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Guests arrive at Ambergris Cay, a private-island luxury resort and homeownership community, on a small plane at the resort’s international airport, after transferring on the mainland. The journey begins before arriving, as the view from above is nothing short of spectacular. The majority of the 1,100 acres of the island is untouched, allowing guests to enjoy a rare glimpse of nature in its most natural setting. All bungalows and villas have private pools, and while some offer beachfront access, others have breathtaking views of the turquoise blue waters from an elevated setting.

The island offers several dining and drinking experiences from the romantic setting under string lights at Calico restaurant and bar, to the laidback Club House restaurant with a pizza oven surrounded by indoor and outdoor games, to taking a short boat ride to the Hangover Bar anchored in the middle of the sea, to private dining on a floating dock. Resort guests have access to daily fitness classes at the gym with a rooftop yoga deck that offers mesmerizing sunset views, tennis and pickleball lessons, spa offerings, and various water activities and excursions. Priding itself on sustainability, the island is home to a solar farm and a bottling plant that supplies the glass water bottles in the restaurants and accommodations.

Discreetly located on the southwestern part of the island of Aruba, in the town of Savaneta, lies Aruba Ocean Villas, a collection of remarkable thatched-roof overwater villas. Walk through the lush gardens, past the colorful communal pool that wraps around the property, until you reach a sandy beach, and you’ll be met by the crystal-blue waters of the Caribbean, as well as a few friendly resident dogs.

The family-owned haven believes in a harmonious union with the environment, one that encourages open-air living—think outdoor bathtubs and even outdoor beds—while incorporating materials from the environment. Some villas have bathtubs made of natural wood, while others have real marble tubs. Some tables are propped up by real tree trunks, and many sinks were shaped from natural stones. Most of the decor and natural materials were brought from Brazil, Indonesia, and Suriname and handpicked by the owner.

The staff is incredibly friendly and personable, and the service impeccable. Enjoy a leisurely dinner at the resort’s on-site restaurant, The Old Man and The Sea, located on the small sandy beachfront with live music nights, or at Olmos, the chef’s table restaurant.

A member of the exclusive Belmond, which is part of the leading luxury group, LVMH, Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla, is simply Caribbean barefoot luxury at its best.

The lobby is the gathering space where you feel the soul and pulse of the hotel and disconnect to reconnect. Here you can enjoy the daily Champagne sabering ritual and celebrations before indulging in an authentic Italian dinner at Cip’s by Cipriani or elevated Caribbean classics at Pimms—seafood, such as lobsters, mahi and tuna, sourced from local fishermen, are an ode to Anguilla’s heritage, and the water-edge tables are the best spot in the house.

Cap Juluca’s purposeful design ensures you can view the endless blue sea from anywhere on the property, creating an enduring sense of place. Every detail for a seamless stay has been considered. This includes a pre-arranged itinerary, dedicated villa host service, golf cart access, and reserved beach lounge chaises/umbrellas. The 113 spacious rooms and suites—beachfront with a private terrace—evoke serenity and Caribbean comfort. Rejuvenating spa treatments incorporate elements of water, salt, and botanicals. Between treatments, take a refreshing dip in the multi-temperate plunge pools or the rooftop infinity pool.

Nestled in the heart of Vieques, Puerto Rico, Finca Victoria is a one-of-a-kind Ayurvedic boutique hotel and panchakarma retreat center, seamlessly blending wellness with nature, lulling guests to sleep with the calls of coquí frogs. Finca Victoria aims to “create transformational healing for people who want to step in deeper into nourishment, yoga practice, and detox,” through its Ayurvedic—traditional medicine native to India— amenities and spa. Its key feature? Slow mornings begin with a complimentary yoga session in a serene space designed for holistic wellness and guest interaction, followed by a complimentary vegan breakfast.

Each of the 14 units features a fully equipped kitchen, inviting guests (especially those staying for extended periods or remote workers) to create their own wellness meals. The units also feature private decks, terraces, or balconies, and an outdoor shower. You could easily spend a whole week recharging by the pool, but if you prefer exploring, the island’s main towns, Esperanza and Isabel Segunda, are about 15 minutes by car, and nearby beaches Sun Bay, Media Luna, and Mosquito Bay, are about the same distance.

Palm Heights brings back the glamour of a 1970s Caribbean beach estate through a modern lens, blending mid-century design with a laid-back tropical aesthetic on the Grand Cayman’s famed Seven Mile Beach. Each of the 50 suites, all with ocean views, feature marble bathrooms, postmodern furniture in warm ochre and tan tones, and leafy palms that bring the outdoors inside. Entry-level one-bedroom ocean view suites include fully stocked detox bars and Juliette balconies, while the three-bedroom beachfront penthouse has an impressive terrace.

Wellness is at the core of the estate. The 60,000-square-foot Garden Club Spa unfolds like a labyrinthine garden; an outdoor hammam, infrared sauna, and hot and cold plunge pools, are framed by travertine stone and lush greenery. Palm Heights Athletics, the hotel’s well-appointed gym, is stacked with a sprint track, boxing ring, Pilates, and yoga spaces.

Dining ranges from Caribbean-inspired plates at Tillies to pizzas in a garden setting, or cocktails and sushi hosted at the Coconut Club beach bar. With two pools, a private beach club, and tons of water sports, Palm Heights anchors barefoot luxury in the Cayman Islands — elevated by staff whose personalized and genuine hospitality makes every guest feel like a VIP.

Secret Bay enchants from the moment you take the resort’s funicular 400 feet up to the clifftop villas perched between the rainforest and the sea. Set in the stunning northwest corner of Dominica, the resort’s 22 luxury accommodations, constructed from sustainably sourced hardwoods, wow with their indoor-outdoor aesthetic, featuring wraparound terraces, outdoor showers, private pools, and panoramic views. After your private villa host whips up breakfast to order, you may be tempted to just chill in your hammock, but then you’d miss out on the fabulous experiences that await you–including, yes, a secret beach, accessible by a short kayak, paddleboard, or swim, and the easier-to-reach but no less gorgeous Tibay Beach.

Other can’t-miss experiences include dining at rooftop Bwa Denn, with a three-times-a-week “no menu” tasting based on the freshest ingredients that day, and Botanica, an intimate chef’s table nestled next to the Cario River. Once you cap off your day with a massage in the treetop Gommier Spa, followed by sunset yoga in the pavilion suspended over the river and a craft cocktail nightcap at the pool bar surrounded by jungle, you’ll surely agree that this is one secret too good to keep to yourself.