Travel bucket lists vary a great deal from one person to the next. But one very common element is the desire to visit the beautiful towns and beaches of the Caribbean. The area is more expansive than a lot of people realize, and is comprised of more than 700 islands and reefs. One of the most appealing ways to check out the area is to hop from one destination to another over the course of a week or two. Realistically, it’s usually easier to pick one or two places to stay.
You can find affordable accommodations, either in city hotels or condos near the beach. Airbnb has also made it easier to find cheap places to rent for a week or two. But if you want to enjoy the things that draw so many people to the Caribbean, you might want to look into some of the resorts on the island.
These are some of the very best to put at the top of your list.
Jade Mountain (St. Lucia)
This is a bold choice but a spectacular one if you really want to dive into the Caribbean for some relaxation. It’s bold because it doesn’t allow phones or televisions. That’s not unique among Caribbean resorts, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind if you look into Jade Mountain. Then again, it’s worth it for the inventive structure and otherworldly beauty of this place. The resort is built in a way that makes many of the rooms accessible only by bridges, and that lends each room a private feeling. You’ll have your own views, your own pool, and physical separation from the communal areas within the resort. And just for good measure, you can get a chocolate massage at this resort—which is exactly what it sounds like.
Dorado Beach (Puerto Rico)
This is a lovely resort affiliated with the Ritz-Carlton, but is doing its own thing for all intents and purposes. For a lot of people the main appeal of visiting the Caribbean is to feel close to the gorgeous sand and water coupled with terrific weather. Dorado Beach accommodates those desires just as good as any resort on the islands. Rooms are built with giant windows and open spaces, and everything from pool space to the spa is outdoors. Plus, you’re mere steps from the beaches, which feel a little more private than many others in Puerto Rico.
Atlantis Paradise Island (Bahamas)
This towering resort in the Bahamas is a little more commercial than some would like for a Caribbean getaway, but it does have its charms. For kids and families, there’s a giant water park. For adults, the casino is probably the best in the Caribbean, and particularly now seems like a worthwhile destination. It’s common knowledge that websites dominate the casino industry these days, and while poker rooms may come to mind first, it’s slots that make up the bulk of the sites. They come in astounding variety, and players can easily search for their favorite games on any and all sites and platforms. It takes a big casino packed with variety to counter this level of convenience, and Atlantis has it. The slot floor is immense, the gaming tables are wonderful, and the venue is welcoming. It’s probably the main reason to choose this over a more low-key resort.
Ritz-Carlton (St. Thomas)
St. Thomas is one of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and has about as good a claim as any destination as the most beautiful place in the Caribbean—or at least the most representative of the traditional idyllic Caribbean image. The Ritz-Carlton is a rich name that may call to mind huge resorts and gaudier offerings, but here the resort embraces the spirit of the island. It’s a simple design that offers you luxury without anything over-the-top, and allows you to sit back and soak in the incredible surroundings.
Malliouhana (Anguilla)
The Malliouhana is a branch of Auberge Resorts and feels more vintage, in some respects, than the other resorts on this list. Despite that, it was still voted among the top resorts in the Caribbean. Most of the design, both inside and out, is stark white with some blue and turquoise accents, and the result is that you may not even feel like you’re in this particular paradise. In certain places the Malliouhana more closely resembles a Greek villa, or a rich home on the Pacific coast in the United States. But outside are the unrivaled beaches of Anguilla, which have been called the best in the Caribbean.
Tell us you favorite place to visit in the Caribbean?
