The 31 Best Luxury Resorts and Hotels in the Caribbean You Should Book Right Now

Luxury in the Caribbean used to mean a pretty white-sand beach and a nice room with a view. These days, the best resorts pair settings with substance. You’ll find design-forward properties that combine sustainability with bold architecture on islands such as Dominica and Grenada.

Experiences go beyond standard-issue snorkeling: How about fishing for tarpon at night on Anguilla? Creative chefs are pushing the envelope in food, wine, and cocktails in places such as Bermuda and Turks and Caicos. Meanwhile, legendary properties—everywhere from the British Virgin Islands to St. Bart’s—are making dazzling comebacks, proving that some classics only get better with time.

This curated guide—part of Afar’s Hotels We Love series—spotlights 31 of the most extraordinary stays across the Caribbean, all worth a special trip.

Amanera

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 first was Amanyara in Turks and Caicos). British architect John Heah designed spectacular spaces: wide-open and lofty with floor-to-ceiling glass doors and walls. Every detail has been carefully selected, from the handcrafted lighting fixtures to the remote-controlled, wall-size window shades. Many 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 main restaurant (with organic produce, fresh seafood, and contemporary interpretations of Dominican cuisine), a bar (serving custom Amanera cigars and an extensive rum selection), and an infinity pool. Down at the seaside Beach Club, enjoy toes-in-the-sand lunches and torch-lit dinners, and classes on ceviche making and Dominican cooking. Amanera offers tennis, golf, and surfing academies led by top professionals, including Dominican golf legend Julio Santos, while golfers have 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 the most ocean-facing holes in the Western Hemisphere and is set atop 60-foot cliffs.

Cambridge Beaches

You might not know the name Dovetail + Co., but you might recognize some of this up-and-coming hospitality company’s recent projects, including Urban Cowboy Lodge (a hipster redo of an alpine inn in the Catskills) and the Wayfinder Waikiki (an overhaul of a brutalist beach resort on O‘ahu). Another design-forward Dovetail reinvention is Cambridge Beaches, a property with deep roots in Bermuda.

Built in 1923 on a scenic 23-acre peninsula on the west side of the island, this pretty-in-pink resort is a beloved destination for tranquility, Bermudian charm, and romance (it’s big with honeymooners). After Dovetail + Co. bought the property in 2021, it set about giving Cambridge Beaches a modern spin. Historic architectural features were preserved—100-year-old stone walls, 17th-century cedar beams, and those pink exteriors—while the interiors were given a tropical refresh. Now, the 85 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 four secluded private beaches right on the property (unusual in Bermuda), an infinity-edge pool overlooking Mangrove Bay, five acres of ornamental gardens, pickleball courts, a croquet lawn, and a revamped spa. But the big news here is a collaboration with the Brooklyn cocktail bar Sunken Harbor Club. Award-winning mixologist St. John Frizell has assembled a unique cocktail menu. There are drinks with a cause behind them (a portion of the proceeds from the Old Yachtsman helps protect the ecosystem surrounding the island), while others aren’t for the faint of heart (guests are limited to just two of the powerful Abyss drinks per day). Sunken Harbor Club also includes a restaurant led by Kenyan chef James Wambui, whose menu fuses influences from Bermuda, Portugal, Italy, and beyond.

Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel

Set along the southern coast of Anguilla on Maundays Bay, Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel, is filled with domed roofs and archways that frame the sea. The 128 accommodations are equally elegant, with white couches, blue throws, and slatted shutters. Yet the Santorini-inspired hotel maintains an easygoing vibe. That might mean a beachside lunch at the Cap Shack with rum punches, watermelon gazpacho, and a tuna poke bowl from a food truck. Less rustic but equally inviting, Pimms serves jerk chicken and Caribbean red fish curry next to breezy curtains and soaring arches. Foodies love the seasonal salt picking experience, which celebrates the meaningful connection between land, sea, and culture.

Spend sun-filled days snorkeling, sailing, or soaking up rays on the white-sand beach. For avid anglers, the hotel offers expeditions with a local fisherman who knows all the secret spots around the island. The new Cap Juluca Spa by Guerlain was designed by Rottet Studio (which oversaw Cap Juluca’s transformation in 2018) and draws inspiration from the Indigenous Arawak tribe. In 2026, the spa will launch LongeviSkin, a high-tech program from Guerlain that fights aging. Cap Juluca has many local guests, and the resort rewards them with a fun perk on their 20th stay: a tree planted in their name.

