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10 Caribbean Resorts to Visit this Winter

10 Caribbean Resorts to Visit this Winter

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Now that Daylight Savings Time has ended and temperatures are dropping, it’s time to think about escaping somewhere warmer and lighter, like the Caribbean. But with so many islands and different resorts, picking where to go can be a hassle. Here are 10 places in paradise to daydream about.

Photo Credit: Becca Blond
Private plunge pool at the Trident Hotel, Photo Credit: Becca Blond

1. Trident Hotel, Port Antonio, Jamaica

On Jamaica’s remote Southeast coast, far from the all-inclusive resort scene, this eight-villa property fronting the Caribbean Sea near the famous Blue Lagoon is just under a year old but already popular with the A-list crowd. The brainchild of British music producers Jon Baker and Steve Beaver, it is the ultimate intimate honeymoon spot – each villa has its own heated, jetted plunge pool. Best of all, when dining in the house restaurant, guests are often treated to excellent live performances by artists signed to Baker and Beaver’s Geejam label. True music aficionados should ask for a tour of the studios at sister property Geejam, where everyone from Drake to Gwen Stefani to the late Amy Winehouse have come to cut tracks without fanfair, as well as the Trident Castle, where Snoop Dog shot music videos for his Snoop Lion reggae album.

 

Lobby at the Paradisus Palma Real Photo Credit: Becca Blond www.planetblond.com
Lobby at the Paradisus Palma Real
Photo Credit: Becca Blond

2. Royal Service at Paradisus Palma Real, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

A resort within a resort, the Royal Service section of Paradisus Palma Real grants you a personal butler, VIP beach and pools and all the ultra-premium booze you can drink. The all-inclusive property on a gorgeous strip of sand has nearly a dozen restaurants serving gourmet dishes from à la carte menus that are a far cry from the buffet feeding frenzy of all inclusive mega resorts.

www.jetsetter.com
www.jetsetter.com

3. Bahama Beach Club, Grand Abaco, Bahamas

If you’re traveling with the family, this condo resort property on three-and-a-half-mile Treasure Cay Beach makes a perfect escape – the water is warm, shallow and clear with few waves to scare little kids. It also offers a private villa’s space and intimacy without sacrificing on luxury hotel comforts.

www.jetsetter.com
www.jetsetter.com

4. The Crane Resort, St. Philip, Barbados

Rihanna’s home country, Barbados is the perfect sporty beach retreat. There is excellent surfing at the Soup Bowl (Kelly Slater is a fan) on the island’s East Coast. The Crane Resort, which has been charming guests since 1887, is where to stay. It overlooks gorgeous Crane Beach and draws a mix of couples and families into its rooms and villas.

Potcake on Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos Photo Credit: Becca Blond (www.planetblond.com)
Potcake on Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos
Photo Credit: Becca Blond (www.planetblond.com)

 5. The Sands at Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Grace Bay Beach is easily one of the world’s 10 most beautiful – think powder-white sand and a quiet turquoise sea protected by a barrier reef with excellent snorkeling witin stumbling distance of shore – and the Sands at Grace Bay offers families and couples a chance to witness its magic without maxing out the credit card. The plantation-style suites here low-key and comfortable, and the tropical gardens beautifully maintained. Three swimming pools and a romantic restaurant complete the picture.

www.jetsetter.com
www.jetsetter.com

6. Bitter End Yacht Club, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Accessible only by sea (catch a ferry from Tortola’s airport) Bitter End is where to go for the very private Caribbean escape. It is also the spot in BVI for water sports – everything from kiteboarding to stand-up paddleboarding to sailing is offered for adults and children. You can even get your PADI certification here. Digs are in boho-styled villas with walls of windows and wraparound decks.

www.jetsetter.com
www.jetsetter.com

7. The BodyHoliday, Gros Islet, St. Lucia

A holiday here doesn’t come cheap, but you can be sure you won’t go home five pounds heavier than when you arrived: the rate is inclusive not only of food and beverages, but also activities from scuba diving to yoga. Guests even get a daily massage! The resort is located on a nearly private stretch of beach on St. Lucia’s northwest tip.

Sanctuary Cap Cana, Dominican Republic Photo Credit: www.jetsetter.com
Sanctuary Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
Photo Credit: www.jetsetter.com

8. Sanctuary Cap Cana, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

It may be located in the Dominican Republic’s popular Punta Cana area, but Santuary Cap Cana feels worlds away. Set on 30,000 manicured beachfront acres, and home to awesome architecture, a giant spa and multiple pools, its namesake fits perfectly.

Santa Barbara Beach Resort, Curacao Photo Credit: www.jetsetter.com
Santa Barbara Beach Resort, Curacao
Photo Credit: www.jetsetter.com

9. Santa Barbara Beach Resort, Curacao

You’ll find some of the clearest, calmest water in the Caribbean surrounding the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) just north of Venezuela. With great weather year-round – it sits outside the main hurricane belt – Curacao is also home to some of the region’s best snorkeling and makes a fantastic getaway vacation spot – think Robinson Crusoe. To experience mouthfuls of fish through your scuba mask, stay at the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort, which sits on a gorgeous private beach on Spanish Water Bay and offers daily snorkeling and scuba excursions.

Foodie retreat: CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla Photo Credit: www.jesetter.com
Foodie retreat: CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla
Photo Credit: www.jesetter.com

10. CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla

If you are a passionate foodie, you’ll think you died and went to heaven checking in at the CuisinArt Resort & Spa in Anguilla – it offers excellent cooking classes and has five top-notch restaurants which focus on world cuisines and also local ingredients grown in the onsite hydroponic farm. The Mediterranean-style resort’s grounds are equally yummy – think Caribbean botanical gardens meandering down to a strip of white sand backed by a turquoise sea.