Five luxurious Caribbean retreats
Enjoy a beach butler in St Kitts and Nevis or group meditations on Buck Island. Jasper Spires reports
Luxury redefined on Nevis island
“Escape to paradise at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis and discover luxury redefined,” says Christopher Parr for Pursuitist. “Amazing service and staff. Delicious culinary adventures. Top-of-the-line experiences throughout.” Situated in the south eastern Caribbean state of St Kitts and Nevis, the resort has sun-drenched cabanas on the shore equipped with personal “beach butlers” and the newly opened restaurant On the Dune provides a culinary cocktail of seafood dishes and complimentary Champagne on arrival. The real stand-out feature is the hotel spa. It has 12,000 square feet of saunas and private outdoor gardens, and offers the exclusive “Spa Under the Stars experience” that treats couples to an intimate torch-lit evening after the spa has closed. The Nevisian Spa is a “must-do” experience and will round off a truly memorable stay. A room costs from $1,000 per night, see fourseasons.com/nevis
Tai Chi by the ocean
BodyHoliday’s luxury wellness holiday resort in St Lucia is a “Caribbean slice of paradise”, says Ainhoa Barcelona in Hello magazine. Whether you prefer to be left to your cocktail on the beach or rejuvenate in myriad fitness classes and sports activities, BodyHoliday will help you find your way to holiday refreshment. Cosily planted by the ocean, the resort offers everything from morning yoga sessions and Tai Chi classes, to windsurfing, paddle boarding and water-skiing. “The other cornerstone of BodyHoliday is, of course, relaxation. Each guest is entitled to a 50-minute treatment per day, included in your room rate, for every full day of your stay.” The usual holiday evening indulgences are also on hand, with the on-site restaurant serving a routine five-star spread of local Caribbean food. A night’s stay will cost from £285, see thebodyholiday.com
The discerning choice for debonair days off
“For 16 years, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, has cut a striking silhouette on the island’s famous Seven Mile Beach,” says Kristen Shirley in Travel and Leisure. It’s the “go-to spot for discerning travellers” and, when it comes to debonair days-off, it really has no equal. Recently reimagined by famed New York hotel decorators Champalimaud Design, “the resort is awash in shades of blues and greens inspired by the water and lush foliage on the island, accented with elegant neutrals, textured elements, and polished wood”. The guest rooms have each been custom designed, and every one has with a private balcony overlooking the sea. Patrons also have access to the Silver Palm Lounge, providing some of the best rums and hand-rolled cigars in the Caribbean. Rooms from £1,128 a night, see ritzcarlton.com
An unspoilt paradise on a private island
Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands has recently become home to The Aerial, an eco-wellness retreat opened on the “unspoilt” private Buck Island, says Siobhan Grogan in The Mail on Sunday.
Set against “icing-sugar sand, crystal-clear water and jungle-wrapped mountains”, this cliff-side resort in Sir Francis Drake Channel has startling views of the locally infamous Dead Chest Island (legend has it that Blackbeard marooned his crew here with nought but a bottle of rum each). The hotel can put up 28 guests at a time, who are then free to hike the island’s hypnotic trails, swim in an opulent infinity pool, or even spend time in a private recording studio. The staff also offer guided group sessions “in everything from meditation to financial management”. Prices start from £30,500 a night, with a minimum three-night stay, see aerialbvi.com
A haven for foodies
Cobbler’s Cove Hotel in Speightstown on the north-western coast of Barbados is “renowned for its incredible beaches and amazing foodie scene”, says Emma Munbodh in the Daily Mirror. Perched overlooking a beautiful bay, Cobbler’s Cove has more than 40 luxurious suites, a swimming pool, tennis courts and a private gym. If you tire of soaking up the tropical sun on the white sandy shore, the hotel offers a range of water-based activities, ranging from local boat trips and water-skiing, to kayak adventures and the rare chance to swim with wild turtles. Your evenings can be spent in the hotel spa, which offers the usual array of massages, manicures and exfoliation sessions, or gorging in the famed Camelot Restaurant, which serves maple-glazed duck and features live music from local musicians. The attractive rooms are adorned with paisley interiors and chic wicker furniture. Price from £311 a night, see cobblerscove.com