Destinations
Eight Caribbean island alternatives to St Barths
Demand is up for the paradise islands - here's where to go for a blissful escape
The Caribbean is having a moment. Little Emperors data shows that searches for the region surged 68 per cent this year, compared to 2024, while the way we travel to the region is shifting, too. Travellers are planning their Caribbean holidays closer to their departure time - around 92 days before - with the median lead time falling by 22 days in 2025, compared with 2024. Meanwhile, seven days remains the most popular trip length, proving the sweet spot is a week.
It's the seasonal shift that has surprised us the most when it comes to Caribbean interest. March and April were the breakout months for searches to the islands in 2025, while the shoulder months of May and October also saw a significant rise, with triple-digit growth of 2,000 per cent and 1,300 per cent respectively. This signals extended seasonality and a broadening appetite beyond the traditional winter sun escape, and is further proof that off-season travel is one of the year’s defining trends.
While Caribbean beauty spot St Barths will always hold its place in the luxury travel hall of fame, the island's eye-watering price tags have prompted many to look elsewhere. The good news? The Caribbean is brimming with breathtaking islands and hotels to match - often at considerably more attractive rates. From Antigua's 365 beaches to the Grenadines' barefoot exclusivity, these are the destinations where luxury travellers are finding their bliss.
Antigua: for 365 beaches and year-round sunshine
Antigua's claim to 365 beaches - one for every day of the year - isn't just marketing speak. The island is known for its incredible coastline, from the dramatic cliffs of the east coast to the protected bays of the south. English Harbour represents the island's sailing heritage and colonial history, while the southern coast, away from the cruise port buzz of St John's, is the place for tranquillity that luxury travellers desire. Antigua also has reliable Caribbean sunshine with more beaches than virtually any other island.
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Carlisle Bay sits on Antigua's serene southern coast within a protected bay where the water is reliably calm. The 87 suites feel contemporary, with clean lines, neutral palettes and small luxury touches that make a difference. What sets Carlisle Bay apart is its approach to families. Rather than treating children as an afterthought, the resort has created one of the Caribbean's finest kids' clubs and family programmes, while ensuring couples and honeymooners still find their peace.
Dominican Republic: for merengue and world-class golf
The Dominican Republic pulses with an energy that's distinctly its own. This is where merengue was born, where bachata nights stretch until dawn and where Caribbean culture hasn't been diluted for tourists. Beyond the music and lively street life, the island is marvellously diverse: think cloud forests in the interior, whale-watching off the Samaná Peninsula and some of the Caribbean's finest golf courses. The eastern coast, particularly around Punta Cana and Cap Cana, has emerged as a luxury destination home to stunning beaches and championship golf.
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Eden Roc at Cap Cana brings a slice of the French and Italian Rivieras to the eastern Caribbean. It's the sort of place where architecture matters as much as the setting. Expect Spanish colonial lines softened by tropical landscaping, lagoon-style pools located between suites and only 65 rooms and suites for complete privacy. Each suite feels deliberately secluded, while the dining programme showcases some of the Dominican Republic’s finest produce.
Turks and Caicos: for the third-largest barrier reef in the world
Turks and Caicos is home to some of the Caribbean's most spectacular beaches - and for once, the superlatives are justified. Grace Bay regularly tops 'world's best beach' lists, but the archipelago of 40 islands offers far more than one famous stretch of sand. The water here is otherworldly - impossibly clear turquoise that gradients from pale jade to deep sapphire. The third-largest barrier reef system in the world is a playground for diving and snorkelling, while the islands themselves remain mostly underdeveloped. Unlike more built-up Caribbean destinations, Turks and Caicos has protected much of its natural environment, creating a heavenly place to escape.
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Reached by a 35-minute boat transfer from Providenciales, COMO Parrot Cay is a 1,000-acre private island, two-thirds of which remains untouched. This is barefoot luxury executed with COMO's signature restraint: white-washed interiors, teak detailing and a focus on wellness that feels authentic. The resort has beach houses and villas, many with plunge or infinity pools, scattered along a mile of pristine white sand. The COMO Shambhala sanctuary brings the brand's renowned wellness programme to the Caribbean, while complimentary water sports and a sense of complete seclusion make this the ultimate off-grid escape.
Jamaica: for genuine soul and timeless style
Jamaica's north coast, particularly around Montego Bay, has been hosting the international set since the 1950s. What was once the playground of John F. Kennedy and Paul McCartney retains that mid-century sophistication, now updated for contemporary travellers who appreciate heritage with their luxury. The private peninsulas and secluded coves offer exclusivity, while the island's rich culture - the music, the food, the energy - makes Jamaica like nowhere else. This is the Caribbean with soul and story, not just scenery.
