The Hottest New Caribbean Resort Openings to Watch This Season

October 7, 2025

The Caribbean continues to expand its luxury portfolio with an impressive lineup of brand-new properties that deserve a place on your radar. These four resorts are among the season’s most coveted debuts — each offering irresistible inspiration to start planning your next escape.

Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort and Spa, Dominican Republic

Since its August 2025 debut, this adults-only escape has been one of the Dominican Republic’s most buzzed-about openings. Its 500 rooms start at a generous 592 square feet, with the showstoppers being the beachfront suites, where your private terrace leads straight to the sand. Expansive infinity pools seem to spill into the Punta Cana coastline, while 11 distinct restaurants keep every craving satisfied. Add in a full-service spa and a serene, grown-ups-only vibe, and you’ve got a sophisticated sanctuary made for unwinding in style.

Playa Luxury Cayo Guillermo, Cuba

Since opening in February 2025, this property has made history as Cuba’s first resort featuring overwater villas. The adults-only sanctuary on Playa Pilar showcases 252 meticulously appointed rooms, including six overwater villas with private infinity pools suspended above crystal-clear waters. The 24-hour butler service and personalized concierge attention reflect a commitment to service excellence, while four restaurants and exclusive beach areas create an intimate luxury experience in Cuba. Managed by Gaviota, the resort marks an exciting new chapter in Cuban hospitality.

Princess Senses The Mangrove, Jamaica

This spectacular resort, which opened in September 2024, has quickly become a crown jewel of Jamaica’s luxury scene. Part of a larger complex with Princess Grand Jamaica next door, the resort encompasses 401 oceanview suites and 14 overwater villas with private infinity pools. The impressive 19,376-square-foot spa complex and six pools create an environment where wellness and indulgence converge beautifully. Guests enjoy access to 14 restaurants and 15 bars across both Princess Senses The Mangrove and the adjacent Princess Grand Jamaica, ensuring endless culinary options, while exclusive Platinum Club room categories elevate the experience through dedicated butler attention and VIP amenities and services.

Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Set to welcome its first guests by year’s end, this 500-room adults-only resort brings a refreshingly modern spin to Caribbean luxury. Embracing a “flexibility over formality” ethos, it caters to travellers who value authentic experiences and laid-back sophistication. Four pools — plus swim-out suites — pair with five specialty restaurants and a speakeasy-style jazz club, while activities like paddleboard yoga, kite-making workshops, and tours of the resort’s eco-garden blend indulgence with a genuine sense of place.

These standout openings reflect the Caribbean’s ongoing evolution as a premier luxury destination, each delivering fresh experiences, world-class dining, and exceptional amenities. With Sunwing Vacations, getting there is effortless thanks to all-inclusive packages from major Canadian gateways, complete with flights, transfers, and every detail handled for a seamless escape.

Colony Club Returns: A Fresh Chapter for a Barbados Classic

August 12, 2025

Along the platinum sands of Barbados’ celebrated west coast, one of the island’s most beloved resorts is preparing to welcome guests once more. On September 1, 2025, Colony Club — now part of Marriott Bonvoy’s The Luxury Collection — will reopen after a thoughtful renovation, blending its signature colonial charm with a modern sense of sophistication.

Long a favourite for travellers seeking understated elegance, the reimagined Colony Club offers an updated vision of Caribbean luxury. Guest rooms and suites have been redesigned with bespoke furnishings, ocean-hued palettes and a breezy, contemporary feel, while the resort’s tropical gardens, lagoon-style pools and beachfront setting remain as captivating as ever.

New culinary experiences celebrate the island’s vibrant flavours, with menus built around locally sourced ingredients and Caribbean traditions. A revitalised spa and wellness program brings beachfront yoga, holistic treatments and serene garden spaces for quiet reflection, while enhanced pool areas create an even more inviting backdrop for leisurely afternoons.

