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I love staying in a private villa home over a hotel when traveling with a small group, and Breezy Villa by Island Escapes is both affordable and impressively chic. In a secluded hillside location, complete with multiple, swaying palms for privacy and glassy sea-foam green lagoon views that are just a shade lighter than the infinity pool melting into them, it’s easy to check skinny-dipping in paradise off the bucket list when sleeping here. If naked swimming isn’t your thing, no worries, the pool is also perfect for nighttime stargazing floats. And then there is the leeward lagoon location itself -- it is super calm and you can wade for ages through calm and crystalline water here without gaining much depth. There is no direct beach access, but a series of steps wind their way down from the travertine-tiled pool terrace to a small pier where a ladder offers direct sea access. Breezy Villa’s stylish interior is equally appealing. From the arched doorways and pitched roof in the open living room and modern L-shaped kitchen to the square-shaped original ocean-hued paintings hung on either side of the front door to the Grecian-Roman columns on terrace, I love the Zen beach house meets Italian palazzo vibe. Similar-sized sleeping quarters, each featuring a unique wooden bed frame and French doors opening directly to pool terrace, make this three-bedroom home equally perfect for families, especially those traveling with a nanny. It also works well for multiple couples.

Although French Polynesia is often billed as a luxury destination, there are actually a number of affordable resorts and private home vacation rentals on the islands that won’t break the bank. Yes, you’ll find overwater bungalows galore on French Polynesia’s islands, but if you know where to look, you’ll also find family-run pensions and resort options that offer affordable luxury, allowing travelers on budgets to experience the awesome beauty of French Polynesia.

St. Kitts has beaches with bars, beaches with resorts, and beaches with nothing to distract you but the sound of the surf rolling over the sand. This variety also extends to the island’s other attractions, which include historic sites, outdoor activities like hiking and golf, and just enough nightlife to keep things interesting without disturbing St. Kitts’ sweet sense of tranquility.

St. Vincent is home to several volcanic beaches, with dark, sometimes black, sand that’s especially striking against the pounding Atlantic surf on the island’s east coast. The Grenadines, on the other hand, have soft, white-sand beaches, surrounded by aquamarine, turquoise, and deep-blue waters.

The vivid flavors and colors of Puerto Rico cannot be ignored. Wander San Juan’s candy-colored streets, explore El Morro and the trails of El Junque, and linger on the inviting beaches: A weekend is just long enough to fall in love with this island.

Toast your vacation at one of Maui’s many bars, which range from dives to rooftop lounges to thatched huts serving Champagne. Soak up the sun at Hula Grill or Leilani’s on Kāʻanapali Beach, then retire to spots like the island’s oldest bar, the Pioneer Inn, or Monkeypod Kitchen, which serves cocktails by the legendary Peter Merriman, a leader of Hawaii Regional Cuisine. End the night with dancing into the wee hours at local favorite South Shore Tiki Lounge.

Every now and again, travelers just need to stay in one place and leave the running around to the rest of the world. That’s where resorts come in. Though most of these resorts on the Philippine Islands are within easy reach of other grand adventures, these properties serve up a world all their own. They all serve memorable meals and have snap-worthy views.

The island of Maui is full of unique souvenirs, from muumuus to malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts). Expect to find weave-your-own haku lei (flower crowns), vodka distilled from deep-ocean mineral water, and punk albums at the best record store in Hawaii. Fashionistas can also look forward to original designs at Kūlua and the Monarch Collective, while those seeking something a little simpler will want to hit the Maui Swap Meet and Olowalu General Store.

On Guadeloupe, keeping active with the family is a part of everyday life. Parents love to head outside and play with their kids. Many beaches are illuminated at night, so families can go for a swim, jog, or game of volleyball even after the adults have finished work. Guadeloupe National Park is everyone’s favorite outdoor playground, offering nature hikes, waterfalls, and thermal pools for all ages. The archipelago is, therefore, a great place for families to visit. And there’s also cultural learning in the form of botanical gardens, colorful markets, museums, and former plantations.

