There are necessary ingredients to the perfect romantic retreat: a degree of privacy, a hint of seclusion, the right amounts of design and service. But these are not always sufficient. The most romantic getaways in the Caribbean have an extra quality: they manage to cultivate a sense of magic; they take you somewhere else.
Our favorite romantic retreats in the region range from traditional adults-only getaways to urban outposts and private islands, all offering a palpable personality and an inarticulable feeling of wonder. They enchant you, playing with your senses, indulging your spirit and ensuring that your vacation is never ordinary. They are the perfect places for that special trip with that special someone.
Here are the most romantic places to stay in the Caribbean right now.
Hammock Cove, Antigua The Caribbean’s most romantic resort is a collection of 42 villas set on a stunning cliffside in Antigua, all with spectacular infinity-edge pools, sweeping entertainment decks, capacious bathrooms and butler service. This is a resort for serenity, for seclusion, for the perfect vacation for two.
Palm Island, The Grenadines The ultimate private island all-inclusive resort is a place for castaway-style Caribbean fairy-tale trips, where you can tap into the essential Caribbean fantasy: just you and yours on the sand, lazing under the palm trees, drinking out of coconuts and enjoying every possible comfort in an impossibly ethereal setting.
Secret Bay, Dominica The resort that put Dominica on the luxury map is, in a word, enchanting: this portfolio of architecturally magnificent villas, all with plunge pools and views that stretch all the way to nearby Guadeloupe, is one of those true bucket-list places, where time seems to stop and the palpable sense of place is almost intoxicating.
Galley Bay, Antigua The environment here is so picturesque, so serene that it would be equally at home as a nature park; thankfully for travelers, there’s a low-density, endlessly lovely luxury resort here, where you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty, whether you’re in the deliciously indulgent Gauguin cottages or falling asleep to the sound of the waves in a true toes-in-the-sand beach suite.
Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada Grenada’s crown jewel is the epitome of Caribbean hospitality, where the Hopkin family’s vision extends to every single detail of the resort. There’s that indescribable but eminently palpable feeling here, the one that you find at all of the great luxury resorts, whether you’re in the private plunge-pool suites or perched at the edge of Grand Anse Beach. It’s a place that, at every turn, reminds you of the romance of travel.
Jade Mountain, Saint Lucia The story here is all about the sanctuaries, the ones you’ve read about or seen photos of, with the missing fourth wall and the postcard-perfect views of the Pitons. And they’re just as you imagine: otherworldly, mystical and captivating. Stay at Jade Mountain and you’ll quickly remark to yourself that you feel like you’re on another planet. And that’s precisely the point.
Le Barthelemy, St Barth St Barth oozes romance from the moment you land at the airport, and the island’s newest, sleekest place to stay skillfully taps into that energy, from its oceanfront pool to marvelously beach-chic guest rooms. And then there’s the food, including at the exquisite Amis.
Lovango Resort + Beach Club, US Virgin Islands The newest private-island destination in the US Virgin Islands has the seclusion of a private island with the energy of a yacht-friendly beach club. And that’s what makes Lovango such a mesmerizing place, set just off the coast of St John. There are several options here for particularly romantic getaways: the ocean-view treehouses, or a pair of glamping retreats: “treetop” or Congo Cay, sustainable, luxury glamping units perfect for taking in Lovango’s panoramic views of the Virgins.
Aruba Ocean Villas They’re still something of a secret: yes, Aruba actually has overwater bungalows. And this decidedly lovely boutique resort (right near the beloved fish spot Zeerover) is a true overwater experience, with magnificently designed overwater villas (including some with pools) joined by a handful of on-island beach bungalows, all tailor-made for a getaway for two.
Sunset Reef, St Kitts The best new boutique hotel in the Caribbean has romance down to a science, all girded with an impressive focus on sustainability. This geothermally-powered boutique retreat has its own private beach, an unforgettable infinity pool, a surprisingly broad wellness offering (including a hot and cold plunge circuit and a full fitness center) and what is almost certainly the best restaurant on the island. And then there’s the pool deck, where you’ll gather every night to see some of the best sunsets of your lifetime.
Shore Club Turks and Caicos The world’s most Instagrammable pool is just the beginning at this resort that turned Providenciales’ Long Bay into one of the Caribbean’s most sought-after destinations, where the sweeping suites (and the ultra-luxe beachfront villas) become your own private residences during your Turks and Caicos vacation. There’s a magic and a mystery to the water at Long Bay, a feeling that pervades the whole resort, especially when the moon hits its tranquil waters after the sun goes down.
