Island living – A wave of new, inspired hotel openings is lapping at the shores of the Caribbean isles
1. St Kitts – Belle Mont Farm. Located within Kittitian Hill, a new sustainable community in the West Indies, this laid-back destination wants to impart life’s simple pleasures to its guests – from within suitably luxurious surrounds. Guest houses come with views of tropical forestland and the sea, along with a television projector inside and a free-standing bathtub on a private veranda; most have private pools. West Indian fare is locally farmed and foraged and served in The Kitchen, perched atop a hillside in the resort’s Great House – or guests can nibble on fruit from the orchards right by the golf course. Promoting creative expression through local artisans and festivals, Belle Mont Farm is well suited to those looking to expand their cultural horizon.
2. Jamaica – Azul Sensatori. The term “all-inclusive” tends to put off some travellers, but it shouldn’t in the case of this new resort on Negril’s famed Seven Mile Beach. A handful of two-storey buildings house 130 guest rooms, giving it a more intimate feel despite its wide array of offerings for every age, like a Fisher-Price kids’ club and diving excursions for grown-ups. Though the resort caters to different generations, a section of 54 adults-only rooms are ideal for newlyweds, particularly the beachfront swim-up suite with a wraparound terrace and direct access to an adults-only pool and lounge. A la carte dining is offered throughout the property ‘s grounds and guests can get their fill of gourmet Caribbean fare at Ackee.