Cheval Blanc St-Barth

Cheval Blanc St-Barth is one of the island’s most prestigious addresses, set directly on the powdery sands of Flamands Bay. Part of LVMH’s ultra-luxury Cheval Blanc collection, the 61-room property was imagined by Jacques Grange, the legendary French designer known for creating private homes for Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld. The vibe is understated but indulgent, with a residential feel that stands apart from St. Bart’s flashier scene.

Days drift between the beach, the pool, and La Case, the hotel’s signature restaurant led by chef Jean Imbert, one of France’s most celebrated modern chefs and the talent behind Paris’s iconic Plaza Athénée. Evenings often begin with a rum tasting drawn from one of the island’s most extensive collections. A major recent update is the Spa Cheval Blanc by Guerlain, unveiled in late 2024 to mark the hotel’s 10th anniversary. Designed by Paris-based architect Isabelle Stanislas, the spa introduces Guerlain rituals created specifically for St. Bart’s, along with a perfumery and serene indoor-outdoor treatment spaces. Behind the scenes, the property produces much of its own water and electricity and relies on solar power, reinforcing its low-impact approach to luxury.

COMO Parrot Cay

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 favorite hideaway for bold-face names seeking a wellness-inspired stay. (Keep an eye out for Christie Brinkley and Donna Karan, who both own private homes here.) The 75 accommodations embrace a breezy, beachy aesthetic with white shiplap walls and driftwood tables. For the ultimate indulgence, splurge on a beach house, villa, or estate, which all include butler service.

Sustainability is at the heart 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. A new on-island program significantly reduces single-use plastics by producing purified drinking water in reusable bottles. Wellness is woven into every aspect of the experience, from COMO Shambhala spa therapies and sunrise beach meditations to Ayurvedic consultations and health-focused cuisine (including new four-day, three-night cleanse menus). Guests spend their days snorkeling along the reefs, paddling through the mangroves, or simply sinking into island time with a fresh coconut.

The Cotton House

Mustique is an exclusive island known for its private villas owned by royals, rock stars, and designers, including Princess Margaret and Mick Jagger. At the center of it all is the Cotton House. Once an 18th-century sugar plantation, the property was transformed into Mustique’s original hotel in the 1960s, with interiors by famed theatrical-set designer Oliver Messel. His light, romantic touch still defines the property today.

Set on 13 acres of tropical gardens overlooking Endeavour Bay, the hotel has 17 suites and cottages, each with a private veranda and many with plunge pools. Days are spent horseback riding, playing tennis and pickleball, or drifting between the beach and the spa. Evenings usually end up at Basil’s Bar, the legendary beachfront institution steps away from the hotel, where everyone gathers for live music and rum punches. Behind the scenes, the island is deeply committed to conservation. Much of Mustique remains undeveloped, with active programs focused on coral restoration, sea-turtle monitoring, sustainable fishing, waste reduction, and protecting the native flora and fauna.

Eden Rock

Surprisingly, there are only so many good swimming beaches along the white-sand shores of St. Bart’s. Eden Rock—a property from Oetker Hotels in sheltered St. Jean Bay—is on one of them, and guests can wade out to the hotel’s ruby red floating dock a few feet from shore. Eden Rock, which debuted in the 1950s and became a respite for the Hollywood set, is also one of the finest places to stay on the island, with 37 guest rooms, suites, and villas at the hotel itself, plus access to a villa rental program with more than 200 additional properties on the island.

Each accommodation exudes personality, with wood-paneled walls, leather tub chairs, and splashes of color throughout. Some rooms are in the garden, while others are set atop a boulder or on the beach with a terrace that juts over the water. In the Rockstar Villa, there’s a lap pool with plenty of outdoor seating for lounging.

