There’s a chill in the air across the Caribbean. Sure, it could be from a polar vortex, but it might just be coming from the sheer number of artful, luxurious and alluring hotel and resort properties in the region. We’re talking about the coolest hotels in the Caribbean — the ones that have that almost indefinable quality that separates an ordinary hotel from an extraordinary one. Whether it’s high design, spectacular views or historic charm, these are the properties that set themselves apart from the rest. It’s been a year since we released the first-ever Cool List, but now it’s time: here is our list of the Caribbean’s coolest hotels for 2014.
Laluna — Grenada
This boutique resort Grenada is owned by former fashion executive Bernardo Bertucci. A group of cottage suites with an Asian flair, Laluna is a masterwork.
Secret Bay — Dominica
Secret Bay is on this list for the second year in a row, and with good reason. It’s unlike any hotel property you’ll visit in the Caribbean — custom-cooked meals, breathtaking panoramic views of Dominica and pure, unadulterated seclusion. The ultimate Caribbean hideaway.
Boucan By Hotel Chocolat — St Lucia
True to its name, Boucan By Hotel Chocolat is nestled in cocoa groves on St Lucia’s Rabot Estate. Chocolate is, naturally, the dominant theme, with everything from a “Cocoa Juvenate” spa treatment to chocolate-accented fine dining.
Tendacayou — Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is very much an unknown for even frequent Caribbean travelers — but we’re hoping that will change. The lush, delicious archipelago south of Antigua is an intoxicating mix of the French and the Caribbean. And Tendacayou Eco Lodge, a group of “rainforest lodges,” is the perfect way to discover it.
Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort — St Lucia
This St Lucia resort manages to pull off something rather remarkable: combine West Indian elegance with modern luxury. The result is a wonderful blend of old and new that manages to transcend both. There’s also the fantastic Cane Bar.
Goldeneye — Jamaica
It doesn’t get much cooler than sitting at the desk where Ian Fleming wrote all 14 of the James Bond novels. That’s in the Ian Fleming Villa, but all of the 22 units at this property on the gorgeous Oracabessa Bay are marvelous.
Trident — Jamaica
Part of Jamaica’s Geejam Collection, the Trident first opened its doors in the spring of 2013. The 13-villa property in the lush, untouched Port Antonio area of Jamaica is where contemporary luxury meets quirky design flair.
Hotel Guanahani — St Barth
St Barth is known for luxury, and, to be sure, the Guanahani has it. But this hip resort also lacks pretentiousness, meaning you can enjoy the best of St Barth without any attitude. It’s also home to some seriously good food.
Graycliff — Bahamas
A cool hotel by nature provides a unique experience. The self-styled home of “relaxed elegance,” Graycliff, located on a hill above the streets of Old Nassau, is a Mecca for any lover of old-fashioned Caribbean luxury. Another two-time Cool List entry.
Cobblers Cove — Barbados
Sure, you can try larger resorts in Barbados, but the 40-suite Cobblers Cove, a Relais and Chateaux property, simply oozes classic Bajan charm.
Horned Dorset Primavera — Puerto Rico
Rincon is a Bohemian enclave in Puerto Rico, and the Horned Dorset Primavera is right at home, with a mix of Spanish and Moroccan influences. The sister property to the famed Horned Dorset Inn in New York State, it’s the perfect place to relax after a day of surfing.
Pagua Bay House — Dominica
You may not realize it, but Dominica has become something of a hub for cool boutique hotels. One of the newest hotels on dominica, it’s located on the beautiful Pagua Bay and boasts an excellent restaurant.
MGallery Hostal Nicolas de Ovando — Dominican Republic
Built in the remains of a Spanish fort, some of the rooms are actually former munitions bunkers. This makes you feel like you’re staying inside of history, just steps from the heart of Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone.
Four Seasons Resort — Nevis
Ask a veteran of luxury Caribbean travel for his or her favorite resort, and don’t be surprised to hear the Four Seasons Nevis. On the Cool List for the second straight year, the Four Seasons is the rare celebrity favorite that gives every guest the celebrity treatment.
O:Live Boutique Hotel — Puerto Rico
The relatively new O:Live in San Juan says it is inspired by the Italian city of Sorrento, and it delivers, with a truly Mediterranean spirit. The rooms are relatively small, but they’re comfortable and smartly designed.
Biras Creek Resort — British Virgin Islands
Up the hill from one of the most beautiful bays in the world, you’ve got a view of the Caribbean Sea on one side and the North Sound on the other. Biras Creek is blessed with an oustanding restaurant and unique rooms, some of which have private plunge pools (and very sexy bathrooms).
Petit St Vincent — St Vincent and the Grenadines
This 22-cottage resort is tranquil, calm and utterly private. It’s where you go when getting away from it all simply isn’t enough.
Golden Rock Inn — Nevis
Set at the foot of the rainforest of Nevis Peak, the Golden Rock Inn is a gathering of uniquely coloured and designed cottages. Now owned by a pair of artists, it overflows with creativity.
Cocos Hotel — Antigua
Chic, open, breezy, the Cocos Hotel is a hidden gem in Antigua. The property is a collection of 26 cottages that dot a hillside in Valley Church. It’s romantic, intimate and comfortable.
The Cove Eleuthera — Bahamas
There’s a lot of buzz surrounding this resort in the Out Islands, which is becoming a frequent target for celebrities. The property is set on a pink sand beach in Eleuthera is the epitome of cool, combining minimalist design with Bahamian warmth.
Cotton Tree — Grand Cayman
Heather Lockington’s Cotton Tree isn’t like any other property in the Cayman Islands. The handful of plantation-style cottages is tucked inside a garden. The rooms are the stars, with amenities like Apple TV, Elemis toiletries, and jacuzzis.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club
Staniel Cay is famous for a major filming location in the James Bond film “Thunderball.” And the island is one of the most beautiful places in the islands of the Bahamas. The charming Staniel Cay Yacht Club has a collection of brightly-coloured cottages, and it’s an Out Islands classic.
Avila Hotel — Curacao
The rooms are modern chic and the bar, one of CJ’s top 10 Caribbean hotel bars last year, is alone worth the trip. Curacao is one of the region’s more eclectic destinations, and the Avila fits in nicely.
Tortuga Bay — Dominican Republic
Located in the heart of the Dominican Republic’s Punta Cana tourism hub, the exquisite Tortuga Bay is a boutique oasis. And did we mention the suites were designed by Oscar de la Renta?
Frenchmans Hotel — Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Set on the West End of Tortola on a 12-acre peninsula, this tiny hotel complex inside a private estate has a Balinese style. The views from the standalone cottages are simply magical.