Captivatingly Caribbean
The Caribbean Collection
Bright blue seas dotted with luxury yachts, gemstone green forest covering miniature specks in the ocean and islands where you can hike, dive and lie on white-sand beaches all on the same day.
Holidays to the Caribbean have you swinging in hammocks over bleached sands and waking up on white-canopied beds with the waves as your soundtrack.
Here we’re sharing what makes each island different and how to make your Caribbean holiday bigger and better by turning it into a multi-centre adventure. We’re showcasing some of the islands’ most iconic places to stay and some of our old favourites that guests love so much they return year after year.
We’re also thrilled to introduce our new holidays to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. The all-inclusive holiday concept originated in Europe in the 1950s and quickly caught on across the Caribbean in the ‘70s. Things have not stood still since. As watersports, wellness, food, activity and family holidays have evolved, so too has the Caribbean offering, particularly on this duo of sun-kissed islands.
But how to choose? That’s where we come in: tell us your likes and dislikes, where you’ve been before and what you’d love to see and do and we’ll use our first-hand knowledge and insight to craft your Caribbean holiday.
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARIBBEAN
What to see around the Caribbean
For us, where you stay is only half the story when it comes to putting a trip together. What makes a good holiday great is the delight of experiencing something new – a mind-blowing sunset, chatting to the locals, understanding their history and eating local food. It’s the things that spark the senses to shape life-lasting memories.
The Caribbean islands share many characteristics, (diving, beaches, sunsets and rum to name just a few) but delve a little deeper and you’ll find each one has its own identity. What you see will be the tick-list items you’ll find in any guide book but how it makes you feel is personal. Here’s what makes each island different and why they’re worth getting to know in more depth.
Waterfall in Saint Lucia
Grenada
Explore the island’s aromatic spice gardens and try some Grenada-made chocolate and rum. The south-west corner is home to Grand Anse which features on many of the world’s best beaches lists, while in the north it’s all about the dramatic scenery and local villages. Follow a rainforest trail to Grand Etang Lake in the interior, 530 metres above sea level.
Dominica
Test your limits on epic outdoor adventures and savour back-to-nature wellness escapes with just hummingbirds and bananaquits for company. There are impressive efforts in eco-tourism and conservation going on here, including ground-breaking plans to become the world’s first ‘climate-resilient’ nation. It’s also relatively unexplored by UK travellers.
Barbados
The ‘Culinary Capital of the Caribbean’ really delivers, from award-winning restaurants to street food tours and the famous Oistins’ Friday night fish fry. A day’s ‘own way’ tour with a personalised itinerary and your own driver/guide lets you dive deeper into the island’s culture. You can visit rum distillieries, plantations then surf, swim and see beaches the locals visit.
Saint Lucia
The iconic Pitons make a jaw-dropping backdrop to Saint Lucia’s forested mountains and beautiful bays. Saint Lucia’s natural landscapes provide the perfect setting for adventure activities, such as hiking through the rainforest, horse riding on the beach, exploring protected coral reefs and soaking in hot mud pools.
Antigua
Antigua is surrounded by a nearly unbroken reef protecting miles of sugar-sand beaches and coves. Kayak through mangroves, hike to Goat Head where the views are incredible or make the most of steady trade winds while sailing. Having produced many cricketing legends, Antigua and Barbuda also lay claim to being the ‘Cricket Capital of the West Indies’.
Aruba
Aruba is the Caribbean with a characterful twist, a distinctly Dutch appearance and a starkly dramatic interior: the ancient rocky landscapes of what is now a national park are punctuated by sculptural cacti and hardy succulents. The spider’s web of streams helps to keep the reef-edged ocean around it crystal-clear for epic snorkelling and diving adventures.
Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
Get an authentic taste of local Caribbean life without the crowds. Visit Bequia to learn its rich seafaring history; it has a laid-back charm and has remained less developed than other islands. You can also stop off in Kingstown on St Vincent which is at its best on market day. The Grenadines’ underwater world is a utopia for snorkellers and divers.
