There are two types of people in this world: Those who genuinely embrace winter’s chill with roaring fires and cozy mugs of hot chocolate, and those who flee to the tropics the minute the sun starts setting before 5 pm. If you fall firmly into the latter camp, as I do, the Caribbean needs no introduction.
With around 7,000 islands spanning 13 sovereign states and several island territories, this idyllic corner of the world has long been a go-to spot for the sun-starved among us—especially during winter. When cold temperatures and even colder spirits have us questioning our life choices, the best Caribbean resorts and their sparkling turquoise waters, perfect powder-white sand, and legendary rum cocktails are a comforting reminder that the good life is just a short plane ride away.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Caribbean Resorts:
- For the Best Beach Access: Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
- For Lush Green Surroundings: Secret Bay, Dominica
- For a Property with A-List Fans: Rosewood Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands
- For True Seclusion: Pine Cay, Turks and Caicos
- For the People-Watching: Soho Beach House, Canouan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- For Art Lovers: Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, St. Lucia
Of course, the region’s beauty also exists alongside a complex and layered history, one that informs everything from food to language to music—which is why choosing your home base thoughtfully is extra important. The best resorts today not only deliver on the escapism front, they also celebrate local culture and offer a deeper sense of place. Ahead, 12 standout hotels in the Caribbean for a warm winter getaway, from high-end tropical retreats to more intimate boutique stays.
Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
The phrase “barefoot luxury” is as overused in the travel world as “disruptive” is in tech, but in the case of Cap Juluca Belmond, it genuinely applies. Located right on Anguilla’s famed Maundays Bay, frequently cited as one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the Caribbean, the LVMH-owned property is, at its core, for luxury travelers who head to the tropics for the beach above all else. Repeat guests return year after year for its pristine shores and impossibly clear water, helped along by the fact that all 113 rooms are oceanfront—no “garden-facing” or “partial view” options here—and have private terraces that catch the trade winds.
Beyond the beach, warm longtime staffers and a breezy design (think Moroccan-inspired archways and a soothing white-on-white palette) really seal the deal. There’s also a luxurious Guerlain spa and all sorts of wellness treatments, from sound baths to customized yoga and Pilates classes. But be warned: The setting itself is so peaceful, your cortisol levels may already be lowered by the time you reach the massage table.
- Amenities: Guerlain spa, outdoor infinity pool, 24/7 fitness center, watersports facility, boutique, art gallery, chef’s garden, events pavilion
- Bonus tip: Don’t miss the hotel’s daily complimentary Champagne Sabering ritual, which is always accompanied by live music from a local artist.
- Address: Maundays Bay, 2640, Anguilla
Secret Bay, Dominica
Known as the Caribbean’s “Nature Island,” Dominica is essentially a vision in green, with incredibly lush tropical rainforests, mountainous terrain, volcanic peaks, gushing waterfalls, geothermal hot springs… the list goes on. It is not, in other words, a “fly and flop” Caribbean beach destination. It’s where you go to wake up in a tropical jungle. To soak in heated mineral waters. Maybe get a little bit wet and muddy on your hike. And Secret Bay is the place to stay while you’re doing all those things.
Set on top of a lush cliffside on the island’s northwest coast, the resort features 27 standalone treehouse villas, all made entirely from sustainably-sourced tropical hardwoods and built to protect the surrounding environment. Staying in one means you’re fully immersed in nature, but roughing it, you are not: Each one comes with its own private plunge pool and dedicated personal host to ensure everything goes smoothly. The resort also has two beaches and a lap pool, plus all sorts of other interesting spaces, including an on-site kombucha microbrewery, an art gallery, and a treetop riverside spa.
- Amenities: outdoor lap pool, open-air fitness center, water sports hut, sunset deck, spa, funicular, wellness pavilion, cultural center, garden and chef’s table, on-site restaurant
- Bonus tip: Ask your villa host to arrange a private dinner on one of the property’s three floating decks, which hang eight feet above the ground (roughly the same height as the surrounding guava trees).
- Address: Ross Boulevard, Portsmouth, Dominica
Playa Grande Beach Club, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is mostly associated with all-inclusives, particularly around Punta Cana. But Playa Grande Beach Club, located on the island’s rugged (and quite remote) north shore, is the antidote. New York-based interior designer Celerie Kimble and her husband, financier Boykin Curry, originally bought the property as a private retreat for their friends and family. Yet everyone loved it so much, they opened it to the public in April 2014—and it’s been a go-to spot for fashion and design lovers ever since.
