If you’re traveling to the Caribbean, you need to find the perfect hotel or resort for your stay. After all, to make the most of your stay, it should have oceanfront access so you can visit the beach and ocean, rooms perfect for relaxing, and, of course, nice restaurants and bars.
The problem, especially if you’re traveling to an island you’ve never visited before, is that it can be challenging to sort through reviews. The hotel selection process begins to become even more difficult if you doubt the truthfulness of some reviews.
If you are planning a Caribbean trip, you’re in luck: U.S. News & World Report recently released its annual rankings for the best hotels in the Caribbean. What makes the ranking a valuable tool is that it’s based on a combination of awards, hotel star ratings, and user ratings.
“We believe this unbiased approach makes our rankings more useful than simply providing our editors’ personal opinions,” U.S. News & World Report explains in a statement.
“The travel industry has faced many disruptions over the past 2 years, highlighting the need to support and recognize hotels that continue to maintain excellent standards,” Zach Watson, senior travel editor at U.S. News, said in a statement. “The 2022 best hotels rankings offer a dependable guide for travelers to use when organizing their next trip, whether that’s in a few weeks or later in the year.”
Let’s get right to it. Here are the top 10 hotels in the Caribbean, according to U.S. News & World Report’s research.
1. Eden Rock – St. Barths
Saint Barthelemy
Since Eden Rock is on St. Jean Bay on St. Barts’ north shore, visitors have access to the pristine sandy beach and a nearby coral reef. Eden Rocks is noteworthy because it was the first hotel to open on St. Barts more than 60 years ago, but it must also be noted that it underwent an extensive renovation in 2019, following Hurricane Irma. That, by the way, is when the spa was added. Another key amenity is the acclaimed restaurant, Sand Bar, led by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
“Each accommodation is unique, with pops of bright accent colors and private terraces, and guests describe a stay here as worth every penny,” according to U.S. News & World Report’s ranking. “Splurge on a specialty villa and you’ll have access to such extras as a private art gallery (in the Villa Nina) or a recording studio (in the Rockstar Villa).”
2. Jade Mountain Resort
Soufrière, Saint Lucia
U.S. News & World Report’s ranking explains that past visitors say Jade Mountain is “One of the most romantic resorts in the world,” and it’s easy to see why. Each of its “sanctuaries” has three walls: The space where the fourth wall should be is open to offer spectacular views of two mountainous volcanic spires — The Pitons and the Caribbean Sea. Some of them even feature infinity pools so it seems as if The Pitons and the Caribbean are in the room as well. To complete the romantic atmosphere, couples can arrange for an in-room massage or a private dinner on the Celestial Terrace.
Those venturing out of their rooms can snorkel in the Anse Chastanet bay, take a sunset cruise on the resort’s yacht, and even go scuba diving with experts from the on-site dive center. In addition to the private dinner option, other dining choices are the Jade Mountain Club or in-room service.
3. Belmond Cap Juluca
Maundays Bay, Anguilla
Each Greco-Moorish-style villa has an oceanfront view and either a private terrace, patio, or solarium. Outside the rooms, guests can lounge by the infinity edge pool or along the 1-mile stretch of white sand beach that fronts the resort. Importantly, all room rates include two lounge chairs for the beach, as well as snacks, drinks, and chilled towels delivered by beach butlers.
For a break from the beach, guests can play tennis or visit the Arawak Spa. Finally, the resort has three restaurants, and casual tapas are served at an on-site vintage food truck.
4. Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts
Shoal Bay Village, Anguilla
The resort, which is seated on 6 acres, has 76 rooms and suites with deep soaking tubs, walk-in showers, and furnished balconies looking out on the pool, resort, or ocean. Recent guests said the accommodations and service “are exceptional,” according to U.S. News & World Report’s research. In particular, they “loved the spacious layouts of their accommodations, which range from 600 to 2,826 square feet, and the contemporary Caribbean interior design (think: natural wood furnishings with crisp white linens and accents).”
Other noteworthy amenities include an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the ocean, the spa housed in a 300-year-old Thai house, a fitness center, yoga classes, and a beach boot camp. Guests can also ask the beach concierge to organize water activities such as kayaking and snorkeling. At the end of the day, guests can visit the resort’s three bars and two restaurants.