Rosewood Le Guanahani, St Barth The legendary Guanahani has returned with a new look, a new energy and the same breezy, beachy vibe that has brought travelers here for decades. It’s home to the best beach of any hotel in St Barth, with a wonderful culinary program and an even better spa.
Eclipse at Half Moon, Jamaica The newest addition to the legendary Half Moon resort has completed the rather tall task of creating a new, modern luxury resort that retains the feel of a timeless Caribbean retreat. That’s exactly what you feel at Eclipse, where crisp, contemporary West Indian design meets the magic of true Jamaican hospitality.
The House, Barbados Champagne breakfasts, torch-lit cocktails after twilight, classic Platinum Coast beach. The House has a vibe all its own, and it’s the epicenter of modern Bajan cool, something you feel from the moment you drive over the drawbridge.
Baoase Luxury Resort, Curacao It’s almost hard to believe this is on the same island as the bustling streets of Willemstad. But that’s what makes Baoase such an enchanting place: there’s a tremendous feeling of privacy and sanctuary here, where the rooms are a one-way ticket to Bali and the food is Michelin-level good.
The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort, Paradise Island It’s been a half century since the Ocean Club opened its doors, a luxury resort that has never lost its jet-set glamour. It’s all here: the sparkling white sand of Cabbage Beach; the Versailles Gardens; James Bond’s favorite Bahamian bar.
Round Hill, Jamaica This rarefied retreat near Montego Bay is really two properties: first, the 36 rooms on the beach (all designedly part-owner Ralph Lauren), then, the 27 private villas (ones where luminaries like JFK stayed). You can’t go wrong with either choice. This is exactly what you’d expect at a jet-set resort that first opened in 1953 and has still marvelously retained the feel of a different age, a place where you don’t go back in time — you go forward, to a place where hospitality as it should be: elegant, easy, perfect.
Keyonna Beach Resort, Antigua This boutique all-inclusive on Antigua’s south coast is all about delivering all-inclusive luxury with an authentic Antiguan personality. That extends from the outstanding, locally-focused food to the rustic-chic cottages, many of which have their own private plunge pools. A hidden gem.
Tortuga Bay, Dominican Republic What else would you expect at a resort where the villas were designed by Oscar de la Renta? Forget everything you know about Punta Cana: this is a cosmopolitan, deliciously clubby, boutique luxury resort with the romance of a private island.
Montepelier Plantation and Beach, Nevis There’s a reason this was Princess Diana’s favored Caribbean retreat: here on the foothills of Nevis Peak, you quickly find yourself in a different dimension, surrounded by sugar mills and tree frogs and centuries-old stone buildings. It’s a transportive, extraordinary place to stay, one that comes with its own beach club down on the coastline.
Scrub Island, British Virgin Islands It’s just a short boat ride from Trellis Bay but it’s a world away, a 230-acre paradise that somehow marries maritime cool with a Mediterranean sensibility. Even better? Scrub has taken over the former Marina Cay and turned into a fantastic destination beach bar. In other words, this is a private island resort that comes with its own private island.
Turtle Inn, Belize This is part of Francis Ford Coppola’s Coppola Family Hideaways, and it’s exactly what you’d expect from the legendary auteur: an exotic, 25-room escape right on the beach near Placencia, where the focus is on thatched-roof charm and delicious, inspired cuisine.
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba Aruba’s Eagle Beach is so beautiful it would make any property sing, but this is no ordinary place: the adults-only Bucuti is one of the Caribbean’s quintessential beach resorts, where a meticulous attention to detail is coupled with one of the region’s most impressive commitments to sustainability.
OLV Fifty Five, Puerto Rico The most romantic Caribbean resorts are not just on beaches and hillsides: you can also find this endlessly sexy, captivating retreat in the heart of San Juan’s Condado neighborhood. Part of Loisse Herger and Fernando Davila’s growing collection of creative boutique hotels, this place oozes tropical cool: think rooftop hot tubs, bathrooms with floor-to-ceiling balconies and Euro-level chic.
Petit St Vincent, The Grenadines It’s not a secret that The Grenadines are home to some of the most miraculous blue water and green islands on the planet, but they’re also home to some seriously good private-island hotspots, including this 22-cottage destination where the emphasis is on barefoot elegance and low-key, high-level experiences.