The decor nods to traditional Dominican architecture through natural woods and open verandas. But it also reflects Kimble’s upbringing in Palm Beach, Florida; which is to say, it’s very country club-chic. Expect lots of minty greens, soft pastel blues, and white wicker, all paired with original art, antiques, and custom-made pieces. The whole experience truly feels like staying at your closest design friend’s Caribbean vacation home—except there are plenty of organized activities, too. Don’t miss the bachata dance lessons (when in the DR!), or the recently launched guided hikes through the lush hills above the property.
- Amenities: lap pool, gym, on-site restaurant, two bars, lounge, library and board game room
- Bonus tip: If you visit between January and March, be sure to go whale watching in nearby Samaná.
- Address: Carretera Río San Juan - Cabrera, Km. 10 Playa Grande, Rio San Juan, Maria Trinidad Sánchez, Dominican Republic
Rosewood Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands
Rosewood Little Dix Bay is one of those iconic properties people talk about with passion—and not just because it’s essentially the platonic ideal of paradise. Founded by conservationist Laurance Rockefeller (grandson of Standard Oil magnate John D. Rockefeller) in 1964, the original Little Dix Bay was one of the Caribbean’s earliest ecotourism resorts, built with an emphasis on low-impact design long before that idea even entered the travel lexicon. Set across 500 acres of pristine, palm-fringed coastline, the resort quickly became known for its stunning natural beauty and high-end crowd, even counting Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip among its fans.
In 2017, Hurricane Irma nearly destroyed the property. Thankfully, after a careful, multi-year restoration, Little Dix Bay is now back in full force, with 80 renovated guest rooms, suites, houses and villas tucked into the lush landscape—just as Rockefeller originally intended. Granted, there are dedicated personal butlers now, and a state-of-the-art fitness center and spa, and sleek, modern-yet-beachy decor courtesy of New York-based design firm Meyer Davis, but make no mistake: The spirit of the original property is still going strong more than 60 years later.
- Amenities: spa, two swimming pools, six tennis courts, fitness center, Rosewood Explorers Club
- Bonus tip: Sunset cocktails at the Rum Room are worth planning your day around.
- Address: Lee Road, Virgin Gorda, VG1150, British Virgin Islands
Pine Cay, Turks and Caicos
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Most travelers who visit Turks and Caicos base themselves on the island of Providenciales, home to the main international airport and the archipelago’s most famous beach, Grace Bay. Pine Cay, by contrast, occupies an entire privately owned island of its own.
Located northeast of Providenciales, the private island resort has just 15 rooms in total, including 11 beachfront rooms, two beach houses, two beach cottages, plus a small collection of private homes available to rent. The spaces are airy and simply designed, with rustic woodwork crafted from the pine trees the island is named after and tasteful pops of teal and gold, but that’s not really why you’re there. You’re there for the solitude, for the rare luxury of having an island and its blissful beaches largely to yourself. Start and end the day with a stroll on Pine Cay’s two-mile stretch of sand, and spend the hours in between exploring its nine miles of hiking trails, heading out onto the (very sparkly, very turquoise) water for snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding, or simply relaxing under a shaded palapa.
- Amenities: freshwater pool, spa, bicycles, tennis court and racquets, fitness center, Hobie Cat sailboats, kayaks and paddleboard equipment, mini basketball court
- Bonus tip: If you’re exploring the island, request a picnic lunch to take with you before you go. Or, for a special occasion or celebration, request a candlelight dinner on the beach.
- Address: Pine Cay, Turks and Caicos
Cheval Blanc, St. Barth
You can’t really go wrong when choosing a hotel on St. Barth. From the impossibly glamorous Eden Rock to the ultra-secluded Hotel Le Toiny, the French-speaking island has no shortage of incredible stays. But there is something extra special about Cheval Blanc. Set right on Flamands Bay, one of the island’s most idyllic beaches, the LVMH-owned property is also surrounded by lush tropical gardens and fresh greenery—so it feels like both a chic French Riviera beach club and a soothing sanctuary at the same time. Champagne and rosé are seemingly always flowing, especially at the easygoing beachside restaurant La Cabane and around the lively main pool, yet it never gets too loud or feels too scene-y. This blend of the serene and the social is indeed hard to come by on St. Barth, but Cheval Blanc pulls it off. And the newly-renovated Guerlain spa, set in the fragrant gardens just behind the beach at the end of a palm-lined wooden path, only adds to the appeal. Bonus points for the gorgeous magenta bougainvillea that seems to frame nearly every corner of the property.
