Sundown brings romance, intimate settings and quiet moments at these charming resorts
After a full day of sand and sun, there’s nothing like cooling off and chilling out with cocktail in hand while watching a colorful Caribbean sunset. As the light fades and evening breezes arrive, you can stroll the beaches, where gentle waves lap the sand. Then, after stretching your legs and refreshing that drink, you can settle in to the perfect spot around the pool or up on your private terrace to watch nature’s light show unfold in the western sky. Here are four of our absolute favorite spots to enjoy the Caribbean at sundown.
Trident Hotel, Jamaica
The Trident Hotel sits on the northeast corner of Jamaica, just 7 miles from the sleepy and balmy town of Port Antonio. The area is still off the beaten path, even for Jamaica. Here, nature takes center stage with jungle-like foliage edging the beaches and immersing Trident in a green canopy of privacy.
Each seaside villa at Jamaica’s Trident Hotel includes a private pool and an open-air terrace that provides big views of sea and sky. Photo: Trident Hotel
Port Antonia was once the stomping ground of society figures and movie stars like Errol Flynn. The resort acknowledges this history at Mike’s Super Club, which is a cabaret lounge giving a nod to the calypso bop era of the 1950’s Caribbean. Today, the exclusive yet laid-back vibe of the hotel shines through in the chic decor, which includes serendipitous accents like the ceramic sheep by the pool. The property is small, with just 13 villas ranging from studio to two-bedroom, all with private pools, outdoor baths and private terraces ideal for sharing a crimson sunset with your companion.
Carlisle Bay, Antigua
Afternoon tea signals the beginning of day’s end at Carlisle Bay. While many guests are still relaxing in chaises lining the beach, others take tea on their private balcony or by the pool. Quiet settles in as children take naps, boats are anchored and kayaks pulled shore. This is a favorite time for an early evening stroll on the crescent of beach, and for choosing a venue to enjoy the sunset to come.
The pier at Antigua’s Carlisle Bay resort is often the site of sunset yoga sessions, and later in the evening provides a romantic setting for candlelight dinners. Photo: Debbie Snow
As refreshing evening breezes come off the bay, the resort’s pier transforms into a yoga platform for a sunset session. Later, it will be framed in candlelight for romantic dinners. Ashore, the bar at waterfront Indigo Restaurant is a favorite, as is the beachside Coconut Palms, where you can keep your toes in the sand. Or, should you be seeking a more private viewing, each of the resort’s 82 suites provides private ocean-facing terraces or patios, where the warm wood tones of walls and shutters are lit by the last rays of the setting sun.
Boucan by Hotel Chocolat, St. Lucia
Nature lovers consider the Boucan to be a little slice of heaven on earth. The boutique resort sits in the midst of the St. Lucia rainforest, on the island’s oldest cocoa plantation, the 140-acre Rabot Estate. The property’s 14 rooms are decorated in a blend of West Indian charm and contemporary chic.
Nature takes center stage at St. Lucia’s Boucan resort, where the setting sun signals the start of nature’s nightly symphony of bird calls, chirping crickets and singing frogs. Photo: Boucan
After a day of hiking or taking in a chocolate-making tour, you’ll want to head down to the 50-foot long infinity pool for sunset. Lined with black quartz, the pool mirrors the rainforest ambience, and images of the Pitons engulf as you float in the cool waters, with cocktail by your side. As the sun sets behind the craggy edges of the majestic Pitons, the evening rings in a cacophony of sounds. Birds, frogs and crickets transport you into the cool mountain air of night.
Half Moon, Jamaica
The perfect half-moon crescent of aptly named Sunset Beach serves up some of the most spectacular sunsets in Jamaica, and guests at the Half Moon resort have a front row seat for the nightly show. The Half Moon traces its roots to 1954, when several families built winter cottages for family and friends to enjoy. Today, the founding families still visit and the resort has become a home away for the Royal family as well as luminaries like Paul Newman and Jackie Kennedy.
A solitary oceanside palapa at Jamaica’s Half Moon resort provides a tranquil and private setting to enjoy sunset views to the accompaniment of gently lapping waves. Photo: Debbie Snow
Over the years, the enclave grew into a 400-acre, self-contained village that includes a collection of cottages, villas and hotel suites, along with an 18-hole golf course, equestrian center, tennis courts, two miles of private beach, a nature preserve and several restaurants that serve up sunset views. The Seagrape Terrace is a favorite, but guests can also opt to stroll the shores and settle into a beachside chaise or palapa to watch the sky transition from pink to orange, red and ultimately a rich violet that signals the arrival of the night.
