Planning a romantic trip to the Caribbean for Valentine’s Day will score a lot more love points than a box of chocolates, but there’s really no bad time of year to make a getaway with a special person in your life to one of these idyllic Caribbean resorts.
Hammock Cove, Antigua
When Hammock Cove says “5-Star All-Inclusive Luxury Resort,” they mean it. The resort’s dining experience, whether at the beach bar or the grand Lighthouse restaurant, includes all top-shelf liquor, champagne, sommelier-recommended wine, and degustation menus prepared in a Michelin-starred kitchen. The biggest attraction, though, is the spectacular villas, which all have expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces, including plunge pools and whole-house Bluetooth sound systems. They’re the best rooms in Antigua, period.
Secret Bay, Dominica
Wedding the immersive beauty of treehouse inspired villas in a tropical rainforest with the service and dining excellence you’d expect from a Relais & Chateaux resort, Secret Bay lives up to its “six star” claims with dedicated hosts for every guest villa, al fresco spa services overlooking the Caribbean Sea, curated no-menu dining, and private tours to Dominica’s waterfalls and other attractions.
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba Aruba’s premier adults-only resort is a haven for couples in search of sought-after space and seclusion. Set on the island’s most beautiful beach, the resort prides itself on having 25 feet between beach chairs — a true rarity on Aruba’s typically crowded sand. The sustainable, exquisitely managed resort is Aruba’s most indulgent place to stay.
Baoase Luxury Resort, Curacao
This is the resort that put Curacao on the radar of luxury travelers. About half of the 23 rooms and villas at Baoese have private plunge pools, and several are situated beachfront, but all share a relaxed Bali-inspired decor and access to a butler-served beach, yacht tours, and beach massages from the on-site spa. Up the romance quotient with a private beach picnic or dinner for two on the resort’s pier gazebo.
Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
The standard by which all other romantic Caribbean resorts are measured — particularly in terms of accommodations and views — Jade Mountain continues to wow couples with its expansive, butler-served “Sanctuary” rooms. With built-in swimming pools facing St. Lucia’s can’t-look-away Pitons mountains, the open-air Sanctuaries invite guests to linger in their rooms, which is no small feat considering that St. Lucia is one of the most naturally beautiful islands in the Caribbean. That said, the resort’s private beaches, notably Anse Mamin, are exquisite, and on-site activities include mountain biking through a still-active cocoa plantation and chocolate-making classes.
Hotel Christopher, St. Barths
With lounge chairs that seem to float about the surface of the sea, dining that evokes the spirit of the French Riviera, and a collection of loft-like rooms and villas, the Hotel Christopher captures the laid-back but sophisticated vibe of St. Barths. The resort’s Sisley Spa puts a fresh spin on couples beach massage by offering evening treatments under the stars, including a signature Hot Shell Massage utilizing seashells plucked from the island’s famous beaches.
Park Hyatt, St. Kitts
In just a few short years, Christophe Harbour has established itself as the most desired destination on the island of St. Kitts, and central to its luxurious reputation is the beachfront Park Hyatt resort with its all-ocean view accommodations, pond-like Rampart Pool (for adults only), and Sugar Mill Spa & Sanctuary. Topping the list of romantic activities is a private dinner alongside the Rampart Waterfall, where guests are serenaded not only by the falling water but live guitar music.
Guana Island, British Virgin Islands
Couples won’t quite have Guana Island to themselves, but with just 18 villas spread over 850 acres, it sure feels like it. Stolen romantic moments are a breeze when you have 7 beaches to choose from at this private island resort, which also serves as a wildlife sanctuary. The resort’s Castaway Picnic experience includes a boat ride to secluded Bigelow Beach for lunch, champagne, sunbathing and snorkeling. Capping the couple’s beach day is a private screening of their favorite film in the Garden of Eden, a clifftop outdoor amphitheater overlooking the sea, complete with popcorn, snacks, and drinks.
Montpelier Plantation, Nevis
There are charms aplenty at this 300-year-old plantation that’s now one of Nevis’ most acclaimed hotels, but perhaps none more romantic than dinner in the centuries old sugar mill. The Mill Privée hosts tasting dinners with wine pairings, and romance packages include spa treatments, cooking classes, and biking to the beach for a private lunch for two.
NIZUC Resort & Spa, Cancun
A rare oasis of quiet in busy Cancun, this 29-acre beachfront NIZUC resort knowns what goes best with romance: champagne. In addition to couples spa treatments and private beach dinners, the resort offers a Dom Perignon Wine Cellar Experience, pairing sommelier-selected bubbly vintages with a special menu from the Ramona restaurant.