Where to Stay – Caribbean Escapes

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.
3. Aruba – The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba. The little island off Venezuela’s coast finally said bon bini to a new international luxury brand with the arrival of The Ritz-Carlton. Located on a stretch of glam Palm Beach, the resort’s 320 rooms are kitted out with private balconies, Asprey toiletries and tropical – but not over-the-top – decor. Four restaurants, including local seafood in a sophisticated setting at Les Crustacés, offer up a good amount of variety. The resort ’s enormous 15,000sqft spa borrows natural elements from Aruba that are worked into the treatments – the Zoya Hamaca Experience is inspired by the island’s vast sky and includes a “zero gravity” massage while rocking gently in a hammock.
4. Dominican Republic – Gansevoort Playa Imbert. From Manhattan to the Caribbean, this New York brand brings hip opulence to a secluded tropical beach. A cosy collection of 48 suites have floor-to-ceiling windows framing the crescent-shaped beach, chic interiors and natural stone finishes; guests can stay in lofts, apartments or even a penthouse with a private rooftop pool. Outside the lavish rooms, there’s a three-tiered infinity pool to lounge by, and Mediterranean and Asian-inspired fine-dining at Baia Lounge, led by executive chef Giancarlo Fioro whose credits include the former three-Michelin-starred El Bulli. There’s no chance of boredom with an on-grounds fitness centre, a spa with a hammam-style sauna and yoga garden, and activities like kiteboarding, golfing and horseback riding a short drive away.
5. Dominican Republic – Casas Del XVI.

While most of the recent hotel openings here involve brand-new builds, this heritage property in Santa Domingo’s Ciudad Colonial gives guests a more historical experience. The seven rooms in a collection of restored 16th-century homes mix contemporary art with old architectural design, like original vaulted brick archways. Each house has its own personality and uniquely designed guest rooms: Casa del Arbol retains the feel of an aristocratic residence with rooms opening directly on to a lush courtyard, while colonial-tropical Casa de los Mapas, filled with historic maps, will tickle the fancy of modern-day explorers. Personalised service starts from the moment you arrive at the airport, and butlers are always on hand in the tranquil homes away from home.
6. Vieques – El Blok.

In contrast to some of the Caribbean’s cookie-cutter sprawling resorts, this funky boutique hotel channels more of a cool inn vibe. The 22 industrial-chic rooms are spartan yet visually striking, done up in native woods, exposed concrete walls and coloured hidráulico tiles. A sculptural creation in itself, the perforated façade allows light to trickle into the guest rooms without impeding views of the turquoise sea and green foliage. The brainchild of restaurateur Jose Enrique, it’s hardly surprising that the hotel’s restaurant and bar are destinations in their own right: Dishes like pompano fish steamed in giant plantain leaves are created in an open kitchen, introducing twists on recipes from the chef’s popular eponymous San Juan restaurant, while the bar shakes up signature drinks with ingredients such as fresh star fruit juice and ginger.
Resort Report. The Caribbean isn’t done showing off its new properties just yet, with an impressive schedule of launches in the coming months. This spring, the Bahamas’ much-anticipated Baha Mar development will open with a Rosewood property kitted out with colonial-chic touches on Cable Beach, while luxe playground Aman Villas at Playa Grande is scheduled to open this summer in the Dominican Republic with 30 private villas and a beach club. Look out for Park Hyatt St Kitts, which begins welcoming guests toward the end of this year with 135 contemporary rooms and a spa with outdoor treatment rooms. Pink Sands Club – for the ultimate in privacy and exclusivity – is set to open on intimate Canouan in the Grenadines during the course of the year. In 2016, wellness destination Six Senses Freedom Bay in St Lucia’s Pitons will be the place to go for a spa getaway.