Thanks to a partnership with Krug Champagne, guests get a complimentary bottle of bubbly upon arrival and can enjoy tastings at the restaurant and two bars. Jean-Georges Vongerichten oversees the culinary program; don’t miss the truffle-topped pizza and locally caught lobster, all prepared with French flair, at the ocean-facing Sand Bar. Rémy’s Club, a speakeasy-style bar and lounge named after the hotel’s founder, Rémy de Haenen, is now permanent after a successful pop-up. In other news, Eden Spa & Wellbeing will soon roll out a new spa cabin and the Korean Lift treatment, an exclusive ritual created in collaboration with SeeMyCosmetics.

Fouquet’s Saint-Barth

Unlike most luxury hotels on St. Bart’s, which are set along pretty beaches, Fouquet’s Saint-Barth is right in the center of Gustavia, the island’s buzzy capital. That address puts boutiques, restaurants, and the harbor’s yacht scene just steps away—perfect for travelers who want to be in the middle of it all. The property occupies the former Hôtel Carl Gustaf and is part of Barrière Collection, a family-owned French hospitality group founded in 1912 and long associated with Parisian culture, cinema, and social life.

There are 21 suites, all with panoramic bay views, plus a loft and a five-bedroom villa. Most suites feature private terrace pools. Interiors by Paris-based design duo Gilles & Boissier feature natural materials inspired by the island landscape. Dining is a major draw: The hotel is home to Beefbar, the cult steakhouse founded in Monaco, while guests also get access to exclusive experiences like Shellona Beach Club on nearby Shell Beach, one of the island’s most coveted daytime scenes.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla

At Four Seasons Anguilla, you’ll never get bored. The range of experiences is varied: paint-and-sip art classes, island rum crawls, guided cave hikes, tarpon fishing after dark, oceanfront yoga sessions—you name it. Of course, the setting doesn’t hurt: The resort stretches between Barnes Bay and Meads Bay, two of Anguilla’s most beautiful beaches. Accommodations range widely, from ocean-view rooms to expansive residences and four- and five-bedroom villas with private pools.

Families gravitate here because it’s kid-friendly without feeling like a kiddie resort. A complimentary, year-round club for those age 5 to 12 keeps children happily occupied, and there are many thoughtful details, like child-size robes, baby gear, and a zero-entry pool only for families. But couples and single travelers love it, too: You’ll find them lounging by the infinity-edge Sunset Pool or taking part in ceviche classes, margarita and tequila nights, seafood brunches, and sunset DJ sets.

Four Seasons Anguilla takes sustainability seriously, with energy-efficient operations, water-conservation and gray-water systems, reduced single-use plastics, and food-waste diversion to local farmers. Responsibly sourced cuisine and support for coastal preservation and local artisans round out the environmental and community initiatives.

Four Seasons Nevis

Nevis may be small, but its history looms large. The tiny island once fueled 20 percent of the British Empire’s sugar trade, produced one 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 Four Seasons Nevis came 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—changed that, making Nevis a destination for travelers seeking a high level of hospitality with a sense 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 collection of villas offers even more space with private pools.

Restaurant options range from the oceanfront Mango (known for its spiny lobster) to the Italian-inspired EsQuilina. In the Kids for All Seasons program, little ones can learn about Nevisian culture. And the resort’s sea turtle conservation program—now in its 20th year—lets guests participate in efforts to protect the island’s marine life.

GoldenEye

GoldenEye has come a long way since James Bond author Ian Fleming wrote his 007 novels at a simple wooden desk overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Music producer Chris Blackwell—who purchased the Oracabessa Bay estate in 1976—has expanded the property 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 in the ocean-facing pool, kayaking through the lagoon, or sailing along the coast. The resort’s FieldSpa—in a cottage at the water’s edge—offers treatments using botanicals grown at Blackwell’s Pantrepant farm, blending 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 with your feet in the sand and a rum cocktail in hand. James Bond would approve.

Jade Mountain

A few decades ago, late architect Nick Troubetzkoy and his entrepreneurial wife, Karolin, began their journey in St. Lucia, buying Anse Chastanet resort and transforming it 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 they are. With a seamless blend of bedroom, living area, and a private infinity pool, these guest rooms seem to float into nature, thanks to the absence of a fourth wall. The five Sky suites average 1,650 square feet each; instead of private pools, they have a chromatherapy bathtub large enough for two.

