Prime properties that sit front and center on some of the best beaches in the world
A highlight of any beach vacation should be… the beach. That’s certainly the case for the latest round of luxury resorts to open in the Caribbean. These five featured properties place guests in the heart of the best beaches in the Caribbean. They also provide luxurious rooms and suites, grand lobbies, a variety of culinary experiences and a selection of water and beach activities—all delivered with over the top service.
The Reef by CuisinArt, Anguilla
Following in the tradition of the flagship CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, The Reef commands a prime stretch of waterfront on an island known for its beaches. This brand-new, all-suite property overlooks Merrywing Bay, a quarter mile to the west of the original CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, and next door to the iconic Bankie Banx’s Dune Preserve. The Reef offers just 80 suites, with 50 in the main building overlooking the sea or the golf course and the remainder in four beachfront clusters that deliver up-close views of sand and water. The style is clean and contemporary, with large expanses of glass that highlight the setting. Guests have access to a Greg Norman-designed golf course and a state-of-the art spa and fitness center, along with fine dining options that showcase local- sourced ingredients and items from CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa’s own hydroponic gardens.
At The Reef, a contemporary, minimalist decor combines with floor-to-ceiling windows to showcase expansive water views. Photo: Envision Works/The Reef
Zemi Beach House, Anguilla
Tucked into six beachfront acres on Shoal Bay, this boutique property delivers contemporary luxuries in a setting that is often ranked among the world’s most beautiful waterfronts. In addition to 54 beach view rooms, the resort offers two and three-bedroom suites that include penthouses with terraces, kitchens and rooftop plunge pools. On site is the Zemi Thai House Spa, a 15,000 square foot oasis of relaxation inspired by the ancient healing traditions of the Taino people. There are both fine and causal dining options, with menus that showcase local seafood, sustainable- sourced ingredients and international delicacies. Not to be missed is the Rhum Room, which offers some 100 varieties of small batch rums. The powder-fine white sands of Shoal Bay East are just steps away from rooms, inviting guests to enjoy a range of water sports, discover local beach bars or simply relax in one of the Caribbean’s most memorable settings.
The pool deck at Zemi Beach House is just steps away from the powder fine white sand beach and blue waters of Shoal Bay. Photo: Dylan Cross/Zemi Beach
The Shore Club, Turks & Caicos
Well away from the resort district of Grace Bay, a quiet spot on the east end of Providenciales recently became home to the $100 million Shore Club. The property is a study in off whites and light blues that mirror the tones of sand and water. The elegant simplicity of a modern Caribbean design incorporates natural elements and furnishings inspired by the island environment. The resort’s ocean view suites and luxury villas provide exclusive access to the two-and half-mile stretch of Long Bay Beach, with no other resorts in sight. Guest will find everything they need on property with three restaurants and bars, a spa, a kid center and three pools. There are options for an active vacation of yoga, biking, snorkeling and kayaking or a quiet getaway spent under a poolside cabana.
Balconies at the Shore Club overlook Long Bay Beach, which is known for its shallow flat waters making it ideal for swimming. The resort encompasses a full range of on-site amenities. Photo: Shore Club
French Leave Resort, Eleuthera, Bahamas
One of the finest pink sand beaches in the Bahamas has become the location for one of the most charming small resorts to come to the Out Islands in decades. Near the picturesque town of Governor’s Harbour, a 270-acre beachfront reserve is home to a limited number of cottages, with more than 90 percent of the property slated to remain in its natural state. One or two bedroom villas are built to resemble architecture of the British Colonial style, with spacious living areas, high ceilings and covered verandas overlooking the Atlantic. The property has a freshwater pool, fitness center, special events lawn and a wedding pavilion, two yacht slips and the 1648 An Island Restaurant. This is the Bahamas without cruise ships or casinos, where days can be spent swimming and walking the beach, exploring a historic seaside village and mingling with locals at nearby taverns.
The infinity-edge pool at French Leave Resort seems to merge into the ocean, but actually sits on the edge of Eleuthera’s finest pink- sand beach. Photo: Sarah Corbett/French Leave
Amanera, Playa Grande, Dominican Republic
The second Aman resort to come to the Caribbean, Amanera maintains the brand’s promise, which is to create relaxing spaces that blend naturally into the existing landscape. The resort is surrounded by 2,170 acres of pristine jungle flanked by the Cordillera Septentrional mountain range. A horseshoe of casitas, 25 in all, hover above the golden sands of Playa Grande, where deep turquoise waves break along the shoreline. Each guest has ultimate privacy, as the casitas are freestanding and reached by private pathways that wind through verdant gardens. Once in their personal space, guests enjoy a design that blurs the distinction between indoors and outdoors, and provides grand views of the magnificent northern shore of the Dominican Republic.
A terrace view from a casita at Amanera takes in expansive sections of Playa Grande, which is one of the most scenic and secluded shorelines in the Dominican Republic. Photo: Aman Resorts