Mexico
If you’re interested in ancient civilisations, the list of things to do on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is almost endless. In Coba you’ll find Quinta Roo’s tallest pyramid and of course there’s Mexico’s most iconic relics at Chichen Itza. Valladolid is characterful town with Spanish architecture and on Isla Mujeres you can shop for Yucutan-made handicrafts.
For Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, see pages 8-11
Images left to right: St. George, Grenada; English Harbour, Antigua
Multi-centres across the Caribbean
Best for stylish serenity: Grenada & Barbados
Grenada is a rainforest-cloaked jewel, still relatively undiscovered and bursting with charm. You can follow hiking trails to discover pretty waterfalls, sample the local tipple in a rum distillery or go diving to see the world’s first underwater sculpture park. Pitch up at Silversands Grenada for sunset-view rooms, a spa with an ice cave and the longest pool on the island.
Switch up the pace in Barbados. The glorious white-sand coastline is glittering with upscale retreats but with its flamingo-pink sunbeds and trendy rooftop bar, O2 Beach Club & Spa by Ocean Hotels stands out from the crowd. This chic resort matches beach club vibes with a taste of local life through their ‘How to’ classes: learn how to blow a conch shell, play dominoes like a local or whip up a Bajan cocktail.
Best for two stops on one island: Jamaica
Jamaica has the best of both worlds: sand-swept beaches that meet marine-rich reefs on the coast and rainforest-cloaked inland made for adventures. Days away from the beach can have you sipping bean-to-cup coffee in the Blue Mountains, watching hummingbirds’ flit over waterfalls or crocodile-spotting on the Black River. First off though, we recommend spending a couple of nights at S Hotel Kingston. This impeccably designed city bolthole blends pared-back Spanish Colonial architecture with lightand-art-filled modern interiors, drawing in local movers and shakers as well as visiting celebrities. Historic Devon House, the Bob Marley Museum and several art galleries are almost on the doorstep.
Team it with a few days at its sister property, S Hotel Montego Bay, for a fun-filled, grown-up Caribbean experience. For a more secluded beach vibe for the rest of your holiday, Ocho Rios would be a good fit – it’s here you’ll be closer to Jamaica’s more natural wonders, including Dunns River Falls.
Best for romance: Dominica and Saint Lucia
Dominica is the Caribbean’s best kept secret and is effortlessly romantic. Although the beaches are pretty, the real beauty lies inland; think wild rainforests, rustic hotels and hidden volcanic coves. Soak in bubbling hot springs or take a refreshing dip in one of the many waterfalls, many of which have featured in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. We highly recommend staying at the five-star eco-hideaway, Secret Bay, which has just 10 high-spec pool villas concealed beneath the forest canopy.
Hop on a short flight over to Saint Lucia with its spectacular Piton scenery, golden beaches and fiery sunsets. All of these can be seen from every angle at Cap Maison , a clifftop boutique resort that’s made for romance. We love the Kuoni Indulgence Suites that come complete with exclusive extras such as a couple’s massage and a bottle of Champagne.
Best for a city and beach holiday: Jamaica & Miami
It’s just over a couple of hours’ flight between Jamaica and Miami, and Miami is only one hour ahead, so this is a great combination without too much time spent travelling and adjusting. Jamaica ticks the box for island life, beaches and unexpected and breathtaking natural attractions.
Head to Miami and you’ll soon see it’s not just about the beach. There’s an influx of celebrity-chef restaurants, luxury stores and art galleries in the Design District, the historic 1920’s Venetian Pool in Coral Gables and plenty of Latin flair as you sip a cortadito in Little Havana’s Cuban neighbourhood. Whether you come Instagram-ready for the sleek steel and glass façade of the Institute of Contemporary Art or the spaceage curves of Buckminster Fuller’s Fly’s Eye Dome, want a dose of Mediterranean architecture on Biscayne Bay or you’re opting for a sultry mix of surf, sashimi and sunsets, you’ll discover that Miami is not just a city with style, but one with serious substance too.
