Since the onset of the pandemic, driven by tremendous travel demand, hotels around the world have gotten far more expensive. Some, significantly more expensive. Even a Caribbean hotel whose rack rate might have started at $150 per night three years ago could be charging upwards of $400 today; luxury hotels have massively raised their rates, too. Cheap hotels, in other words, are not quite so cheap anymore.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t bargains to be found in the Caribbean. Across the islands of the region, you can find great places to stay at rates that pale in comparison to some of the market’s more exorbitant prices — cheap hotels where you get far more bang for your buck, with amenities and quality of far pricier stays.
We’ve curated a collection of 20 “cheap” Caribbean hotels, from smaller beach resorts to waterfront boutique hotels to all-inclusives, all with rates below $299 per night, even during high season, with some going for less than $100 per night. That’s what makes this list a bit different from other guides to lower-priced hotels — these are even affordable during peak winter travel. Of course, if you head to these hotels in the summer you’ll find even lower rates. But the only cheap thing about these hotels is the price. They are all filled with hospitality, character and design, the perfect places for your next affordable Caribbean vacation.
Jolly Beach Antigua Antigua’s newest all-inclusive resort is almost certainly the best value in the Caribbean. The resort, set on the spectacularly beautiful sands of Jolly Beach, features all-inclusive vacations with rooms starting in the low $200s — per room, not per person. That’s a remarkable value for a classic island beach vacation. There’s a lively pool, a newly-opened spa and, as the resort describes it, a “cheep and cheerful” experience.
Delfins Beach Resort, Bonaire It isn’t just a great value: this 148-room beach hotel is one of the top hotels in Bonaire. It’s a sleek, cool new resort with outstanding food (if you want to splurge one night, the number one restaurant in the Caribbean is right here), a great beach bar, a pool with a swim-up bar and a vibrant dive operation. Even better? You can stay here in the $200s per night.
Fort Young Hotel, Dominica The popular, historic Fort Young is the premier place to stay in Dominica’s capital of Roseau, but it’s also a tremendous value. It’s got one of the best diving operations in the Caribbean, well-designed, comfortable rooms and terrific food, too. Rates can be found under $300.
Comfort Suites Paradise Island Travelers of all budgets have always loved this Paradise Island retreat for its convenience, spacious rooms and friendly service. But there’s one amenity that always has guests coming back: “complete, daily access to all of the resort’s facilities and amenities.” Yes, that means you can go to the waterpark, enjoy all of Atlantis’ wonders, then walk back to your budget-friendly room at the end of the day. The pool here is great, as is Crusoe’s Restaurant. A recent search revealed high-season rates as low as $234 per night.
King Christian Hotel, St Croix Christiansted is in the midst of a renaissance, with a growing number of new-look boutique hotels, a dynamic culinary scene and an always-rich cultural and historic offering. Much of that growth can be seen right here: the revamped King Christian Hotel, right on the boardwalk, a bright, fun and chic hotel that’s quickly become one of the island’s must-stays (and is home to an impressive culinary offering including a high-level tiki bar). Even better? You can find rooms starting in the $200s per night.
Madicreoles Martinique The ultimate gateway to the fascinating northern coast of Martinique, this residential-style hotel has 30 rooms in a beachfront perch in the fun-loving fishing village of Le Carbet, home to world-famous beach bars and dazzlingly good food. Even better? Rates starting around $100.
Hilton Koi St Kitts is one of the Caribbean’s buzziest destinations, and this is one of the island’s hottest places to stay: the 102-room Koi, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, a beachfront resort on Half Moon Bay with rooms as low as $227 per night.
Hotel Bakoua Martinique The beach here has one of the best views in the Caribbean: the world-renowned Bay of Fort de France. It’s close to the charming town of Trois-Ilets; the food is excellent; the rooms are comfortable; and did we mention the “floating” tiki bar? It’s the perfect way to introduce yourself to Martinique, with a serene environment and a marvelous infinity pool.