For those eager to explore beyond the resort, Colony Club offers easy access to Barbados’ most alluring experiences — from sailing and snorkelling in crystal-clear waters to curated cultural and epicurean excursions.

Whether returning or discovering it for the first time, guests will find the Colony Club more beautiful than ever — a place where timeless elegance meets the easy rhythm of island life. Reservations are now open for stays from September 1, 2025.

St. Kitts & Nevis introduces mandatory electronic travel authorization

May 16, 2025
The Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis has launched a new Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system, effective May 26, 2025.

This innovative digital system will modernize the way visitors enter our beautiful twin-island nation, ensuring a seamless, efficient, and secure travel experience.

Additionally, the eTA will help Saint Kitts and Nevis remain an open and welcoming destination while ensuring safer borders, reinforcing security for both citizens and visitors.

How to apply for an eTA

Every visitor must present an approved eTA before departing their country of origin and on arrival in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The mobile app, St. Kitts and Nevis e-Border, is the fastest and most convenient way to complete the eTA. It can be downloaded on Android and iOS devices from May 26, 2025.

If you cannot use the app, you can complete your eTA at www.knatravelform.kn. The eTA can be completed within five minutes and will streamline processes on arrival, delivering an unparalleled visitor experience.

The process involves:

  • Filling out a secure online application
  • Providing basic travel details and required documentation
  • Receiving approval electronically before travel

The system is available in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility for visitors worldwide.

The eTA application can be submitted up to 90 days before travel. When applying, travellers will be subject to a discounted US $8.50 service charge until Sept. 1, 2025, when the standard service charge of US $17 will take effect. The eTA will be valid for 90 days or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner.

Visitors who use the mobile app to apply will qualify for Fast-Track Arrival, using a non-stop Facial Biometric Corridor (available from June 2, 2025).

Discover the spirit of Antigua on a luxury catamaran

May 5, 2025

For travellers craving immersive and adventurous exploration on their next beach vacation, TradeWinds’ curated sailing itineraries in Antigua offer a novel way to access the island’s beauty.

Rather than being limited to a single location, guests aboard a TradeWinds luxury catamaran experience Antigua from the sea, visiting the sandy beaches of the west side, shallow reefs teeming with sea life on the north, and deep blue waters ideal for fishing along the south and east coasts—all without the hassle of unpacking or planning logistics.

Each day aboard a TradeWinds yacht brings a new anchorage, complemented by excursions on land and below the surface: guided hikes to panoramic viewpoints like Shirley Heights for an epic Caribbean sunset, snorkeling and diving over vibrant reefs, behind-the-scenes tastings at a local gin distillery, and a stroll through historic Nelson’s Dockyard. Guests return to a floating base outfitted for comfort—well-appointed private cabins with en suite baths, chef-prepared meals, and the easy rhythm of a small group led by an experienced crew.

What it's like on board

You wake to coffee and a spread of fresh fruit and baked goods on the aft deck, the water calm around you as the crew preps for departure.

As the sails go up, you relax on the comfy lounges on the foredeck, watching the coastline recede. A bit later, the anchor drops in Deep Bay where you slip on a mask and fins and swim out to explore the wreck of the Andes, a 120-year-old steamer that caught fire here en route to Peru. Back onboard, lunch is served—grilled fish, bright salads, cold rosé.

The afternoon unfolds slowly: a leisurely walk along the beach, a try at paddleboarding in the shallows, maybe a nap in the shade. As the sun drops lower, you hike up to Fort Barrington. From the top, the view opens wide—Antigua, Redonda, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis in the distance. You head back just in time for dinner and drinks under the stars.

An effortless way to travel

With room for just 10 guests across five cabins, TradeWinds yachts offer a rare blend of privacy and camaraderie. Cabins feature queen beds and en-suite baths. The flybridge and aft cockpit feature plenty of space to hang, while the aft platform is ideal for lounging or plunging into the sea.

Your luxurious floating home moves with you, bringing you to lesser-known beaches and bays with minimal footprint and maximum ease.