5. Eden Roc At Cap Cana
Playa Bavaro, Dominican Republic
“Eden Roc at Cap Cana prides itself on offering secluded luxury,” according to U.S. News & World Report’s research. “Tucked inside Cap Cana, one of Punta Cana’s most exclusive communities, this Relais & Châteaux outpost offers a long list of sumptuous amenities.” For example, each of the resort’s 62 suites has either a private balcony or terrace, and some suites even have a private pool.
Other features include a spa and a private beach club with a pool lined by palm trees, a barbecue area, and a beach bar. Activities for kids include a children’s pool and the Koko Kid’s Club that provides games and crafts. Breakfast is offered at the BLUE Grill + Bar, while the Mediterraneo restaurant serves seasonal dinners and La Palapa serves fresh seafood.
6. Curtain Bluff
Old Road, Antigua
Considering that the resort is located in a cove on Antigua’s southern coast, it’s only fitting that all 72 rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows looking out at the sea. It should be pointed out that recent guests stressed that while the all-inclusive rates cover water sports activities, fitness classes, and meals and drinks, the resort ‘doesn’t cater to the party crowd,’” according to U.S. News & World Report’s research.
The “immersive vacation experience” also includes tennis, scuba diving, and beach access, as well as eating at the Tamarind Restaurant and the open-air Seagrape, or having wine from the resort’s wine cellar. The resort does have a spa, however, there are fees for treatments.
7. Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Dorado, Puerto Rico
The resort, which includes access to a mile of sandy shoreline and numerous nature trails, is located on an eco-friendly reserve on Puerto Rico’s northern shore. As you may expect, each of the spacious rooms and suites has a balcony, deep soaking tub, and outdoor shower, while some even have private plunge pools. Outside, adults can play golf on the resort’s two, 18-hole courses, or visit the spa while kids participate in supervised “Ambassadors of the Environment” activities.
Visitors have several dining options. For instance, the COA restaurant, which is on the waterfront, serves locally-inspired cuisine like dishes cooked in a wood-burning oven. Other options are grilled meat and seafood served at Encanto Beach Club Bar and Grill, or fresh sushi, ceviche, and tapas served at Positivo Sand Bar.
8. Seven Stars Resort & Spa
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
The resort is bordered by the protected waters of Princess Alexandra National Park on Grace Bay, so naturally the resort offers snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing. Then again, it also has an adults-only pool as well as a second pool, and a spa offering massages, facials, full-body treatments, and hot stone therapy.
All of Seven Stars’ suites have a furnished terrace or patio, and most offer a view of the ocean. They also have marble bathrooms with separate showers and Jacuzzis, and either a full kitchen or kitchenette. Visitors who don’t want to do their own cooking can eat at the resort’s two restaurants.
9. Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
“Sitting pretty on Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach, the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa earns high praise from past guests for its luxurious accommodations and attentive staff — recent lodgers said everyone treated them like royalty,” according to U.S. News & World Report’s ranking. The resort’s secluded beach is also praised by visitors who appreciate access to water sports equipment such as kayaks, paddleboards, and floating rafts.
The resort also has a pool, an 8,500-square-foot spa, fitness center, and Camp Seafire, a club for kids between the ages of 3 and a half and 12. Its rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, and Frette luxury linens.
10. Round Hill Hotel And Villas
Montego Bay, Jamaica
The 36 rooms at Round Hill, a boutique resort, have four-poster beds and rain showers. Meanwhile, its 27 villa suites have open-air living rooms and verandas, between four and six bedrooms, cottage housekeepers, and some of the suites even have private pools. By the way, the cottage housekeepers will cook breakfast, however, it does come with an additional fee.
The resort offers a wide variety of activities, such as tennis, water sports, and spa treatments. After a long day, visitors noted that they enjoyed cocktails at the resort’s three bars as well as eating at the restaurant headed by James Beard Award-winning chef Martin Maginley.
If you’re planning a trip or simply enjoy reading about the Caribbean, be sure to visit all of our Caribbean coverage, including Anguilla, Antigua, Dominican Republic, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Lucia, and Turks and Caicos.
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