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Round Hill Hotel and Villas, where JFK and Jackie Kennedy honeymooned, wears its heritage lightly. Set in Montego Bay, the property comprises 36 oceanfront rooms and 27 privately owned villas. The Ralph Lauren-designed interiors feel effortlessly stylish and the private beach remains one of Jamaica's finest. This is classic Caribbean luxury for those who prefer timeless to trendy. The spa is excellent, the water sports extensive and the staff - many of whom have worked here for decades - really care about your experience.
Canouan, St Vincent and the Grenadines: for barefoot exclusivity
Canouan remains wonderfully under the radar. This small island in the Grenadines captures what made St Barths special decades ago: exclusivity without pretension, pristine beaches without crowds and the sense of discovering somewhere before everyone else does. The Tobago Cays Marine Park lies just offshore, with some of the Caribbean's most spectacular snorkelling and sailing waters. Only reachable by small aircraft or boat (a 50-minute flight from Barbados), Canouan's inaccessibility is precisely its appeal. The island is home to championship golf within the Canouan Estate and attracts a discerning crowd who prefer their Caribbean unspoilt.
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Soho House's first Caribbean outpost sits on Grand Bay Beach with 40 bedrooms providing ocean views, alongside a restaurant, deli, boutique and fitness studio. This is Soho House's signature aesthetic - relaxed, members' club sophistication - transported to a Robinson Crusoe-like setting. Soho Beach House Canouan's vibe balances lo-fi beach days with the sort of soundtracked evenings the brand does so well. Non-members can book rooms, making this one of the more accessible ways to experience Canouan's particular brand of laid-back exclusivity.
Nevis: where plantation heritage meets empty beaches
While St Kitts draws the crowds, Nevis maintains its quiet appeal. This small volcanic island, separated from its neighbour by a two-mile channel, moves at a deliberately slower pace. Former sugar plantations dot the landscape, Mount Nevis provides a dramatic backdrop and Pinney's Beach on the western coast stretches for three miles with barely a footprint in sight. No cruise ships dock here, no casinos light up the coastline and overdevelopment remains mostly absent. Nevis attracts those who understand that real luxury is often about what you don't see.
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Spread across a former sugar plantation on Pinney's Beach, the Four Seasons Resort Nevis is home to 189 rooms and suites featuring traditional Nevisian-style architecture for authenticity. The atmosphere is laid-back and families appreciate the children's facilities and multiple pools. Couples gravitate to the spa and the championship Robert Trent Jones II golf course. The dining here showcases local produce and Caribbean flavours without the fusion confusion. Expect classic Four Seasons service in a setting that still feels thoroughly Caribbean.
St Lucia: for twin peaks and coastal diversity
St Lucia showcases the Caribbean with drama. The twin Pitons rise dramatically from the sea on the southwestern coast, rainforest cloaks the interior and the island has everything from black sand beaches near the volcano to powdery white crescents in the north. You can snorkel over vibrant reefs in the morning and soak in volcanic hot springs by afternoon. It's this variety - packed into just 238 square miles - that sets St Lucia apart. The island attracts those who want their beach time balanced with real adventure and landscapes that take your breath away.
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Perched on the island's northern tip, Cap Maison is a 49-suite boutique hotel on a clifftop overlooking the sea, with accommodation ranging from suites to multi-bedroom villas. The aesthetic is contemporary Caribbean: white walls, local art, private plunge pools and rooftop terraces designed for sundowners. The resort's Cliff at Cap restaurant is a destination in itself and the service feels personal. What is particularly clever is how Cap Maison has positioned itself as upscale enough for honeymooners and special occasions, but relaxed enough that you can wear flip-flops without feeling underdressed.
Barbados: for direct flights and dependable luxury
Barbados has been hosting royalty, celebrities and well-heeled travellers since the 1960s. What sets Barbados apart is its infrastructure and ease: direct flights from major cities, excellent roads, world-class dining beyond resort restaurants and an exciting cultural scene that exists independently of tourism. The beaches are magnificent, the sea reliably calm for swimming and the island offers consistent luxury year after year. For those who appreciate the Caribbean with polish, Barbados remains unmatched.
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Set in a former 1940s plantation house on the west coast, Cobblers Cove is a family-owned boutique hotel that combines English elegance with Caribbean warmth. Just 40 suites, each with a veranda overlooking either the ocean or tropical gardens, create an intimate atmosphere that larger resorts simply cannot replicate. The terrific Camelot Restaurant is a destination in itself, while the Sea Moon Spa, complimentary water sports and that pink speedboat (which guests adore) add personality without pretension. This is Barbados at its most charming.