Travellers conscious of their eco footprint will want to book their Antigua sailing adventure aboard Ohana, one of four electric-powered yachts in TradeWinds’ fleet. Across all TradeWinds vessels, crews use non-toxic cleaning supplies and avoid single use plastics. Locally sourced, low-impact menus are part of a broader commitment to sustainability and community support.

A TradeWinds’ seven-night sailings in Antigua start from $7,700 per cabin. This rate includes meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage, and daily excursions. TradeWinds fleet of more than 40 catamaran yachts operation in the Caribbean, Europe, the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.  Learn more about TradeWinds Experience at www.trade-winds.com. 

The House reopens as an Autograph Collection all-inclusive resort in Barbados

March 28, 2025
he House, Barbados, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort – Adults Only, one of the most beloved properties in Barbados, is thrilled to announce its grand reopening as part of Autograph Collection, a distinguished brand within Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 hotel brands. This elevated, adults-only, all-inclusive resort has undergone an extensive transformation to improve its facilities and guest experience, officially welcoming guests starting April 3, 2025.
 
Nestled on the pristine white sands of Barbados’ renowned Platinum West Coast and just 15 miles from the Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI), The House offers an oasis of tranquility and boutique-oriented comfort. The resort features 39 upscale rooms and suites with stunning ocean and lush garden views, creating a haven for relaxation and leisure beach time.

Personalize ambassador service

Guests at The House can indulge in a variety of amenities and experiences, including a personalized Ambassador Service, a complimentary Jet Lag Massage on stays longer than 4 nights, on property All-Inclusive Dining and extended to the other sister properties (Waves Resort & Spa and Treasure Beach Art Hotel) as part of the Dine Around Program offering 4 restaurants, 5 bars, and 1 coffee shop to enjoy within the three current open properties. Guests can also enjoy the resort’s exceptional daily Champagne Breakfast and delight in curated Afternoon Tea with canapés and macaroons.
 
The resort offers complimentary activities onsite such as motorized and non-motorized water sports satisfying guests’ need for adventure with snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, waterskiing, banana boating, and tubing.
 
The reopening of The House marks a new chapter for the resort under the Marriott International wing, combining the charm of its redesign with the sophistication and service excellence of the Autograph Collection. Guests can expect a seamless blend of elevation, comfort, and personalized service that defines the Autograph Collection all-inclusive properties.

Experience luxury in Barbados

The House is the third property in Barbados to reopen as part of the Autograph Collection, following the successful reopening of Waves Resort & Spa and Treasure Beach Art Hotel. Later this year other resorts on the island like Tamarind and Colony Club will follow converting to Autograph Collection and The Luxury Collection brands respectively when their renovations are concluded.
 
As part of the Autograph Collection, The House proudly participates in Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program, which allows members to earn and redeem points for their stay at this hotel and other properties and resorts in the portfolio. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members can enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.
 
For more information or to make a reservation, please visit The House, Barbados, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort – Adults Only website.

St. Kitts Ritz-Carlton will break ground in 2025

December 27, 2024
The St. Kitts Ritz-Carlton Resort Hotel and Residences is set to break ground in 2025.
 
This monumental development marks a new chapter for the island’s hospitality and real estate offerings, positioning St. Kitts as a premier luxury destination in the Caribbean.
 
Situated on the picturesque Southeast Peninsula, The St. Kitts Ritz-Carlton Resort Hotel and Residences will feature 125 guest suites, 10 branded villas, and 15 branded condominium residences. Amenities will include a luxury spa, multiple swimming pools, exceptional dining options, The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club, the Ritz Kids Club, and many other amenities designed within a ‘Kittitian Village’ concept.
 
This innovative layout blends modern luxury with the island’s natural beauty, creating an unforgettable experience for travellers.

 

Exploring St. Kitts

St. Kitts has something for every traveller, whether it’s hiking through lush rainforests, delving into history at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, or soaking up the sun.

