The Caribbean and Mexico Hotel Round Up
Here are some of the best spots I know to enjoy the surf and sand of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. All of these places offer villa rentals as well as fantastic hotel options - or you can spend the entire week on a yacht or catamaran!
St. Barth
I never understood the hype surrounding St. Barth until I went last June. Wow. This island feels less like the Caribbean and more like the South of France, but only a few hours away from the East Coast. St. Barth is fun to explore by car, boasts all kinds of beaches from soft sand to seashell, and offers great shopping and restaurants. The hotels there are all top notch. Some favorites are Le Sereno and Manapany for direct beach access, and the fabulous Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf if you prefer to be in town with a killer view.
Nevis
Ohhh Nevis. This is one of my favorite places. I love the volcano that looms over the island and its calm water. The island has a real sense of fun and history. Alexander Hamilton was born here, and you can do a tour that looks at his life on the island. You can grab a Killer Bee at Sunshine’s, hike, golf, swim, explore, and even take a Rastafarian cooking class. If you stay at the Four Seasons, the toughest choice you’ll have is whether you’d like a volcano or ocean view.
Virgin Gorda BVI
A top contender for my favorite Caribbean Island, I loved Virgin Gorda. The beach there has powdered sugar-like sand and calm gentle waves. You can rent a Moke and drive around the island to visit the massive granite boulders and secret pools of the Baths, or zip to the other end of the island and hop a ferry for lunch at the Bitter End Yacht Club. The perfect Rosewood Little Dix Bay, tucked between unspoiled wilderness and a pristine beach, is well worth the splurge. There are of course many options for hotels or house rentals here, and a very popular way to spend time is on a weekly boat charter.
Bahamas
Comprised of many islands, the Bahamas is relatively easy to get to from the East Coast. Hop a flight to Nassau in the morning and you can be on the beach by lunch. If you have kids that need some action, Atlantis has everything to keep them engaged, from massive water slides to the largest open-air aquarium in the world, and the new waterpark at Baha Mar has delighted many clients. The Four Seasons in Nassau is high on my crush list for its quiet beauty, incredible beachfront, and fantastic bartender. If you are looking for a more remote experience and don’t mind a second flight, Eleuthera and Harbor Island are dreamy and quiet, with fantastic clear and calm beaches.
Punta Mita
I got to experience this side of Mexico last spring break with my teens. The Pacific is stunning here and the beaches are big, beautiful, and definitely on the rougher side, which makes it ideal for surfing. The Four Seasons here is a stunner (as is its sister property Naviva) and the food was some of the best I have ever had at a resort–the freshest fish! If you are East Coast-based and this feels far, you can make a stop in Mexico City first and then hop over to Punta Mita for a perfect city-beach vacation.
Cancun Area
There is no shortage of hotels on the Cancun side of Mexico, and I have seen and stayed at a bunch. If you have younger kids, the Rosewood Mayakoba has some of the best kid’s club programming on the planet, complete with eco tours and cooking classes. The new Belmond Maroma, with its focus on harmony and well-being, is getting rave reviews after a huge redesign in collaboration with Mexican artisans. And Chable Maroma sits on a stunning slice of beach, with dreamy standalone rooms and truly delicious food. If you want an all-inclusive, Grand Velas here is a winner with many restaurants, room categories for everyone and a lot of activities.