The Caribbean exists in many of our mind’s eyes as a homogenous tropical idyll. Sunshine, palm-fringed coral sand coves, reefs rife with life and colour, the odd historic fort, luxurious honeymoon resorts and hotels, and maybe a sugar plantation? And the best places to stay in the Caribbean? Saying that there’s a lot of choice when it comes to hotels and resorts would be an understatement, but the best hotels in the Caribbean for you are the ones that tick your boxes, and The Hotel Guru is here to help you work out what boxes you want ticked, and then to match up you up to your perfect island or property.

Some of our Caribbean Collections:

• Best 5 Star Hotels in the Caribbean
• The 20 Best luxury hotels in the Caribbean
• The 20 Best Family Hotels in the Caribbean
• The Best All Inclusive Hotels in the Caribbean
• The 20 Best Value Hotels in the Caribbean
• The 20 Best Boutique Hotels in the Caribbean
• The 20 Best Honeymoon Hotels in the Caribbean
• Top Caribbean Adult-Only Hotels
• Top Caribbean Spa Resorts

Where to Stay in the Caribbean? Which Island idyll?

Almost everywhere you go in the Caribbean you’ll find picture-perfect beaches, turquoise waters and a range of hotel options running through from fairly basic to fit-for-a-king. But broadly:

• The most popular island group for visitors is the Greater Antilles, which includes Jamaica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the Cayman Islands. Though vastly different these countries all offer really unique local cultures, on islands of a size large enough to do some real exploring.
• The best places to stay in the Caribbean for diving and snorkelling are Bonaire, Tobago, Grenada, the Cayman Islands, the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Saba off Sint Maarten , and St Lucia.
• Arguably, the best beaches can be found on Barbados, St John, Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, the British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Grenada, Martinique, and Nevis. But there are people who will argue very convincingly — using only photos — for others.
• Again, arguably, the best Caribbean islands for romance and/or relaxation are Anguilla, Bequia in the Grenadines, Nevis and Monserrat.
• And arguably the best islands for a taste of island life are Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and St Lucia and the French Antilles: Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Don't forget that the best places to stay in the Caribbean will be extremely busy during the peak holiday season, which is broadly between December and April, so if you plan to visit during this period book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in the Caribbean

For a complete Escape

• Dominica’s Secret Bay is a Robinson Crusoe style paradise, featuring secluded bungalows with a private pool on the balcony, a fully stocked kitchen and personal chef. Dive, snorkel, read, swim, smell the tropical plants that surround you, and relax.
• An escape doesn’t necessarily have to be small, we think the 60 room Sugar Ridge on Antigua qualifies for the list because it’s so tucked away — on a hillside above Jolly Beach. This is a luxurious escape, one with an Aveda concept spa and a fantastic restaurant perfectly positioned for glorious sunset displays.
• If you want to escape modern life, Anse Chastanet in Soufriere, St. Lucia might be your solution: this is the Caribbean before the internet and air-conditioning. Its 49 rooms are large and cool, with wooden shutters and big terraces. There’s no technology in the room, and you’re in a secluded spot with direct beach access and complimentary use of their extensive watersports facilities. There are five restaurants, so you never need leave.

The Caribbean’s Best Honeymoon Hotels

• For the full Caribbean honeymoon experience you need your own private hot tub, a private beach, enormous bathrooms and acres of your own jungle to hide away in. GeeJam, in Portland Jamaica, offers all this, plus a spa and gym and a superb Caribbean fusion restaurant.
• Point Grace in Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands, is a classic honeymoon spot, a collection of beautiful, white buildings with 28 stunning rooms and suites, each with their own private balcony. There’s a huge pool, a Thalasso spa, two fabulous restaurants and direct beach access.
• Hermitage Bay in Antigua, is another property to grace the pages of many a Wedding Planner’s portfolio. It’s classic Caribbean: 30 stunning suites with outdoor rain showers, day beds, infinity pools, plus direct beach access, a spa and gym, and cookery lessons laid on.