- Amenities: Two swimming pools with beach access, spa, two on-site restaurants, yoga classes, bar, two on-site boutiques, Mini Moke car rental, Guerlain toiletries
- Bonus tip: Be sure to stop by the property’s two boutiques, which are beloved around St. Barth for carrying top local and international designers.
- Address: Baie des Flamands, Saint-Barthélemy 97133, St. Barthélemy
Rockhouse Hotel Spa, Negril, Jamaica
Heading down to Jamaica is pretty much always a good idea—what’s not to love about reggae, rum, and Red Stripe? But in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, doing so now is especially meaningful. Tourism is a major driver of Jamaica’s economy, so many Jamaicans are saying that “one of the best ways to give back is to come back.” And there may be no better place to do that than Rockhouse Hotel Spa.
Built directly into the limestone cliffs on the western tip of Negril, Rockhouse—which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year—is undeniably striking. The 40 villas and rooms are decidedly rustic, made with stone and thatched roofs, and many allow you to swim straight into the turquoise cove from the property’s iconic bright red ladders. But the real draw here is the fun vibe. It is, simply put, just a really, really good time. The pool bar staff is always playing upbeat reggae, and will ensure you are never without a rum cocktail in hand (even if it’s only 11 a.m.). Over at the jerk restaurant Pushcart, the mood is especially lively at night, when DJs and live music often turn dinner into a late-night hang. Ultimately, it’s the type of hotel that seems to make you happy by sheer osmosis. (It’s also worth noting that the team runs a nonprofit arm called the Rockhouse Foundation that helps support local education in western Jamaica.)
- Amenities: three on-site restaurants, spa, infinity pool, weekly psilocybin sound bath experience, complimentary shuttles to Skylark Negril, daily morning yoga, candle-making workshops, and Rockhouse Foundation community tours
- Bonus tip: Take a boat over to Rockhouse’s sister property, Skylark, for a day on Negril’s famed Seven Mile Beach with lunch at Miss Lily’s (get the oxtail stew and the curried shrimp salad).
- Address: West End Road, Negril, Jamaica
Soho Beach House, Canouan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
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The Grenadines have long been known for their high-profile yet decidedly low-key allure. The 35-island archipelago includes some of the Caribbean’s most coveted hideaways, from the famously discreet Mustique to the soulful Bequia to the ultra-luxe Canouan. So when the exclusive, members-only club Soho House chose to open its first Caribbean outpost on Canouan’s private Grand Bay Beach, it made perfect sense.
Set within the sprawling Canouan Estate—which also includes the Mandarin Oriental and Canouan Estate Resort Villas—the 40-room property exudes tropical flair, with an easy beach-club energy and Soho House’s characteristically fashionable crowd. Its design channels the brand’s eclectic aesthetic, though it’s reinterpreted for the beach here (thatched-roof palapas, woven rugs, and boho-inspired rattan furnishings are scattered throughout). You don’t have to be a member to book a stay. There are also no TVs in the rooms… not that you’ll want them anyway. Days are easily spent drifting between the beach, open-air restaurants, two-story gym, and the brand’s cult-favorite Cowshed spa.
- Amenities: On-site restaurant, three bars, boutique, deli, health club, Cowshed Spa
- Bonus tip: When you stay at Soho House, you’re given an “invisible key” that unlocks access to every amenity and facility at the other two Canouan Estate properties—so you can play tennis on Mandarin Oriental’s courts, for example, or use the Canouan Estate Resort Villa’s free kids club.
- Address: Grand Bay, VC, Canouan Island VC0450, St. Vincent Grenadines
Silversands Beach House, Grenada
Grenada is having a bit of a moment these days, with a slew of new hotel openings and direct flight routes making the “Spice Island” a lot more accessible. One of the most unique additions? Silversands Beach House. As the new, more intimate sister property to Silversands Grand Anse, Beach House—which opened in February 2024—it stands out for its crisp white contemporary design. Each of the 28 cliffside and beachfront rooms and suites is covered by a sleek white canopied terrace that gives the whole property a subtle safari-meets-the-tropics feel. Much like a well-designed safari tent, the rooms here are also set up for easy indoor-outdoor living, with modern floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors that open onto a wooden patio. But the wilderness comparison stops there. This property is undoubtedly Caribbean, with direct access to a tranquil palm-lined beach and a small infinity pool overlooking the turquoise sea. Guests also have full access to Silversands Grand Anse’s amenities, including three restaurants, a rum bar, and the longest infinity pool in the Caribbean.
