There are many ways to plan a great Caribbean trip — and a few wrong ways too. One way is to focus on where you want to go. But another is to focus on where you want to stay — to focus your journey around something special, like nature, diving, romance, luxury, great food or even art. When your hotel has designed itself around these special things your job as a guest becomes a pleasure. The experience can then be more authentic and holds its own scale of quality and value. Here are some places to stay for just about every kind of stay you can think of right now.
Tortuga Bay — the luxury boutique
This isn’t the biggest hotel in Punta Cana — and that’s a very good thing. An oasis of luxury in a region full of sprawling resorts, this is a private, tranquil gathering of villas, set on a marvelous beach and designed by the late Oscar de la Renta. Great hotels do indeed come in small packages.
Blancaneaux Lodge – the eco escape
When you think of Belize, you may think of its spectacular reefs and the beaches of Ambergris Caye. But this is something else entirely: a secret eco-lodge with a luxury pedigree, the brainchild of world-famous filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola.
Karibuni Lodge – the French Caribbean hideaway
This is a hideaway tucked in the hills of Cul de Sac in French Saint Martin. The modern design and laid-back attitude (and some private pools) mix beautifully with a view of Pinel Island, where the hotel has its own beach bar.
Mary’s Boon — a terrific beach for under $100 a night
Set on Simpson Beach, this is a very well-run little hotel that’s a solid option for a quick, affordable getaway. It’s that perfect cocktail of a great Caribbean beach and rates starting — yes — under $100.
Stella Maris – a hidden corner of the Out Islands
This is one of the great unknown corners of the Bahamas — Long Island, 130 kilometres long, six kilometres wide and just about 3,000 people. This is the getaway to end all getaways, in the outback of the Bahamian Out Islands. And Stella Maris, a beachfront resort, is the island’s premier place to stay.
Auberge de la Vieille Tour — advanced Caribbean travel
Still a destination that’s far under the radar, Guadeloupe offers great riches for advanced travelers. And none more true than in the beach town of Gosier, home to creole cuisine, terrific street food and a charming old hotel called Auberge de la Vieille Tour, a throwback to the Caribbean as it once was. Guadeloupe is not for elementary travelers, but that’s what makes it so special. It begs to be explored.
Peter Island — a luxury private island resort
A complete, rounded private island resort. A lot of private island resorts compromise something for their seclusion, but not here. There are five beautiful white-sand beaches here, meaning you can always find a little corner of your own. This isn’t a megaresort — and that’s what makes it rare.
Sunset House — a diver’s paradise in Grand Cayman
This just might be the ultimate dive hotel in all of the Caribbean. It’s easy to see why — Grand Cayman is one of the world’s premier diving destinations, and this hotel is designed in every way for divers.
Casa Solaris — off the grid in Vieques
The thing you notice the moment you arrive in Vieques is that things are just a bit different; it’s an island with its own identity, and an independent streak. So why not go completely independent? At the six-loft Casa Solaris at Hix Island House, you can stay in the only completely-off-the-grid guesthouse in the Caribbean, powered by solar energy and batteries.
Marriott Port-au-Prince — The culture trip in Haiti
If there’s one reason to visit Haiti right now as a tourist, it’s the culture. Haiti has some of the most fascinating art, music and food in the whole region, and Port-au-Prince is your gateway to it, from artists stalls on the sidewalk to MUPANAH, one of the best museums in the Caribbean. And the brand-new, sustainability-focused Marriott is a great place from which to take it all it in.
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana — high-energy relaxation
There’s really no better place for a party than this — anywhere in the Caribbean. With pool after pool, 17 bars and lounges, live music and very good food, it’s the most energetic, creative all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana.