Palm-fringed beaches, turquoise waters teeming with marine life, emerald forests and abundant sunshine — the Caribbean is about as close to paradise as it gets.
This otherworldly mosaic of more than 700 islands — each with its own cultural influences, rhythms and tropical adventures — truly has something to offer every kind of traveler. Unsurprisingly, the region is also home to some of the world’s most iconic, luxurious, eye-wateringly beautiful places to stay. There are also many unique lodging options, including properties with swim-up rooms and even a Disney hotel.
This list includes an ultra-luxurious designer haven in Turks and Caicos, a Bahamian grand dame with gardens inspired by Versailles, the oceanfront villa that James Bond author Ian Fleming once called home and a glamorous hideaway on St. Barts. Each hotel stands out for its dreamy setting, exceptional amenities and impeccable service. Most of all, though, each property has its own distinct story to tell.
Here are TPG’s favorite resorts in the Caribbean to visit in 2023.
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Credited with putting Anguilla on the map in the ’80s and burnishing the island’s reputation as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, Malliouhana’s breathtaking ocean views and haute cuisine continue to lure A-listers and glitterati.
As part of a massive renovation in 2015, the property’s classic British styling was infused with art deco flourishes to create a contemporary Caribbean aesthetic.
Spacious, light-filled rooms and suites (starting at 775 square feet) are painted in vibrant hues of blue and yellow. They’re outfitted with white lacquered four-poster beds and tropical paintings by Haitian artist Jasmin Joseph. Large furnished terraces embrace the hotel’s prevailing indoor-outdoor ethos.
Sip cocktails by the two-tiered infinity pool, relax on the white sands of Meads Bay, snorkel in crystalline waters, play tennis or join a beachfront yoga class. From every angle, the scenery is spectacular.
The hotel’s culinary credentials remain impeccable. At the oceanfront Celeste, expect to feast on local delicacies, such as grilled Anguilla lobster ($72) or pot-roasted mahi-mahi with a vegetable curry ($48).
Little ones can join the Mini-Explorers program to enjoy daily beach activities, ocean adventures and cultural experiences. Wellness-seeking parents can indulge in spa treatments such as a Swedish massage incorporating exotic essences ($245 for 90 minutes).
Rates in a Garden View Deluxe 1 King start at $799 per room (plus 13% government tax, plus $12 service charge).
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The ultra-luxurious Amanera is the Dominican Republic’s premier address. Part of the world’s most exclusive hotel brand, everything at Amanera invites superlatives. It features swanky accommodations, unmatched service, supersized public spaces that promote privacy and a world-class golf course that boasts the highest number of oceanside holes in the Western Hemisphere.
Sitting on the wildly beautiful Samana Peninsula, each of the 25 stunning Balinese-style casas and casitas are designed in harmony with nature and equipped with every amenity imaginable. Sleek living spaces feature state-of-the-art sound systems, while design-forward bathrooms have spa-style marble tubs. The 1,700-square-foot outdoor terraces lead to private pools.
The Beach Club restaurant offers romantic, toes-in-the-sand dining and classic South American cuisine. Casa Grande, Amanera’s main restaurant, melds the island’s rich culinary traditions with innovative international techniques that showcase the regional bounty of organic produce, super-fresh seafood and prime cuts of meat.
Private butlers can arrange bespoke experiences, including a forest walk introduction to the herbal medicine traditions of the Caribbean Taino, a ceviche-making class and a rejuvenating signature Spa Journey at the cliff-top spa.
Rates start from $1,700 per night.
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A perfect marriage of French flair and Caribbean mystique, St. Barts is devoted to the finer things in life. As part of the French West Indies, it’s legally (and spiritually) French. Picture charming cobblestone streets dotted with gourmet restaurants, designer shopping boutiques (duty-free) and small, intimately scaled hotels hinged on a certain singular charm and elegance. You’ll see plenty of megayachts shimmering in the port but notice a lack of generic, supersized resorts.
