1. Jamaica Inn
Welcoming guests to its private beach in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, since 1950, Jamaica Inn seeks to provide a home-away-from-home experience, and its guests believe it succeeds in doing so. Its air-conditioned suites, cottages, bungalows and villas – with wooden furnishings and white and yellow or blue decor that pay homage to the beach, sea and sky – all offer complimentary Wi-Fi access, minifridges and private balconies or verandas. Meander across the hotel’s manicured grounds for a meal and a Red Stripe beer at the open-air restaurant, or enjoy a massage and an iced lemongrass tea at the Ocean Spa. If the beach is more your scene, you’ll find free snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards and Sunfish sailboats there, along with daily complimentary fruit punch from 11 a.m. to noon. Overall, travelers rave about the property’s amenities and customer service; however, the boutique hotel’s laid-back atmosphere means vacationers seeking a thriving nightlife scene may want to stay elsewhere.
2. Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba
Resting on 14 sandy acres close to Aruba’s westernmost point, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort is a boutique, adults-only property that emphasizes environmental protection. Its 104 guest rooms, suites and penthouses offer intimacy and seclusion, along with private balconies or terraces, free Wi-Fi access and locally sourced Aruba Aloe bath products to use in solar-heated walk-in showers. Recent guests heap accolades on the guest rooms’ views of Eagle Beach and the romantic, kid-free environment. Yes, this hotel is a splurge, but many past visitors said it’s worth every penny. Sweethearts can dine in a private cabana on the beach (a favorite experience for many travelers) or at the poolside, oceanfront Elements restaurant. Though room rates do not cover lunches, dinners and drinks, a free breakfast buffet is available daily. Additional on-site amenities include a fitness center, a spa, an infinity pool and a gift shop.
