of nine restaurants serving everything from Japanese to French to local Caribbean fare. There's nightly entertainment, including live bands, fashion and talent shows, and beach parties—and a Red Lane Spa to recover from it all.
Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Caymanhotel39. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024The super-sized resort commandeers the island’s narrowest east-west point, blanketing 114 acres. The residential towers, holding 69 apartments, front Seven Mile Beach; the hotel towers are on North Sound. Beige-to-cream facades duplicate the multi-hued Caymanian sands. The reception area with chandeliers and masses of flowers opens into the Silver Palm Lounge, where delicious munchies accompany evening drinks—with the promise of a glass Martini “luge.” The 365 classic rooms and eleven suites favor soft yellow walls, botanical prints, chaise longues, and humongous beds in maize, periwinkle or coral. By spring, the Greg Norman nine-hole golf course should be in full swing.
Park Hyatt St. Kittshotel38. Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbor
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Hot List 2018 Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024Attractive to a variety of vacationing travelers, set on quiet Banana Bay overlooking the twin sister island of Nevis, this Park Hyatt feels like every detail is very thoughtfully considered. When you pull up to the hotel, you'll stop right in front of a long, open-air entry way that leads right to the beach. It's a straight shot of electric blue sea and sky. As far as first impressions go, it's pretty spectacular. Rooms are luxe and lovely, and don't scream "You're in the Caribbean!" The spa comes courtesy of Miraval; the yoga and meditation room are in a former sugar mill; and the kids' club comes with a rock-climbing wall.
Sandals Grande St. Lucianhotel37. Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Readers' Choice Awards 2024Located on a powdery white sand peninsula, Sandals Grande St. Lucian seats its guest on the edge of Rodney Bay, the calmest waters on the island. Here, Over-the-Water suites built in Balinese style with glass-floored pools reveal the marine life below. For guests wanting more than the view of the life aquatic from above, the resort offers access to its waters to PADI certified scuba divers. Divers from all over the world travel to St. Lucia each year to witness some of the world's greatest reef communities and shipwrecks in balmy, crystal-clear waters. Experiencing one of the world's most comprehensive professional diving programs is a part of the all-inclusive package at this resort. Beyond the water, the resort offers land sports ranging from beach volleyball to croquet, table tennis to billiards.
Hammock Cove Resort & Spahotel36. Hammock Cove Resort & Spa
Situated on Antigua’s rugged Atlantic coast, the resort’s rocky, unpaved entrance belies the clean, contemporary resort behind the gates. Built on four compact beachfront acres, the tucked-away property also packs a few luxe surprises, like the tri-level pool deck and the culinary program led by a Michelin-trained chef. The lobby’s architecture borrows from the Caribbean’s traditional shotgun-style homes, which depend on open doors and windows to circulate cooler air. Hammock Cove is adjacent to Devil’s Bridge National Park, which means you’re guaranteed a quiet stay, but also that there’s little else in walking distance. The all-inclusive property is designed so that you don’t need to leave, but if you do decide to eat off-property, Antigua’s best restaurants are a 25-minute drive away. This is a quiet, boutique alternative to the island’s larger (and louder) resorts. Though it could be too quiet for some, Hammock Cove packages together everything you need to unwind on a sunny, romantic getaway—right at your fingertips.
Courtesy Sandals Negril Beach Resort and Spahotel35. Sandals Negril
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2023, 2024If you're looking for quality time in Jamaica's stretch of the Caribbean Sea, you've come to just the right resort. The resort is home to its own Seven Mile Beach, a private and expansive stretch of pristine coastline that is the ideal setting for your own summer-loving romcom. Taking a dip doesn't have to be reserved for visiting the beach either—the resort's swim-up suites allow guests the discretion of coming in straight from their pool. The suites feel like secluded cabanas, dressed in premier materials like mahogany, marble, and Italian glass mosaic tile. By the poolside, there's even Sandals's signature personal butler service. Hospitality at Sandals is pampering without being suffocating, always ready with an extra fluffy towel or glass of Champagne whenever you need.
