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The Caribbean's Finest
Our panel of travel experts pick their favorite destinations across the region, and the best hotels, restaurants and golf courses on each island
Larry Olmsted
From the Print Edition:
Ernie Els, November/December 2012
(continued from page 11)
St. Lucia
Best Resort or Hotel, Any Size
Jade Mountain: Grand winner as the best boutique resort in the entire Caribbean, and our past Best Hotel of the Caribbean champ in our 2010 poll, Jade Mountain keeps piling up the accolades. But while it is best known for over-the-top luxury suites and secluded mountaintop intimacy, it also gives guests access to all of the amenities of its larger sister resort under the same ownership, including a 5-star dive shop, a private hiking and mountain biking plantation, private beach and many more bells and whistles than a resort Jade’s size would ever have. “This place screams romance,” says Stoddart, “Hard to find a more dramatic love nest.” Every one of the 24 suites has its own infinity pool with chromotherapy, multiple terraces and full-time butler service.
Honorable Mention: Cap Maison: Its 49 rooms are all in villas, many with private plunge pools or hot tubs, and according to Wallace, “This small resort is great at exceeding expectations. Everyone has a ‘can-do’ attitude, food at their gourmet restaurant, the Cliff, is some of the best on the island, and the concierge, Keizah, is amazing.”
Best Restaurant
Dasheene at the Ladera Resort: Ladera is built tree-house style into the jungle, and its Dasheene restaurant is no exception, serving up nouvelle Caribbean fare—and stunning views of the Pitons. The focus is on locally harvested, sustainable ingredients, and the live music Sunday brunch is an island highlight.
Barbados
Best Resort or Hotel, Any Size
Sandy Lane: One of our big winners, this exclusive and very Anglo resort got nearly every vote cast. Some were wowed by its world-class golf, others by its huge ESPA, and others by the swanky rooms and white-glove butler treatment. “One of the world’s most opulent resorts, it struts its attitude as an exclusive place,” says Baum, who also warned that, “it looks out for some guests much more than others. If you’re a name or a VIP, you’ll have one of the times of your life. The guest experience begins literally the moment you step out of customs, as a Sandy Lane representative escorts you to a chauffeur-driven BMW, Mercedes or Bentley.”
Best Golf
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