Forbes: The 10 Best Honeymoon Resorts In The Caribbean, According To The 2026 World Travel Awards
29 July 2026 - Forbes
The Caribbean has always been a top spot for honeymoons, but now there’s much more to choose from than just a pretty beach and a room by the ocean. Couples can hide away on a private island in Turks and Caicos, relax in an open-air pool sanctuary with views of Saint Lucia’s Pitons, or stay in an adults-only overwater villa in Jamaica. These days, it’s not about whether to visit the Caribbean, but which experience to pick. The 2026 World Travel Awards nominees highlight just how varied these trips can be.
Saint Lucia is getting a lot of attention this year. Expedia ranked it number one on its 2026 Island Hot List, released in July, after seeing a 125% jump in global searches for trips there next year. The site also called Saint Lucia the best island for romantic getaways. Still, the ten nominees for the Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Honeymoon Resort include many places beyond Saint Lucia, each offering its own mix of privacy, scenery, activities, and beaches.
The nominees come at a time when Caribbean weddings and honeymoons are becoming much more personal. "Couples are moving away from standard resort packages towards more personal experiences, private island buyouts, wedding weekends with family and friends, and ceremonies shaped around their own story rather than a set formula," says Graham Cooke, founder of the World Travel Awards.
Cooke also tells me that honeymooners are choosing "quiet, restorative luxury over packed itineraries," and are focusing more on privacy, sustainability, and destinations that match their values. While technology has made planning simpler, he thinks the best resorts still stand out by offering "bespoke experiences at every stage of the romantic journey."
What Couples Are Actually Looking For
I spoke with Renee Meyer, founder of U.S.-based Unforgettable Honeymoons, who has planned honeymoons since 1995. "The key to successful honeymoon planning is identifying a couple’s must-haves, travel history, and travel style before making a single suggestion," she said. “From there, the decision comes down to the beach, landscape, privacy, activity level, budget and ease of travel. Adults-only settings still matter, but some couples will compromise if the accommodation feels private and the resort has a child-free pool or a quiet beach area.”
"The most common initial request is a standalone cottage or villa with a private pool or hot tub on a beautiful, swimmable beach, and please, not a high-rise mega-complex with traditional hotel rooms," Meyer says. "Boredom is a new fear," she adds. “Couples want activities and excursions close by, even if they ultimately decide to do very little. They are also asking about plant-based and gluten-free menus, easier nonstop flights and trips that are largely arranged before arrival.” Meyer says a new request this year is for no-alcohol pricing at all-inclusives. "Can we stay at an all-inclusive and be charged less since we are no longer drinking alcohol?" couples have asked her.
The ten resorts below are listed alphabetically. Nominees are selected by travel professionals and the public, and the winners will be announced in October. Jade Mountain won this category in 2025 and 2023, Amanyara took the title in 2024, and Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth won in 2022.
Best Luxury Honeymoon Resort
Amanera, Dominican Republic
Amanera overlooks Playa Grande on the peaceful north coast of the Dominican Republic, away from the busy resorts near Punta Cana. The modern casitas line the cliff, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious terraces facing the ocean, and often private pools.
Privacy is a key feature, but couples will still find plenty to do. You can enjoy breakfast on your terrace, swim below the cliffs, or play a round at the nearby Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Club. This resort is perfect for couples who want to experience the Dominican Republic without the usual all-inclusive atmosphere.
Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
Amanyara offers the ultimate getaway and is one of my personal favorites. The resort sits on a quiet part of Providenciales, right next to an 18,000-acre nature reserve and North West Point Marine National Park. Guests can stay in pavilions by peaceful ponds or overlooking the ocean, while larger villas come with private pools, kitchens, and dedicated staff.
Amanyara has half a mile of white sand and calm, protected water, perfect for snorkeling, diving, or taking out a private boat. There is also a large spa and wellness pavilion. The resort won this category in 2024, and its privacy remains the main reason to visit.
Cheval Blanc St-Barth
Cheval Blanc St-Barth is a great choice for couples who want privacy but still want to enjoy restaurants, shopping, and the lively atmosphere of Saint Barth. This LVMH-owned hotel is right on Flamands Beach and is the only hotel in the Caribbean with France's official Palace distinction. Guests can choose from 60 rooms and suites, plus the Villa de France, set among the beach, hillside, and tropical gardens.
