Sure, lots of Caribbean hotels are on the beach.

But how many of them are right on the beach? How many have rooms where you can literally step out onto the sand?

That’s the difference between a beach hotel and a toes-in-the-sand hotel. And the latter isn’t always easy to find.

That’s where these five hotels come in — scattered across the Caribbean, they all offer the option of rooms that are direct beachfront.

Here are five toes-in-the-sand hotels to check out right now, from ultra-luxe to decidedly affordable.

The Meridian Club, Turks and Caicos The tiny private island of Pine Cay is pure Caribbean fantasy: powder-white sand, turquoise water, total seclusion. And its signature resort, the Meridian Club, takes it to the next level with its luxury beachfront cottages, with direct beach access, hammocks and even a private thatched-roof beach tiki hut.