5. Ladera Resort
Prompting guests to appreciate their magnificent surroundings, the 37 suites at St. Lucia’s adults-only Ladera Resort all boast an open wall – like a patio, minus the door – facing the dramatic Pitons and the Caribbean Sea. (Though this absent fourth wall takes luxury to the next level, don’t be surprised if you wind up sharing your room with a harmless lizard or two.) Accommodations also feature private plunge pools (some with waterfalls and swings), plus free Wi-Fi access, minibars, pillow-top mattresses and kits with binoculars, star charts, slippers and eye masks. Because Ladera sits on a ridge at 1,100 feet, the resort isn’t located directly on a beach. However, Ladera does provide complimentary shuttle service to Sugar Beach on the western side of the island. Ladera also offers an abundance of fee-based activities, ranging from a bartending class to a guided Saturday market tour to a sailing and snorkeling daytrip to Marigot Bay.
6. Grace Bay Club
Grace Bay Club in eastern Providenciales on the Turks and Caicos Islands offers classic Caribbean vacation activities like snorkeling excursions, couples spa treatments and poolside drink service. Unlike some other luxury resorts, Grace Bay Club isn’t just for adults: Children of all ages can participate in swimming lessons, tubing or arts and crafts sessions with Grace Bay’s Kids Town program. Meanwhile, parents can get dressed up for an elegant dinner at the Infiniti Restaurant & Raw Bar or one of three other dining establishments. And after a day of underwater adventures or relaxation, you can retire to digs ranging from junior suites with bay views to four-bedroom beachfront residences with private pools. Each suite or villa contains at least one king-sized bed, plus an iPod docking station, free Wi-Fi access, an LCD TV and a kitchenette or kitchen. Guests say that a stay at Grace Bay Club can be pricey, especially because the resort tacks on a hefty $52 nightly resort fee plus a $104 nightly service charge. However, the boutique resort is part of The Leading Hotels of the World, meaning Leaders Club members have access to perks here.