Jamaica
In Jamaica it’s always party time – it is the home of rum, Red Stripe and reggae afterall.
The pulse of this absorbing country is its electric capital, Kingston, where glamorous galleries and gourmet hangouts jostle for attention with murals, markets and street parties to exhilarating effect. Along the coast there’s chilled-out Negril in the west, everyone’s eternal favourite Montego Bay and actionpacked Ocho Rios halfway along the northern shore. Then there’s the fiery food which is as good if you’re snapping up bags of peppered crayfish from a countryside street stall as it is when picnicking on lobster patties in the shade of a seaside palm tree.
Away from the city and beaches, Jamaica’s wildside showcases colourful coral reefs and tumbling waterfalls wrapped in rainforest where you can climb, rope swing, dive and swim amongst tropical trees and stunning natural rock formations.
Tempting as it may be to choose o é ne resort and see the island on day trips, make it a multi-centre and you’ll experience so much more.
S Hotel Montego Bay
Close to the heart of the ‘hip’ strip of MoBay
What a place to start your Jamaica holiday. It’s chic in its design aesthetic, buzzy in its location in Montego Bay beside Doctor’s Cave Beach and retreat-like with its spa and yoga mats (if you’re staying in a Sky Suite King Ocean View Room). Suites even come with a turntable so you can listen to reggae while you rest. You’ll learn a lot about local culture just by staying here. They run a tour of the hotel that showcases its cultural artefacts, there’s an in-house reggae band, you can play pickleball, taste Blue Mountain coffee, paint, cook, sip rum, mix cocktails and watch the sunset from the rooftop Sky Bar. Welcome to Jamaica.
Zoëtry Montego Bay Jamaica
All the wellness touches for full relaxation
A stay here is a treat for all the senses. Zoëtry Montego Bay is all about immersing yourself in local culture and exploring the beauty of the island but allowing yourself time to relax too. All the suites have open terraces with floor to ceiling sliding doors (left open and there’s a calming inside/outside vibe). Many are swimout so you can step straight into a shared pool. All the others have a tub on the terrace so you can bathe in privacy on your deck, breathing in the ocean or tropical landscape views. There are four restaurants and a café, but our favourite for a real flavour of Jamaica is the jerk chicken at Jerky Jo’s.
Beaches Negril Resort & Spa
Kids’ club heaven from 0 to 17 years
Beaches is all about family. There’s a place for the kids to be, in the kids’ club, from tiny babies right through to 17 year olds and each is open from 9am to 9pm daily. The baby and toddler programmes have loads of activities to keep them entertained and from five years old, there’s beach science, beach olympics, talent shows and treasure hunts. From eight there are lots of team games and reggae jam sessions and from 11 to 14, watersports and ‘dive-in’ movies feature in the programme. Teens get their own nightclub for discos, dance parties and karaoke and loads of water-based activities like boat cruises and pool olympics.
Couples Swept Away, Negril
The whitest sands and spectacular sunsets
The two Couples hotels we feature in Jamaica share many of the same features and inclusions. Swept Away is on Jamaica’s famous Seven Mile Beach and has a 10-acre sports and fitness complex – Jamaica’s largest. Stay here for a few extra included excursions like a trip to a beautiful beach for sunset, a catamaran cruise and a day at Margaritaville, where you can grab your own private beach cabana and chill (the beach bar here serves up refreshing frozen cocktails). If you want to connect with the underwater world in Jamaica, both resorts also include unlimited PADI-certified dives.
Couples Sans Souci, Ocho Rios
Flag-in-the-sand beach bar vibes
Sans Souci is the smaller of the two Couples resorts we feature. There’s a touch more oldworld style here. For rejuvenation, it has its own mineral grotto, a spring pool and focus on wellness with meditation classes, as well as the full diving, snorkelling and activity list that are included as standard. There’s country club-style dining at Casanova and more casual fare at the Beach Grill. They’ve recently added Deluxe Garden Villas which are nestled in the hillside and are a real oasis amongst the trees. Location-wise you’re just a couple of miles from Ocho Rios, home to Jamacia’s star attraction, Dunns River Falls.
