It seems like a new all-inclusive resort pops up every week in the Caribbean, and it’s true that the vast majority of adults-only resorts in the islands follow a pay-one-price model for rooms, activities, and dining.
But it’s not a recipe that works for every couple. All-inclusives tend to be larger hotels, for example, and while most offer a wide variety of options for food and fun, some couples prefer a more intimate vacation experience and the freedom to get off the resort and dine and play locally. Here are a dozen small and boutique resorts that know how to pamper adults while the kids stay back home; they’re adults-only, EP hotels.
Ladera Resort, St. Lucia
You can’t get much closer to St. Lucia’s iconic Pitons than the Ladera resort — in fact the resort is within the UNESCO World Heritage site that protects the twin mountains rising from the Caribbean on the island’s west coast. With private plunge pools three-sided rooms open to the sea breezes and views from 1,000 feet above the waves, guests — particularly honeymooners — can be forgiven for venturing out only for meals at the resort’s Dasheene restaurant.
Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort, Aruba
This low-rise eco-friendly resort on Aruba’s Eagle Beach feels like an intimate sanctuary without being too far from the island’s sumptuous array of dining and entertainment options — including those on the main Palm Beach drag. Bucuti and Tara is small by Aruba standards, with just 45 suites and 59 hotel rooms, but offers an extensive wellness program and a variety of romantic experiences for couples.
The Fred, St. Croix
The teasing tagline “Sleep with Fred” is your first hint that this boutique hotel in Frederiksted, St. Croix, is for grown-ups only. LGBTQ friendly as well, The Fred is a charming waterfront hotel built around the historic Totten House and a cluster of other brightly painted buildings, some dating to the 1700s. Amenities include a courtyard pool and hot tub, observation deck, and oceanfront bar and restaurant.
Olive Boutique Hotel, Puerto Rico
Truly a hotel and not a “resort,” the Olive is a great landing spot for adults who want a place to chill by the pool and lay their head in Condado without someone else’s kids banging around in the room next door. Unwinding spaces at the Small Luxury Hotels of the World property include a beautiful rustic deck overlooking the lagoon, where couples also can set course for a private dinner on a “floating island” built for two.
Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort, Aruba
The Renaissance Aruba resort is an unusual two-headed bird: it has an entire hotel-within-a-hotel that’s only for adults called the Renaissance Marina Hotel as well as the family friendly Renaissance Ocean Suites. Recently renovated, the 297-room Marina Hotel has easy access to the resort’s casino and the myriad dining, shopping and nightlife options in downtown Oranjestad. Speaking of birds, it’s just a quick boat ride to Renaissance Island with its of flock of resident flamingos, cabanas, and beach club.
Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
Spacious, open-air mountaintop “sanctuaries” with full-sized swimming pools, attentive butler service, and unforgettable views of the twin Pitons peaks made Jade Mountain one of the most romantic resorts in the Caribbean. Guests can dine at the exclusive Jade Mountain Club or any of the restaurants at the adjoining Anse Chastanet resort, and on-property activities include mountain biking, kayaking, guided hikes, and hours spent on two pristine beaches.
Tet Rouge, St. Lucia
The six guest suites at this intimate adults-only resort in St. Lucia have Pitons views from private terraces, outdoor rain showers, cathedral ceilings, and four-poster beds. Breakfast is included with stays, and guests are welcome to dine at the Ti Coco or venture off property to sample St. Lucia’s bountiful local cuisine.
Ti Kaye Resort & Spa, St. Lucia
This off-the-beaten-path resort features guest rooms on the cliffs overlooking Anse Cochon and one of the top spas in St. Lucia. The poolside Kai Manje restaurant serves three meals daily with a casually elegant vibe and features an extensive menu of healthy smoothies, and the resort also has a well-stocked wine cellar. Just offshore is some of the best diving and snorkeling on the island.
Catch a Falling Star, Jamaica
Set on the cliffs of Negril, this small resort has both cottages and suites and limits guests in its 17 rooms to those ages 15 and older. The oceanfront Ivan’s Bar can arrange for a romantic dinner for two known as the ‘Night of 100 Candles,’ sometimes accompanied by dolphins slashing in the cove below.
Stonefield Villa Resort, St. Lucia
Breakfast is included at Stonefield Villa; kids under 17 are not unless you’re renting the resort’s five-bedroom villa. There are 17 villas in all, spread across 26 acres for plenty of privacy, each with its own pool. The Escape Spa offers a full range of treatments and has a yoga pavilion with views of the Pitons, and the Mango Tree restaurant has a farm-to-table menu filled with authentic local dishes.
Little Arches Boutique Hotel, Barbados
This 10-bedroom hotel on Enterprise Beach is close to the action in Oistins and some big surfing waves and takes full advantage of its location with its rooftop Cafe Luna Restaurant, which serves everything from sushi to local Bajan food. Rooms are in the garden, poolside or oceanfront.