Top Caribbean Luxury Beach Resorts

What are the Caribbean's Top Luxury Resorts? TravelSort reader Dave writes “Which Caribbean luxury beach resorts do you recommend? I see you've written about luxury beach resorts in Hawaii, the Maldives, Bali and Asia, but I don't see much on the Caribbean. Why not, aren't there any Caribbean beach resorts you recommend?”

This is a great question, and before I share my Caribbean luxury beach resort recommendations, let me step back and explain why it's not a topic I write about that much. My first reason is that while I'm based in NYC now, I didn't grow up on the East Coast, so Caribbean beach resorts were not part of my childhood. Instead, I grew up in Hawaii, so my childhood vacations were on the neighboring Hawaiian islands or the West Coast. 

Another reason I'm less keen on the Caribbean than some of my clients is that I'll confess to not being as impressed with the level of service I've received there, compared to top luxury properties in Asia, Europe and the Maldives. And since service is a such a key differentiator of a true luxury property, it's hard for me to be as enthusiastic about the Caribbean as other destinations.

And finally, for us at least, the journey is part of the experience, and while it's possible to fly fantastic first class and business class products such as Singapore Suites, Etihad First Apartment, Emirates First Class, etc. to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australia, flying to the Caribbean from the U.S. (unless you're flying private) is via American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, United and the like.

With those explanations out of the way, these are the Caribbean luxury resorts I most recommend, along with the Virtuoso benefits and how to get there.

1. Cheval Blanc St. Barth Ile de France

Why Go: Beautiful Flamands beach, stylish rooms and suites, excellent dining, generally attentive service

How to Get There: Getting to St. Barts (SBH) requires flying to St. Martin / St. Maarten (SXM) first, via American Airlines (flights from CLT, MIA, PHL and seasonally, JFK); Delta (flights from ATL, JFK and seasonally MSP); JetBlue (BOS, JFK); Spirit (FLL) and United (EWR, IAD and seasonally, ORD)

Virtuoso Benefits

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests (served in restaurant or via room service)
• $100 USD equivalent Spa Services credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

2. Amanyara, Turks & Caicos

Why Go: Serene ambience, beautiful villas, better service than most Caribbean luxury resorts, pretty beach, plenty of activities including snorkeling, diving, tennis, yoga, pilates. A place to get away from it all.

How to Get There: Fly to Providenciales (PLS) with American Airlines (from CLT, MIA, and seasonally BOS, DFW, PHL); Delta (ATL and seasonally BOS, JFK); JetBlu (FLL, JFK and seasonally BOS) or United (EWR and seasonally ORD, IAH)

Virtuoso Benefits

• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• A bottle of champagne, rosé or natural fruit juice upon arrival 
• $100 USD Equivalent Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

3. Grace Bay Club, Turks & Caicos

Why Go: Beautiful beach, convenient location to go out to local restaurants, The Estate section with exclusive “resort within a resort” pool and amenities

How to Get There: Fly to Providenciales (PLS) with American Airlines (from CLT, MIA, and seasonally BOS, DFW, PHL); Delta (ATL and seasonally BOS, JFK); JetBlu (FLL, JFK and seasonally BOS) or United (EWR and seasonally ORD, IAH)

4. Viceroy Anguilla

Why Go: Beautiful beach (although go in spring, since it erodes in fall and water can be rough); generally excellent service by Caribbean standards, great views from high floors, sleek and modern design, saltwater adults only pool and separate kids' water play area, tennis, putting green, volleyball and basketball courts

How to Get There: Fly to St. Martin / St. Maarten (SXM) first, then take a shared sea shuttle ($170 per person roundtrip) to the resort.

Fly to SXM via American Airlines (flights from CLT, MIA, PHL and seasonally, JFK); Delta (flights from ATL, JFK and seasonally MSP); JetBlue (BOS, JFK); Spirit (FLL) and United (EWR, IAD and seasonally, ORD)

Virtuoso Benefits

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
• Early check-in/late check-out
  • subject to availability
• $100 USD Equivalent Spa Services credit,
• to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)

5. Jumby Bay, a Rosewood Resort, Antigua

Why Go: Private island, great service, family friendly with excellent kids' club, excellent water sports, beautiful exclusive homes for extended family stays that come with their own private chef, housekeeper and butler

How to Get There: Fly to Antigua (ANU) with American Airlines (from MIA, JFK and seasonally, CLT); Delta (ATL); JetBlue (JFK) and United (EWR)

Virtuoso Benefits

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• $100 USD Equivalent Spa Services credit, (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full, excluding products)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability