It’s one of the great island-hopping paradises in the wider Caribbean, famous for its pristine beaches, out-of-the-way green-hilled cays and brilliant turquoise water: St Vincent and the Grenadines, one of the region’s under-the-radar destinations, a place that has only recently found itself on the travel radar. 

And since St Vincent’s first-ever Sandals resort opened its doors earlier this year, the destination has been hotter than ever, rising in search demand and seeing a wave of new flights from around the United States. 

That includes two just-launched routes by American Airlines: Charlotte to St Vincent and New York to St Vincent. 

Both nonstop routes are operating once-weekly on Saturdays, both operated on Boeing 737 aircraft. 

It’s a big lift for a destination that didn’t even have a proper international airport until 2017, when it debuted its Argyle International Airport — and had largely struggled to attract airlift since. 

But now it’s front and center in the Caribbean, with its myriad islands in the spotlight, from charming little Bequia to the private-island jet-set destination of Mustique. 

It’s a place that has always been home to some of the most beautiful beaches and small cays anywhere — something that’s also made it a prime sailing destination on charter companies like The Moorings. 

So what about prices? 

In early January, you can book a flight on the Charlotte flight to St Vincent for about $923 in the main cabin. 

On the JFK-St Vincent flight, you’ll find fares of about $508 roundtrip, according to Google Flights. 

So what about where to stay? That’s a bit tougher. Last summer’s storms put a dent in much of the destination’s hotel product, which was already light to begin with. 

That means the Sandals St Vincent remains far and away the best option, with rooms starting at about $12,678 per week beginning in early January. That gets you a garden butler suite with a soaking tub on the patio. 

On islands like Bequia, some top hotels are back, including the popular Bequia Beach Hotel at $1,025 per night. 

The destination’s top luxury resort, the Mandarin Oriental on the island of Canouan, is open again, too, with rooms starting at $1,981 per night.