Private islands, astonishing beaches and secretive resorts in nature. These all feature in our 2023-2024 winter beach holiday recommendations in the Caribbean.
The Caribbean was the headline destination in our recent edition IV of Explorer magazine. We featured the best of the best resorts that are easily accessible via a flight from Europe to Saint Martin.
In this article we focus on rare and special places where you can combine tropical relaxation with a feeling of adventure and exploration. These are mostly hidden gems and hideaways, the remarkable places few people in Europe have heard about.
Necker Island, British Virgin Islands
Richard Branson’s island is only open to guests for a select few “celebration” weeks each year.
Necker Island is simply the best private island experience in the Caribbean.
This winter, the island opens its door to individual families for the very first time. Five-night stays are possible from 11 – 20th December. Or spend Christmas here, with a week-long holiday between 20th – 27th December.
Between March 14th – 20th, Richard Branson himself will lead a week-long holiday program called Mavericks. It’s for fellow entrepreneurs and forward-thinking business leaders to connect and share a holiday experience on the island.
Mornings are all about inspiration and impact. Afternoons are for chilling and playing. Evenings for great food and a little partying.
Neither of these opportunities are typical holiday experiences, so contact us for a more detailed explanation.
Secret Bay, Dominica
Dominica is the Caribbean untouched, a blissful island of rainforests, hot springs and wild coastlines. Don’t confuse it with the Dominican Republic, which is a different island and country.
Dominica is in the south of the Caribbean and is best for couples seeking an active island holiday. Due to flight connections, you’ll need to combine Dominica with a night or two in Saint Martin.
Secret Bay is the only resort we recommend on Dominica. And what a resort! An all-villa hideaway on the cliffs, with Relais & Chateaux cuisine and a very personal feel.
The atmosphere, architecture and setting draws comparisons with resorts like Six Senses Zil Pasyon and Anantara Maia in the Seychelles. The biggest differential being that Secret Bay is a holiday on an island your friends and peers have never heard about.
Cheval Blanc, St Barth
Definitely not a hidden gem. In fact, quite the opposite. But we couldn’t resist including this opulent resort on the trendy island of St. Barths.
Cheval Blanc St Barths is the place the socialites want to be seen this festive season in the Caribbean. It’s French glamour all the way, with the best gastronomy in the entire archipelago.
Although this has traditionally been a resort for couples, families are also well accommodated, especially around festive season. But if your idea of an opulent beach resort means lots of privacy, try Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth instead.
Hermitage Bay, Antigua
In contrast to Cheval Blanc, there’s nothing European or even American about Hermitage Bay. Here the Caribbean heart beats strongly.
Hermitage Bay is one of favourite beach resorts for couples. The hillside suites are the best, with private pools, outdoor showers, the best views and maximal privacy.
It’s a resort located on a wild and otherwise undeveloped peninsula, with only 30 accommodations. It’s all-inclusive too. But lay your fears of an all-inclusive holiday aside. There’s house Champagne, the restaurants are divine and the setting is magical.
Moskito Island, British Virgin Islands
Moskito Island is Richard Branson’s second private island in the British Virgin Islands. The entrepreneur created three very different properties on the island, reflecting his own travels and tastes.
Oasis Estate is open and futuristic in style, while the Point Estate is secluded and understated luxury. The Branson Beach Estate has three villas reflecting Balinese and colonial styles.
Usually these enormous estates are only bookable on an exclusive-use basis, for 14 – 24 guests. This winter, for the first time, the individual villas of the Branson Beach Estate can be booked separately.
These are highly unique properties for large families, best for six to eight people travelling together. We will advise you personally on each of them.
Rosewood Mayakoba, Mexico
Mexico? In an article about the Caribbean? It’s easy to forget that Mexico has over 2000 kilometres of Caribbean coastline. Skip Cancun obviously, the best resorts are further south.
Clusters of resorts have developed along the coast, offering traditional beach resort holidays.
Rosewood Mayakoba is our favourite because it really delivers on the Rosewood promise of sense of place. This is not a beautiful beach resort that could feel like anywhere. It delivers a true Mexican, Mayan and Caribbean experience, in one winter beach holiday.
Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
We had to end with our favourite. Cap Juluca epitomises why the Caribbean has become a popular destination with our clients.
Superb suites with private pools. The most astonishing of white-sand beaches. Laid-back barefoot escapism, combined with a local Anguillan atmosphere. Lots of experiences to try, but also all lazy days around the beach and pool.
It’s exotic and authentic, while offering opulence and every comfort you expect at the world’s best beach resorts.
Cap Juluca is convenient too. In terms of total travel time from door to door, from your house to your suite overlooking the Caribbean, Cap Juluca is roughly the same as travelling to the Maldives.
Your Winter Caribbean Holiday
The Caribbean is a new region for most of our clients. Naturally they have questions.
Is it like the Maldives? How are the resorts? What are the beaches like? What else can I do?
We answer these questions individually. They’re a starting point to tailoring a holiday that suits the specific needs of each client.
What questions do you have about this upcoming region?