Sustainability and social responsibility are at 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 extensive coral reef restoration program where resort guests are educated by seasoned professionals on the importance of ocean and marine life conservation and identification. Jade Mountain also now hosts intimate Full Moon Dinners on the Celestial Terrace, where just eight guests gather for a six-course menu prepared live as the Pitons glow under moonlight.

Jumby Bay Island Resort

Only reachable by boat, Oetker Hotels’ Jumby Bay sits on a private island off Antigua. It offers a true 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. New to the island’s 12 villas: personal butlers who can organize everything from scavenger hunts to romantic meals.

Throughout the property, meandering paths for walkers and cyclists lead to beaches with nearby coral reefs teeming with marine life. The hotel is also 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 stars, sharing a seasonally changing menu with dishes like poached Antiguan conch and lobster tartare. Guests can also explore the local waters with the resort’s yacht program, and through a new partnership with the National Sailing Academy, young guests can learn the art of sailing.

Kamalame Cay

For 25 years, Kamalame Cay’s family owners have delivered standard-setting hospitality alongside a commitment to supporting local businesses. What started as four beach houses in 1997 are now 35 bungalows, cottages, and villas spread along three miles of pristine beach in the eastern Bahamas. Three new oceanfront villas—SipSip, Buttonwoods, and Magnolia—have been designed for multi-generational stays and effortless indoor–outdoor living.

The original boho beach club feel has remained: The bungalows are sanctuaries of inviting white couches, wooden 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 is now producing a range of organic hot sauces, pepper jellies, and ice creams. Another new touch: full-moon wine-pairing dinner parties, held each month.

Snorkeling or scuba diving along the Andros Barrier Reef, the third largest reef system in the world, is high on the agenda for many visitors. Ditto a game of tennis or pickleball on the new pro courts. But so is a holistic sensory massage with marine-based cruelty-free products in one of the airy treatment rooms of the only overwater spa in the Bahamas.

Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa

Sustainability is at the forefront at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, the first LEED Silver–certified resort in 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 a local dive company to launch Seafire Guardians, a program that helps replenish Caribbean coral.

Those aren’t the only feel-good factors. The location is in a prime 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 have freestanding soaking tubs. There’s plenty to keep everyone entertained, including a Splash water park and complimentary paddle boarding and kayaking. The Spa at Seafire has one of the island’s few hammams and an open-air hydrotherapy garden with a waterfall and Jacuzzi. And cocktail lovers won’t want to miss the literary-inspired Library by the Sea. Each drink is inspired by literature and the sea.

La Samanna, a Belmond Hotel

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 seeking privacy, impeccable service, and a touch of French style in the tropics. The 76 rooms have curated artwork and whitewashed walls. The eight cliffside Signature Villas, recently refreshed by Rottet Studio, include private infinity pools, wraparound terraces, oversize kitchens, ocean views, and access to custom destination experiences.

It’s hard to leave that beach, but guests can hike to St. Martin’s highest peak with a local 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 another highlight, whether it’s sunset cocktails at Laplaj, refined French Caribbean cuisine at L’Oursin, or a private candlelit dinner at La Cave Wine Cellar, two stories below sea level. The resort is also committed to sustainability, working to reduce its carbon footprint and preserve the island’s biodiversity. An 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

Few hotels have shaped a destination quite like Malliouhana, which is 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. Fashion designer Giorgio Armani was the first guest.

The resort’s 63 accommodations range from expansive guest rooms and suites to private villas with butler service, a dedicated concierge staff, and on-site security. The iconic two-tiered infinity pool has some prime sunset views. After dark, guests can join new stargazing sessions using a deep-space telescope capable of revealing galaxies light years away.

A dream team of celebrity chefs—culinary director Kerth Gumbs, executive chef Wilson Macedo, and chef Kelston “Sweets” Connor—deliver island flavors, while Bar Soleil has become a lively gathering spot thanks to popular Taco Tuesdays and monthly salsa lessons. 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 more than 5,000 bottles.

Malliouhana is committed to cultural and environmental preservation. Guests can check out the hotel’s extensive collection of Haitian art or take part in an eco-tour to learn about native plants and wildlife. If the timing is right, you might even help release baby sea turtles into the crystal-clear waters.