Courtesy Manapanyhotel34. Manapany
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Unique on an island well known for profligate excess, Parisian Anne Jousse, owner of a portfolio of small hotels in France, sought to introduce more than a modicum of eco-responsibility to St. Bart’s. The glamorous hotelier had fallen for Manapany, a once-upon-a-time chic spot on the sleepy north shore, on family trips. She bought the place in 2016 and initiated a top-to-bottom reconstruction of its 4.2-acre beachfront on Anse des Cayes. Several years and one major hurricane later, it’s been reborn. Water is heated by solar panels, no chemicals are used in cleaning or maintenance, towels are made of woven bamboo, and only electric cars are permitted beyond reception. Yet Jousse’s endeavor isn’t lacking a lick of luxe. All 43 sea-view rooms and villas—eight directly on the sand, others a mighty but rewarding 80 steps above and with enormous terraces—are gracefully decorated by Parisian designer François Champsaur, with walls painted peppery red, turmeric orange, mint green, or ultramarine blue. Impossibly attractive staff serve artfully crafted rhum agricoles at barefoot dinners, and a Dr. Hauschka–supplied beachside spa has raised St. Bart’s wellness game. With its design ethos and ecological focus, Manapany represents the next wave of Caribbean hotels.
Malliouhanahotel33. Malliouhana
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Gold List 2018 Hot List 2015 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024Anguilla is a very Anglo island; and Malliouhana was, for decades, one of its most staunchly traditional hotels. Lemon yellow and ice-blue walls and ornate glass sconces that have breathed new life into this Caribbean classic. Set along Turtle Cove, there are ample activities on offer—from kayaking to stand-up paddle boarding, kite-surfing, horse-riding, and outdoor yoga classes. One of our favorite diversions is a rum tasting with an in-house "rummelier."
Courtesy Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorthotel32. Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024This adults-only boutique resort in Aruba's quieter low-rise Eagle Beach district offers sun seekers the island's best, least-crowded beach. Signal for a piña colada by putting a red flag in the sand and let the very accommodating staff take care of you. The Spanish colonial exterior is offset by more contemporary interiors. Suites in the Tara Wing, added in 2004 and renovated during summer 2017, have oceanfront views, king-size beds, and separate living areas. Elements Restaurant, which opened in 2013, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, though don't shy away from exploring the island for a more memorable dining experience. Try the coffee body scrub at the Purun Spa.
CAROLINA ANSALDO/Bitter End Yacht Clubhotel31. Bitter End Yacht Club
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2023, 2024Bitter End Yacht Club is one of the Caribbean’s finest full-service resorts, serving as the final BVI outpost before the sea meets the Atlantic’s open waters. Bitter End has been a nautical playground for families since 1973, boasting over a mile of pristine shoreline, vibrant coral reefs, and fresh breezes from tradewinds funneling steadily through the North Sound. The property features 30 seaside bungalows, a brand new marina, a gourmet provisions emporium and retail boutique, as well as the Clubhouse beach restobar. Home to world-famous regattas, an accredited sailing school, and the world’s largest complimentary on-site boat fleet, don’t sleep on the wealth of watersports offered at Bitter End. Challenge yourself to participate in as many as possible, including windsurfing, kiteboarding, scuba diving, snorkeling, and more.
Mandarin Orientalhotel30. Mandarin Oriental, Canouan
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2024The Mandarin Oriental made its Caribbean debut on the eastern reaches of Canouan, commandeering what was once the Pink Sands Club and rebooting the property to feel more Portofino than Port of Spain, expanding its 14, infinity pool–equipped villas by a further dozen. While the property prides itself on its subtle and elegant flair in the resort scene, its high-profile guests rave about their stays here—Amy Schumer posted about her babymoon here, and Robert Downey Jr’s yacht has been spotted moored nearby. While you might just rub elbows with A-listers and billionaires, the palatial grounds encompassing the spa, suites, beaches, and golf course gives all guests plenty of room to stretch their legs, take a deep breath, and ignore their clocks and calendar reminders like no one's watching.