Sandals Dunn’s River, Ocho Rios
It’s Sandal’s, but not as you know it
Sandals has long been renowned as the go-to all inclusive for a romantic holiday for two across the Caribbean, but Dunns River is distinctive, perhaps due to its rainforest backdrop and the overall natural feel. Things to do locally include Blue Mountain biking and hiking, treetop and canopy adventures including ziplining and of course snorkelling and PADI-diving – for a little extra, you can dive wrecks or head below the waves at night. Wines and spirits in the bars and restaurants are premium and there’s an impressive 12 restaurants serving up cuisine from all around the world.
Images left to right: Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica; Zoëtry Montego Bay Jamaica
Dominican Republic
The ‘Dom Rep’ has long been the go-to for Caribbean great value all inclusive.
Dining, drinks and entertainment tends to be hotel-based, and sometimes, that’s all the holiday you need. But there’s a lot to see and do in the Dom Rep. Santo Domingo, the island’s capital is considered to be the oldest city in the Caribbean. Wander the cobbled lanes of the beautifully preserved Zona Colonial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and delve into its rich history in the art-filled Gothic cathedral, characterful museums and the elegant mansions that bring the past vividly to life.
We can find you the perfect spot along the coast, whether it’s somewhere on the 30-mile stretch of sand of Punta Cana, in the exclusive gated community of Cap Cana or La Romana where a sugar-producing past has made way for sun-kissed beach breaks and off-shore, underwater explorations.
Eden Roc Cap Cana
Small and boutique with a top-end feel
Bucking the trend of the bigger resorts in the Dom Rep is Eden Roc. Small and boutique in style it may be, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t lots to do here. In fact, it’s quite the ‘lifestyle’ resort, where your holisitic wellness takes priority. Golf-lovers can check their handicap at any of three Jack Nicklaus signature courses while foodies can go on a culinary journey with mouthwatering dishes that look almost too good to eat. Once you’ve been, you’ll always have a little bit of Eden Roc to carry with you.
Casa de Campo Resort & Villas
An exclusive A-list approved retreat
With an unimaginable 7000 acres of space to accommodate all the things to do at Casa de Campo, you’ll be pleased to hear you have your own buggy to get around. Horse-riding and trap shooting join the usual activities you’d expect. There’s also a movie theatre, shopping, award-winning spa and marina – it’s more akin to a small town than a holiday resort. The golf course here is ranked number one in the Caribbean and you can tee-off or train with pros. The kids’ programme has an impressive daily timetable of things to do and welcomes guests from age one to 17 – they’ll love it here.
Sunscape Dominicus La Romana
Budget and family friendly
Sunscape resorts know how to do all inclusive – they’ve even given it a name: Unlimted Fun ® Here you can dine 24/7; breakfast is served until 11, evening restaurants stay open until 10.30pm and Coco Café is open around the clock. It’s all about family fun here, whether that’s you all spending time together or the kids heading to the Explorer’s Club where parents aren’t allowed! There’s a teens’ club too with its own daily activity list, and an adults-only area for some grown-up ‘me time’. Room-wise, there are some Deluxe and Two Bedroom Deluxe Family Suites for extra space.
Images left to right: Three Eyes Caves near Santo Domingo in Dominican Republic
Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana
An all-inclsive all-rounder
Dreams Macao Beach is here to ‘wow’ with thrills and spills at every turn. Adventurers, get your thrill-fill as you ride the slides of the resort waterpark. If you prefer a go-slow vibe, make a beeline for the lazy river. The Preferred Club rooms come with extra priveleges and are a good option for couples as there’s access to an exclusive bar and adults-only pool. This is the only resort on this glorious stretch of beach so there’s a real sense of getting away from it all, but from here you can head to Santo Domingo for a city tour, take to the sea on various sailing excursions or head inland on a jungle trek.
