Hidden among the Caribbean’s many mega-resorts are some of the most unique, intimate boutiques travelers can imagine. With laid-back, eco-friendly attitudes, these petite hotels are some of the best in the region, offering personalized service and truly relaxing atmospheres. So consider passing on that 500-room all-inclusive and indulge in some intimacy at these wonderful boutiques.
The gorgeous Fowl Cay Resort feels more like a private home than a hotel.
Crowded beaches are unheard of on this private island resort where a maximum of 28 guests at a time have free range of 50 acres and three beaches. Personal boats for daily excursions, on-call service, spacious villas with fully stocked kitchens and wet bars, and a host of all-inclusive activities make Fowl Cay a standout gem in the Exumas. Read More »
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Bahamas,
Barbados,
Beach Hotels,
Boutique Hotels,
British Virgin Islands,
Caribbean,
Dominican Republic,
Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,
Jamaica,
St. Barts,
St. Lucia,
Turks and Caicos
The Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa is just one of our favorite eco stays!
For eco-minded couples, choosing the right getaway means finding a spot that pleases both your partner and Mother Earth. Some couples opt for an au natural vibe on their trips, while others just want to practice a clean-conscience approach to travel. For those who love tree-hugging just as much as they snuggling up with that special someone, we’ve found the best hotels for environmentally-friendly duos who don’t want to skimp on the romance.
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Albuquerque,
Aspen,
Belize,
California,
Cape Cod,
Eco-Friendly,
Jamaica,
Los Angeles,
New York City,
Puerto Rico,
Vancouver
Whether they’re on business or leisure, with the family or solo, almost all travelers consider a book (or a Kindle, whatever) a must-have while on a trip. Personally, we love curling up with a good read while we’re jaunting from city to city. But — taking it one step further — we really love enjoying a novel in the exact same place where the author once roamed There’s just something in the air — and p.s. these wordsmiths usually stayed in some pretty nice digs. So we rounded up the literary hotels where famous authors have partied, waited arrest, you name it. Hey, some even wrote while they were shacked up in their hotel rooms. Check out nine spots where famous writers have spent some time.
The Entrance to the Cadogan Hotel
Built in 1887, the Cadogan Hotel has seen its fair share of history within the walls of the stately Edwardian townhouse. In the realm of literary history, Oscar Wilde was a frequent guest, and he caused quite a scandal when he was arrested at the hotel in 1895 (though friends encouraged him to flee the country, Wilde refused). Poet laureate John Betjeman commemorated the arrest in his poem The Arrest of Oscar Wilde at the Cadogan Hotel, and the hotel has renamed the room where the handcuffing went down as the Oscar Wilde Room. At the time of the arrest, it was simply room no. 118.
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Boutique Hotels,
Istanbul,
Jamaica,
London,
Luxury Hotels,
New Orleans,
New York City,
Romantic Hotels
The beach, the pools, the view – these are major reasons why we travel to the Caribbean. And when we can get all in one, that’s ideal. So we scoured the islands to find the best infinity pools in the Caribbean. These spots – with gorgeous views overlooking the ocean – are perfect for sitting back, relaxing, and soaking up that sun.
Four Seasons Resort, Nevis
This Four Seasons sits on a large, attractive beach on the small island of Nevis. The gorgeous rooms here may be the highlight, with up-to-date technology, massive bathrooms, and pretty yellow-and-blue decor. But the reflection pool, an adults-only pool overlooking the ocean, is a major perk as well. Poolside guests can enjoy free snacks, as well as poolside lunch and drink service, throughout the day. The hotel also features two other slightly larger pools as well.
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Cancun,
Caribbean,
Dominican Republic,
Jamaica,
Nevis,
Punta Cana,
St. Barts,
St. Lucia,
St. Thomas,
Turks and Caicos
by Devon on April 26, 2013
Far from more culinary capitals such as New York City and San Francisco, beach destinations are rarely the first stop on an epicurean getaway. But plenty of tropical locales boast impressive chef creations, from farm-fresh plates, to straight-from-the-ocean cuisine. And just because you appreciate a quality Porterhouse cut and kicking back on the beach with a mai-tai shouldn’t mean you have to sacrifice one for the other. Whether you’re looking for a truly delicious all-inclusive plan, or some mouthwatering organic delights, we’ve got the best foodie beach destinations for all palates.
For All-Inclusive Dining…
From the family behind Le Cirque comes some of the best inclusive cuisine in the D.R.
To foodies, all-inclusive resort dining just means sloppy buffet lines and leftover à la carte “crab meat” (and to be fair, it often does). But luckily some resorts don’t mind offering some actually decent, and often delicious, menu options that you’ll look forward to chowing down on. These resorts may be pricey, and few and far between, but they’re worth the visit. Your taste buds — and stomach — will thank you!
Stay: Casa De Campo, Dominican Republic
The five-pearl Casa De Campo is one of the top properties in the D.R. With over a dozen dining options, the resort’s all-inclusive rates include renowned eateries such as the waterfront Beach Club and the Mediterranean-inspired La Caña, both from the famed family behind Le Cirque restaurants in New York and Las Vegas. So whether you’re craving spicy rack of lamb or fresh grilled seafood, this resort won’t make you shell out extra for a good meal.
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Bahamas,
Dominican Republic,
Jamaica,
Miami,
Puerto Rico
With Spring officially upon us, our taste buds are craving some tasty seasonal treats. No longer satisfied with spiced-lattes or hearty soups, our appetites are demanding fresh vegetables and delicate flavors. Fortunately, some of our favorite hotel restaurants are answering this epicurean call. Featuring rotating menus designed to bring the best of the seasons to their diners, these establishments pack a powerful punch in the taste department. Dig into our favorites around the globe…
A spring feast in the Caribbean.