Courtesy Montpelier Plantation & Beachhotel29. Montpelier Plantation & Beach
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Oh, for a whole summer in the pool at Montpelier Plantation! It's the perfect holiday served up on a plate, with Creole sauce on the side on 60 acres of an 18th-century plantation, set at 750-feet above sea level. Music plays gently. Birds flit around the breakfast terrace. Bougainvillaea hides the tennis court. The open-plan buildings flow in and out of each other, with verandahs overlooking the sea. Despite the palm trees, there is something rather English about the gardens, echoes of the original owners. In recent years an American family, the Hoffmans, bought the hotel, ditched the chintz, kept the afternoon tea, and built a breezy poolside bar. They smartened up the 17 cottage rooms—high-ceilinged, wooden-beamed—and refurbished on the restaurant, now probably the best on Nevis.
Emily Labhotel28. Le Sereno
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024At the quiet end of an idyllic cove in Grand Cul-de-Sac, this cottage colony was utterly remade by master minimalist Christian Liaigre. The decor is elaborately spare—bare white walls, dark wood floors, and nary a rounded edge or flourish in sight—but with no sacrifice to comfort. The 39 rooms have buttery linens and walled gardens with giant daybeds (Grand Suites add settees and bathtubs), and cushioned banquettes make up most of the restaurant’s seating. The resort sustained some damage from Hurricane Irma in September 2017, but it came back better than ever following a massive refurbishment, with three additional rooms and a new bar, spa, and on-site boutique.
Courtesy Secret Bayhotel27. Secret Bay
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024The "secret" part of Secret Bay's name is no accident—the resort's 10 gorgeous villas give new meaning to the word hideaway. Touches vary from villa to villa, but all have interiors and floors made of Guyanese Greenheart, bedroom furniture made of Dominican red cedar, open decks, private pools, and 180-degree views over the mountain peaks of Dominica and the Caribbean Sea. Though we doubt you'll get tired of living your own castaway fantasies (albeit with much nicer accommodations), Secret Bay's concierge is available to help craft personalized itineraries: think rainforest hikes with a famed naturalist, or a sunset sail along the island's western coast.
Courtesy Calabashhotel26. Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel
Readers' Choice Awards 2021, 2023, 2024You’ll find Calabash’s 30 bespoke suites are where lush greenery fades seamlessly into silky sands and the azure Caribbean Sea beyond. From one of Grenada’s best beaches, spot couples and families enjoying the clear waters as yachts gently rock in the ripples a little further out. Life on the water is as essential as a good night’s sleep here—see the underwater residents in all their technicolor glory while snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking around the protected bay. Suites and villas are stylishly minimalist—expect neutral, high ceilings, and balconies that open up to views of the complex and island neighbors dotted under the speckled shade of shimmying palm trees. At 700 square feet, deluxe suites have ample room for any duration, complete with a king-size bedroom, walk-in dressing area, and living spaces split across lower and upper floors.
Courtesy Curtain Bluffhotel25. Curtain Bluff
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024This classic Caribbean legend is an all-inclusive on 20 acres of gardens, where beautiful birds flit in and out of the trees. Stuccoed accommodations are filled with wicker furniture and overlook the beach. Dinner is served alfresco four nights a week at the Sea Grape restaurant. A different band plays nightly at the Tamarind Tree, where French and Caribbean flavors intensify the fresh-caught grouper and wahoo. Kids can brush up on their drop volleys, top-spin lobs, and cross-court backhand winners at the complimentary kids' tennis clinic. With two private beaches—one for swimming, the other for water sports—there's ample space for all.
