The travel industry has changed in more ways than we can count, but it’s also put that much more emphasis on the decision of where to stay.
There’s so much more thought that goes into the choice of accommodation, and for some, the idea of a smaller, boutique stay is that much more appealing as an oasis from large crowds.
And thankfully the Caribbean is filled with small hotels, the sort of places where personality is a priority, where the square footage is small but the hospitality is big.
And then there are the really small hotels, the place that are beyond the boutique.
The ones we’re talking about here are truly tiny, all of them with 13 rooms or less, meaning you’ll find the essence of the authentic Caribbean vacation.
Here are seven of our favorite tiny hotels in the Caribbean, from The Bahamas to Aruba.
Shannas Cove, Cat Island, The Bahamas There are just five bungalows at Shannas, which is set at the very northern tip of Cat Island in The Bahamas; and while you can spend your trip lazing on the hotel’s pink sand beach, there’s a plethora of options for active travelers, from great hiking nearby to snorkeling spots a short paddling away.
Atlantis Hotel, Barbados Maybe you’ve been to the Platinum Coast or the St Lawrence Gap. But Barbados’ eastern coast is its own dimension — a raw, spectacularly beautiful place with energetic surf and an almost mystical personality. It’s also home to the wonderful Atlantis hotel, a 200-year-old property right at the ocean’s edge.
El Zafiro, St Maarten It’s just a short stroll from the airport, but this lovable little beach hotel has somehow managed to remain hidden away in Simpson Bay — the sort of hotel some taxi drivers may not have even heard of. There are just 10 rooms, all colorful and spacious, all looking out at a beautiful stretch of sand.
Golden Rock Inn, Nevis This 11-room gem is set right on the island’s natural wonder, Nevis Peak. It’s colorful, it’s charming and it’s the essence of what makes Nevis such a special little island. (And The Rocks restaurant is worth the trip on its own).
Ocean Z, Aruba Aruba has some wonderful places to stay, but the island’s emphasis has long been on large hotels. One of the island’s newest, however, is decidedly smaller: the 13-room Ocean Z, set just across from Malmok Beach. It’s hip, it’s sleek and it’s a breath of fresh air on this Dutch Caribbean island.
The Bonairian, Bonaire, It’s about a three-minute drive from Bonaire’s airport to this eight-room retreat perched above Bonaire’s shimmering, turquoise southwestern coast. It’s simple: there’s a small pool, a restaurant, a sliver of beach, along with some sleek guest rooms and warm service. It’s the kind of minuscule hotel we always fall in love with.
Firefly Sunset, Abaco, The Bahamas This five-unit hotel on Elbow Cay in Abaco is the brainchild of Jim and Ann Irvin, who own the famous Firefly distillery in Charleston and, after years of traveling on the island, turned their vacation home into a mini resort. There’s a small marina, two pools, a boutique, a mix of two villas and three cottages and a marvelous food and beverage operation that’s one of the most popular stops in the Abacos.