They’re the places we unwind after a long day of lounging on the beach, exploring cities or eating our way through the Caribbean. The Caribbean has some top-notch hotel bars, and we’ve released our second-ever Best Hotel Bars list for the Caribbean region for 2014. Here they are.
Sunset Lounge — Viceroy Anguilla
This is the focal point of one of the most beautifully designed hotels in the Caribbean. It has outstanding sushi and an impressive cocktail list, but it’s really all about the panoramic views of Meads Bay.
Dune — One and Only Ocean Club — Bahamas
Perched above one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean (Paradise Island’s Cabbage Beach), the Ocean Club’s signature bar offers an unforgettable experience.
La Rhumerie — La Creole Beach Hotel & Spa — Guadeloupe
This colourfully-designed bar honours the superb (and still largely unheralded) rums of Guadeloupe, with some particularly rare bottles. It also features French Caribbean-inspired jazz each night.
Cane Bar — Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort — St Lucia
Rum is naturally the star of the show at the hip Cane Bar, which has its own “rummelier” to provide much-needed rum counsel.
Library Bar — Four Seasons Resort Nevis
This is an homage to the Old Caribbean — enjoy a cigar, a masterful rum cocktail from award-winning bartender Kendie Williams.
Rum Runners — Captain Don’s Habitat — Bonaire
This oceanfront bar at Captain Don’s famous dive resort is an institution in Bonaire (and has some pretty good rum punch, too).
Cedar Bar — Half Moon, Jamaica
Set right on the water, this is the place to connect when people are arriving, a great place for people watching and a breezy, relaxing, beautiful bar.
One of the more famous hotel bars in the Caribbean, this is a major meeting place for San Juan.
Waterfront — Hyatt Regency Trinidad
This bar is a go-to for both locals and travelers to Trinidad’s capital. When you’re not enjoying its fine cocktails, there’s some of the region’s best sushi to munch on.
Avila Blues Bar & Restaurant — Avila Hotel, Curacao
Music is on the cocktail list at this Curacao mainstay, which also made this list in 2013. A gem for those in the know in the Dutch Caribbean (and with terrific jazz and blues on Thursday nights).
Lobby Bar — El San Juan, Puerto Rico
It’s the kind of bar you’ll head to even if you’re not staying at the hotel. This is the soul of the El San Juan, On the weekends, you can enjoy live tropical music.