Christian Horanhotel24. Four Seasons Resort Nevis
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024This 350-acre, amenities-packed beachfront oasis ticks all the boxes when you’re looking for relaxation, adventure, culture, and unique Nevisian hospitality—making it the perfect luxurious escape for couples, families, and friends. The serene hideaway on a lush slice of paradise was built along Pinney's Beach on the site of a former sugar and coconut plantation (some golf course tees sit atop an old sugar factory). Seaside-inspired guest rooms have a pastel palette—canary yellow and periwinkle blue—and are outfitted in mahogany furniture, pineapple carvings, and botanical prints by a local artist. With seven gourmet restaurants and bars, the resort offers a wide range of dining experiences that capture the culture and flavors of Nevis. At the beachfront On the Dune, guests can enjoy a rum tasting experience with master mixologist Kendie Williams and clear views of neighboring St. Kitts in the distance.
The Inn at English Harbourhotel23. The Inn at English Harbour
Readers' Choice Awards 2024Hugging the island’s south coast, this small but perfectly formed estate encompasses 19 acres of manicured gardens, all set against a dramatic backdrop of turquoise waters and pink-hued Caribbean sunsets. Each of the suites ooze timeless, old-school charm, featuring colonial accents and period furnishings: think grand four-posters and mahogany furniture. Wake up to languid breakfasts on the beach before working on your tan along the hotel’s palm-fringed sands—and if you’re tempted to explore further afield, you’ll be in the ideal location for sightseeing, with Antigua’s famed Shirley Heights and Nelson’s Dockyard both merely a stone’s throw away.
StolenTimehotel22. StolenTime
Readers' Choice Awards 2024This resort's unfettered access to Malabar Beach does not disappoint when it comes to natural beauty. The pristine two-mile stretch is secluded enough to offer privacy, while the resort offers first-class services. From your personal cabana or sun bed, you need only raise a flag and a refreshing cocktail will be in your hands in minutes. Meanwhile, the wider grounds are designed for maximum relaxation. Stroll along Lazy River, which meanders through the resort, and you’ll encounter tranquil pools and tiny secluded islands. Dip your toes in its cool waters, or find a secluded spot to dig into that novel you’d been meaning to find time to read forever—you’re decadently off the clock. Before heading back to your room, take a lap in the lovely Water Garden pool, which cultivates a calm, quiet atmosphere—no cannonballs or blaring radios here.
Courtesy Anse Chastanet Resorthotel21. Anse Chastanet Resort
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024The sister property to Jade Mountain up in the hills, this 600-acre beachfront resort has octagonal hillside cottages and waterfront rooms, each individually designed. There's special attention paid to keeping things local: The wood used in the rooms is of St. Lucia, and cushions and bedspreads are a bright madras plaid, the island's cloth. Since rooms have no phones or TVs, this is the most romantic and wonderful place on the island, truly an experience to replenish the soul. After scuba diving, dine at the Treehouse Restaurant for Caribbean by candlelight or at Emerald's, which uses organic produce from the resort's farm in its all-vegetarian menu.
Courtesy Ladera Resorthotel20. Ladera Resort
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Anticipate the experience of a lifetime at this eco-lodge built with Caribbean timber, local stone, and terra-cotta tiles on the site of a former cocoa plantation. It's in a calm, beautiful garden setting on a forested ridge overlooking the Pitons and the sea far below. Rustic suites—very Swiss Family Robinson in look and feel—have private plunge pools and no fourth wall, allowing unobstructed views. At Ti Kai Posé Spa, indulge in a hot volcanic stone massage or take a dip in the mineral pools. A free shuttle can take you to Sugar Beach, just five minutes away. Note that there are no televisions or phones in guest rooms, but there's free Wi-Fi for the needy (plus, only 17+ here—befitting one of the world's most romantic resorts).