Montpelier Nevis

Set on a former 18th-century sugar plantation, history runs deep at Montpelier Nevis. British naval hero Horatio Nelson got married on this site in 1787. These days, the property feels less like a hotel and more like a house that guests have been returning to for decades—because many of them have. Owner Muffin Hoffman personally welcomes everyone on arrival, and a pair of resident Labradors, Cosmo and Marley, add to that homey feeling. With only 19 rooms and villas, service is intimate and intuitive; staff members know you by name, not room number. For people seeking more space, Montpelier has expanded its villa collection with the introduction of Saddle Hill View Villa, a residential-style retreat set within the estate’s 60-acre hillside grounds.

Days unfold at an unhurried pace: You’ll practice yoga on the grounds, cycle down to the hotel’s private beach, or play pickleball surrounded by palm trees. Sustainability is practiced without fanfare. Produce comes largely from local farmers, herbs are grown on property, rainwater is reused, and food waste is redirected back into the community.

O2 Beach Club & Spa

The all-inclusive, nine-story O2 Beach Club & Spa opened on the relaxed south coast of Barbados in 2021, offering a contemporary alternative to some 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), four restaurants, and a 5,600-square-foot spa, plus free Bajan-inspired classes (steel pan drumming, playing dominoes like a local), guests have ample things to do. Oro’s monthly Bubbles & Brunch—with mimosas, artisanal cocktails, and a Caribbean-meets-European menu—has become a scene, and the restaurant’s Rum Bar showcases rare Caribbean bottles, along with nightly amuse-bouche service and weekly chocolate-and-rum pairings.

There are also places to find a respite: a private dinner on the beach, paddleboarding on the water, or relaxing in the island’s only hammam treatment room. After dark, the resort has introduced a resident astronomer, who leads evening stargazing sessions that invite guests to explore the night sky through guided telescope viewings. Don’t miss an excursion to the nearby Barbados Boardwalk, which winds along the shoreline past outdoor pools and white-sand beaches.

Peter Island Resort

After a six-year transformation, Peter Island Resort is back. This exclusive retreat—the largest private island resort in the British Virgin Islands—spans hundreds of unspoiled acres with five white-sand beaches and dramatic hiking trails. Most of the 52 accommodations are on the beach, only steps from the sea; 11 have private outdoor hot tubs. The crowning glory is the Falcon’s Nest Villa, 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 10,000-square-foot spa or dining on surf-and-turf at the Drake Steakhouse. There’s also a lively calendar of low-key happenings, from Caribbean brunches with live steel pan music and beach bonfires to wine-paired dinners and DJs spinning at the Yacht Club. On the adventure side, offerings include sailing, e-foil lessons, Seabob safaris, glass-bottom boat excursions, and access to some of the best sailing in the Caribbean (the revamped marina welcomes vessels up to 200 feet).

Sustainability is woven into the island’s DNA. Two wind turbines provide up to 75 percent of its energy, while an on-island water bottling plant eliminates single-use plastics. Locally sourced materials were used in the construction of the beachfront spaces, and an innovative food-waste reduction program partners with an organic farm on nearby Tortola.

The Potlatch Club

The Potlatch Club—a boutique resort originally founded by socialites on Eleuthera’s pink-sand shores—marries a glamorous 1960s past with modern sophistication. Once a retreat for celebs like Greta Garbo and Paul McCartney (who spent his first honeymoon here), the property closed in the 1980s.

Fast forward a few decades. 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 some of the original structures, like the 1919 Clubhouse with its black-and-white checkerboard marble floors and massive fireplace. Most of the 11 cottages, villas, and suites are new, 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 other set in a secluded garden. The Fig Tree restaurant serves locally sourced dishes with a global flair, while the Sand Bar’s craft cocktails come with uninterrupted sea views. It’s the perfect base to explore sleepy Eleuthera—or to simply do nothing at all.

Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Dorado Beach

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 in the 1950s; he reimagined it as a world-class hotel and nature preserve. In 2012, Ritz-Carlton transformed it into its first Reserve property in the Americas.

Each of the 96 rooms and suites immerses guests in the natural surroundings via generous terraces and expansive picture windows with cinematic water views. They’re beyond spacious, even at 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 personal butler who can make anything happen, from touring the island by helicopter to staging a family photo shoot on the beach. For the utmost pampering, book one of the 14 residences, which come equipped with a golf cart.

