If your idea of a romantic resort in the Caribbean is Sandals, you may want to expand your horizons a bit. While the region is known for its sprawling, all-inclusive resorts, there are plenty of small, boutique properties that offer the intimacy and luxury that discerning travelers are looking for.
Whether you are planning an anniversary trip or honeymoon, or just looking for your next vacation destination, these romantic Caribbean resorts are perfect for those who prefer small properties, privacy, luxury, and unique experiences.
Romantic Resorts in the Caribbean
If one of these resorts strikes your fancy, I can secure VIP amenities and perks such as free breakfast, resort credits, and space available upgrades at many of these properties that will make your trip extra special. Ask me how I can help!
Lovango Resort & Beach Club, St. John, USVI
Tucked away on a private island, Lovango Resort & Beach Club is a true Caribbean gem. Just a short distance from St. John, this boutique resort offers an unparalleled luxury experience where seclusion, nature, and high-end amenities collide. This resort is for those seeking something truly unique, offering air-conditioned, luxury treehouses, spacious villas, and even glamping tents with unbeatable views.
Lovango is just 10 minutes by resort ferry to St. John and St. Thomas, making it easy to go to dinner in Cruz Bay or Red Hook and then enjoy a starlit ferry ride back to the resort. The best part is that this private island is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, which means U.S. citizens don’t even need a passport. Lovango is also dedicated to sustainability, powered by solar and wind energy and using desalination technology to convert seawater into drinking water, offering eco-friendly luxury.
GoldenEye, Jamaica
Live out your James Bond fantasies at GoldenEye in Jamaica. This former home of Ian Fleming and the birthplace of 007, this resort is a collection of private villas, cottages, and beach huts situated amid tropical gardens, private beaches, and secluded coves with a private six-acre lagoon. Now owned by Chris Blackwell of Island Records fame, the resort offers some of the best snorkeling in Jamaica.
You won’t be bored with three restaurants, four bars, and weekly BBQ and bonfire nights. There are one to five-bedroom villas, offering privacy or room for friends. Villas offer luxury features like outdoor showers, porches, verandas, and even private lagoon access. From swimming and snorkeling to paddle-boarding and kayaking, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy during your stay at GoldenEye.
Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada
The Spice Island Beach Resort offers 64 luxury villa-style suites, some with their own private pools. These spacious suites are just steps away from the white sand, making them ideal for a romantic getaway. Outfitted with luxury amenities such as Frette linens, Molton Brown amenities, a Nespresso machine, and Alexa Voice Remote, you may not want to leave your room, but the beach awaits.
This AAA Five Diamond paradise is a premier all-inclusive resort, offering all-day dining, premium-label drinks, in-room minibars, and non-motorized water sports. The resort is located on a two-mile stretch of Grand Anse Beach, with white sands earning the label as one of the world’s best beaches by Condé Nast Traveler.
Caerula Mar Club, South Andros, Bahamas
Caerula Mar Club is perfect for couples looking for a mix of relaxation and adrenaline-pumping adventure. The resort, helmed by an HGTV couple, features five private villas and 18 gorgeous suites just steps from the shoreline, with restaurants ranging from an outdoor poolside bar to a fine dining restaurant, with ingredients sourced from an on-site organic farm.
Caerula Mar Club is located on 10 acres of gorgeous turquoise beach on South Andros Island in the Bahamas, where you can enjoy plenty of privacy. Relax by the pool or under the shade of palm trees, take a walk on the white sands, spend a few hours at the rejuvenating oceanfront spa, and enjoy the Bahamian breeze all from the comfort of this hideaway nestled between the mangroves. And, just minutes away lies four Blue Holes, just a fraction of the over 200 around South Andros. Couples can embark on the adventure of a lifetime as they discover the island’s folklore and dive below the surface of these mystical Blue Holes.
Baoase Luxury Resort, Curaçao
If you’re seeking an enchanting, intimate escape for your romantic getaway, look no further than Baoase Luxury Resort, a five-star ultra-exclusive oasis in glittering Curaçao that sets the scene for a passionate retreat with your sweetheart. The resort features an infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea, a coral reef on the outskirts of the private lagoon, and beach butlers who cater to guests’ every need.
If you are looking for an added dash of luxury, Baoase also offers exclusive bookings to their private island of Isla Kiniw, featuring a stunning villa, private beach, personal chef, and more. If you can draw yourselves away from the beach, there’s plenty to see and do on the colorful island of Curaçao from strolling the historic city of Willemstad, to taking a day trip to the secluded island of Klein Curaçao, to indulging in rich foods and live music in the romantic Pietermaai area.
Ambergris Cay, Turks & Caicos
Ambergris Cay is a private island resort in the southeast corner of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Originally established as a community for private homeowners, Ambergris Cay opened as a private island resort in 2019. With just 17 bungalows, two two-bedroom beachfront/oceanfront bungalows, and nine villas for rent on an all-inclusive basis, travelers seeking a secluded escape can enjoy access to over 1,100 acres of mostly untouched land.
The resort is perfect for those ideal for those seeking laidback luxury and unparalleled natural beauty. Guests can enjoy hiking trails, biking, onshore fishing, kayaking, sailing, and snorkeling, or venture further on a sunset cruise, deep sea fishing excursion, or a private boat tour to Little Ambergris Cay.