Eden Rock - St Barthshotel19. Eden Rock - St Barths
$$$ | Gold List 2018, 2022, 2024 Hot List 2018, 2020 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024You can become a little numb to beauty in St. Barts, but even after being on the island for days, Eden Rock still strikes its guest with love-at-first-sight giddiness. It’s just so perfect—so chic, so glamorous, but in this easy, island-appropriate way. It’s the type of place that just being there makes you feel like the most glam, sun-kissed version of yourself. The hotel is almost entirely surrounded by calm, gin-bottle blue water that’s heavenly for a swim. There’s a diving platform a little ways out, and you can take out rafts and paddle around the point, and there’s a reef if you want to snorkel. The rooms are lovely and elegant, with a subtle Carib-meets-nautical vibe, at once bright and airy. When it comes to the food, rockstar chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is in charge of the menu at the main restaurant, and the resort’s breakfast spread is insane in scope and quality; don’t miss it.
Sandals Dunn's Riverhotel18. Sandals Dunn's River
Readers' Choice Awards 2024Escape the stressors and dreary weather of the urban jungle at this adults-only resort seated at the edge of a tropical rainforest on Jamaica’s temperate northern coast. Swim without a care in Dunn’s River’s five pools, or catch some sun as the gentle flow of the property’s two river pools ferries you around. Between the unlimited fine dining at the property’s 12 restaurants, the professional instruction for scuba diving and surfing, and all-inclusive fees that includes taxes, tips, and gratuities, guests are given nothing short of the Midas touch during their stay. Suites like the Tufa Terrace SkyPool Butler Suite feel like a spacious apartment with a neutral color scheme, modern interiors, and work by local artists on display. Private clear-glass panel-edge infinity plunge pools span the entire balcony length and give uninterrupted 180-degree views of the oceanfront—a first on the island.
Paradise Beach Nevishotel17. Paradise Beach Nevis
Readers' Choice Awards 2023, 2024The word most often used by readers voting for Paradise Beach Nevis is “again.” As in, “I look forward to visiting again and again,” and “This is a place I return to again and again.” The edenic resort, with all of 13 rooms spread across a handful of seven villas, gets shouts for its verdant grounds and gardens, monkey population, and the attention to detail by a fabulous staff. It feels, it seems, that a stay here is akin to heaven. While restorative relaxation is first on the menu, there are a plethora of activities guests can get up to during their stay here, including deep sea fishing, horseback riding on the beach, zip-lining, and sailing on the property's yachts.
Robert Rausch/Courtesy Half Moonhotel16. Half Moon
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Fresh off a $75 million renovation, Jamaica's storied, 400-acre Half Moon is back on the scene. The reopening coincides with the resort's 65th anniversary—with a guest list that has included Queen Elizabeth II and J.F.K. Newly constructed rooms are low-rise, set back from two miles of Montego Bay beachfront. With the Great House as its centerpiece, the Fern Tree Spa is one of the largest in the Caribbean, and sporty folk can engage with a Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed 18-hole golf course, 11 tennis courts, and equestrian center. Visiting families will appreciate a new marketplace and café for takeaway snacks and an all-day, casual dining room. The 57 new guest rooms contain an impressive number of cheerful works of art by Jamaican artists and lots of use of wood and natural fibers.
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Cheval Blanc St Barthhotel15. Cheval Blanc St-Barth
$$$ | Gold List 2018, 2023 Hot List 2020 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2020, 2024Over the past two years, the Caribbean island of St. Barts has bounced back from Hurricane Irma, but the recovery required much more than a coat of fresh white paint on the verandas. Take the former Isle de France, now Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France, part of LVMH’s Cheval Blanc stable and always the essence of St. Barts, for example. Part of its post-Irma upgrade was the acquisition of the hotel next door, Hotel Taïwana, so the property now sprawls along Flamands Beach with oceanfront and garden rooms as well as penthouse-style suites, all fashioned by the careful hands of French designer Jacques Grange in linen and teak, blush-pink and ikat. This re-imagination is a masterpiece in scene setting that you won’t find anywhere else beyond the beaches of the French Riviera.
