In the Caribbean, an airport hotel means something very, very different than what you’re used to.

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

Maybe you’re traveling with little ones; jetting off on a quick getaway; or you’ve already flown across the country to make your Caribbean connection. Either way, there’s a lot to be said for the convenience of resorts that are close to the airport. When we want to go from Baggage Claim claim to the beach in the shortest time possible, here are the hotels we’d pick.

Tom Beach Hotel, St Barth You can’t get a better view of planes landing on the beachfront runway than from this stylish 12-room boutique on the sands of St Jean beach, a quick stroll from the terminal.

The Island House, Bahamas Only 10 minutes from Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, this new 30-room boutique hotel is the essence of tropical chic, with three restaurants, a spa, and even its own intimate cinema.

Sonesta Ocean Point, St Maarten A stay at this adults-only all-inclusive includes exchange privileges at a pair of sister resorts and excludes a schlep from the airport because it’s only five minutes from the runway.

Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Maximize your family’s beach time (and slash your ground transfer costs) when you stay at this classic all-inclusive, just seven minutes from the concourse, that’s known for its kids’ facilities.

Half Moon, Jamaica This sprawling resort has its own stables, golf course, spa and plush villas that border a white-sand beach. Its proximity to Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (about 10 minutes’ drive away) is icing on the cake. 

Sandals La Source Resort & Spa, Grenada We were pleasantly surprised by the contemporary-chic décor and hillside infinity pools at this new Sandals resort. And happy that since we were less than five minutes from the airport, we had plenty of time to enjoy them.

Intercontinental San Juan, Puerto Rico A location less than 10 minutes from the airport in San Juan makes this high-rise a hit with travelers dashing from the plane to business meetings. But we’ll skip the boardroom and head straight for the sands of Isla Verde, the two-mile strip over which the hotel presides.

Scrub Island, British Virgin Islands No need to venture far from Tortola to experience the perks of a private-island retreat. The BVI’s newest resort is just a three-minute taxi and a seven-minute boat ride from Beef Island’s Terrance B Lettsome Airport.

Beach House, Turks and Caicos Islands Grace Bay beach, is Providenciales’ most popular strand. And the slice of it that this boutique hotel sits on is just 10 minutes away, so you can have your toes in the sand (and a Turk’s Head beer in your hand) in no time.

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, St Lucia Those winding Lucian roads from Hewanorra International are certainly scenic but they’re no fun for travelers prone to carsickness. But this all-inclusive, with dedicated family and adult-only sections, is the perfect remedy, less than 15 minutes’ drive from the Arrivals area.