By Trudie Earle
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Azure waters, palm trees, white sandy beaches and coconut rum. The archipelago paradise of the Caribbean is home to an array of breath-taking isles, stretching over 100 square miles of sea. There’s a reason the Caribbean is the destination of choice for millions of travellers every year, with so many islands to choose from, all offering a range of resorts. From sipping on fresh coconuts in Barbados, stepping back in time in Cuba to swimming with pigs in the Bahamas, there is much to do and see in this ocean utopia.

With travellers spoilt for choice for accommodation across 13 nations and more than 7000 individual islands, it can be difficult to narrow down the best Caribbean Resorts there are to offer, so Beau Monde Traveler has done it for you. Here’s eight must-see resorts in the Caribbean, as picked by Beau Monde Traveler:

1. COMO Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos

COMO Parrot Cay is a private island that makes up the archipelago of the Turks and Caicos Islands, with stunning coves, unspoiled beaches and reefs.  The resort is home to 72 rooms and villas, of which ten are private rental estates. There is an impressive number of villas with private full size or plunge pools, as if the incredible beaches or the resorts 538sq foot infinity pool were not inviting enough. Aside from the resort, much of the rest of the island remained untouched.

Beautiful turquoise waters lap lightly at the soft sand. The swirl of the sea is gentle, perfect for swimming at all times of the day. The check in process is on the mainland, making the idea of travelling to the island even more exclusive, as guests are transported by boat to rooms. COMO Parrot Cay reinvents luxury with simple but refined rooms, white wooden panelling and fine Italian linens. Beautiful wooden beach houses standout between palm trees, mangroves and porcelain-white sand.

The COMO Parrot Cay is perfect for those looking to escape reality and find inner peace on tranquil beaches. The resort offers Yoga and holistic therapies, as well as a range of water sports activities. The resort is also terrific for families as it offers unique activities for children and families to enjoy together. Luxury isn’t always allocated to adults only!

2. Baoase, Curaçao

Curaçao is a small Dutch-Caribbean Island located off the North coast of Venezuela. It has a rich history and incredible reefs and beaches, perfect for snorkelling. The island nation is small yet full of interesting history and unique architecture akin to a trip to the Netherlands. There are just 35 beaches on Curaçao, most of which are intimate coves. The UNESCO listed city of Willemstad is one not to be missed.

Baoase is a small family-run resort, consisting of just 23 rooms, suites and villas. It takes much of its inspiration from Balinese style resorts, offering incredible Caribbean-Asian fusion ambiance. For example, every Saturday there’s a BBQ evening, and on Sundays, it’s Asian night! The resort is built around a unique lagoon, the main feature a sacred Banyan Tree that has existed for more than 75 years. The resort oozes opulence, exclusivity and intimacy. It is romantic and the attention to detail in the design is out of this world.

At the heart of the resort is the Baoase Culinary Beach Restaurant, a space to enjoy superb beachside food made with fresh and local ingredients. Private and romantic dining requests are available, perfect for special occasions. With most of the rooms offering private pools, this resort is perfect for lovers on honeymoon, or for those just wanting savour in an intimate getaway.

3. Half Moon Montego Bay, Jamaica

Jamaica is the heart of the Caribbean. That is a big call, but it rings true when considering the expanse of history that has enriched Jamaica, making it the country it is today, considering the Spanish first arrived in the Fifteenth Century. Jamaica, a country famous for its beaches, Bob Marley, reggae and rum. Although Kingston is the capital, Montego Bay is the tourism hub for Jamaica, with spans of incredible beaches and protected reefs that are perfect for snorkelling.

The Half Moon is a gorgeous resort, consisting of 210 rooms and 27 villas, each of which have easy access to the beach and resort facilities. Rooms in the Eclipse are in the main house of the resort, some of which have open-air showers and ocean vistas. The Founders Cove is a short walk from the main house and is comprised of a community of cottages with patios or balconies. The Founders Cove is an area that was once the playground for Kings and Queens who visited Jamaica due to its beauty and proximity to remarkable beaches.

A highlight of Half Moon is the outstanding Fern Tree Spa. Guests can choose from treatments set in the tranquil gardens, or for optimal relaxation in an overwater cabana, the sound of the waves a soothing addition to any treatment. The Fern Tree Spa offers its own waterfall style swimming pool, nestled amongst tropical gardens and trees. There’s also a range of aromatherapy steam and sauna rooms, as well as yoga and meditation on offer. The Half Moon is perfect for those seeking wellness in a setting of unparalleled beauty.

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" With most of the rooms offering private pools, this resort is perfect for lovers on honeymoon, or for those just wanting savour in an intimate getaway (Baoase)"

4. Eden Rock, St Barths

Eden is the perfect name for this place, akin to the actual Garden of Eden with spectacular views of the aqua Baie de St Jean. This stretch of beach is arguably one of the most beautiful in the French-Caribbean region, crystal clear and always inviting. The Eden Rock is at the heart of the Baie de St Jean, a stunning structure set atop rocks and with the surrounding mountains in view.

The resort has just 37 rooms, suites and villas all with unique positioning on the rocks or amongst lush tropical gardens. The Greta Garbo suite is a standout – named aptly after the Swedish-American actress who starred in 1920’s films The Temptress and Flesh and The Devil. Greta Garbo was a regular patron of Eden Rock in the 1930’s and the suite has been designed in old Hollywood Glamour to pay homage to her residency; it has a huge King Size bed directly facing gorgeous wooden doors that open to a balcony with frontal views of the azure ocean beyond.