Courtesy Rosewood Little Dix Bayhotel14. Rosewood Little Dix Bay
$$$ | Gold List 2021 Hot List 2020 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024There are Caribbean beach resorts, and then there is Little Dix Bay, which was completely rebuilt after being decimated by hurricanes in 2017, and this year, celebrating its 60th anniversary feels more significant than ever. It’s undoubtedly got the bells and whistles—a truly transcendent spa, one of the best rum collections in the Caribbean, enviable rooms, and so forth—but what sets Little Dix Bay apart is its staff, some of whom have worked here for over 30 years. It’s the kind of place where guests at checkout will turn to their butler and ask, “Same time next year?”
Courtesy Jade Mountainhotel13. Jade Mountain
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Luxury can mean different things to different people. For me it’s about privacy, freedom, and an exquisite sense of space, combined with subtle hospitality that makes you feel effortlessly at home. Jade Mountain embodies this and more. Perched high on St. Lucia’s rugged cliffs, this architectural marvel, crafted from local stone and rough concrete, rises organically from the lush forest. Designed by Canadian architect Nick Troubetzkoy, Jade Mountain frames the breathtaking views of the Pitons from each of its 24 open-air residences (known as sanctuaries). The pinnacle of luxury, Galaxy Sanctuary JE1, features uninterrupted 270-degree views and a 900-square-foot infinity pool with jewel-toned tiles. Here serenity reigns supreme.
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Sandals Saint Vincent & the Grenadineshotel12. Sandals Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
Readers' Choice Awards 2024This is the perfect sanctuary for relaxation within over 50 acres of breathtaking Jurassic Park-like scenery. Whether you prefer to unwind in serene surroundings or embark on an adventure to explore the island's rich flora and fauna, the choice is yours. Here, you can embrace tranquillity or seek excitement at your own pace. There are 15 room categories. The top suites are the stunning Vincy Overwater two-story villa, offering the perfect blend of luxury and nature. Interiors of wood paneling and glass convey an almost Scandi vibe and are surrounded by lush rainforest to the back and breathtaking ocean views to the front. Waking up and stepping from your bed to dive into the sea from your private deck is sublime. The seamless connection to the water creates a sense of freedom and relaxation, making every morning feel like a dream.
Richard James Taylor/Courtesy Belmond Cap Julucahotel11. Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
$$$ | Gold List 2021 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024When Cap Juluca opened on a mile-long white crescent here in 1988, it was widely considered—to quote its sanguine American-born owners—“the best hotel on the best beach in the Caribbean.” The domed villas, a few with then-scarce plunge pools, brought worldly glamour to a squiggle of an island that had only recently acquired roads and drew discretion-seeking jet setters from chockablock St. Martin. Families flew to Cap J year after year, while major handshake deals would go down on Maundays Bay, and legendary parties would keep the drinks flowing at Pimms restaurant. Eventually, of course, the crowd moved on, and the owners sold the property to Belmond in 2017—just before Hurricane Irma barreled in. No matter: In a $130 million refurb, Rottet Studio added five new villas and recast the interiors, replacing the Moroccan carpets and lanterns with soft linens, rattan, and seagrass.
Courtesy Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reservehotel10. Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
$$$ | Gold List 2020 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Unlike with other properties on Puerto Rico's resort-heavy north shore, Dorado Beach's emphasis is on its setting. The resort has undergone many transformations (including after Hurricane Maria in 2017), but since Laurance Rockefeller built a sanctuary here it has been all about sea, sand, and green spaces. Rooms are bookended by beach-facing terraces and outdoor showers, and museum-quality art is scattered on tree branches. But it’s the Spa Botánico, a tropical wonderland that’s much more than the usual cluster of treatment rooms, that really sticks to Rockefeller’s approach. After visiting, you’ll remember the 95-year-old ficus at the entrance most clearly. That or the tree house in the canopy where you had the greatest massage of your life.
