How to Find a Caribbean Luxury Hotel

The Caribbean – white sands, blue, blue water and sun year-round, is the perfect place for a luxurious retreat. But where to go? That all depends on what your requirements are for your retreat from life’s cares. Do you want a private villa with a butler? A mega-resort with any number of restaurants and pools? Do you want be able to access your vacation on a private yacht or drive up in a limousine? Do you want a spa to help relax you? All these options and more are available.



The Caribbean’s best luxury hotels may not technically be considered Caribbean (people argue about what is or it not), but they all are luxurious beach havens. Most of the hotels are rated by the usual organizations, AAA, Mobil and most have made all the “best” lists. For more, look to The Leading Hotels of the World, Forbes and Travel + Leisure for ideas.

Jamaica Luxury Hotel

Jamaica Inn has been open since 1950 and has won every award imaginable. The small property has 47 suites and four cottages. The setting, just outside the town of Ocho Rios, is simply stunning.

Dining: The dinner menu at Jamaica Inn changes every night, so you’ll never be bored. Have the six-course gourmet dinner under the Stars while listening to a live band. Saturday is lobster night!

Spa: KiYara Ocean Spa means "sacred place of the earth spirits," in the language of the Taino people, the original inhabitants of the area. The philosophy is, "In Balance, with Nature" and treatments are drawn from the plants of the island, which are sourced both from local organic farmers and gathered locally.

Deluxe Touch: Book the White Suite, situated on its own private peninsula. Your views are of the Caribbean Sea and can be seen from anywhere within the 2,000 suite. The private terrace opens onto its own secluded pool.

Details

Ocho Rios, St. Ann
Jamaica, West Indies
Tel: 876.974.2514

Bahamas Luxury Hotel

The One&Only Ocean Club used to be a private estate and is located between miles of pristine beach and exquisite gardens. The look is inspired by the romantic grandeur of Versailles on an island called, aptly enough, Paradise...

Terraced gardens are decorated with bronze and marble statues from Europe. A 12^th century Augustinian cloister boasts spectacular sunset views over Nassau Harbour.

Dining: Dune, run by world-class chef Jean-George Vongerichten, serves a blend of French-Asian cuisine infused with local herbs and Bahamian influences.

Spa: The spa has eight Balinese-style private treatment villas with open-air gardens, offereing a variety of treatments. Individually-tailored exercise programs and group classes are offered as well as one-hour yoga classes.

Deluxe Touch: Stay in one of the Villas, the resort’s most luxurious accommodation, with more than 4,400 square feet! A dedicated Villa Host will take care of all the details.

Details
Paradise Island
Tel: 800-321-3000

Barbados Luxury Hotel

Sandy Lane has been a vacation spot for royalty, movie stars and many of the business world's most discerning personalities since 1961.

Dining: Sandy Lane was once a dense mahogany grove. Two hundred and fifty years later, several of the trees remain in front of the terrace to L'Acajou, which is the French translation for mahogany. The menu showcases the freshest island seafood, local delicacies and the best of imported products.


Spa: Treatments are offered in the Hydrotherapy and Jet Blitz rooms, as well as regular massage rooms. A Hydrotub offers some fantastic features, such as, steam, hydrofusion, vibratory massage and chromotherapy.

Deluxe Touch: Guest services include packing and unpacking service, 24-hour pressing service, nightly treat, personalized private bar, personalized in-room registration, Bentley and arrangement of luxury car transfers.

Details
St. James, Barbados
Wet Indies
Tel: 246-444-2000

Dominican Republic Luxury Hotel

Located on Bávaro Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Paradisus Palma Real is a five-star, all-inclusive luxury property with 554 suites, each with a private terrace or balcony. All guest bathrooms are equipped with a European spa jet-shower and a Jacuzzi for two.

Dining: Bana serves contemporary Asian fusion cuisine and offers a sushi bar, Teppanyaki tables and its own themed martini bar. Passion is a romantic a la carte restaurant for adults only and Vento features a la carte international specialties with a Mediterranean flair and its own Fusion Bellini Bar.

Spa: A two-story, full-service facility features the "Live the Water Bliss" water ritual experience. Other treatments include full-body treatments and salon-quality beauty services.

Deluxe Touch: Stay in one of the 102 suites or two oceanfront Presidential Suites that feature “ Royal Service.” Amenities include a personal butler , access to the Royal Service lounge for private check in/out, complimentary Internet access, daily continental breakfast buffet, coffee and beverages, evening cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, access to a private pool with Bali beds and access to a private beach area with beach concierge service

Details
Playa de Bávaro, Punta Cana, Higüey
Dominican Republic
Tel: 809 688 5000

Anguilla Luxury Hotel

The Malliouhana Hotel & Spa is situated at the west end of Anguilla, seven miles or 15 minutes drive from the airport. The hotel is located on a bluff overlooking the Caribbean sea and Meads Bay and Turtle Cove beaches.

Dining: Malliouhana is home to the Caribbean’s largest wine cellar, with over 25,000 bottles, carefully chosen to complement the menus. Recipient of many international awards for food and dining, menu reflects classic Mediterranean cuisine and local Caribbean flavors.

Spa: The spa is 15,000 square feet, right on the ocean front, with five individual treatment rooms and one outdoor treatment area, plus three private spa suites with outdoor balconies. There is an outdoor ocean view Jacuzzi on the relaxation terrace and a fitness centre with Cybex and Life Fitness equipment with personal trainers.

Deluxe Touch: Book the Pool Suite, with more than 5,000 feet comprising master bedroom, bathroom with whirlpool bath, lounge, separate study or junior bedroom with shower room, dressing rooms, outdoor covered terraces, a private 6 ft deep pool and private access to Turtle Cove beach

Details

Meads Bay
British West Indies
800-835-0796

Parrot Cay Luxury Hotels

Parrot Cay in the Turks & Caicos is a northern Caribbean's private island, with 1,000 acres, including a mile-long powdered beach. It’s beautiful, luxurious and exclusive.

Dining: Lotus restaurant serves Caribbean dishes, while the Terrace restaurant specializes in haute cuisine, using the freshest local and world products available.

Spa: In a pavilion overlooking the island's wetlands, you can practice yoga with the world's leading teachers during dedicated retreat weeks. Or try a treatment by therapists who administer Asian-inspired holistic therapies, honed by international health consultants.

Deluxe Touch: Parrot Cay Estates is a collection of villas located a 5-7 minute buggy ride from the main resort, affording guests a private beach that's both empty and secure. Located right on the ocean edge with views towards the waters, amenities include all of those at the resort.

Details

Parrot Cay,

Turks + Caicos
Tel: 649 946 7788

Aruba Luxury Hotels

The Westin Aruba Resort in the Dutch Caribbean offers a magnificent beach, with myriad outdoor pleasures. Located on the strip of Palm Beach, Aruba, you can enjoy sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, and golf.

Dining: Azull offers beach dining under the stars. Master chefs prepare a four-course dinner using superb ingredients while you sit under Tiki torches.

Spa: The Intermezzo Spa offers various massages, ranging from the hot stone to deep tissue to acupressure. Try a scrub with vitamin-enriched lotions and oils, fragrant with exotic scents.

Deluxe Touch: Stay in a one-bedroom oceanfront suite, with a direct view of ocean, connecting parlor for entertaining and two private balconies.

Details

E. Irausquin Blvd.
77 Palm Beach, Aruba Tel: 297 5864 466