Visitors can enjoy scenic catamaran cruises, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, or unwind by the sea. Adventure enthusiasts can get their adrenaline fix with zip-lining or ATV excursions, while food lovers can savor delicious Caribbean cuisine and immerse themselves in the island’s vibrant cultural experiences.

Construction on the property is anticipated to begin by the third quarter of 2025. The St. Kitts Ritz-Carlton Resort Hotel is expected to open in the second quarter of 2028.

Reaching St. Kitts is simple and convenient, with seasonal, non-stop flights with Air Canada and US airline connections through major gateways.

Visitors are reminded to regularly check the St. Kitts Tourism Authority website ( www.visitstkitts.com ) for updates and information.

Dart adds luxurious Zemi Beach House in Anguilla to hotel portfolio

December 16, 2024

Dart has added the Zemi Beach House Anguilla to its hotel portfolio. Dart acquired the property from the Goldstein family of New York which developed and has operated the resort since its 2016 opening.

Located on six-acres along the serene shores of Shoal Bay on Anguilla’s north coast, Zemi Beach House is known as an intimate boutique hideaway with 77 rooms and expansive amenities.

Dart’s growing hospitality portfolio centres on luxury resorts including the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Awarded Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman as well as Conrad Orlando at Evermore, an 1,100-acre resort community developed by Dart Interests and opened in 2023.

About Zemi Beach House

Part of LXR Hotels & Resorts, Hilton’s luxury collection brand, Zemi Beach House is located on six acres along Anguilla’s serene Shoal Bay East.

The 77-room enclave offers a range of accommodations from superior and premium guest rooms to two- and three-bedroom penthouse suites and beachfront suites. Designed by internationally renowned Caribbean architect Lane Pettigrew, the property’s architecture pulls inspiration from Anguilla’s natural environment and blends modern, clean lines with classic Caribbean building details.

The intimate boutique indulges guests with expansive amenities including two restaurants, three lounges, three pools, more than a mile of sandy beach and a 15,000 square foot spa set in an authentic 300-year-old Thai house.

For more information, visit zemibeach.com.

10 indulgent ways to see, taste and explore Antigua and Barbuda

October 28, 2024

Antigua, the most populated island of the country Antigua and Barbuda, is beautifully located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The country boasts of 365 beaches making it oh-so-easy to snorkel, sail and while away the hours. Plus, you can learn about the historic sugar plantations, dance to steel drum bands and indulge with refreshing rum punch. 

Restaurant Week

This year, everything from the island’s famous goat water (aka soup) to handmade coconut ice cream was available at the historic Dow’s Hill launch event, overlooking the picturesque English Harbour.

Celebrity chefs, including Angel Barreto, Digby Stridiron and Shorne Benjamin did mouth-watering demos. And more than 60 restaurants featured prix-fixe menus. Get a taste of the action at next year’s Restaurant Week, running May 4 – 18, 2025.

Betty's Hope

Take a look at Antigua’s past by visiting one of the country’s original sugar plantations, which was founded around 1650. Betty’s Hope was one of about 190 plantations on the island that relied on slave labour to produce the sweetener.

Even after emancipation in 1834, many labourers continued to work there for low pay.

Cheers to Carnival

Known locally as a marker of summer, from the last week of July to the first Tuesday of August, Antigua is taken over by the sound of steel drums and colourful costumes.

Carnival is an historic celebration that dates back to Aug 1, 1834 when slavery was abolished on the island. The vibrant event showcases the island’s rich cultural heritage through lively parades, music and dance, attracting visitors from around the world.

Humble and Free Wadali

Get a different perspective on Antigua by visiting this Rasta development, which has wonderful views of the countryside.

The community promotes farm-to-table dining, as well as eco tours, and grows melons, pumpkins and beets alongside cannabis. You can listen to drumming, taste their cooking and learn about one of the first estates where Antigua’s slaves were emancipated.

Get cooking

Learn how to master Caribbean flavours with Chef Nicole Arthurton Dennis.