Turks and Caicos is a great honeymoon destination, especially if you just want to spend your days lazing on the beach, sipping rum from a coconut, and enjoying romantic private time with your sweetie. Here are our favorite hotels and villas (for all budgets) for honeymooners in Turks and Caicos, where you can get pampered like a celebrity, snorkel or skinny-dip in paradise, and spend your evenings stargazing together from the pool.

Why we love it: A private island resort where guests can truly disconnect

The Highlights:
- Just eight casitas and 400 acres of nature
- A strong commitment to sustainability
- A hyper-local culinary program

The Review:
Off the Pacific coast of Panama, near the border with Costa Rica, floats a lush island that indigenous people dubbed Palenque, or “sanctuary.” Once home to an ancient, pre-Columbian community, the island stood empty for hundreds of years—save for the all the wildlife, birds, and flora—until Ben Loomis arrived. For five years, the architect and designer lived on site, sleeping in a hammock by night and getting to know the land by day. Eventually, he put both his background and love for nature to use by creating this private island resort, dedicated to the principles of sustainable luxury.

There are just eight beachfront casitas and one Villa Estate on the 400-acre island, so privacy is a given. Each of the 650-square-foot casitas has direct beach access, an outdoor tub, organic bath products, daybeds and hammocks, artisan-made furnishings, and a mini-bar stocked with local juices, snacks, and beers. Standout amenities include binoculars, a yoga mat, and a meditation cushion, plus a water bottle to use around the resort; Wi-Fi is free, but “island speed.” In addition to the main beach that fronts the casitas, guests have access to six other sandy stretches, along with nature walking and hiking trails, a main infinity pool, a spa, and complimentary use of kayaks, snorkels, and paddleboards. Meals are full of fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients and vibrant Panamanian flavors; rates include three meals a day, along with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. An Island Foraging experience brings you closer to the culinary process as you learn to fish using ancient techniques, pick goodies from the island’s orchards, and hunt for wild ingredients along rainforest trails. Off-island excursions like whale watching, island hopping, and more can also be arranged, but with the run of a place like this, it’ll be hard to leave.

About an hour’s flight from Panama City is David, the capital city of Chiriquí province. From there, it takes another hour by boat through lagoons, mangroves, wetlands, and estuaries to reach Cala Mia’s dock on the island of Boca Brava. Upon arrival, guests find a low-key resort, where 11 bungalow suites feature modern amenities like air-conditioning. Also on site are thatched-roof “ranchos” with hammocks and cushioned seating for unwinding in view of swaying palm trees and the nearby shoreline. The resort’s Point Sur restaurant offers a four-course meal each evening that revolves around local fish and seafood, including lobster caught just off the premises. During the day, guests can take guided hikes in the nearby forests to see howler monkeys and tropical birds, or go island-hopping with a boat captain in search of white-sand beaches.

This archipelago off the coast of La Paz (which takes the name of the main island) is a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. While the islands are uninhabited by humans save for a small fishing camp made of temporary structures, they’re home to a great variety of flora and fauna. In addition to dolphins, frigate birds, and ring-tailed cats, you’ll find the only known black jackrabbit population in the world. Celebrated eco-friendly activities company Cabo Expeditions leads daylong archipelago tours that include exploring the mesmerizing volcanic landscape, a ceviche lunch, and an opportunity to swim on Ensenada Grande Beach—often cited as one of the world’s most beautiful—plus guided snorkeling with the incredibly playful pups at the Los Islotes sea lion colony.

When traveling with family or friends in Turks and Caicos, a private villa rental often works out to be cheaper than sleeping in a hotel. Staying in a private villa also offers more privacy and flexibility when it comes to meals and experiences. From bare-bones to full-service with butler, maid, and chef, villa rentals in Turks and Caicos cover all budgets.

The best hotels in the Bahamas make it easy for you to spend less time worrying about where to stay and more time plotting your next pink-sand beach adventure. Here, you’ll find some of the finest boutique hotels and luxury resorts in the Caribbean, from the humble (a seaside cabana with views to swoon over) to the plush (think private island escape).