For a beach break

• Baoase in Willemstad, Curaçao is a luxurious beach resort. We like this hotel because of the choice of rooms, suites or private, colonial-style villas, but there are still fewer than 30 rooms, keeping the beach quiet, and allowing you to enjoy the beach bar and restaurant, and all the facilities with little competition.
• The Tamarind Reef Resort on Christiansted in the US Virgin Islands offers the classic Caribbean beach experience, with beautiful tropical gardens, beach cabanas, a huge pool and fun beach bar. Plus it has two excellent restaurants and a tennis court. It’s great for sailors too.
• If you’re looking for a peaceful bit of beach to call your own, consider Idle Awhile on Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica. It's a 14 room beachfront hotel with a carefree feel you don’t always find in the big beach resorts. There’s a bar and restaurant right on the beach and its rooms are large and colourful with gorgeous bathrooms and wooden shutters.

For romance

• If you think it would be romantic to have a private, candle-lit supper on the beach then Little Cayman’s Southern Cross Club is for you. In addition to your romantic evening meal you’ll stay in one of 14 cottages or suites right on the beach. This is the kind of place where they’ll fix you up with lots of fantastic activities, or you can just do nothing at all.
• The House in St. James, Barbados, is an elegant, 34 room, adults-only hotel — the perfect place for peace and privacy. With direct beach access, a luxurious spa, a well-regarded Italian restaurant, and a beautiful pool and terrace, this is a wonderfully romantic escape from daily life.

The Caribbean’s Best Family Hotels

• St. Martin’s Hotel La Plantation is a great place to start looking for family accommodation in the Caribbean: its collection of 52 rooms, suites and two bedroom villas offer plenty of flexibility in terms of both price and size, plus there’s a large pool, direct access to the beach and a choice of restaurants.
• The Balcones Del Atlantico on Las Terrenas Beach in the Dominican Republic, is a collection of 35 two and three bedroom villas, all with their own kitchens and verandahs. The villas are arranged with privacy in mind, but there’s an enormous pool, great kid’s facilities and all the mod. cons..
• If you’re looking for a property with a great kid’s club consider Windjammer in St Lucia’s Gros Islet. It’s big, with 330 rooms, suites and villas, and it’s right on the beach. There’s plenty to do and plenty of choice when it comes to eating and drinking.

For Divers

• Small Hope Bay is a collection of 21 ocean-front cottages on Andros Island in the Bahamas. All have private patios and ocean views across the beach. There’s an expansive menu and a sociable bar, and this hotel is renowned amongst divers, with guided trips, numerous spots nearby and plenty of challenges for experienced divers.
• At the Bohio Dive Resort in Cockburn Town in the Turks and Caicos, the diving facilities are so important that they’ve put it in the name. There’s a dive school attached to the hotel, and the location is excellent for both diving and snorkelling.

For great Value

• If you like the idea of sophisticated interiors at an affordable price point consider Mary’s Boon on St. Martin, which is right on the beach. Here the 36 rooms and suites have four-poster beds, colourful walls and sea-facing patios. The restaurant is good and there’s a small spa.
• Our second pick is in Ocho Rios, Jamaica: the Hibiscus Lodge, a 26 room hotel right on the edge of a cliff. As well as great views the Lodge has tropical gardens, a pool and a popular restaurant. And you’re minutes from the centre of Ocho Rios.
• The Coco Palm in Rodney Bay, St. Lucia, is a larger property, with the sort of facilities you’d expect from a hotel with a hundred rooms. The decor, which includes mahogany sleigh beds and baths with claw-feet, gives a feeing of elegance, which goes well with the French Colonial building. The restaurant has a Caribbean menu.

Prefer an Apartment or Villa?

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel Information

• Based solely on the weather the best time of year to visit the Caribbean is probably between December and April, and that’s because that’s when most of us are having our coldest, wettest months, and the Caribbean is having its coolest and least humid. Hurricanes are a serious threat, so have a look at each particular island you’re considering, you’ll find the hurricane season information there.
• If you’re thinking about hiring a car we recommend checking what our online partners, Rentalcars have to offer.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could browse our recommendations for the best places to stay in the Caribbean alphabetically? starting with the best places to stay in the Abaco Islands,
• then the best places to stay on Andros,
• the the best places to stay in Anguilla?
• and the best places to stay on Antigua, etc.
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for more personalised advice.