- Amenities: infinity pool, 24/7 fitness center, spa suite, on-site restaurant
Bonus tip: Be sure to arrange a boat tour of Grenada’s famous Underwater Sculpture Park. - Address: Dr. Grooms Road, Point Salines, 0000, St. Georges, Grenada
Cobblers Cove, Barbados
Sleek new builds and rustic rainforest hideaways certainly have their appeal, but sometimes you just want some old school Caribbean glamour, complete with high-waisted bikinis and oversized sunglasses by the pool. For that, Cobblers Cove is one of your very best bets. Located on the west side of Barbados, the 43-suite property was originally built as a private beach house in the 1940s before it was converted into a boutique hotel in 1968. Today, it’s known for its overall retro vibe, as evidenced by its cotton-candy pink exterior, artisan-made rattan furniture, and retro pink-and-white striped umbrellas. There are lots of activities, too, including tennis, beachfront yoga, dance classes, and snorkeling/diving excursions. Or, you can just relax by the freshwater pool and actually finish that book you brought. Either way, be sure to end the night at Camelot, which celebrates local Barbadian flavors, or at one of the island’s nearby bars and restaurants.
- Amenities: freshwater swimming pool, on-site restaurant, cocktail bar, boutique, tennis court, spa, gym, water sports equipment rental
- Bonus tip: Learn about Barbados’ heritage with a rum shack tour or an excursion to a local Rasta community.
- Address: Road View, Speightstown BB26025 Barbados
The Potlatch Club, Bahamas
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Staying at The Potlatch Club means staying in paradise, yes, but it also means staying on a piece of Bahamian history. Set on a seven-mile stretch of pink sand beach on Eleuthera—one of the archipelago’s quieter, more rugged islands—the property was first constructed in 1923 as a two-bedroom home on a pineapple plantation. It was later purchased by New York City socialites in the 1950s, and soon became a glam A-list hideaway. (Paul McCartney famously honeymooned there with his first wife, Linda, and wrote “She Came in Through the Bathroom Window” on hotel stationery.)
But the club’s golden era faded in the 1980s, and the property remained largely untouched until 2016, when business partners Bruce Loshusan and Hans Febles stumbled across it while traveling through Eleuthera. They decided to bring it back to life, and after an extensive restoration in partnership with Nassau interior designer Amanda Lindroth, reopened it in June 2024 as an intimate 11-key boutique hotel. Many original features were carefully refurbished, including the beloved checkered floors and whitewashed arches, while new touches like striped awnings and pink coral bathrooms help bring it into the present day. Most important of all? The soulful Bahamian spirit remains unchanged.
- Amenities: pool, spa, fitness center, on-site restaurant
- Bonus tip: Be sure to book one of the hotel’s three customized excursions, which include a private boat charter to remote islands, a tour of some of the island’s 100+ beaches, and a visit to nearby Harbour Island.
- Address: Old Banks Road, Governor s Harbour, Eleuthera, Bahamas
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, St. Lucia
It’s hard to talk about St. Lucia without gushing about its natural beauty first. The island is often referred to as one of the prettiest in the entire Caribbean, thanks in no small part to the presence of the iconic Pitons, two emerald-green volcanic peaks that seem to rise directly from the sea. The best hotels offer unobstructed views of said Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), and Sugar Beach falls firmly into that category.
Picture-perfect views of the Pitons aside, the property also has all sorts of other luxuries you’d expect from a five-star Caribbean resort, including excellent design (mostly soft, light wood and breezy whites), private plunge pools, shaded beach loungers under thatched-roof palapas, and a heavenly rainforest spa. But it really stands out for its art world credentials. You’ll find an impressive collection of pieces scattered throughout the grounds, and earlier this year, the team also opened a new nine-bedroom villa called Spice of Life that features works by Salvador Dali, Banksy, Jeff Koons, Anish Kapoor, and Damien Hirst, to name a few. Plus, just last month, the hotel announced an exclusive partnership with LA-based artist Monica Ahanonu, who hosted a series of workshops exploring creativity and storytelling.
- Amenities: spa, fitness center, outdoor pool, seven restaurants and bars, chocolate boutique, PADI dive facility, racquet club (one tennis court, two pickleball courts, one padel court, one racquet lounge), land and water sports equipment, kids club babysitting services
- Bonus tip: The spa recently partnered with skincare brand Augustinus Bader to launch a curated menu focused on cellular renewal; get the new longevity facial.
- Address: Val Des Pitons Forbidden Beach, La Baie de Silence, St. Lucia