Ladera, St. Lucia
Ladera sits on the volcanic ridge between the two legendary Pitons of St. Lucia. This lush, mountainside property is ideal for couples looking for authentic St. Lucian experiences beyond the beach, with activities such as a sunset fish fry, mixology and rum-making classes, and mud baths in Soufrière. On property, guests can enjoy complimentary yoga, relax in the four-story treehouse, and tap into their creative energy in the immersion art studio. After exploring the island, you can soak in the view from one of the world’s most astounding swimming pools or escape to a tranquil sanctuary at The Spa at Ladera.
Nestled among majestic mountains and lush rainforest landscapes, Ladera has 37 uniquely designed villas and suites that utilize local wood, stone, and tile with St. Lucian artistry. All accommodations have heated plunge pools and breathtaking views of the Pitons. The Suites at Paradise Ridge are a spacious 1,900 square feet and feature a dedicated butler, a romantic swing, and a private heated pool.
Cayo Espanto Private Island, Belize
Located three miles off the coast of San Pedro, Belize, Cayo Espanto creates an exclusive opportunity for couples to enjoy a custom barefoot luxe experience with year-round sunny weather. Home to seven villas total, including one overwater bungalow, each accommodation includes a personal butler, a private dock area and a customizable menu presented prior to each lunch and dinner based on guest preferences and restrictions.
Whether you want to explore the surrounding waters or simply relax and be pampered, this private island resort offers a unique opportunity to escape from everyday life. The resort can also arrange diving in the world-famous and UNESCO Heritage site the Great Blue Hole, shopping in San Pedro, uninhabited beach BBQs, spa treatments, private yachts, helicopter tours, and more experiences all tailored for each guest.
Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, St. Barts
Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa exudes Parisian cool with 44 luxury guest rooms and two chic oceanfront villas, all just steps from the beach. The resort has been named one of the Best Resorts in the Caribbean for eight consecutive years by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
French Mediterranean flair mingles with island-inspired flavors in the Amis St. Barth restaurant, where you can keep your toes in the sand at lunch and enjoy a gourmet dinner by the sea with live music. Whether you want to relax at the newly renovated La Mer Spa or enjoy activities such as guided hikes, wellness activities, sailing on a luxury yacht, deep-sea fishing, or a zero-waste cooking class, immersive experiences await.
Secret Bay Resort, Dominica
Just steps from the Caribbean Sea, Secret Bay Resort is the ultimate under-the-radar romantic hideaway. This six-star, all-villa resort features secluded residential-style villas with private plunge pools, dedicated villa hosts, on-call concierge, chefs and guides, secret beaches, endless rainforest-to-ocean views, and transformative experiences curated just for you.
The treehouse-style spa offers everything from couples’ massages to signature facials. An open-air restaurant serves up inspired island-to-table plates sourced from local fishermen and farmers markets, or a private chef can even prepare an exclusive dinner for guests in their villa’s gourmet kitchen. Grab a paddleboard from the Zamann Watersports Hut for a day of fun on the water, rappel into the depths of the island on a waterfall canyoning adventure, and experience Dominica, the “Nature Island” of the Caribbean. This resort is perfect for those seeking privacy and luxury in a jungle-like setting.
Eden Rock Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
Eden Roc Cap Cana is the only Relais & Châteaux hotel in the Dominican Republic. Located within an exclusive gated community in Cap Cana, the Eden Roc boasts a private beach with a tropical forest, the Punta Espada Golf Club with a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, and a 20,000-square-foot Wellness & SPA center.
Privacy is key at the Eden Roc Cap Cana, with 34 lavish Casitas, many with private pools, 26 beachfront suites, four new Ocean Villas featuring private pools and butlers, and two multibedroom villas. You can indulge in fine dining at Mediterraneo, seaside dining at La Palapa, and international cuisine at BLUE. Take your golf cart to The Beach Club, where you will find an infinity-edge pool, private beach, and beach concierge service. With a beach so peaceful, you won’t want to leave the resort.
Read my full review of the Eden Rock Cap Cana.
Hammock Cove, Antigua
For a truly romantic getaway, try the adults-only, all-inclusive Hammock Cove. Perfectly situated on Antigua’s northeast coast offering serene views of Devil’s Bridge National Park and the aquamarine Caribbean Sea, Hammock Cove has both Waterfront Villas, which directly overlook turquoise waters with stunning unobstructed views, and Waterview Villas that provide beautiful views of the resort, lush tropical gardens, and partial water views. These villas offer classic vaulted ceilings, contemporary Caribbean decor, and expansive outdoor living space, complete with a plunge pool and all-inclusive wet bar, stocked specifically to your liking.
Hammock Cove also offers Michelin-star dining options offering Caribbean and Continental-style dishes that are expertly prepared by Chef Marco Festini. Relax at the three-tiered infinity pool overlooking the resort’s private, white-sand beach or enjoy excursions to downtown St. John’s, visits to idyllic historical sites such as Betty’s Hope, Nelson’s Dockyard, and Shirley Heights, or hop on board a Calypso Cat Catamaran Cruise.
Ready to plan your next tropical vacation? Don’t forget to inquire about my trip planning and hotel booking services.
Tamara Gruber is an award-winning travel writer and the founder of Your Time to Fly. With more than a decade of professional writing experience across two travel publications and hundreds of destination guides, she specializes in crafting practical, detailed itineraries that help travelers explore the world with confidence. Her work reflects years of on-the-ground research across the globe. Tamara is a member of SATW and serves on the Board of Directors of the Family Travel Association.