Cool and classy, the 21-key Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf — part of the luxe French hotel brand Barriere — embodies the essence of St. Barts. Rooms, suites and bungalow suites (with plunge pools) are effortlessly chic; they feature wooden furnishings, a light color palette and large bathrooms with tropical wooden accents and cream marble vanities. Furnished terraces (up to 590 square feet) overlook Gustavia’s glamorous marina and one of the Caribbean’s most enchanting stretches of coastline, where guests convene at the hotel’s private, scene-setting Shellona Beach Club.
At the revered on-site restaurant Le Fouquet’s, guests dine on classic French bistro fare with a Caribbean twist. You’ll find tuna tartare ($43), Jamaican-style octopus ($42) and grilled lamb chops with tamarind juice ($70).
Spa Diane Barriere is renowned across the island and incorporates products from Paris-based Biologique Recherche in its facials, massages, rejuvenating treatments and therapies.
Rates from $969 per night.
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Puerto Rico’s most exclusive resort, Dorado Beach, bears all the hallmarks of the Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand: unbridled luxury, exclusivity, eco-conscious sensibilities and flawless service.
Originally built by the Rockefeller family in the 1950s, this opulent property is as rich in history as in design. With a spectacular location overlooking a pristine 2-mile beach, it remains a magnet for tycoons and celebrities.
Stylish rooms start at 941 square feet and feature natural woods, marble, local artworks and expansive outdoor living spaces (deluxe suites have private plunge pools). Discreetly nestled among the vegetation, accommodations afford guests plenty of privacy as well as every creature comfort they could possibly desire. Guests also receive bespoke service from a private embajador, or personal butler.
As you’d expect, the resort’s amenities are exceptional. The epicurean food and beverage program includes Coa, which pays tribute to the region’s Taino roots, and La Cava, the largest wine cellar in the Caribbean.
Related: The 26 best Marriott hotels in the world
You’ll also find two gorgeous pools fronted by swaying palms, a state-of-the-art fitness center and three Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed golf courses. Little explorers can participate in Ritz-Carlton’s signature Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program and enjoy wholesome children’s menus. Parents can unplug and indulge at the Spa Botanico with holistic treatments incorporating indigenous ingredients. Treatments occur in open-air treatment rooms scattered throughout the forest.
Rates start from $1,695 or 170,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
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Spanning 6 acres of Anguilla’s idyllic Atlantic coastline (with direct access to the sugary white sands of famed Shoal Bay Beach), the 76-key Zemi Beach House is a boutique haven with imaginative programming, fine food and excellent amenities.
Part of Hilton’s fledgling luxury brand LXR, the hotel’s modern rooms and suites are the epitome of Caribbean chic. They feature spare wood and wicker furnishings accompanied by beds dressed in crisp white linens. It’s the eclectic bathrooms that really stand out here, with walk-in glass showers, stone sinks, copper piping and luxurious soaking tubs.
The resort never feels crowded thanks to the modest room count and surplus of amenities, including four outdoor pools, a tennis court and a fitness center with a yoga platform. Children ages 4 to 12 can partake in island-themed activities such as mermaid classes and coconut bowling at the kids club.
Water sports enthusiasts should note that the water here can sometimes be too rough to use the complimentary kayaks, paddleboards and snorkeling gear — a drawback of its location on the island’s Atlantic side.
At each of the five restaurants, breeze-cooled diners delight in heavenly ocean views and menus that showcase local produce and seasonal ingredients. The main restaurant, 20 Knots, specializes in Caribbean fusion dishes with plenty of seafood options.
The lavish spa sits inside a 300-year-old authentic Thai house complete with a hammam and mud deck. Should you choose to indulge, an 80-minute Balinese massage will set you back $240.
Rates start at $594 or 110,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Related: The 19 best Hilton hotels in the world
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A tiny speck of an island with jungle-fringed white-sand beaches, lush mountains and brilliant blue waters, Canouan has become more accessible over recent years thanks to improved infrastructure and a clutch of new hotels. One of these is the sumptuous Mandarin Oriental, which debuted on the pristine sands of Godahl Beach in 2019.
