It’s been five years since we first launched CJ’s annual Cool List of the Caribbean’s coolest hotels, and so much has changed in Caribbean hospitality. In our opinion, the region’s hotel offering has never been better, with a marvelous mix of top-flight luxury hotels, style-centric boutiques and everything in between.

So where do CJ’s experts suggest this year for all things cool?

The coolest hotels always have a personality, offering something more than just a place to stay.

Our 2017 edition largely focuses on hotels off the beaten path, taking you to some cool hotels you’ve likely never heard of, because there’s nothing cooler than discovering a closely-guarded secret. Here are the 20 coolest hotels in the Caribbean for 2017.

Tom Beach Hotel, St. Barth

While it’s set on the most famous beach in St. Barth, St. Jean, this tiny boutique beach hotel remains something of a secret. Home to one of the island’s hottest beach bars, Le Tom Beach is set in a garden and boasts bright, sleek guest rooms and great service.