Hotels • July 2015
Tropical hotels to make you swoon
Fabulous, sun-drenched settings make hotels in the tropics dream destinations. But travel expert and island hopper Judith Baker says each of her selection has something extra that gives it a certain ‘Oooh’ factor
Secret Bay, Dominica
Dominica’s luxury eco resort Secret Bay is tucked away far from the ravines and waterfalls of this lush island, just 25 minutes from Antigua. Minimalist and chic, it sits on a clifftop and has just six rooms in unusual treehouses, developed using sustainable practices.
The Oooh factor: Guests can arrange a private jazz performance on their terrace. Doubles from £644.
CoCo Reef Resort, Bermuda
Step inside the lobby of the charming beachfront CoCo Reef Resort and you are in for a surprise. Owner John Jefferis has collected antique mirrors, plinths, artworks and chandeliers from all over the world to create a breathtaking grand entrance to an intimate hotel.
The Oooh factor: As well as the dramatic lobby, Coco Reef offers private dining experiences in The Library. It’s decorated like an English country house, complete with mock open fire. Doubles from £175.
Jade Mountain, St Lucia
Each of the 24 infinity pool sanctuaries and five sky Jacuzzi suites at Jade Mountain is an individual work of art, with no two the same. Designed by architect and owner Nick Troubetzkoy, they form grand sweeping spaces where bedroom, living area and infinity pool glide into one.
The Oooh factor: The hotel’s Chocolate Laboratory offers tasting experiences, chocolate-making classes and even chocolate spa treatments. Doubles from £854.
The Inn at English Harbour, Antigua
This colonial-style boutique property is a favourite with royals and celebrities, who might be spotted whizzing by in the hotel’s water taxi from historic Nelson’s Dockyard. With 28 cabanas and suites, it is set in 19 acres of beautiful tropical woodland. Rooms are a short walk from a private beach, with views to Montserrat.
The Oooh factor: The Terrace Restaurant is ideal for sipping a cocktail and watching the yachts in the bay during glamorous Antigua Sailing Week. Doubles from £320.
Half Moon, Montego Bay, Jamaica
You might be surprised to discover a grand piano in the Imperial Suite of Half Moon, an Old World colonial property steeped in history and star appeal. Named after its crescent-shaped private beach, this hotel is famous for its Sugar Mill restaurant, on a site dating back to 1676.
The Oooh factor: This is the only hotel in the Caribbean with a dolphin lagoon. Doubles from £186.
Tiamo, South Andros, the Bahamas
Only accessible by boat and seaplane from Nassau, Tiamo is a luxury hideaway on the Bahamas’ Out Islands. There are just 11 villas, built in traditional Caribbean style, each surrounded by palm trees and with direct beach access.
The Oooh factor: One mile off the coast is the world’s third-largest barrier reef, The Tongue of the Ocean, where guests can try to land a bonefish, for which Andros is renowned. Doubles from £451.