Formerly the Pink Sands Club, this exclusive, Italian-inspired resort is a secluded hideaway for couples and families — not to mention a fair few celebrity guests.
Discreetly tucked into the forested hillside, the 26 lavish suites and 13 villas sport marble bathrooms and expansive indoor-outside living spaces with ocean views. Many also have private terraces with infinity pools.
The focus on impeccable service and curated experiences, however, is what distinguishes this property. As part of the property’s Castaway experience, guests can sail away at sunset to enjoy private, romantic dining under star-studded skies on nearby Tobago Cays or Mayreau Island. They can also relax with treatments from their own massage therapist.
Private butlers can arrange kite surfing, guided hiking tours, private catamaran tours, snorkeling excursions and day trips to Mustique. They can also book signature spa treatments, such as a 90-minute Oriental Qi ($300) massage with essential oils.
Rates from $1,800 per night for a one-bedroom ocean-view suite.
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St. Kitts is one of TPG’s favorite Caribbean destinations. This brand-true Park Hyatt outpost, overlooking the idyllic sands of Banana Bay, makes for a luxurious and affordable stay thanks to a terrific World of Hyatt points redemption.
The candlelit lobby — with warm, wooden accents and centerpiece koi pond — creates a Zen, tropically inspired ambience and aesthetic that runs through all the public spaces.
Each of the 77 rooms and 47 suites exudes contemporary Caribbean chic with white L-shaped sofas, white shuttered doors and understated wooden furnishings. Large spa-style bathrooms feature double vanities, freestanding bathtubs and marble walk-in showers. Many suites offer private pools with sun decks.
Related: The 23 best Hyatt hotels in the world
Highly rated dining venues include Great House, which serves an expansive breakfast buffet, and the waterfront Fisherman’s Village, the hotel’s dedicated seafood restaurant. Meanwhile, the adults-only Stone Barn specializes in farm- and sea-to-table cuisine.
Two large, beautifully designed pools (one of which is adults-only) are surrounded by plush loungers. They are the perfect places to relax with a cocktail in hand and soak up the captivating views of St. Kitts’ sister island, Nevis.
Active types can dabble in complimentary nonmotorized water sports, such as snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding. Wellness seekers can head to the Sugar Mill Spa & Sanctuary, which takes a holistic approach to self-care with “intention-based” healing treatments, guided journeys, and yoga and meditation classes.
Rates start from $898 or 48,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Related: Caribbean luxury for cheap: A review of the Park Hyatt St. Kitts
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This stunning Rosewood outpost spans 500 acres of rolling forested hills and spills onto a gorgeous arc of palm-fringed white sand. The property has once again raised the bar for Caribbean glamour following an extensive four-year rebuild that stayed true to the vision of Laurance Rockefeller (who built the original resort in 1964).
Inviting, light-filled beach cottages and treehouses are tastefully appointed with midcentury modern furnishings and tropical accents that give off breezy Caribbean vibes. Bathrooms feature rain showerheads, mosaic-tiled double vanities and light wooden accents. Spacious furnished terraces channel the property’s prevailing indoor-outdoor ethos and afford dreamy ocean views.
If you can drag yourself away from the tranquil beach or lushly landscaped pools, you can arrange superb snorkeling and an array of on-the-water activities at the activities hub. Sense, a Rosewood Spa, offers restorative spa treatments, rejuvenating mind-body experiences, fitness classes and outdoor activities.
As expected, the hotel’s dining options are exceptional, showcasing sustainable local seafood and fresh produce sourced from the on-site organic garden.
Start the evening with a Cantaritos cocktail made from tequila, orange juice, pink grapefruit juice, lime juice and grapefruit soda ($22). Then, graze on tapas and sashimi oceanside at the Sugar Mill. You can also sample piquant West Indian flavors at the Reef House, where signature dishes include a whole roasted cauliflower with coconut-pistachio sauce ($34) and Anegada lobster tail cooked sous vide ($55).
Ocean-view cottages start at $1,035 per night.
