Picturesque views, stunning beaches, and attentive service seem par for the course when it comes to Caribbean resorts. But some hotels go above and beyond the norm, offering guests the ultimate luxury experience. Private plunge pools, full-service spas, and access to secluded beaches are just some of the perks guests will enjoy at these tropical oases. From tiny bed and breakfasts to sprawling 13-acre properties, the resorts range in size and location—but all remain committed to providing guests with excellent service and warm hospitality. Here are our picks, straight from the Fodor's 100 Hotel Awards, for the Best Caribbean Resorts of 2013.
By Emily Wasserman
View from Caneel Bay Resort
Caneel Bay Resort, in St. John, offers guests a laid-back, uninterrupted visiting experience. Rooms do not have TVs or phones, providing a welcome reprieve from the demands of modern-day technology. Guests can soak up the sun on seven breathtaking beaches, and enjoy nightly performances of easy-listening music. By the end of your stay, you’ll wonder why you ever missed your cell phone.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit the Fodor's St. John Guide
Outdoor patio at Cap Maison
Atop a sprawling seaside cliff is Cap Maison in St. Lucia, one of the Caribbean’s most intimate resorts. Nine rooftop terraces have their own private plunge pools, but all guests can enjoy the resort’s cliffside infinity pool. A full-service spa and calming Zen garden add to the resort’s peaceful, laid-back ambiance.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit the Fodor's St. Lucia Guide
Pool at Carringtons Inn
More bed and breakfast than resort, the Carringtons Inn in St. Croix offers guests a personalized visiting experience. The inn was once a private home, and owner Roger Carrington treats guests like family. Expect home-cooked breakfasts, four-poster beds, and a sparkling pool with excellent ocean views.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit the Fodor's St. Croix Guide
Pool at Cotton House
Rub elbows with the rich and famous at Cotton House on Mustique. The tiny island’s only boutique hotel offers beautiful ocean views and private pathways to the beach. But what sets the resort apart from larger establishments is its attention to detail. Chefs will pack you picnic lunches, and full unpacking and pressing services are offered at an included rate.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit the Fodor's St. Vincent and the Grenadines Guide
Restaurant deck at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Stretching across three miles of Puerto Rican coastline is Dorado Beach, one of the country’s most luxurious resorts. The property, a private estate turned eco-reserve, features several pools, a 5-acre spa, and three 18-hole golf courses. The resort offers plenty of activities to keep guests entertained, and also includes direct beach access and outstanding room amenities.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit the Fodor's Puerto Rico Guide
Restaurant deck at Eden Rock
Chic interiors and stunning beach views make Eden Rock a favorite among celebrities. The resort offers a variety of amenities, ensuring that every guest receives the star treatment. Two superdeluxe villas come equipped with private pools and butler service, but all guests can enjoy the resort’s gourmet restaurants, luxurious spa, and impressive breakfast buffet.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit the Fodor's St. Barth Guide
Room at Kamalame Cay
Private white-sand beaches and colorful beachfront cottages make Kamalame Cay one of the Bahamas’ best-kept secrets. The resort reflects the island’s lively character with most exteriors painted pink or yellow, and bright, warm interiors. Kamalame Cay is also all-inclusive, so guests can wine, dine, swim, and snorkel to their heart’s desire.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit the Fodor's Bahamas Guide
View from Ladera
Take a step back in time at Ladera in St. Lucia. The resort’s tree-house style suites and antique interiors hearken back to a simpler era, and guests can enjoy majestic views of the Piton volcanoes from private plunge pools. Visitors can also take in the view from Dasheene, the resort’s open-air gourmet restaurant.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit the Fodor's St. Lucia Guide
Queen’s Gardens Resort
For picturesque sea and mountain views, visit Queen’s Gardens Resort in Saba. The resort is located just footsteps away from lush tropical rainforests, and most suites offer panoramic views of the surrounding area. Guests can relax in one of the resort’s lounges, or take in the scenery on a guided nature hike.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit the Fodor's Saba Guide
Room at the Sandpiper
A blip on the map, the Sandpiper is located on secluded beach on Barbados’s west coast. The resort includes seven acres of lush tropical gardens, and the hotel’s two beachfront Tree Top suites include wraparound terraces with a wet bar and plunge pool. Guests can take in the view from a tree-shaded wooden deck, or enjoy a spa day at a nearby beach club.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit the Fodor's Barbados Guide
Patio at Seven Stars
Bigger is better at Seven Stars in the Turks and Caicos. The resort is the tallest building on the island, and offers everything from complimentary beachfront activities to a full-service spa. Guests can unwind every night at the deck bar, or take a stroll around the resort’s beachfront property.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit the Fodor's Turks and Caicos Islands Guide
View from Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort
Located in the middle of a stunning volcano valley, Sugar Beach offers guests the ultimate in seclusion and relaxation. Personal butlers attend to guests’ every request, and the resort offers a variety of outdoor activities that showcase the area’s natural beauty. Guests can explore underwater life while snorkeling or scuba diving, or enjoy a spa treatment in treehouse-style gazebos.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit the Fodor's St. Lucia Guide
View of Young Island Resort
Young Island Resort could also be described as the Caribbean Garden of Eden. The resort is located on 13 acres of lush property where guests can watch magnificent sunsets from beachside cottages. Friendly, welcoming staff and an informal, laid-back atmosphere make the resort the perfect getaway.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit the Fodor's St. Vincent and the Grenadines Guide