Courtesy Kimpton Hotelshotel9. Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024Grand Cayman may be famous for its SCUBA diving and offshore banking, but with several daily non-stops from New York and Boston, it’s increasingly drawing families to its powdery, placid western Caribbean beaches. On the island’s Seven Mile Beach—one of the loveliest stretches of sand in the world—you'll find the 266-room Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa, with a boutique atmosphere that manages to be both child-friendly (two pools, a kids' club) and hip (colorful, contemporary design and a lobby scene replete with pool table, library, and daily happy hour). The food is also strong: Hit beachside Coccoloba for fish tacos and ceviches; Ave, the resort's primary restaurant, for epic breakfast buffets (including house-made cronuts); and the sceney Avecita for progressive Spanish fare like white anchovy toast and prawn tartare, served up alongside craft cocktails at the chef’s counter. You can always snorkel and parasail right off the hotel’s beach, but you’re also just a short ride from Stingray City (where you can stand on a sandbar and touch giant rays as they swim by), world-class gardens (look for the endangered blue iguana), golf, and roadside jerk chicken. Hit Rum Point to toast the sunset—or maybe you'll prefer doing that from your own private balcony.
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Le Toiny St Barthshotel8. Hotel Le Toiny
$$$ | Gold List 2018 Hot List 2017 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024This namesake hillside resort set above Toiny Bay gives ‘wild’ an unexpected new meaning when it comes to sceney St Barts: On the scrubby southeastern point of the island, this unfussy haven is where an in-the-know social set head to find serenity, whether via an early morning surf lesson or at the wave-lapped beach club. Rugged shoreline views and cacti-dotted greenery imbue a sense of calm from the second you’re greeted with a glass of Champagne at check-in. Secluded infinity-pool decks boast far-flung views of the azure sea and surfers paddling out to the white caps consistently churning up on this side of the island. The suites and villas here were redesigned in 2024 by Bee Osborn interiors to swap in more modern touches. If St Barts’ reputation for heaving parties and see-and-be-seen celebrities might have you thinking the Champagne-drenched French Caribbean island isn’t for you, Le Toiny probably is—and anyone else who wants the serenity of a wild coastline at their fingertips.
Aidan Bradley/Courtesy Sandy Lanehotel7. Sandy Lane
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024This landmark resort is something of a Bajan institution, with elegant interiors and an awesomely beautiful setting that ensures it is consistently ranked as one of the best hotels in the Caribbean. This splendor runs through everything, including the hotel's Treehouse Club for little ones.The resort, on the site of a onetime sugar plantation, offers old-school Caribbean luxury. Neo-Palladian accommodations are appointed with rich furniture, and offer views of the beachfront or Sandy Lane’s tropical gardens. Three golf courses are set along a former stone quarry, and open only to guests. Dine on French and Mediterranean specialties at the open-air L’Acajou.
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Courtesy Zemihotel6. Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts
$$$ | Hot List 2017 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Zemi Beach House sits on a sprawling six acres by the ocean, with a luxe spa that includes Anguilla’s only hammam—if you’re craving a tropical escape, this is the place. Unwind on the yoga deck and enjoy holistic treatments at the 300-year-old imported and converted Thai Rice Barn turned spa; or camp out on Shoal Bay Beach, watching the waves roll in. There are 65 rooms total, outfitted with perks like 24-hour room service, “personalized Caribbean mini bars,” and Malin + Goetz bath products. You’ll be hard-pressed to leave. The resort reopened remarkably quickly in February 2018, following 2017's rash of hurricanes, restaurants Stone and 20 Knots included.
Courtesy Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spahotel5. Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa
$$$ | Hot List 2017 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024A relatively new addition to St. Barts' luxury hotel scene, Le Barthélemy is a sophisticated winner that keeps with the island's low-rise sensibility. Set between a lagoon and Grand Cul-de-Sac beach along the island's northeastern shore, the hotel is an education in understated elegance. Rooms are spare and enormous, with lots of wood and one or two pops of bright color—some even have small, rectangular plunge pools for mini-laps. The food at Amis St. Barth is unabashedly modern French, with attention paid to proper portions in the tropics: in other words, not too much. Water sports enthusiasts have an expanse of calm shallow waters for kayaking, kite-surfing, and snorkeling—a flotilla of a dozen sea turtles that survived the storms of 2017 remain in residence and are easily visible.
