Tiny eco resorts. Grand luxury hotels. Rarefied retreats. The Caribbean’s newest hotels for 2022 are a melange of styles and sensibilities, from all-inclusive to boutique and everywhere in between.
Even amid the pandemic, the Caribbean hotel pipeline keeps growing, and that includes a number of highly-anticipated openings set for this year, from the Mexican Caribbean to tiny islands like Dominica.
Check out the openings we’re most excited about this year in the latest edition of the New List.
Sandals Curacao The first-ever Sandals resort in the Dutch Caribbean, it’s also one of the most anticipated new Sandals resorts. A transformation of the former Santa Barbara resort, the completely remade resort will be set on 3,000 acres, with 350 rooms and suites and a collection of seaside bungalows with their own private plunge pools. That’s along with other new additions for the brand, from a “floating restaurant” to a fleet of Mini Coopers. It’s set to welcome guests on April 14.
Noni Beach, St Thomas Set for a June 2022 debut, Noni Beach will be part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, a crisp, sleek new property with a buzzing beach club, an outdoor island-inspired eatery and more than 18,000 square feet of meetings and event space. It’s return for the Marriott brand to St Thomas, It’s also set to be joined by the reopening of the adjacent Marriott Frenchman’s Reef resort, also in June.
Hilton Tulum All-Inclusive Resort Hilton has been rapidly growing its Caribbean all-inclusive portfolio, particularly in the Mexican Caribbean. And its newest resort is in the heart of the hippest destination on the Mexican coast: Tulum. The resort will have nine pools, 13 restaurants and bars, a private each, and a luxury spa, part of a broader complex that will also include a new Conrad-branded resort.
Margaritaville Beach Villa Resort, Belize The Margaritaville brand keeps expanding across the Caribbean, from the company’s all-inclusive alliance with Karisma to a growing number of EP hotels. This Ambergris Caye resort will be part of the latter, a residential-style property with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units. It also marks the first-ever residential Margaritaville in the Caribbean — meaning you can actually buy a home there, too.
Waldorf Astoria Cancun Set for a fourth quarter debut, this will be the only Waldorf Astoria resort in the Caribbean when it makes its debut. The 150-room Waldorf will be part of a broader Hilton resort complex (including the Hilton Cancun), located on a 100-acre site boasting a beachfront pool deck and five different dining concepts.
Zoëtry Curaçao Resort and Spa Another buzzy new debut for the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao, this resort is set at the former Floris Suite Hotel on the outskirts of Willemstad. It’s part of a phased opening, one that now includes 72 and in November will add another 53 “Spazio” beach side rooms. That’s in addition to three eateries, three bars, a pair of pools, a spa and a tennis court.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth The new Rosewood just opened its doors in the French Caribbean’s capital of luxury, a dramatic reimagining of the storied Le Guanahani resort. It’s fresher, brighter and completely new — but what hasn’t changed is the fun-loving personality and what is inarguably the best resort beach in all of St Barth.
Coulibri Ridge, Dominica New for 2022, this eco-resort is a major addition to the southwestern coast of Dominica, with jaw-dropping design and the views to match. More importantly, it’s completely green, with solar power and a resounding focus on sustainability. That’s essential in a destination that’s always (rightly) called itself the Nature Island.
Dreams Cozumel Cape The newest Dreams resort is slated to open its doors in April, with 154 Prefered Club Suites, a Pevonia spa, and access to the adjacent Secrets Aura Cozumel (and Sunscape Sabor Cozumel) for additional culinary options. That’s along with nine dining concepts on site, from the ocean-view bar, Aperitifs, to the Mediterranean-accented Olio. It will be part of the largest resort complex on the island of Cozumel, which has been growing steadily in popularity in recent years.
Garza Blanca Cancun Set on increasingly hot Playa Mujeres, this new addition is part of the TAFER Hotels and Resorts portfolio, with plans for a February 2022 Grand Opening. The family-friendly resort is home to 452 suites, including some swim-up options, along with a signature spa and a kids’ club.