7. Cap Maison
Sitting above Smugglers Cove Beach in St. Lucia’s Cap Estate, Cap Maison provides a boutique hideaway separate from the island’s larger resorts. Cap Maison boasts 49 Spanish-Caribbean-style rooms and suites, each featuring a balcony or terrace, an Amazon Echo or Bose docking station, a coffee maker and a bathroom with hand-painted tiles and a walk-in shower. If you approach luxury travel with a go-big-or-go-home mentality, consider booking an Ocean-View Villa. These spacious suites feature full kitchens, living rooms and two or three bedrooms, as well as rooftop terraces with private pools. Luckily, I Prefer rewards members can earn deals and special perks throughout their stay at this Preferred Hotels and Resorts outpost. In addition to the beach access, guests will find a spa, a fitness center and a wine cellar on-site. Visitors rave about the cuisine at the two on-site restaurants, especially The Cliff at Cap’s intimate cliff-side setting and French-West Indian cuisine.
8. Le Sereno
With only 39 suites and three four-bedroom villas, Le Sereno is especially exclusive. This boutique resort – flanking Anse de Grand Cul-de-Sac’s sands on St. Barts’ northeastern coast – is ultra chic, with suites displaying bright white hues and dark wood accents. Along with the sumptuous accoutrements, accommodations come equipped with decks with private gardens or pools, free Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, Ex Voto Paris toiletries and iPads and Nespresso machines (upon request). But even with all of these luxe amenities, guests agree that Le Sereno doesn’t feel pretentious, saying that they were greeted by hospitable staff members. However, some say the property’s quiet setting is not ideal for families. During your stay, you can stretch across the bay’s chalky white sands or indulge in a refreshing (albeit pricey) treatment from Spa Le Sereno. When it comes to dining, visitors heap praise on the menu at Restaurant Le Sereno, citing its delectable cuisine, romantic atmosphere and unbeatable ocean views as highlights. What’s more, the hotel is part of The Leading Hotels of the World family, meaning Leaders Club members have access to perks during their stays.