They may not be the greatest or have the most conveniences. They can be brand new, they can be centuries old.
But the coolest hotels in the Caribbean are the ones that have that indescribable X-Factor; where no matter how often you come back it feels fresh and timeless at the same time.
Cool can mean so many things; But for these hotels scattered across the Caribbean, it’s all about a sense of place, purpose, and personality.
The ninth annual edition of the Cool List presents unique, special and one-of-a-kind hotels in the Caribbean.
They may not be the greatest or have the most conveniences. They can be brand new, they can be centuries old. But the coolest hotels in the Caribbean are the ones that have that indescribable X-factor that you keep coming back, which can only be explained by actual experience. Cool can mean so many things; But for these hotels scattered across the Caribbean, it’s all about a sense of place, purpose, and personality.
The ninth annual edition of the Cool List presents unique, special and one-of-a-kind hotels in the Caribbean.
Rockhouse in Negril, Jamaica.
Rockhouse, Jamaica The essence of Caribbean coolness. What’s not to love about this Negril cliff retreat? The cottages on the water; the spacious suites with sea views; the bold, fabulous Pushcart restaurant; and that endless feeling that somehow becomes a part of the landscape, even or a few days. There’s a reason everyone from the Rolling Stones to Bob himself used to come here.
Anegada Beach Club, British Virgin Islands A combination of glamping tents right above the sand and airy rooms, this is the British Virgin Islands bucket list for a breathtaking place to stay on an island that remains the BVI’s best kept secret.
The Coral Beach Club in St. Maarten.
Coral Beach Club, St. Maarten This all-villa resort is located on a pristine stretch of Dawn Beach. Some rooms face the Oyster Pond; It’s sleek and modern, with beautifully designed units that make you feel like you’re staying in your own private resort.
Lovango Resort + Beach Club, USVI Lovango began as a private beach club just off the coast of St. John; Today it’s a full-fledged hotel with a mix of villas, tree houses, and luxury tents, the brainchild of Little Gem Resorts, which operates coveted hotels in Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
The Landing, Harbor Island, Bahamas It’s one of the first things you see when you hit the dock in Dunmore Town, and it should be: this historic inn, home to the island’s signature restaurant, has 13 rooms that are easy for you to write a novel in And then there is this oh so beautiful pool …
Les Ilets de la Plage, St. Barth Away from the rest of the island on its own corner of the beach at St. Jean is this little gem, a collection of whitewashed bungalows that embody the spirit of St. Barth: barefoot chic, carefree, fun.
Golden Rock Resort, Statia Hidden under the radar island of Statia has its first “it” hotel with the debut of the Golden Rock Resort, a stunning, fresh, full-service resort that revolves around the Dutch Caribbean hip, including its great flagship restaurant Breeze.
The new Coulibri Ridge in Dominica.
Coulibri Ridge, Dominica The newest hotel in Dominica is an eco-friendly hotel true to the island spirit, but it’s also one of the most design-focused spots in the entire Caribbean, all solar powered, with incredible views of the island’s southwest coast.
Welcome, Saint Martin In the hills of Saint Martin’s Cul-de-Sac neighborhood, this rustic-cool boutique hotel has lively rooms (most of which have plunge pools) and a clever flag system that brings fresh pastries right to your door. But the real reason to come here is for the private beach club on nearby Pinel Island.
The resort’s beach club on Stocking Island.
Peace n Plenty, Great Exuma, Bahamas It’s two destinations in one: a historic waterfront hotel in the heart of Georgetown; and a private beach club on the stunning beaches of Stocking Island, just across the bay. In other words, it’s pretty hard to beat.
Delfins Beach Resort, Bonaire When it first opened in 2018, Delfins brought a new kind of personality to the island; Since then, it has cemented its place as the hippest hotel destination on the island, with its No.
Saba Rock, BVI This historic little private island in the heart of the North Sound is finally back and better than ever, with a brand new look and nine wonderfully colorful rooms. What hasn’t changed The target bar and the restaurant and the hip kitesurfing atmosphere.
The Beach House, Riviera Maya This adult-only Riviera Maya, which has just opened, is a far cry from the major resorts that surround it. The focus here is on Mexican history: Michelin-starred cuisine, top-class gastronomy, a world-class spa and even little touches like an in-house chocolatier. Oh, and every room has its own plunge pool.
ONEdmiral’s Inn and Gunpowder Suites, Antigua There are few, if any, more beautiful historic towns in the Caribbean than Nelson’s Dockyard, and in the middle of it all is the Admiral’s Inn, a magnificently maintained boutique hotel in two parts: one in the main part of the harbor and one across the bay with a fabulous one Infinity pool deck.
Graycliff’s main pool.
Graycliff, Nassau, Bahamas It’s hard to make a must-see list of Caribbean hotels without Graycliff, the iconic boutique in the heart of Old Nassau; it just lives in so many categories, is good at so many things, and can make you happy in so many different ways.
Caerula Mar Club, Andros, Bahamas The hotel “Renovation Island” has quickly become one of the jewels of the Out Islands of the Bahamas, with beautiful bungalow-style accommodations, a fresh, modern look and a touch of the hustle and bustle of the distant South Andros Island.
Love Hotel, Saint Martin Love is back in this popular boutique, finally revived, still in the heart of Grand Case Boulevard, with 11 rooms: six on the seafront, five overlooking the always busy street. And yes – you can even take excursions on the hotel’s Love Boat.
The Fred in St. Croix.
The Fred, St. Croix The hotel, which almost single-handedly initiated the renaissance of Frederiksted, is a world on a single block that somehow combines historical charm, South Beach energy and Key West funk with a brilliant service to match.
Rabot Hotel, St. Lucia Many hotels like to talk about adventure travel: This is the real deal: an immersive, well thought-out, creative hotel on a working cocoa farm, home to one of the most spectacular pool terraces in the entire Caribbean.
Provincial Palace, Puerto Rico San Juan is not lacking in unique accommodations: but its newest member, the Palacio Provincial, raises the bar; Located in a diplomatic building from the 19th century in the heart of Old San Juan, with a rooftop pool, library, changing nightly cocktail hours and even individual fragrances in the room.