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Overlooking a dazzling blue lagoon in Oracabessa, 20 minutes from Ocho Rios, GoldenEye is part of Jamaican lore. It’s also one of the island’s most authentic and beloved boutique properties.
Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, penned 12 novels at his GoldenEye villa, which he built in 1946. Following his death in 1967, it was sold to Bob Marley. Shortly thereafter, Chris Blackwell, the record producer who founded Island Records, purchased it. He still owns the 52-acre resort, and it forms part of his Island Outpost hotel group.
Artfully designed clusters of cottages, suites and beach villas take their cues from nature. Some have full kitchens, outdoor showers, clawfoot tubs and pavilions that allow easy access to the lagoon or secluded Low Cay Beach. The beach is known for superb snorkeling along its nearby coral reef.
Fleming’s five-bedroom beachfront bungalow, the Fleming Villa, is available to rent (from $7,630 per night). Appointed with original furnishings, including the author’s writing desk, the fully staffed luxury villa has a private pool, beach and garden. Fleming entertained a slew of visiting celebrities and literati (including playwright Noel Coward and actress Katharine Hepburn) at this very villa.
Spend days relaxing by the freshwater infinity pool, dining on authentic Jamaican fare from Bizot Bar or kicking back with potent rum cocktails from Bamboo Bar on Button Beach. You can also swim up to the FieldSpa for a pimento and ginger massage (90 minutes, $210), salt scrub, herbal wrap or meditation session.
Rates from $578 per night.
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A peaceful haven on one of the Caribbean’s most heavily touristed islands, this lavish Belmond outpost blends classic Mediterranean beach glamor with playful tropical vibes.
Fronting St. Martin’s finest and most exclusive beach, the quietly sophisticated property is a magnet for celebrities. They are drawn to its impeccable, art-filled public spaces, breathtaking Caribbean Sea views and chic rooms discreetly spread over low-rise, whitewashed adobe buildings.
The room categories vary in style and size, but all six types are primed for relaxation. A beachy aesthetic prevails with crisp white linens, panoramic ocean views and thoughtful amenities. For families and groups of travelers, there are eight freestanding, luxurious villas (three- and four-bedroom options), which afford an extra level of privacy and feature wraparound terraces and private pools.
Helmed by chef Marcel Ravinand, L’Oursin (one of two exquisite restaurants on the property) fuses French and Creole flavors to create a hyperseasonal menu. Meals are best paired with fine wine from the legendary 15,000-bottle wine cellar.
Wellness seekers will delight in the candlelit spa, nestled among gardens with cascading bougainvillea and towering palms. Two inviting swimming pools and plush private cabanas dot the hotel’s private beachfront.
An array of lifestyle amenities and daily programming — including tennis, yoga, meditation, fitness classes and water sports — appeal to travelers looking for more than just a drop-and-flop vacation. The staff can also arrange private charter sailings between St. Barts and Anguilla, or to the uninhabited island of Tintamarre to snorkel with rare hawksbill turtles and stingrays.
Rooms start at $962 per night, including taxes and fees.
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Unfurling along the secluded shores of an 18,000-acre nature reserve on Providenciales, Amanyara is a design lovers haven. Ornamental water features and exuberant tropical vegetation surround the 36 pavilions and 20 villas.
From warm Indonesian wood accents and soaring ceilings to glass-walled indoor-outdoor living spaces and private infinity-edge pools, everything here is designed to promote privacy, comfort and serenity.
The hotel’s natural assets include a milelong white-sand beach lapped by calm, turquoise water and exceptional snorkeling. (Turks and Caicos is widely known as one of the planet’s best snorkeling and diving destinations.) So, there’s plenty to lure you from your palatial sanctuary.
Overlooking the central reflection pond, The Restaurant serves delicacies such as oysters, caviar and sashimi, followed by seasonal Caribbean-inspired entrees like lobster risotto, grouper with puttanesca sauce and grilled whole fish.