The highlight of any stay at Eden Rock is epicurean! Guests can expect only the best from Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. He serves up stellar dishes, his hand in all culinary elements at Eden Rock. The Sand Bar Restaurant is the perfect place for those who enjoy a gourmet culinary exploration, but with a casual island vibe. There is nothing better than enjoying fantastic food while the waves splash nearby.

5. Kimpton Seafire, Grand Cayman

The Seafire is the cool kid of the Caribbean, with colourful, contemporary design – it’s all about fun. It was the first venture outside of the USA for hotel chain, Kimpton (IHG). The gamble to open in Grand Cayman, and island that had not welcomed new resorts for years, was one that paid off. The Kimpton Seafire is located on the iconic 7-mile beach and has an incredible open-air layout so guests feel at one with natures elements.

All 264 guest rooms and suites have balconies and almost all of these have ocean views from varying angles. There’s nothing more spectacular than waking up with the sun, knowing the ocean is within view. There are also a range of private bungalows which feature kitchenette, dining space and separate sitting space. The bungalows are located scattered around the resort to provide optimal seclusion; some are beachside, others near the pool or gardens – perfect for families, groups or couples who prefer extra space.

The Kimpton Seafire offers up a range of activities, from enjoying the incredible lagoon style pool, to relaxing in the beach cabanas. For wildlife enthusiasts, the resort can arrange swimming with stingrays or getting up close and personal with turtles at nearby locations. There’s always something magical just around the corner at the Kimtpon Seafire.

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"The Seafire is the cool kid of the Caribbean, with colourful, contemporary design – it’s all about fun. "

6. Hermitage Bay, Antigua & Barbuda

Unrivalled, rugged beauty – that’s Hermitage Bay. Whilst many 5-star resorts offer contemporary luxuries, Hermitage Bay takes it back to basics, creating a space of sanctuary reflective of the environment. The owner of the resort, Andy Thesen, is an avid environmentalist who set out to create a hotel that retained the essence of the natural beauty of the landscape with it. The grounds of the resort are rich in vegetation, the beach stretching beyond and meeting the emerald mountains.  Due to Thesen’s environmentalism, the resort makes a conscious effort to use solar energy and use sustainable detergents and beauty products. The produce in the bars and restaurants is predominantly locally grown and organic.

As the resort is built into the foot of a mountain, there are bungalows built into the hillside, offering up incredible views of the turquoise ocean and greenery. Many of the rooms offer up outdoor showers, perfect for a warm day after swimming in the ocean. Guests in the beachfront suites only need to take one step off the patio before feet hit the soft, white sand of the Hermitage Bay Beach. The resort is perfect for those seeking luxury but with an eco-friendly twist.

7. Rosewood Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands

Another nod to eco-tourism is the Rosewood Little Dix Bay, a resort of simple luxury walled by the forestation of Virgin Gorda.  The Rosewood Little Dix Bay has been designed to reflect the natural landscape, in harmony with nature. The rooms, suites and villas are designed with exposed wood and brick, simple but refined decorations like low-hanging lamps, and soft, plush linens.

The Rum Room is the Rosewood’s open air lounge bar with an extensive range of rare and aged rums – when in the Caribbean! There are weekly tasting sessions and live music to add to the ambiance. It’s a great way for guests to sample interesting spirits they may not have encountered otherwise.

There’s an excellent reef just beyond the bay, perfect for snorkelling and it keeps the waters within the bay of the resort calm. Around the island there are seven other secluded beaches that can only be accessed by sea. Arrange a boat with the resort, and don’t forget to ask the chefs to prepare a picnic lunch.

8. Jade Mountain, St Lucia

A list of the Caribbean seems incomplete without including one of the most renowned hotels of the region – if not the world – in the list. Jade Mountain has spectacular, unobstructed views of Soufriere Bay and in a way, is more of an art hotel than a resort. It has just 24 rooms – called “Sanctuaries” over 5 floors. Guests can expect to step from living space straight into impressive infinity pools that offer the most incredible view of the bay and Caribbean Sea beyond.

Each sanctuary has been uniquely designed and furnished with local furniture and artefacts, bringing to life the essence of St Lucia and the surrounds. The excellence doesn’t stop there. Guests can expect round the clock service, as well as award-winning bars and restaurants on their doorstep. There’s also two soft sand beaches that are easily accessible from the resort – and for aficionados of scuba diving and snorkelling, this is the place to be.

Jade Mountain was designed by renowned Canadian architect Nick Troubetzkoy. The concept of Jade Mountain existed in Troubetzkoy’s head for years; his affinity for jade mountain sculptures the inspiration for the vision he has since brought to life. Jade Mountain perfect for those seeking intimate luxury and unrivalled views on the edge of the Caribbean.

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With so many resorts, on so many islands to choose from – the options are endless. The Caribbean will forever be a hotspot for tourism, with exceptional beaches, friendly locals and a playground for ecotourism, wellness and water sports. Get familiar with oneself at Half Moon in Jamaica, travel with kids to COMO Parrot Cay, or seek out pristine natural beauty at Hermitage Bay in Antigua. There’s something for everyone in the Caribbean.

Trudie Earle

Trudie Earle is an avid traveller with over six years’ experience as a travel consultant. Trudie's love for travel is what inspired her move from sunny Sydney to London, where she indulges in weekend trips to Europe, visits to galleries, festivals and the best in cocktail bars & restaurants that London has to offer.