Romance in the Caribbean comes in so many different forms: cliffside sunsets; afternoons on empty beaches; endless wine-fueled dinners in centuries-old estates; twilight walks on hidden streets.
And that’s particularly true of the most romantic hotels in the Caribbean, which come in every shape and size, fitting every kind of vacation.
Sometimes it’s unique rooms; other times it’s an impossibly beautiful view.
But the most romantic hotels in the Caribbean share one all-important trait: they ensure the kinds of memorable, mysterious, meaningful experiences that travelers live for.
Palm Island, The Grenadines It’s hard to think of a more romantic place on earth — let alone the Caribbean — than this stunning private island in the heart of the Grenadines, where all-inclusive convenience marries with the ultimate Caribbean fantasy, where you’ll feel like you’ve escaped with your significant other to your own private paradise.
Baoase Luxury Resort, Curacao Curacao’s greatest resort is also its most romantic, thanks to a rarefied, exclusive setting on its own private beach and Bali-style rooms, most of which come with their own private plunge pools or hot tubs.
Round Hill, Jamaica The essence of Jamaican glamour, this boutique collection of rooms and villas (designed by part-owner Ralph Lauren himself) takes you to another place and time, through a portal to the dawn of the jet-set age.
Ladera, Saint Lucia The resort that pioneered the three-walled room, Ladera sets the standard for the authentic Caribbean vacation: but the rooms are the stars, with unimaginably beautiful views, private pools and a near guarantee that you’ll never want to leave them.
Jade Mountain, Saint Lucia Saint Lucia’s other three-walled stunner, Jade Mountain is tailor made for honeymoons, with its breathtaking infinity-pool “sanctuaries” and a pure distillation of Saint Lucia’s particular brand of romance.
Half Moon, Jamaica The timeless Half Moon, which recently debuted its new Eclipse resort, is endlessly enchanting, from the beachfront Founders Cove rooms to its magical Sugar Mill restaurant; and with 400 acres, you’ll always be able to find your space.
Ambergris Cay, Turks and Caicos This boutique private island resort has instantly become a jet-set favorite (thanks in part to its private international airport), and spectacular beachfront suites, all with their own private plunge pools, all refreshingly all-inclusive.
Hammock Cove, Antigua Antigua’s most romantic resort is a mix of standalone bungalow-style villas, each with spectacular views and infinity-pool patios, where the only things you hear are shaking of palm leaves and the cocktail arriving in your glass.
La Samanna, Saint Martin A full-fledged oasis on Saint Martin’s magnificent Baie Longue, this Belmond resort has 83 rooms — but you’d never know it. The lush landscaping, the garden spa, the clifftop pool deck promise French Caribbean charm in a deliciously private setting.
Graycliff, Nassau There’s no more romantic restaurant in the Caribbean than Graycliff, the renowned eatery in historic Nassau; but a stay at the hotel is even more memorable, where you can follow in the foosteps of Winston Churchill and the Duke of Windsor.
Rockhouse, Negril, Jamaica There’s something mystical about the cliffs of Negril, and that’s what the Rockhouse is all about, standalone cottages (and a collection of ocean suites) perched right above brilliant turquoise water.
Nacar Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, Cartagena Designed by Sylvia Tcherassi, one of Colombia’s leading designers, Hilton’s new boutique in Cartagena is a work of art, set in the 500-year-old streets of one of the most magical cities in the Americas.
Casas del XVI, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic The Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo is one of the best-kept secrets in Caribbean travel, and this collection of marvelously reimagined 16th century homes is its crown jewel, a sanctuary of luxury and art.
Karibuni, Saint Martin Hidden away in the hills of Cul de Sac in Saint Martin is this gem, a collection of bungalow-style rooms, mostly with ocean-view pools, that comes with its own private beach club on nearby Pinel Island.
Keyonna Beach Resort, Antigua Every stay at this barefoot-chic retreat on the southern coast of Antigua becomes an instant honeymoon, instantly immersing guests in a toes-in-the-sand, castaway-chic lifestyle. Make sure you go for one of the pool suites.
Secret Bay, Dominica The hotel that single-handedly turned Dominica into a luxury destination, Gregor Nassief’s masterwork is a haven for romance, with capacious, ultra-modern villas with private pools and 24-7 personal concierges.
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba Set on the most beautiful beach in Aruba, this impressively sustainble resort is an adults-only haven, with meticulously designed rooms that even come with state-of-the-art air purifiers. It’s impossibly serene.
The House, Barbados Champagne breakfasts, torch-lit cocktail hours, wooden drawbridges. The House immediately becomes your private club in Barbados, a playful, energetic hotel that makes for always-memorable getaways.
The Dunmore, Harbour Island, The Bahamas Few islands are as classically romantic as Harbour Island, with its whitewashed centuries-old cottages, pink sand and carefree ambience. And The Dunmore is the island’s signature retreat: endlessly private, refined and timeless.
Montpelier Plantation and Beach, Nevis Princess Diana’s favored Caribbean hotel is a historic jewel that just oozes romance and historic charm; it’s a place for days at the beach club and candllelit dinners inside a centuries-old sugar mill.