Her small group classes take place in her beautiful home, overlooking the capital of St. John’s and the harbour. Think plantain chips with salsa, jerk chicken, banana fritters, red beans and rice, garden salad and coconut custard tart.

Swim with stingrays

Stingray City offers you a chance to snorkel with rays in the open sea.

If you’re brave, the tour operator’s experts will show you how to gently hold one and feed it squid. The clear, cerulean water is breathtaking, plus, you’ll see lots of tropical fish.

Rise and dine

IIf you want to catch the action at the Saturday market in St. John’s, aim to get there around 6 a.m.

That’s when you’ll find the freshest fish, an abundance of fruit and vegetables – think dasheen tubers, breadfruit and mangoes – and even some arts and crafts to boot. A pared down version of the market is also held on weekdays.

Try the rum punch

A favourite spirit on the island, rum has been made in Antigua since the 17th century. And thanks to the abundance of fresh fruit there are lots of yummy punch drinks to keep you cool.

Drop by Ana’s on the Beach, Darkwood Beach Bar or Pillars Restaurant to quench your thirst. And if you want to learn more, you can try a tasting at Antigua Rum Experience.

Enjoy sweet treats

The island has a history of growing cocoa and it’s still a major export. You can treat your taste buds to artisanal, organic chocolates at the House of Chocolate. Dig a little deeper and learn about the role slaved labour played in making the area a major producer.

BBQ and boogie

Sunday nights from 4 to 10 p.m. are a bit of an island tradition at Shirley’s Heights. The restored military lookout and gun battery offers revellers an amazing view of English Harbour, tasty food and steel drum bands to keep you dancing.

For more information, or to plan your own adventure, go to visitantiguabarbuda.com.

Explora Journeys offers a series of tropical Caribbean escapes

August 7, 2024

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group unveils a series of exclusive Caribbean destination experiences.

Guests can discover these meticulously crafted experiences during their Caribbean journeys, blending celebrated destinations with off-the-beaten-path ports.

With EXPLORA II arriving in the Caribbean in November 2024 and EXPLORA I in December 2024, guests will have unparalleled opportunities to immerse themselves in the Caribbean’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures, all while indulging in exceptional luxury.

EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II will visit a varied array of destinations in the Caribbean until March 2025.

These include Gustavia in St. Barts, Oranjestad in Aruba, and St. John’s in Antigua. Itineraries also feature ports such as Belize City, Bequia in the Grenadines, and Cozumel and Progreso in Mexico. Each destination is selected to provide a unique and enriching exploration experience.

Willemstad, Curaçao 

Guests can snorkel on the vivid reefs of Director’s Bay, encountering abundant marine life. They will learn from a marine biologist about his foundation’s work to restore endangered coral reefs. The journey continues aboard the Pura Vida yacht to discover Curaçao’s rich natural environment and includes a visit to a tranquil mangrove reservoir, accessible only by boat, for hiking, swimming, and immersion in nature.

 

Saint-Pierre, Martinique, Lesser Antilles, French West Indies

In a small group, guests will discover Martinican rum culture at Rhum Clément, the birthplace of ‘rhum agricole.’ This includes a guided exploration of the large estate and its lush gardens, a tour of three rum cellars, and tastings of barrel-aged rum paired with delicious chef-crafted foods.

 

Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy

Guests can spend the day at the five-star Rosewood Le Guanahani resort, savouring a three-course meal on a golden sandy beach. This experience includes lounging in luxury and snorkelling in the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea, providing the ultimate in beachside relaxation and culinary delight.

Progreso (Merida), Mexico

Guests will explore the ancient Mayan city of Uxmal, known for its stunning Puuc-style architecture and celestial alignments. They will see the Pyramid of the Soothsayer and the Palace of the Governor, enjoy an exclusive lunch of regional specialties in the open air of the former hacienda church, and partake in an authentic Mayan purification ceremony within the natural beauty of Xocnaceh.

