The Caribbean's Hottest New Hotels

Courtesy of Marriott International

A revitalized hotel scene in the Caribbean is making waves. T+L picks 8 new island retreats.

Puerto Rico

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Great Value The Midcentury Modern La Concha (doubles from $299) was a favorite among architecture buffs when it debuted on San Juan’s Condado Beach in 1958. Now the 248-room property is once again ready for its close-up, after a $220 million injection from Renaissance Hotels. Rooms have been streamlined and have a muted palette of seafoam green, tan, and beige, while the bright and airy lobby has one wall made entirely of glass. Still, many original details remain intact, including the fanciful poolside restaurant set in a giant shell-shaped building.

—Pamela Edwards and Sarah Kantrowitz

The Caribbean's Hottest New Hotels

Puerto Rico

—Pamela Edwards and Sarah Kantrowitz

Courtesy of Marriott International

By Joshua Pramis

Caribbean hotels have always been a reliable standby for tranquility, crystal-clear ocean views, and amazing beaches. But now, many of the tropical islands are seeing fresher, chicer hotels sprouting up, bringing a new level of luxury to the entire region.

Take the Seven Stars Resort in Turks and Caicos, where even the smallest room—a one-bedroom studio—is a spacious 620 square feet. It’s plenty of room to fit a kitchen, which each room has—from a galley in the studios to a gourmet kitchen in the Presidential Suite. But if en-suite cooking isn’t what you had in mind, the resort’s restaurant, La Pergola, offers an array of international cuisines as well as Caribbean-inspired dishes. And to rub away the last vestiges of home, the on-property spa offers a wide range of treatments, including the option for in-room treatments and poolside massages.

If the Grenadines are your destination of choice, head to tiny Bequia and the even-smaller Firefly Hotel, which has just eight rooms. The resort overlooks 30 acres of vegetation—including the only banana plantation on the island—and a short trek through the on-property coconut grove will lead you to a secluded white sand beach (hint: the snorkeling gets rave reviews). For an off-property excursion, check out the old-school Caribbean look and feel of the island’s many shops and restaurants, where you can order anything from burgers and pizza to Caribbean classics like roti and callaloo.

Then there’s the classic Puerto Rican escape, La Concha. Built in 1958, the hotel just reopened after a $220 million renovation, bringing a modern, soothing look and feel to its public areas and 248 guest rooms, most of which offer an ocean view. For dinner, stop by the hotel’s signature clam-shaped, poolside restaurant, Perla, where you can indulge on contemporary American seafood dishes. Take advantage of the restaurant’s 4,000-bottle wine cellar, but don’t feel overwhelmed—the service staff attends weekly wine lessons taught by the restaurant’s chef, Dayn Smith, and can assist with your selection.

These are just three of the hotels making noise in the Caribbean this winter. Click through to our slideshow for even more information on these properties and five others that are redefining Caribbean chic.