The resort is home to several restaurants, including Positivo Sand Bar (which serves Asian-inspired and Latin fusion dishes) and the waterfront COA, where cocktails have become a focal point, thanks to an ongoing bar pop-up series. Recent collaborations have included La Factoria, Café La Trova, and Hanky Panky, positioning Dorado Beach as a low-key hub for world-class mixology.

Rock House

It’s no surprise that Rock House came out of the gate swinging when it opened in 2022: This is a property with provenance. It’s a sibling to Grace Bay Club—which put Turks and Caicos on the luxury travel map when it opened in 1993. Carved into a rocky cliff on the north shore of Providenciales, the Rock House 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 with his wife (who named the hotel).

This high-style hideaway has 46 rooms crafted from white limestone, each with 13-foot vaulted wooden 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. In addition, 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 largest in Turks and Caicos). But Rock House is more 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

Located in Negril, on the western tip of Jamaica, Rockhouse is a feel-good vacation for many reasons. The 40-room clifftop hotel is Green Globe Certified. And the hotel’s nonprofit Rockhouse Foundation has invested more than $11 million in the local school system, which guests can visit. More recently, the property deepened that commitment in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, supporting staff with housing and full pay while helping fund relief efforts across the local community. The resort’s destination stewardship makes it that much more rewarding to indulge in snorkeling off the rocky shoreline, visiting the spa, lounging around 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 villas are built from local materials, designed by two Frank Lloyd Wright alums to blend into the landscape, and have wooden four-poster beds; some villas sit along a rocky volcanic cliff with terraces jutting over the sea. A new block of 800-square-foot Ocean View Suites has unrivaled sunset views.

Always on the vanguard, Rockhouse has created immersive programming like an eco-friendly candle-making class, a 5,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse (where guests can learn about organic farming), and Psilocybin Sound Bath (a two-hour wellness session that incorporates psychedelic plant medicine). And in honor of its 50th anniversary, the hotel published a coffee table book with archival photos and launched the limited-edition single-barrel Rockhouse Rum.

Rosewood Little Dix Bay

Founded in 1964 by financier, philanthropist, and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller, Rosewood Little Dix Bay has always been a secluded escape on the quiet island of Virgin Gorda. Even at full occupancy, the property never feels crowded: The 82 guest rooms, suites, and villas are spread across the hillside and gardens overlooking a half-mile crescent of powder-white sand. The property was reimagined in a 2020 renovation that introduced modern updates (wide glass doors, indoor-outdoor bathrooms), while preserving the resort’s original spirit. Some interiors still feature the Pietra Cardosa stone walls from the Rockefeller era.

Dining experiences include the standout Chef’s Table, a multi-course tasting built around ingredients sourced from the on-site farm and the surrounding British Virgin Islands. The meal is paired with wine aged underwater in the bay for six months. Sense, a Rosewood Spa, offers treatments that tap into local botanicals, plus guided wellness experiences that take guests beyond the property into the local landscape. Rockefeller’s early vision put sustainability front and center, and it’s still a major pillar.

Through partnerships with Green VI and the Association of Reef Keepers, the resort supports island-wide conservation initiatives, coral restoration, and monthly turtle-tagging sessions during nesting season. It’s a place that feels unchanged by trends, which is exactly why guests return year after year.

Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth

When the iconic Guanahani reopened after years of renovations following the devastation caused by 2017’s Hurricane Irma, it returned looking better than ever with a new name—Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth. Some things stayed the same (or were rebuilt to look the same) like the 66 accommodations, which include rooms, and suites whose exteriors are painted a rainbow of pastels along winding pathways. But the interiors were completely redone, courtesy of designer Luis Pons—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 spread out. The hotel is framed by a pretty lagoon and a pair of beaches: Maréchal Bay (a sandy stretch) and Grand Cul de Sac (known for snorkeling and sea turtle spotting). One of Rosewood’s most exciting additions is its Sense Spa, a Zen-inspired sanctuary with a wide range 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. For families with kids, the Rosewood Explorers Club keeps kids age 4 to 11 entertained with island-inspired crafts, treasure hunts, pétanque, and more.

Round Hill Hotel and Villas

Round Hill Hotel and Villas has been synonymous with Caribbean glamour since 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 27 private villas (each with its own unique character and a dedicated staff).