La Sagesse Grenada It just might be the most beautiful bay in Grenada. And it’s home to this beloved boutique hotel, with just 12 rooms in a charming, timeless property in a lush tropical setting. With no TVs in the rooms, a quiet, rarefied air, it’s a romantic, tranquil retreat for those in search of a Caribbean that’s not always easy to find.
LoBleu Hotel Guadeloupe This 11-room retreat is set in Terre-de-Haut, the lovable little island in the Les Saintes archipelago of Guadeloupe. It’s simple and wonderful, perched on a marvelous, calm stretch of beach right in the heart of town.
Club Seabourn, Culebra, Puerto Rico This is the only real hotel on the island of Culebra off the coast of Puerto Rico, and it’s a classic Caribbean resort, with a breezy ambience, endlessly warm service and, most importantly, it’s a great gateway for exploring the natural wonders of Culebra, chiefly, Playa Flamenco beach. Starting rates are below $299, even in the high season.
Brion City Hotel, Curacao Willemstad is one of the coolest cities in the Caribbean, with colorful architecture, a compelling history and a unique walkability for a major urban area in the region. Despite the city’s many riches, though, you don’t have to break the bank for a great stay: that’s where the Brion City Hotel comes in, part of the BW Signature Collection, a hip, sleek getaway (with a cool rooftop pool) that’s perfect for exploring the capital’s wonders. Rates can get as low as under $100 per night even in the winter tourist season.
Bay Gardens Hotel, Saint Lucia Part of the Bay Gardens resort portfolio, this is one of the best values anywhere in the Caribbean. The 71-room hotel in Rodney Bay is exceptionally well run, with friendly service and copious amenities, including access to the nearby Bay Gardens Beach Club — including unlimited use of the company’s Splash Island Water Park.
Cottages by the Sea, St Croix We just love this boutique beach hotel on the outskirts of Frederiksted in St Croix, where every cottage has a different name (and decor), the beach is always quiet and inviting and the rates go as low as $170 even in high season (and $130 in the summer). Then there are the little touches, like the free bicycles, free lounge chairs and the lovely little book nook. There’s also a restaurant next-door called the Beach Side Cafe.
Rooms on the Beach, Negril Negril is actually home to one of the top concentrations of affordable hotels and resorts in the Caribbean. We’re rather partial to the aptly-named Rooms on the Beach, a 57-room resort right on Negril’s famous Seven Mile Beach, with a great breakfast and lunch eatery, a terrific beach bar and comfortable rooms where you can stay for $170 per night in high season.
Jungle Bay, Dominica The new-look Jungle Bay, where you can stay for under $290 even in high season, is a haven for adventurers. There are 80 rooms, all eco-chic; a a spa; a lovely signature restaurant called Calabash; and a holistic commitment to wellness (with a strong yoga offering, too).
Catamaran Hotel, Antigua You can’t beat the location here, right in the heart of Falmouth Harbour. There are 14 rooms, all with amenities like kitchenettes and Wi-Fi, along with a lovely little beach and a delightful eatery called the Captain’s Quarters. It’s the essence of a boutique Caribbean beach hotel, for rates sometimes lower than $250 in the high season.
Greenwood Beach Resort, Cat Island, The Bahamas Sparsely-populated Cat Island has some of the best beaches anywhere in The Bahamas. That includes one of the region’s finest stretches of pink sand: Greenwood Beach. A top destination for kite surfers, this is a simple, lovely little beach hotel with 16 rooms and an old-school Caribbean vibe. Prices can run lower than $180 per night.
Sibonne Beach Hotel, Turks and Caicos Providenciales has some of the highest room rates in the Caribbean, and with good reason — it’s home to some truly spectacular places to stay. But dig deeper and you can find some well-guarded secrets like this, with amenities like a pool and a great bar and a fantastic location right on Grace Bay Beach. Even in high season, you can stay here for less than $280 a night.
Sandy Haven Resort, Negril, Jamaica Another great affordable option in Jamaica is the Sandy Haven, with a privileged position right on Seven Mile Beach and some terrific design. We love the Bali-style beds right on the sand, the pool and the always-creative Bongos Restaurant. In high season, you can stay in the $260s.