What’s the sound of one palm tree shaking? 

It’s one of the most beautiful sounds in the Caribbean, an instant reminder that you’ve reached the zenith of tropical beauty. 

And it’s a guarantor of instant relaxation. 

But as ubiquitous as palm trees are, the sonic delight of a swaying palm isn’t quite as common as you think. 

Even at many hotels in the region, delicate sounds like these can be rare, obscured by the hum of other guests; the music from a bar; the splash of a pool. 

But there are some places where quiet and serenity are not periodic visitors: they’re the Caribbean’s most relaxing places to stay. 

Sometimes it’s the hotel itself. For others it’s the calm of their natural environment. 

At these hotels, quiet isn’t just a luxury — it’s essential, central to the experience, havens for the quiet of both sound and soul. 

And it brings us to our tried-and-true relaxation test: can you hear the palm trees shaking? 

Here are our favorite “relaxing” hotels in the Caribbean, where relaxation is an art form. 

And where you can always hear the palm trees shake. 

Kahari Resort, Exuma, The Bahamas The Bahamas It’s one of the best-kept secrets in The Bahamas. The Kahari, a collection of 12 bungalows on ultra-serene Stocking Island, a white-sand wonder just across the water from George Town in Exuma. It’s almost unimaginably quiet, with secluded entrances, private outdoor showers, and the feeling that you’ve got an entire island to yourself.