The level of service here is unmatched—many staff members have been with the property for decades, making it feel like a true home away from home. Beyond the beach, guests can explore the gardens on guided tours, spot marine life from a glass-bottom boat, or take part in seasonal events like A Culinary Constellation, a rotating series of chef residencies with talents including Rocco DiSpirito, Marcelo Fukuya, and Theodor Falser. The resort has also expanded its wellness offerings with new programming led by Erika Bloom–trained practitioners, introducing breathwork, meditation, myofascial release therapies, and more. Sustainability is at the heart of Round Hill’s mission, with an on-site organic garden supplying its restaurants and additional ingredients sourced within a 35-mile radius. The resort also supports community programs and has partnered with local scientists to restore the island’s coral reefs.

Secret Bay

Despite the name, the secret’s out on Secret Bay, an all-villa Relais & Châteaux resort committed to sustainability and preserving the surrounding rainforest 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 27 villas were responsibly built to not disturb the rainforest, but luxuries were not spared—think private pools and well-equipped kitchens. The resort’s new 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 collection of contemporary Caribbean and Latin American art.

Dining and culture play a central role. 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. Later this year, the resort will reopen Zing Zing, an intimate dining venue built around a no-menu concept that spotlights seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

Nature is never far from reach. The tree house–style spa and riverside yoga pavilion invite guests to slow down and reconnect. And an energy-efficient funicular—the longest in the Caribbean—allows guests to view the rainforest from new heights. And for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Secret Bay offers permit-only swimming with sperm whales. It’s one of the few places in the world where travelers can responsibly encounter these giants of the deep, with limited spots available each year.

Six Senses La Sagesse

Six Senses has brought its signature blend of luxury and sustainability to the Caribbean with Six Senses La Sagesse, an eco-conscious retreat set on a secluded bay in Grenada. The resort’s 56 pool suites and villas blend 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 take part in cultural experiences like spice blending and artisan workshops. At the Earth Lab, sustainability comes to 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, alongside a rotating roster of visiting wellness practitioners who practice specialized modalities like acupuncture, breathwork, and holistic healing. A new Digital Detox offering encourages guests to unplug, whether through tech-free meals, rooms, or curated experiences designed to promote better sleep, focus, and mindfulness.

Dining follows the brand’s “Eat With Six Senses” philosophy, with farm-to-table dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Even the handcrafted cocktails use herbs from the organic garden.

Soho Beach House Canouan

Soho Beach House Canouan isn’t your typical Caribbean resort—it’s the latest outpost of the exclusive members club with locations in London, New 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 most exclusive islands in the Grenadines.

The 40 rooms are simple yet sophisticated, with emperor-size timber beds, woven cane mirrors, and shuttered windows that open onto private sea-facing balconies. In keeping with Soho House’s unplugged ethos, there are no TVs—simply uninterrupted ocean views. The main restaurant serves wood-fired local dishes (conch fritters, jerk chicken tacos), you can have a private candlelit dinner on the jetty, and the beach bar and terrace is a prime spot for a Caribbean omakase-style dinner and sipping rum cocktails under the stars.

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 imagine wanting to leave.

Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort

Set on a white-sand beach right between St. Lucia’s iconic Piton mountains, Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort is part resort, part art gallery. It’s home to an extensive 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 private plunge pool and 24/7 butler service. The latest addition, Spice of Life, is a sustainable, ultra-luxe villa with nine bedrooms, an infinity pool, and museum-worthy art.

Days here are anything but ordinary—think glass-bottom kayaking, whale-watching, and chocolate-making workshops at the Cocoa Mill. At the Rainforest Spa, treehouse treatment rooms and a temazcal (volcanic steam room) set the scene for science-driven Augustinus Bader treatments, adding a new longevity-focused layer to the spa’s rainforest rituals. Dining is another 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. Active travelers will also appreciate the new Sugar Beach Racquet Club, which offers tennis, padel, and pickleball courts framed by the dramatic silhouette of Petit Piton. And that art collection? Don’t miss the immersive new audio tour that brings its stories to life.

This story was originally published in February 2025 with additional reporting by Mary Holland. It was refreshed with new reporting in February 2026.