Along with four spa pavilions offering a range of holistic therapies and treatments, there’s a comprehensive lineup of daily activities and custom experiences. Options include tennis clinics led by professionals, underwater photography excursions, yoga and meditation classes, and kid-focused activities at the Nature Discovery Centre.
Rooms start at $3,160 per night.
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This iconic Four Seasons, which opened in 1962, remains something of a rite of passage for luxury seekers visiting Paradise Island. Set on a gorgeous 5-mile beach — a stunning sweep of soft white sand that gently shelves to clear azure waters — there’s an air of refined seclusion, a world apart from the more bustling areas of Nassau.
There are nine room categories, ranging from garden and ocean-view rooms to four-bedroom villas with private infinity pools, a team of butlers and almost 5,000 square feet of living space. All rooms meld a contemporary Bahamian design with classic elegance, led by rich fabrics, inviting colors, spacious furnished terraces and marble-clad bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and mosaic-tiled vanities.
Three pools (including a lagoon-style family pool) are surrounded by 35 acres of Versailles-inspired gardens. Luxurious Balinese-style spa villas provide the setting for innovative, award-winning mind-body rituals and treatments. Not to mention, the Tom Weiskopf-designed Ocean Club Golf Course is one of the region’s finest.
At the resort’s fine dining venue Dune, chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten conjures innovative French-Asian cuisine with a Bahamian twist in a beautiful oceanfront dining room. The restaurant serves, perhaps, the best Sunday brunch on the island.
Rates from $1,800 per night.
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This fun, 266-key hotel is a high-end (but down-to-earth) Grand Cayman property offering a well-rounded Caribbean resort experience.
Just 20 minutes from the airport on Grand Cayman’s famous Seven Mile Beach, this brand-true Kimpton property debuted in November 2016. It feels fresh and intimate despite its significant room count.
Rooms and public spaces embrace a laid-back, indoor-outdoor lifestyle concept, with furnished patios, terraces, and ocean views from most rooms. Bright pops of pink and purple, whimsical design accents and thoughtful perks — such as yoga mats, pet amenities and loaner bikes — create a playful, warm ambience.
The resort’s convivial main restaurant, Ave, appeals to both families and couples. It offers creative Mediterranean cuisine served alongside tropical cocktails and views of Seven Mile Beach.
Kids can enjoy daily programming and activities at Camp Seafire, as well as pool slides and a splash zone. Wellness-seeking adults head for the 8,500-square-foot Spa at Seafire, which draws on island-inspired rituals incorporating local ingredients like coconut, tropical fruits and coffee.
Related: Beachfront luxury with IHG points: A review of the Kimpton Seafire Grand Cayman
The large, beautifully landscaped, family-friendly pool is a perfect place to set up for the day. You can enjoy refreshing Caribbean fare and fruity cocktails served poolside at the Grand Cayman Bar.
Rates start at $726 or 70,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
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An incomparable private-island experience in one of the world’s most breathtaking locations, Jumby Bay Island is a castaway’s dream (the kind of castaway who wants someone to cater to their every whim).
Ringed by powder-soft beaches and coral reefs teeming with marine life, this 300-acre hideaway has plenty to offer families and romantic couples. There are no cars, eyesores or real-world reminders in sight.
The property’s 40 suites, 14 luxury villas and 22 private residences (with large pools) radiate an elegant beach house vibe and sit steps away from spectacular beaches.
The all-inclusive food and beverage program is far from standard all-you-can-eat buffet fare. Wholesome, locally inspired menus feature sustainably sourced fish, seafood and produce. Memorable dining settings include a circa-1830 plantation house, fresh from a $6 million renovation.
While unbridled relaxation is the primary objective for most guests, there’s plenty to occupy adventurous types. In addition to multiple pools, a lavish spa, tennis courts and a yoga pavilion, the resort also offers complimentary waterskiing, kayaks, paddleboards, catamarans, sailboats and snorkeling tours. Daily activities for tots through tweens include cooking classes, arts and crafts, guided walks and beach games.
Rates start at $2,232 per room per night, based on double occupancy.
Related: The most luxurious all-inclusive resorts around the world
