The Caribbean conjures up images of romantic getaways, pristine beaches, glassy waters and a place to relax and get away from it all. And rightfully so. Whether you're looking to sip cocktails alongside a lagoon, sun on the beach, walk through lush jungles or dive amidst some of the most stunning reefs in the world, the Caribbean has it all. Here's our choice of some of the best places to stay, from the Bahamas to Turks & Caicos.

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ANGUILLA

Cap Juluca
www.capjuluca.com

Situated on the southwest coast of Anguilla, Cap Juluca Resort is tucked away on 179 acres of land on a two-mile stretch of beach. Yet it’s also a mere fifteen-minute boat ride from St. Maarten with its myriad of shops, restaurants and nightlife. Here, you can indulge your royal fantasies, staying in one of the 18 spacious Moorish villas, complete with domes, parapets and turrets. Whether you want to indulge in a little golf, swim laps in the Olympic sized pool, undertake a variety of watersports from snorkeling and wind surfing to water skiing and sailing, or perhaps try your hand at a game of croquet, it’s all available here. Enjoy your complimentary daily breakfast on your own private terrace and be sure to take advantage of the on-the-beach food service, where attendants will bring your meal directly to your deck chair.

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THE BAHAMAS

One & Only Ocean Club
www.oneandonlyresorts.com

Located on the eastern end of Paradise Island, the One & Only Ocean Club is among the most legendary Caribbean resorts, noted for hosting celebrities and those just wanting to get away from it all.  The 35-acre resort situated on a pristine beach features eight Balinese-style villas, a lobby with panoramic views of the sea and 106 guest rooms and luxury villas with private balconies or terrace patios. The resort offers an array of amenities including an Asian holistic spa, yoga classes and a fitness center. Sun yourself by the pool while you admire the Versailles Garden designed after the original garden in France. Or climb the stone stairway carved into the gardens rock ridges and check out the large bronze statues of Franklin D. Roosevelt and David Livingston. Indulge in water sports, play a round of golf or try your luck at the nearby Atlantis resort casino—just a short shuttle ride from the One & Only.

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BARBADOS

Cobblers Cove
www.cobblerscove.com

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BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Biras Creek
www.biras.com

An upscale, unique Caribbean destination, Biras Creek is surrounded by three seas, rolling green hills and is a ten-minute boat ride from the nearest road. It’s the go-to place when you don’t want to be bothered by civilization. Situated on the northern end of Virgin Gorda, on a 148-acre estate, the resort strikes the perfect balance between being a small, exclusive inn and a large, full-service resort. The tropical paradise of Biras Creek is noted in its colorful plants lining the paths and walkways of the resort. You’ll also be provided with your own bicycle, courtesy of the resort to do some exploring. Indulge in a drink at the resort’s renowned open-air bar and be sure to partake of the barbecued lunch on the beach.

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MARTINIQUE

Cap-Est Lagoon Resort & Spa
www.capest.com

The term “luxury resort” is bandied about often, but a stay at the Cap-Est Lagoon Resort & Spa will definitely showcase living in the lap of luxury. Eighteen detached villas and 50 rooms and suites await you in sunny Martinique on the island’s east coast, overlooking a crystal clear lagoon. The resort is hidden among banana fields, where palm trees, coral reefs, landscaped terraces and plunge pools abound. Rooms are decorated with local materials including Martinique’s signature product: cane sugar. No expense is spared here, with every room boasting state of the art amenities including plasma televisions, espresso machines and fridges with ice makers. The spa is also a huge draw, utilizing hydrotherapy treatments by French-trained therapists.

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NEVIS

The Four Seasons Resort, Nevis
www.fourseasons.com

Located on Nevis’s west coast, The Four Seasons Resort, Nevis, offers near-perfect weather and is mere steps from renowned Pinney’s Beach. Situated in a palm grove, the resort offers a choice of accommodations that blend with the local surroundings. In 2008, the resort added four new freestanding 200-square-foot beach cabanas that can house up to five persons and can be rented from sunrise to sunset. They come complete with indoor living rooms, open-air sundecks, complimentary minibars and a specially designed chef's menu. Also on hand is an attendant who will deliver everything from DVDs to tropical drinks to snorkeling gear. Activities abound, including an 18-hole golf course, horseback riding, tennis and water sports. Be sure to indulge in the resort's signature spa, offering beachside massages and exotic body treatments.

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ST. BARTHS


Eden Rock
www.edenrockhotel.com

If you’re looking for a unique stay in the Caribbean and would like to vacation in a hotel that lured the likes of Greta Garbo and Howard Hughes, then Eden Rock is your place. The hotel evolved from an imaginatively situated house built 50 years ago atop a rock promontory by Remy DeHaenen, a celebrated local adventurer and Mayor of the island. This small, intimate oceanfront resort is styled after a French farmhouse with stone walls and sloping red roofs. With only 16 units, most of which have stunning ocean views, you can relax in your room that comes complete with French antiques and a four-poster bed. Unlike other Caribbean resorts, Eden Rock is really the place to chill out and do very little, but if you feel the urge, there are opportunities to indulge in some snorkeling or windsurfing.

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ST. JOHN

Caneel Bay
www.caneelbay.com

Caneel Bay embraces the “back to nature” theme, nestled as it is within the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. Bordered by seven secluded beaches and dense lush foliage, the resort is a tropical haven. The 166 guest rooms and cottages blend with the natural surroundings, built from wood and native stone and highlighted by handcrafted furniture and woven fabrics. You can choose a room that overlooks the azure-blue waters, the rolling hillsides or a fragrant tropical garden. Relax and kick back on a secluded stretch of sand in the sun, or, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous indulge in a sail to a neighboring island.

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ST. LUCIA

Anse Chastanet
www.ansechastanet.com

Anse Chastanet Resort harks back to the days of the Caribbean before air conditioning units replaced trade winds and morning exercise was a walk along the beach and not a water aerobics class. Situated on the southwest coast of St. Lucia, the resort is surrounded by jungles, waterfalls, volcanoes and palm forests. Yet the most dramatic scenery here is the Pitons—two half-mile vertical peaks that rise from the sea. The 600-acre site is a lush garden of tropical foliage bordering one of the island’s best beaches. Accommodations are unique ranging from beach to hillside rooms. Anse Chastanet is also an art lover’s paradise with a plethora of artworks by both local and international artists throughout the resort. Lie about and do nothing on your balcony or indulge in a spa treatment, a nature walk or local water activities. Jade Mountain is the brand new resort-within-a-resort at the larger Anse Chastanet compound.

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TURKS & CAICOS

Amanyara
www.amanresorts.com

Amanyara means “peaceful place”, and you’ll certainly be at peace after a stay at this secluded beachside resort. Tucked away in low-lying tropical foliage the resort is surrounded by tranquil ponds and the background music of coastal songbirds. Amanyara is also renowned for some of the best dive sites and reef walls in the world. Even your accommodations are at one with nature, constructed from timber and glass, utilizing low rooflines. Lounge by the bar on the vast terrace, or read a book in the library overlooking the reflecting pond. Wake up early and take in morning yoga sessions or indulge in a massage or body treatment courtesy of the resort’s skilled therapists.