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 »
Tagged as:
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 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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Tagged as:
Cancun,
Caribbean,
Dominican Republic,
Jamaica,
Nevis,
Punta Cana,
St. Barts,
St. Lucia,
St. Thomas,
Turks and Caicos
There are few things as sexy as taking a long bubble bath with your significant other.
The Caribbean is hands down one of the world’s most romantic destinations. The region’s gorgeous islands and quaint coastal communities draw thousands of honeymooners and couples every year with the pristine beaches, laid-back vibe, and outstanding resorts. Many hotels cater to couples, and hotel designers, aware that an appealing bathroom with a deep tub can be the cherry on top of a romantic getaway, are spending more time than ever in coming up with the best bathroom layout. Click through the slideshow to discover some of the sexiest bathrooms in the Caribbean, and don’t forget order some champagne and rose petals for your bubble bath!
Tagged as:
Bermuda,
Cancun,
Dominican Republic,
Jamaica,
Punta Cana,
Riviera Maya,
Romantic Hotels,
St. Barts,
Turks and Caicos
While there are many great budget-friendly hotels in the Caribbean, the islands are also known for their luxury properties, where guests are treated to day trips aboard yachts, couples are offered massages in sumptuous spas, and rooms are twice the size of a New York apartment (although, we guess it’s not too hard to be). We’ve compiled a list of our favorite luxury hotels in the Caribbean so you can start planning what to do after your new year’s resolution of winning the lottery (that’s not a new year’s resolution, but, really, who hasn’t had that on the list for at least a decade?) comes true.
All guests have a butler on call 24/7 assigned to their room.
Bringing tranquility to otherwise-crowded Paradise Island, the 105-room Ocean Club’s personal butlers, beautiful pools (one for adults, one for families), restaurant from Jean-Georges, and access to Atlantis’s water park, casino, and other attractions make it one of the Caribbean’s best resorts.
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Tagged as:
Anguilla,
Bahamas,
Barbados,
Belize,
Cancun,
Dominican Republic,
Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,
Jamaica,
Luxury Hotels,
Riviera Maya,
St. Barts,
St. Lucia,
St. Martin/St. Maarten,
Turks and Caicos
by Jane on December 7, 2012
There’s something — should we say a certain je ne sais quoi — about getting away to a spot that’s completely different. A different culture, different food, different people, a different language — all of these things can make you feel worlds away from home (in a good way, of course). And when we’re choosing a destination, we often can’t help but be drawn to French-speaking locales. After all, French is the language of love, and we feel pretty glam when we’re casually searching through our translator conversing with locals in francais. But Paris is sooo last year. (Okay, so that’s a lie — Paris is always fabulous. But work with us here.) So why not visit a French-speaking spot that has, say, a beach as well? Or skip away to a European lakeside locale where French is the official language. If you want to immerse yourself in the French culture, France is certainly not your only option. Check out some of our favorite French-speaking destinations not in France.
Nicknamed St. Barts, St. Barthelemy in the French West Indies has been a playground to the rich and famous for several decades. Nestled among the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea, it was a French colony until 2007 when St. Barts officially became a “separate overseas collectivity.” French is spoken by many locals (although almost everyone on the island can speak some English) and much of the cuisine has a French flair. This, paired with the fact that almost all food products are imported from France, means meals can be pricey. Seafood, however, including conch — an island specialty — is caught locally. The well-heeled venture out to St. Barts not only for its gourmet restaurants, but also for its high-end designer shops, secluded beaches, and exclusive location. Celebs such as Jimmy Buffet, David Letterman, and Steve Martin own property on the island and are frequent visitors.
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Tagged as:
Geneva,
Montreal,
Paris,
St. Barts,
St. Martin/St. Maarten
by Jane on December 3, 2012
The views from Hotel Le Toiny are top-notch.