Cozumel, Mexico

Highlights of this experience include a scenic 45-minute flight over the Caribbean Sea and Yucatán Jungle, landing minutes from the ruins. Arriving before the daily influx of visitors allows for a more intimate and immersive experience. A knowledgeable guide will lead guests through the history and architecture of this ancient city.

 

Guests can book these exclusive destination experiences via the Explora Experience Centre, their preferred travel advisor, or directly on the Explora Journeys website.

Beyond the Blue Hole: Exploring Ambergris Caye, Belize

July 3, 2024

Forget what you saw in Steven Spielberg’s cult thriller Jaws. Just because you’re going to a place with a daunting name like Shark Ray Alley doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get into the water upon arrival. Even though there will be sharks…lots of sharks. 

After an unforgettable time spotting stingrays, turtles and all kinds of tropical fish while snorkelling along a reef off the coast of Ambergris Caye, we arrived at our next destination — Shark Ray Alley — classified as Zone D of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. “You can go in if you dare,” my guide from Xsite Belize Sailing & Adventures said with a mischievous smile, gearing up to follow me in. 

“Aren’t these nurse sharks?” I asked. “I heard they’re docile creatures,” I stated confidently — more so to reassure myself. From the surface I could only see a few nurse sharks circling around the catamaran but after jumping into the water everything truly came to life.

Through my goggles, I could see dozens of nurse sharks and hundreds of fish swimming around me.

“It’s very safe. The crew guides you while you are here. We do it every day,” reassured Tammy Lemus, the owner of Xsite Belize Sailing & Adventures. They may be dubbed harmless, but as I made eye contact with several of these creatures that average 7.5-9 ft. in length up close, I still felt a bit of a lump forming in my throat. 

“Shark Ray Alley, part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, became famous in the 1990s. Historically, this 1,280-acre protected region is where local fishermen cleaned their catches, attracting a variety of marine life, particularly nurse sharks and southern stingrays,” said Anthony Mahler, Belize’s minister of tourism and diaspora relations. “Over time, these animals grew accustomed to the presence of humans and began to frequent the area, creating a unique opportunity for close encounters.”

Hanging around Ambergris Caye

While Ambergris Caye is often thought of as an ideal spot for day trips to the Blue Hole, there’s so much more to see and experience on this laidback island. Here, part of the charm is getting around in a golf cart, the primary mode of transportation.

The destination offers the perfect mix of a relaxed beach getaway with nightlife and delicious dining.

To get a taste of some of the best dishes in San Pedro Town, embark on a walking foodie tour with Belize Food Tours. Take the tour early on in your visit so you gain a list of delicious places you can come back to during your stay.

The stops are very diverse from Elvi’s Kitchen, a popular tourist spot named after Elvi Staines, which has flourished from humble beginnings as a take-out stand for burgers in 1974, to off-the-beaten path places serving up delicious fresh ceviche and Pupuseria Salvadoreno, an authentic spot for Salvadorian pupusas.

Two ways to stay

GRAND CARIBE BELIZE

As you pull into the hotel area, a road sign reads Welcome to Caribeville, Population: happy. This sets the tone for Grand Caribe Belize, a beachfront property with six pools and a swim up bar offering luxury, condo-style accommodations.

As suites come complete with kitchens, this is a great option for long stays. The hotel is within walking distance to the Truck Stop, an outdoor eatery with food trucks and a great vibe. A tasty onsite option is the rooftop Rain restaurant. For breakfast, we recommend trying the Belizean specialty known as fry jacks as a side.

ALAIA BELIZE

For the ultimate in luxury, Alaia Belize is the first true four-diamond resort on the island. The boutique resort opened in 2021 and spans over 20 acres with 155 luxurious guest rooms and suites, including two and three-bedroom villas.

For those who like to dive, Alaia Belize allows guests to receive a PADI certification onsite. The resort boasts the country’s first-ever suspended rooftop pool and lounge. The property is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.

This story first appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of OFFSHORE. To subscribe to the print magazine, click here.