The Best Resort Hotels in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas in 2016

With crystal clear waters and fantastically fresh seafood,  the Caribbean and its sister destinations, Bermuda and the Bahamas, are home to some of the world’s most beautiful hotels and resorts.

In other words, it's pretty tough to choose the best of the best.

But every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. In the hotels category, readers rated properties on their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and drink, and overall value. Hotels were categorized as resort properties based on their locations.

Unsurprisingly, one thing these top properties have in common is proximity to the beach, with rooms offering awe-inspiring ocean views. They also feature unusual and luxurious amenities, ranging from a Jean-Georges restaurant (On The Rocks) at Eden Rock, St. Bart’s, to a dive center overseen by ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau, at Petit St. Vincent in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Readers applauded this year’s winner, Kamalame Cay, for its intimate, home-like feel. Many voters mentioned the owners, Michael King and David Hew. “They bring you in like family to their dinners and cocktail parties,” one survey participant wrote. 

The rest of the staff earned high praise as well. “[It's] as if you have known them for years! The only negative is we weren't able to bring them back to California with us,” one reader exclaimed. 

Coming in at a close second, Curtain Bluff in Antigua also received raves for its attentive service. “There is truly no other resort anywhere that excels at every single element of the hospitality industry as perfectly as Curtain Bluff does,” one voter remarked.

Activities and amenities, including yoga on a deck overlooking the sea, a spa offering hydrating “Jet Lag Facials,” and Tennis Week — an international pro-am festival hosted by the resort — were among the offerings readers appreciated.

Whether you’re an adventurer looking to scuba dive and snorkel, a sybarite looking to just lie on the beach with a rum punch, or a parent looking for a family-friendly escape, there’s somewhere on this list for everyone who wants to experience the Caribbean. The only question is, how soon can you go?