Undoubtedly one of the most prestigious hotels in St. Barts, Hotel Le Toiny sits amid 28 lush acres of natural hills and beachfront, attracting the likes of Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jackie Kennedy Onassis in the past. The 15 private villas are spacious and airy, each with its own infinity-edge pool. And the views here are jaw-dropping, including from the hotel’s main infinity-edge pool which is open to all guests. No matter the occupancy, Hotel Le Toiny feels secluded and private, despite the fact that many guests and non-guests make sure to visit the on-site French restaurant — one of the island’s most renowned. Rates are nothing to sneeze at, but you’ll definitely receive the all-star treatment that should come with such a hefty price tag. So as we say every week: sit back, relax, and soak up the goodness that is Hotel Le Toiny.
Tagged as:
Luxury Hotels,
Monday Morning Ahhhh,
Romantic Hotels,
St. Barts
by Devon on September 27, 2012
We love when hotels feature one-of-kind amenities — many of which tread the line between amazing and ridiculous (not that they can’t be both). While W hotels are known for their Whatever/Whenever service – which promises to accommodate any (legal) guest requests at any time, and the Sound Your Stay rock star treatment at Hard Rock Hotels — complete with free Fender guitars rentals — is pretty awesome, it’s the wildly decadent, completely over-the-top amenities we love best when visiting our favorite hotels. Here’s just a taste of some of the creative ways hotels are keeping guests happy with some unnecessary [Ed. note: Or are they?] but incredible hotel indulgences.
What: Surf Butler
Why carry your surf board when the St. Regis surf butler can?
Where: The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, Orange County
St. Regis hotels are known for their top-notch butler service, which even uses eButlers to receive requests via e-mail. With such attentive service throughout the luxury chain, it’s no wonder that oceanfront St. Regis hotels, like the Monarch Beach Resort in Orange County, offer surf butlers. Before your lesson in hanging ten, the surf butler will take your measurements for your wetsuit and bring all necessary equipment right down to the sand so you won’t have to lift a finger — your focus should be on catching some gnarly waves anyways, dude! Read More »
Tagged as:
Chicago,
Luxury Hotels,
Miami,
New York City,
Orange County,
Portland,
St. Barts,
Washington D.C.
by Jane on August 24, 2012
Several celeb couples have honeymooned at this gorgeous California property.
Celebrities always travel in style, and we love checking out where they stay when on a getaway from the spotlight. So in this honeymoon edition of our (constant) celeb watch, we explore the gorgeous hotels where some of our favorite celebs celebrated their first days of wedded bliss. Sure, some didn’t last, but it’s not like these hotels are to blame. In fact, they’re probably responsible for the happiest days of the marriage! Take note, Jen and Justin: these spots will deliver the star treatment during your honeymoon.
Tagged as:
Big Island,
Boutique Hotels,
Costa Rica,
Hawaii,
Los Cabos,
Luxury Hotels,
Santa Barbara,
St. Barts,
St. Lucia,
Turks and Caicos
by Jane on August 10, 2012
Mega-resorts will always have their perks, but these days more and more travelers are choosing to stay in private villas. The perks of a villa? Well, no shared walls with loud, late-night partiers for one thing. Or you can be that late-night partier and not worry about noise complaints. More space. More privacy. And the homey feel of being in a free-standing unit, surrounded by attractive landscaping. But what we really love is when you can find a private villa on a resort’s property, merging the best of both worlds. Guests receive all of the benefits and amenities of a resort, while still enjoying the seclusion of a villa. We did a tour of hotel villas in the Caribbean and found the best of the best on seven islands.
The One-Bedroom Villa Suite at Hotel Le Toiny -- St. Barts
Undoubtedly one of the most prestigious hotels in St. Barts, this exclusive 15-villa luxury resort sits amid 28 lush acres of natural hills and beachfront. The private villas are spacious and airy, each having its own infinity-edge pool, and the views are jaw-dropping. The French restaurant is one of the island’s most renowned, and one of the many reasons celebrities come here to relax. Rates are nothing to sneeze at, but you’ll definitely receive the all-star treatment that should come with such a hefty price tag.
Oyster’s Favorite Villa Perk: Each villa includes freebies such as Wi-Fi, bottled water, and tea, but the best is the free breakfast served daily on white linen-topped tables on your private terrace.
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Tagged as:
Bahamas,
Caribbean,
Dominican Republic,
Jamaica,
Luxury Hotels,
St. Barts,
St. Lucia,
Turks and Caicos,
Virgin Gorda