Secrets Tides Punta Cana
Infinity pools galore and adults-only
Secrets is all about upping the romance ante. There are no children allowed here so you won’t be disturbed by fun-loving families. To make your stay extra special, opt for a swim-out suite – you’ll get a private terrace (complete with a couple of sun loungers) from which you can step straight into the water. Club level rooms gain you access to an exclusive lounge and pool area and an elevated concierge service. The long stretch of beach ticks the box for snorkelling, watersports and for sunset strolls hand-in-hand. Allow at least a day to get out and about and explore the history and natural beauty of the local area.
Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana
A more remote feel than most
Slow the pace right down at Zoëtry, where they embody the Art of Life ® with their focus on wellbeing and enrichment (yoga, meditation and stretch classes are all included). You’ll still get the all-inclusive drinking and dining experiences you’d expect, but here it’s a bit more intimate. In fact Zoëtry is home to some of the best restaurants in Punta Cana with organic, seasonal and locally sourced produce featuring heavily within the five à la carte restaurants. There are sea-based sports like kayaking and snorkelling, but best of all, activities inspired by local nature and culture which is what travel is all about.
A couple of these hotels are considered a posterchild for the Caribbean: the ones that feature in the glossy magazines, the celeb pages and the TV travel shows. The others might be a little less famous, but they make our stand-out list for having that little something that’s different to the norm.
Images clockwise: Jamaica Inn; Two Bedroom Suite, Jamaica Inn, Jamaica; Sandals St Vincents & The Grenadines; Sandals St Vincents & The Grenadines; Impressions Isla Mujeres by Secrets, Mexico
Jamaica Inn, Jamaica
Timeless style and a view with a room Welcoming guests since 1958, Jamaica Inn has quite the history and quite the guest list (Marilyn Monroe, Noel Coward, Ian Fleming and Winston Churchill to name a few). This is where you come to switch off. It’s a lot smaller and more intimate than many other Jamaican resorts with a home-from-home style. Alongside family-friendly cottages and honeymoon-worthy suites, you’ll find the hotel’s private beach with 700 feet of the whitest sands and bluest waters. Every Thursday night you can join a special Bond movie screening on the beach and on Saturday afternoons, a lesson in croquet accompanied by a glass of rosé at Teddy’s Beach Bar.
Sandals St Vincents & The Grenadines
Seen-to-be-believed blue-bay setting
One of the latest offerings from adults-only, all-inclusive brand Sandals spoils guests with fabulous guestrooms and an extraordinary choice of bars and restaurants. There’s an energy to Sandals resorts with activities galore and lively evening entertainment. But you can slip away to your guestroom and enjoy an evening in your open-air soaking tub with a drink from the complimentary minibar. Really push the boat out and stay in an overwater villa, the likes of which you’d expect in the Maldives. The Butler Service rooms bring added privileges too, including a boat transfer to and from the airport.
Impressions Isla Mujeres
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Secrets, Mexico
Endless Privileges ® by name and by nature
Arrive in style at the resort’s exclusive dock by private speed boat or catamaran and then spend sun-kissed days by the statement-making four-tiered infinity pool. Alternatively, explore the island by buggy or discover the underwater world where whale sharks swim seasonally and art is displayed on the seabed ready for divers to discover. There isn’t the space to describe everything included here but the highlights include à la carte dining, butler service, a daily bottle of fizz, all the activities you can think of and even a bottle of tequila on arrival. This is a playground for adults only, but you can unleash your inner child on the pool-to-sea slide!
Old favourites
We’ve been recommending this roster of resorts across the Caribbean for years. They’ve stood the test of time for good reason, whether it’s the stand-out setting, their exceptional service or the generous inclusions (daily spa treatments anyone?). Or even a combo of them all. We know these spots inside out and can recommend the best spot to head to by the pool, our go-to rooms and suites and the best tables to bagsy at meal times.