Fabrice Ramberthotel4. Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf
$$$ | Hot List 2021 Readers' Choice Awards 2022, 2024Those who knew and loved Le Carl Gustaf the first time around will have even more reason to fall for it now that the Barriere group has taken over. The hotelier company—known for reviving particularly beloved but withering properties—has made sure to keep the spirit of Le Carl chic and easy. The raw wood and petite terraces still make it feel like the beach house of a fabulous French friend, yet the hotel’s reimagined approach to the environment gives it a 21st-century edge. Paris design firm Gilles and Boissier gussied up the 21 rooms with creams, stone, and linen, as well as a profusion of palms separating various spaces with a curtain of greenery. Suites have been reconfigured to catch sea breezes, providing natural air conditioning. And a fleet of electric bikes brings guests down the hill upon which the hotel stands like a lookout, over the town and coastline, to nearby Shell Beach, the perfect place for a picnic prepared by the hotel’s staff that feels, appropriately simple and chic—much like Le Carl itself.
Silversandshotel3. Silversands Grenada
Readers' Choice Awards 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024Few places capture the Spice Isle’s understated magic like the Silversands Grenada resort, situated at the sleepy end of the two-mile Grand Anse Beach. Enter its perimeter and the hubbub of local street life suddenly feels like a vague memory. What catches your eye first is the breathtaking 330-foot infinity pool—said to be the longest in the Caribbean—which begins at the hotel's entrance and stretches all the way to the sea. You can while away your day beside it or gaze at the crystal water from the white-sand beach. Have the legendary rum punch and a lobster roll, or feast at Asiatique, where dishes like crisply fried lobster in red coconut curry and dark-molasses ginger cake are assembled with fresh local ingredients, including a smattering of Grenadian spices. Make sure you catch one of the planet's most mesmerizing sunsets, a sight so sublime it alone would justify a stay. Night after night, a sky filled with wispy clouds turns from fiery red to pink, then purple—an incredible show, even better for being nature's very own.
Jumby Bayhotel2. Jumby Bay
$$$ | Gold List 2018, 2023 Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024Reopened in October 2017 as an Oetker Collection member (formally a Rosewood resort), Jumby Bay Island is accessible only by boat, with not a car in sight—but plenty of bikes to navigate this 300-acre island off the northern coast of Antigua. With only 40 accommodations in total—rooms and villas— there’s no need to worry about feeling the need to ever get off the all-inclusive island (although if curious, there's a complimentary ferry service that runs between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.). You’ll be plenty busy on one of the resort’s three tennis courts, in three pools—the Veranda is family-friendly, and on more than four miles of beach, plus kids’ club, for when you want to be anything but busy. The cheerful decor throughout is the work of Brazilian interior designer, Patricia Anastassiadis of Anastassiadis Arquitetos.
Eden Roc Cap Canahotel1. Eden Roc Cap Cana
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024The only Relais & Châteaux property in the Dominican Republic occupies an exclusive slice of beachfront real estate on the country’s eastern tip. Accommodations run the gamut from standalone beach suites to ocean bungalows to multi-bedroom villas, which come in an array of architectural styles that speak to the Caribbean surroundings: Think bright punchy colors and barrel tiles for some; thatched-roof, palapa-inspired designs for others; and plenty that are blindingly white to contrast with the area’s deep blue skies. The resort is also home to a Jack Nicklaus signature course, where the 18 holes dip and curve with the oceanfront landscape, past waterfalls and cliffs and beaches, while the spa offers such unique treatments as a massage that incorporates virtual reality.
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