Five of the hottest new hotels that made their debut on Caribbean shores in 2017
Vacationers are flocking to the Caribbean like never before, and today’s savvy travelers are looking for more in their resort choices. To meet this demand, a number of new, premium properties opened their doors in 2017, and are now welcoming guests and providing a stellar collection of vacation experiences.
Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour
On the southeast peninsular of the island of St. Kitts is the recently developed community of Christophe Harbour, which includes a marina, shops, restaurants and now, its premier hotel. November 2017 saw the opening of the Park Hyatt St. Kitts resort. It is the brand’s first property to come to the Caribbean, offering 78 rooms and 48 suites all overlooking the golden sands and cerulean sea. The hotel is built from local materials, and uses water features and traditional island architecture to create an experience that pairs Old Caribbean style with modern day conveniences. With a setting along Banana Bay beach and the green hillside of St. Kitts as a backdrop the spot is brilliant for a subdued and elegant getaway. Amenities include a spa, wellness sanctuary, two pools—one for adults and one for families—and three restaurants offering local and international fare. Indoor and outdoor spaces and entryways are designed to evoke an oasis of calmness, and a blending with the natural environments. Unique to the Caribbean is a destination spa, the first Miraval Life in Balance Spa, with roots from Tucson’ s Miraval Spa.
Floor to ceiling views of the beach and the waters of Banana Bay come standard with a suite at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts. Photo: Michael Stavaridis/Park Hyatt St. Kitts
Manoah Boutique Hotel, Anguilla
Anguilla’s Shoal Bay is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. And with the opening of the Manoah Boutique Hotel just over a year ago, this scenic swath of sand is now also home to one of the Caribbean’s most gorgeous new hotels. The property includes just 25 lavishly appointed ocean- view rooms and two-bedroom suites, along with a stunning three- bedroom penthouse. Interior decors feature classic Caribbean furnishings and pastel tropical colors inspired by the island’s natural surroundings. Oversized paintings and Venetian Murano mirrors hang on the walls, baths include freestanding soaking tubs, and private terraces take in the never-ending views of turquoise sea. On site is an Olympic-sized pool, and the Ocean Beach Club sits between pool and ocean. The Club offers fine dining on a terrace or directly on the sand, along with two beach bars, which are a favorite spot to take in sunsets with a tropical cocktail in hand.
The facade of the Manoah Boutique Hotel is a study in white, with turquoise accents. These colors mirror the sands of Shoal Bay Beach and the waters of the bay. Photo: Manoah Boutique Hotel
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Bahamas
In the summer of 2017, this luxury resort became the first of three new hotels to open in the long awaited Baha Mar project. Located on New Providence Island’s Cable Beach, some two miles west of the capital city of Nassau, the Grand Hyatt incorporates 1,800 rooms and suites set in two distinct 20-story towers. Rooms are in a violet, blue and white color scheme, and guests can indulge in marble baths, some open to ocean views from the oversized tub. With a full range of amenities on site and a stretch of beach right out front, guests never need roam far. There are five separate pool areas with falls and water features, private cabanas, a beach sanctuary, children’s nature preserve and a water sports center. Also, as part of the Baha Mar complex, the Hyatt provides guest access to an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, a 100,000-square-foot casino and a 24-treatment room Espa spa.
Features such as sculpted rock grottos and waterfalls add an extra element of style to a pool at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. Photo: Tadeu Brunelli/Grand Hyatt
SLS Baha Mar, Bahamas
The newest addition to New Providence’s Baha Mar scene is the SLS, which brings the trendy chic look that the brand is known for in its South Beach and Beverly Hills properties. At SLS Baha Mar, the Philippe Starck style is blended with Bahamian themes to reflect the island lifestyle. These touches include custom painted tapestries of Bahamian scenes, which add to the brand’s signature whites, grays and light blues, resulting in an atmosphere of sophisticated tropical relaxation. SLS is a mid-sized resort, with 299 rooms and suites, and a complement of bars, restaurants and entertainment outlets continue to be added. The signature lobby bar of the SLS hotels, the Monkey Bar, is now open as well as the Bungalow Pool Bar & Grill. Nassau’s only roof top bar will open in early 2018. There are three chef-driven restaurants offering Japanese to Italian cuisine. Master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi showcases unique rolls and platters of sushi and sashimi. Cleo, features Mediterranean fare by chef Danny Elmaleh and soon to open is an outlet by Miami’s Michael Schwartz, Fi’lia, an Italian, which will provide a journey of cuisines with handmade artisanal breads and pasta.
The pool deck at the SLS Baha Mar follows the style of the brand’s South Beach property, and adds subtle but distinctive elements of Bahamian style. Photo: SLS Baha Mar
Sailrock Resort, South Caicos
The islands of Turks & Caicos are blessed with powder soft sands and the third largest coral reef in the world. The Sailrock Resort came onto this scene in early 2017, with a prime location on one of the unspoiled gems of this island chain. On the small and relatively undeveloped island of South Caicos, Sailrock sits on 770 beachfront acres, overlooking crystal clear waters teeming with turtles, dolphins and rays. Guests come to conch dive, fish, whale watch, kite board or stroll the nature trail and bird watch. Some come specifically to spend time beneath the water and explore the extensive coral gardens. The hotel blends into the beach environment with Caribbean influenced architecture and glass walls offering sweeping views of the sea. The indoor and outdoor living spaces of the suites and villas have many offerings, some including kitchens, spa style bathrooms, private pools and pergola covered patios.
Pool villas at the Sailrock Resort sit on a low bluff overlooking the beach and the coral reefs that lie just off the shores of South Caicos Island. Photo: Gary James/Sailrock Resort