You can feel refreshed down by the sea or discover the wonders of cacao surrounded by the jungle in Saint Lucia; head to Antigua where there are boutique beachy boltholes well worth writing home about; or live the all-in lifestyle and go all out in Mexico, either at an adults-only retreat or extensive resort split in three where there’s one side for families, another other for the grown ups and a central spot where everyone comes together.
BodyHoliday, Saint Lucia
A feel-good holiday to kick-start good habits
If you haven’t already come across BodyHoliday, it is, as it’s name suggests, all about treating your body and mind to complete relaxtion and rejuvenation. Daily spa treatments are included (on every full day at the hotel), as well as an impressive choice of sports, activities and yoga. Guestrooms are designed with feng shui principles, noise-cancelling walls, and a choice of six pillow types to optimise sleep. With such a strong focus on health and wellbeing, it’s no surprise the resort offers the finest food made with fresh ingredients, including vegetables from local organic farmers.
Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat, Saint Lucia
Salted caramel cocktails anyone?
This is a super-swish rainforest hideaway on a 140-acre ethical and sustainable cacao farm with stunning Petit Piton views. Prepare to be dazzled with creative chocolate-infused cuisine at Rabot Restaurant and Cacao Bar – feast on everything from freshly kneaded cacao pasta to just-caught fish glazed with coconut and cacao sauce. Poolside, it’s all light bites, nibbles, mocktails and cocktails. Experiences are fantastic – there’s rainforest trails, estate tours and you can craft your own chocolate bar. And the team here can whisk you away to the beach or nearby falls.
Blue Waters Resort & Spa, Antigua
Iconically Caribbean in every way
This is one of the smaller places to stay in Antigua and bucks the trend of the all-singing, all-dancing Caribbean all-inclusive reorts. But that’s all part of its charm and for many, the reason they choose to stay here time and again. Opt for bed and breakfast and you can dine out locally (five to 10 minutes away by taxi), but the restaurants on site will not disappoint – in particular the Cove Restaurant for clifftop candelit dining. Non-motorised watersports are included, and the team here are full of ideas on what, where and when to visit the island’s best attractions.
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun, Mexico
The belle of the Riviera’s beaches Secrets is exclusively for adults and pays particular attention to opportunities for you to revel in romance; the all inclusive here is known as Unlimited Luxury ® and that means everything is included. Secluded nooks, great pools and fantastic restaurants make this a popular honeymoon spot. All the suites are spacious, but the Swim-Out suites add an extra-special touch of magic. You’re close enough to visit some of the most famous Mayan ruins (Chichen Itza, Tulum, Xcaret) and some of the best beaches in Mexico along the Yucutan Peninsula.
Paradisus Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Striking a style and entertainment balance
This is the family-friendly side of the large Paradisus resort. Their mission is to deliver adventure, nature and relaxation to all of you. For the kids, that means dedicated pools, a water park, loads of activities, crafts and an introduction to Mayan culture; for adults it means fitness, pools to relax by and going local by making guacamole, tasting tequila and learning to salsa. Work your way around the world at the dining venues – some are adultsonly, but there’s 24-hour babysitting available (at extra cost), so you needn’t miss out.
Keyonna Beach Resort, Antigua
Low-key all inclusive relaxation
This boutique couples-only hotel is a wonderfully relaxed beachside hideaway and undeniably rustic-chic. All meals are à la carte and delicious dishes – such as red snapper and spicy local delicacies – are prepared to order. The regular barbecue nights and beach parties are very popular. Grab a Caribbean rum cocktail from the casual bar and sink into one of the sofas on the deck to watch the sun set over the ocean. From here you can also head out on a number of local excursions including a rainforest canopy tour or snorkelling and diving at Cades Reef in search of barracuda, moray eels and reef sharks.
Images left to right: Rabot Hotel, Saint Lucia; Rock Cottage at Blue Waters Resort & Spa, Antigua
