12-08-2025
The 8 Best New Resorts In The Caribbean, According To The 2025 World Travel Awards
Celebrating on beach in Caribbean getty
Once a year, the World Travel Awards honor the most stunning properties in the Caribbean highlighting properties that are setting the standard for luxury, innovation, and elevated guest experiences. This Fall, the awards will take place in St Lucia, where the Best of the Caribbean and Americas winners will be revealed.
Traveler interest in the Caribbean is soaring in 2025, and a new report by the Caribbean Tourism Association reveals the top 10 most-visited islands: Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, Jamaica, Aruba, Martinique, St Maarten, Barbados and St. Kitts.
'The nominees this year represent the bold, beautiful future of luxury hospitality,' says Graham Cooke, founder of the World Travel Awards. 'Each is a masterclass in innovation and world-class service-redefining what it means to escape to paradise in 2025.'
This year's nominees highlight some of the most stunning properties in the Caribbean, with Turks & Caicos leading the pack with multiple resorts. The Dominican Republic also features prominently with several new hotels.
From new openings to island retreats, these nominees for Best New Resort and Best Island Resort in the Caribbean offer up some of the very best sunny destination escapes. Best New Resort
Princes Grand Jamaica pool bungalows Princess Grand
Princess Grand features Family suites with boat-shaped bunk beds and direct access to the semi-private pool from the terrace. Princess Grand
Princess Grand - Jamaica
This all-inclusive family resort is nestled between Montego Bay and Negril, with 590 suites, nine restaurants and eight bars as well as three pools and a large aquatic park.
Overwater villas at Royalton Chic in Antigua Royalton Chic
Private pool in overwater villa Royalton Chic
Royalton CHIC - Antigua
This all-inclusive adults-only resort has 235 rooms and suites and is located on Antigua's stunning Dickenson Bay. There are five bars, seven restaurants, and a spa.
Salterra Resort in Turks and Caicos Salterra
Penthouse suite at Salterra Turks & Caicos Salterra
Salterra Resort & Spa - Turks & Caicos
On the quiet island of South Caicos, the property offers 100 rooms and suites as well as six dining options, several swimming pools, and prime beachfront on Salterra Beach, where it is the only resort. I was the first writer to do a hardhat tour of the property and can attest it is a stunner; pictures do not do it justice. Private and tranquil, it is the perfect retreat away from the crowds of the neighboring islands.
Cliff retreats at Six Senses La Sagesse Six Senses
Bedroom suite in a Cliff Retreat at Six Senses La Sagesse Six Senses
Six Senses La Sagesse - Grenada
The brand's debut resort in the Caribbean is set around a lush lagoon and enjoys a prime spot by the child friendly La Sagesse Bay with its shallow warm waters. There are 56 pool suites and 15 villas, ranging from one, two and four bedrooms, all with large outdoor terraces and private plunge pools.
Beachfront villas at Southbank Grace Resorts in Turks & Caicos Grace Bay Resorts
Lagoon villa living room at South Bank Grace Bay Grace Bay Resorts
South Bank - Grace Bay Resorts - Turks and Caicos
This oceanfront resort and marina is located on the southern shores of Providenciales, and features 92 waterfront accommodations with fabulous amenities, including the island's first ocean swimming lagoon. The property consists of four unique neighborhoods: Ocean Estate Villas, Lagoon Villas, The Boathouses, and Arc, all of which offer waterfront rooms.
Caroline Aster one-bedroom Presidential Suite at St Regis Aruba St Regis
The St. Regis Aruba Resort - Aruba
Located directly on popular Palm Beach, this new property features 252 large rooms, including 52 suites with the pools offering direct beach access. Guests enjoy The St. Regis Spa, and Aruba's first St. Regis Casino. I was the first writer to tour this new property while in construction, and it has a wonderful beachfront layout that is perfect for families.
St Regis Cap Cana Resort in Punta Cana St Regis
Palm Suite offers swim out access at St Regis Cap Cana St Regis
The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort - Dominican Republic
Located in Cap Cana, this new property offers 200 rooms, including luxury suites and swim-out options. There is a St. Regis Spa and exclusive spaces like The Amber Room cigar bar.
Zel Punta Cana poolside Melia Hotels
Swim up pool suite at Zel Punta Cana Melia Hotels
Zel Punta Cana - Dominican Republic
Located close to Los Corales Beach and Cortecito Beach this all-inclusive resort is inspired by the energy of the Mediterranean lifestyle, in partnership with Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal. With architecture designed around open spaces, the resort boasts swim-up suites, pools, a beach club, and seven restaurants.
Aerial view of Four Seasons Nevis Christian Horan/Four Seasons
Suite at Four Seasons Nevis Christian Horan/Four Seasons Best Island Resort
Four Seasons Resort Nevis - West Indies
This new property is located on the site of a former sugar and coconut plantation from the late 1790s. There are 39 private retreats and 80 rooms and suites. The two-story cottages, offer up large rooms with marble bathrooms. There are seven gourmet restaurants and bars, a 12,000-sf spa with a volcanic-stone pool and Japanese cold plunge pool. Activities are plentiful here including a stunning golf course.
Rosewood Baha Mar in the Bahamas Rosewood
Rosewood Baha Mar Rosewood Suite Terrace Rosewood
Rosewood Baha Mar - Bahamas
Nestled along the shores of Nassau's famous Cable Beach, Rosewood Baha Mar Resort emerges as an emblem of luxury and grandeur. Poised within the sprawling Baha Mar resort enclave, the property features unspoiled beaches, brilliant turquoise waters, and an array of unparalleled luxury amenities. The resort's 221 rooms and suites evoke the feeling of a modern Bahamian estate and exude the carefree spirit of seaside living with gorgeous, residential style living spaces and a collection of Bahamian art and décor. Enjoy inspired global dining from the property's four distinctive bars and restaurants, state-of-the-art fitness and wellness facilities at Sense, a Rosewood Spa, and bask in the sun at the stunning three-tiered courtyard pool all immersed in the enchanting Caribbean ambiance
Beachfront villas at Sailrock Resort in South Caicos Sailrock
Bedroom suite at Sailrock Sailrock
Sailrock South Caicos - Turks & Caicos
South Caicos recently celebrated its first-ever direct flight from Miami making it much more accessible. The resort feels more like a private residential community, with large villas dotting its rough and wild terrain.
At the heart of Sailrock is the beachy Great House where guests mix and mingle for meals and drinks.
Scrub Island Resort and Marina in BVI Scrub Island
Governors Suite private balcony Scrub Island
Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina (British Virgin Islands)
This private-island resort features 52 guest accommodations, as well as a collection of two-, three-, four-, and six-bedroom villas, Ixora Spa, world-class restaurants, two private beaches and a 55-slip marina.
Aerial of Necker Island Virgin Limited Private Island Resorts
Rounding out the honors are seven private island resorts that can be rented out entirely with four properties in the Bahamas leading the pack including Fowl Cay Resort, Kamalame Cay, Musha Cay and Over Yonder Cay. Turks & Caicos has two Ambergris Cay and Pine Cay, The Meridian Club while in British Virgin Islands Richard Bransons Necker Island rounds out the list. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes The 15 Most Unique Hotels In The World, According To Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Awards By Jim Dobson
