As the leaves turn and cider mugs multiply, my thoughts have a single focus: escaping winter’s chill for turquoise waters, sandy toes, and sun-drenched luxury. Lucky for travelers like me, the Caribbean has more than enough indulgent hideaways to make the season feel like a permanent summer. I’ve been daydreaming — and planning — my next warm-weather getaway, and here are a few places I can’t stop thinking about.
First stop: Banyan Tree Mayakoba, tucked into Mexico’s Riviera Maya just north of Playa del Carmen.
It’s a private oasis threaded with serene canal waterways, where I imagine myself slipping into one of the newly minted two-story floating lagoon villas, each with its own private pool, and letting the world melt away. The resort is in the midst of a $50 million renovation, expanding its beachfront residences while preserving that signature blend of Mexican charm and pan-Asian culture. Dining is equally mesmerizing: from nine culinary venues to the adults-only Sur Beach Club, perched on the sand like a chic Spanish chiringuito, I can picture sipping a cocktail while the sun sinks into the Caribbean. For a more intimate adventure, I’m tempted by a moonlit dinner aboard Ixchel, a traditional Mexican trajinera gliding through the resort’s waterways. Days here could blur between snorkeling the second-largest barrier reef, swimming in nearby cenotes, or simply surrendering to the famous Banyan Tree Spa, where wellness rituals feel like their own kind of magic.
From Mexico, I’d hop over to Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa in Honduras’ Bay Islands, where the West Bay Beach is a postcard come to life.
The second-largest barrier reef lies just offshore, begging for snorkel and scuba adventures, or lazy hours paddle boarding in crystalline waters. After the sun, I’d drift into the Kao Kamasa Spa, soaking in pools with color therapy and temperature treatments that feel like a personal reset button. Oceanfront suites, Mediterranean-inspired dining, and a pace that whispers “take it slow” make this island a perfect antidote to winter blues.
For those who like to be among the first to experience a brand-new luxury property, the Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort & Spa is calling.
Opening this winter along 900 feet of pristine oceanfront, it promises 382 lavish guestrooms and suites, multiple pools, and a spa designed to melt stress faster than the sun melts into Seven Mile Beach. Snorkelers and divers will revel in the more than 365 dive sites nearby — no exaggeration, every day could bring a new underwater adventure. It’s the kind of place where world-class service meets laid-back elegance, and I can already picture myself savoring both.
For the ultimate barefoot luxury, I’d circle back to the French and British West Indies. Cap Juluca on Anguilla’s Maundays Bay has been enchanting travelers since 1988 with its Greco-Moorish architecture, serene interiors, and oceanfront rooms that feel like your own private slice of paradise.
Complimentary water sports, swimming with turtles, and dining across three standout restaurants, plus the newly renovated Cap Juluca Spa by Guerlain, make it a rejuvenating playground for the senses. Over on St. Martin, La Samanna stretches along Baie Longue, where 25 rooms, 51 suites, and eight villas by Rottet Studio provide the perfect base for Champagne sunsets, private charters, and French-Creole gastronomy by Michelin-starred Chef Marcel Ravin. It’s a blend of island glamour and cosmopolitan flair that makes even simple moments feel like a celebration.
Finally, for those seeking an insider’s escape, I’ve been daydreaming about Canouan in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
This rising star of the Caribbean offers three luxury hotels — Soho Beach House Canouan, Mandarin Oriental, Canouan, and Canouan Estate Resort & Villas — where guests receive an “invisible key,” granting access to every facility across the island. It’s a playground for indulgence and adventure: white sand beaches, snorkeling at the Tobago Cays, sailing, spa treatments, gourmet dining with panoramic views, or a round of golf on Jim Fazio’s 18-hole course. Nature-lovers like me will also fall for the island’s namesake residents: sea turtles. Spotting one of these gentle creatures as they glide through the turquoise water is a reminder that Canouan is as wild as it is luxurious.
Winter doesn’t stand a chance. With these escapes, it feels less like a season and more like a state of mind: sun on your skin, cocktails in hand, and a horizon that stretches forever. I’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s possible, but one thing is certain — the Caribbean is waiting, and I’ll be packing my swimsuit.
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CARIBBEAN LIVING INSIDER TIPS
- Private Pools & Floating Villas: Book one of the two-story lagoon villas for ultimate privacy and your own dipping pool.
- Moonlit Magic: Don’t miss a dinner cruise aboard Ixchel — the moonlight reflecting off the canals is unforgettable.
- Spa Must: Try the signature Mayakoba rituals at the Banyan Tree Spa, combining traditional Asian treatments with Riviera Maya ingredients.
- Reef Adventures: Snorkel or dive the second-largest barrier reef — each day can feel like a new discovery.
- Color Therapy: Schedule a spa soak in the Kao Kamasa pools — the temperature and lighting treatments are pure bliss.
- Oceanfront Dining: Sunset dinners on the beach make Mediterranean-inspired cuisine taste even better.
- Dive In: With over 365 dive sites nearby, every snorkel or dive trip feels like a new adventure.
- Pool-Hopping: Take advantage of multiple pools for different vibes — from tranquil to lively.
- Wellness First: Reserve spa treatments early to complement your oceanfront relaxation.
- Turtle Time: Swim with sea turtles — a magical experience that’s perfect for early mornings.
- Beachside Sips: Try a cocktail at Pimms while watching the sun rise over Maundays Bay.
- Spa Highlights: Cap Juluca Spa by Guerlain combines island traditions with luxury European rituals.
- Culinary Adventure: Don’t miss L’Oursin for French-Creole fusion with ocean views.
- Private Tastings: La Cave’s intimate wine experiences are perfect for special occasions.
- Sunset Moments: Champagne on your villa terrace as the sun dips below the horizon is non-negotiable.
- Invisible Key Access: Stay at any of the three luxury resorts to enjoy all facilities island-wide.
- Golf & Adventure: Tee off on Jim Fazio’s 18-hole course, then explore hiking trails or snorkeling spots.
- Turtle Encounters: Canouan means “island of turtles” — sightings are frequent and magical.
- Island Dining: From beachfront casual to gourmet ocean-view meals, make every meal a memorable one.