Food at this lush escape — tucked into the seaside cliffs of Negril — is delicious, with the chef incorporating local, seasonal ingredients into meals as often as possible. This is wholesome home-cooking at its best, ranging from traditional jerk chicken to extravagant five-course meals. For Spring, diners should look forward to rock shrimp simmered in a savory coconut sauce, served with seasoned Basmati rice, sautéed calalloo greens and roasted ripe plantains.
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Connecticut,
Foodie,
Jamaica,
London,
Monterey County,
New York City,
Telluride
Grounds at the eco-friendly Arenas Del Mar Beach and Nature Resort in Costa Rica.
Happy Earth Day! Today more than ever calls for some tree-hugging and eco-friendly practices, so we’ve picked ten of our favorite green hotels around the globe where you can celebrate by being kind to Mother Nature. From solar panels to vertical gardens, these unique spaces make it a point to be respectful of the environment. Need official proof? Most of them are LEED-certified. But if you don’t have a chance to get away to celebrate, pretend by clicking through our slideshow — just remember to power down afterwards and enjoy the great outdoors for a change!
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Aspen,
Barcelona,
Botswana,
Buenos Aires,
Costa Rica,
Dominican Republic,
Jamaica,
Las Vegas,
New York City,
Sonoma County
by Devon on April 19, 2013
April 20th is a special day for many. More popularly known as “4/20,” this Saturday marks an annual hash bash dating back more than 40 years, during which stoners the world over will gather to light up their green like it’s Christmas in springtime. And Oyster wants to know which cannabis epicenter you’d rather chill out in: Amsterdam or Jamaica. One is a laid back tropical locale miles from the noise and stress of the big city, while the other is an herb-loving historical capital in one of Europe’s most alluring settings. So which would you rather toke in — or just plain visit? Take a look at the options below and then enter your answer in the comments section.
Option 1: Jammin’ in Jamaica
Catcha A Falling Star AND some chill vibes in Jamaica
While marijuana may not technically be legal in Jamaica, possession laws are as notoriously lax as the island itself. And one of the best places to chill out (with or without your stash!) is at Catcha Falling Star Resort, a gorgeous cliffside boutique with a laid back attitude and private bungalow huts. The resort has a minimum age requirement, keeping with the calming vibes, and amazing ocean views abound throughout the property. It’s a perfect high-times oasis.
Option 2: Getting Weird in Amsterdam
Hotel Pulitzer is a great place to get your smoke on in Amsterdam
Amsterdam makes a great toking ground for the more metropolitan smoker. The city has tons of historical landmarks, and is one of Europe’s most popular spring destinations thanks to some other plants — its lovely tulips. For 4/20 visitors, Hotel Pulitzer is one of the swankiest hotels in the centrally located Canal Ring neighborhood. The hotel has a gorgeous garden for finding your Zen, and a great on-site restaurant or 24-hour room service for all of your munching needs.
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Amsterdam,
Foto Friday,
Jamaica
Who doesn’t like to get their drink on while taking a dip? It’s both the ultimate cool down and the possibly best way to spice up a relaxing vacation. We’re craving some refreshing fun in the sun, so we’ve picked our favorite places to liquor up — all from the cool comforts of hotels’ pools. So get your blender and piña colada mix ready — you’ll be thirsting for a fruity cocktail after browsing these awesome hotel pool bars.
Pool Bar at the Catalonia Bavaro Beach
You can almost imagine you’re on the set of the movie ”Cocktail” at Catalonia Bavaro Beach‘s swim-up bar, where the bartenders are quite entertaining. This laid back property comes with lots of awesome amenities, including a gorgeous beach, a golf course, and room balconies that feature private hammocks.
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All-Inclusive Resorts,
Aruba,
Cancun,
Costa Rica,
Dominican Republic,
Hotel Bars,
Jamaica,
Los Cabos,
Luxury Hotels,
New York City,
Resort Hotels,
Value Hotels
Views abound at this luxurious hideaway tucked into Jamaica's famous Blue Mountain.
Jamaica’s Strawberry Hill offers couples a remote hideaway in a gorgeous setting, making it a top pick for a tranquil honeymoon. This former coffee plantation, nestled among the steep and winding hills of the island’s famous Blue Mountain, is a little oasis above the city of Kingston. Owned by music-maker Chris Blackwell, whose work with the likes of Bono, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley has made the hotel a celeb magnet, Strawberry Hill might be the island’s most isolated property, offering plenty of intimacy and privacy, with just 12 cottages spread across more than 26 acres. But the hotel also has the features of a larger property: an expansive spa, a breezy restaurant and bar, a hilltop pool, lush gardens, and ample relaxation space — all of which feature panoramic vistas of the jungle, city, and ocean below.
If you’re loving Strawberry Hill, but are concerned about finding the cash to pay for a stay at this luxe spot, check out wanderable.com. On this awesome website, you can create a honeymoon registry that — rather than getting you the boring ol’ pots and pans — will ask wedding guests to give gifts that will help pay for hotel stays and activities during your honeymoon. So forget a floral China set you’ll never use and opt to stay an extra night, upgrade to the honeymoon suite, and enjoy another poolside cocktail with gifts from your Wanderable registry, so you can have the perfect honeymoon! But first, check out more honeymoon-worthy photos of Strawberry Hill here »
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Honeymoons,
Jamaica