Start your day barefoot at La Cabane, then enjoy dinner at La Case or head out for a night in Gustavia. The newly redesigned Cheval Blanc Spa features Guerlain treatments in five rooms, including a double suite for couples. This resort is great for honeymooners who want a romantic place to stay but also want to explore the island.
COMO Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
COMO Parrot Cay sits on a private island reachable by boat from Providenciales. The resort covers over 1,000 acres and features a mile of white sand beach. Guests can choose from bright rooms, suites, beachfront houses, and villas. Many larger options include private pools, direct beach access, and butler service.
Meyer says couples choosing between COMO Parrot Cay and Jade Mountain are looking at “two entirely different worlds. COMO is the better match when a long, powdery beach and calm turquoise water are nonnegotiable.” The COMO Shambhala Retreat offers massages, yoga, and wellness programs. Paddleboarding, snorkeling, sailing, and private dinners give couples plenty to do beyond the spa.
Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies
Some couples prefer more than just a private villa getaway. Four Seasons Resort Nevis offers plenty of space to unwind, along with enough activities to keep your days interesting. Located on Pinney's Beach, the resort features over 200 rooms, suites, villas, and estate homes, many with private pools and spacious outdoor areas.
You’ll find an 18-hole golf course, tennis, pickleball, water sports, a spa, and several beachfront restaurants and bars. The residences and Pinney's Beach villas give you extra privacy, while the main resort puts everything close by. It’s a great choice for couples who want privacy at times, but don’t want to feel cut off.
Jade Mountain Resort, Saint Lucia
Jade Mountain remains the most visually dramatic resort on the list. High above the Caribbean near Soufriere, its open-walled sanctuaries face the Pitons with little between the bed and the view. Most have large private infinity pools that seem to spill toward the sea. Each is reached by its own bridge.
This is the other side of Meyer's comparison with COMO Parrot Cay. Jade Mountain is the choice for lush mountains, waterfalls, hiking and a more adventurous landscape, but couples expecting the powdery white sand of Turks and Caicos need to understand the difference.
For couples who want Saint Lucia’s scenery and a more classic Caribbean beach, Meyer recommends splitting the trip. "Combine Jade Mountain with a beachfront property on the north end of Saint Lucia to give couples their dream beach experience," she says. "They will stay, for example, three or four nights at a pristine beach luxury hideaway such as Calabash Cove or Cap Maison, then end their honeymoon on a high note with a Sun, Moon or Galaxy pool villa at Jade Mountain."
Princess Senses The Mangrove, Jamaica
Princess Senses The Mangrove is the newest property nominated, and the only place designed as a large, adults-only, all-inclusive resort. It opened on Green Island in 2024 and features 401 ocean-view suites and 14 overwater villas. Each villa has a private infinity pool, outdoor shower, glass floor panels, butler service, and direct water access.
This resort is larger and livelier than most other nominees, offering several pools, restaurants, bars, and entertainment options. Princess Senses suits couples seeking an overwater villa, many choices, and the convenience of paying for most of their trip in advance.
Rosewood Le Guanahani, St. Barth
Rosewood Le Guanahani is set on an 18-acre peninsula on the quieter side of Saint Barth, between Marigot Bay and the Grand Cul-de-Sac lagoon. Instead of one main building, its colorful cottages are tucked into tropical gardens. Couples can pick between the ocean beach or the calm lagoon.
The pool suites are especially popular for honeymooners. Many offer large terraces, outdoor showers, and plenty of privacy from neighboring cottages. Guests can enjoy the Beach House, Sense spa, water sports, and easy trips to Gustavia. This resort is a great choice for couples who want beautiful scenery and great beaches without having to switch hotels.
The Ocean Club, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Norte, Dominican Republic
The Ocean Club is a smaller all-suite resort next to a private beach in Sosua, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. The suites are spacious and come with terraces or balconies. The property features three pools and four restaurants. It feels intimate, but you do not need Amanera’s budget or desire for total seclusion to enjoy it.
This is a great option for honeymooners who want to get out and explore. Cabarete, famous for kitesurfing and windsurfing, is just a short drive away. You can also snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard right from the hotel’s beach. When you return, relax in the infinity pool or visit the Veuve Clicquot Sun Club.
The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos
The Ritz-Carlton is right on Grace Bay, just steps from the restaurants and shops in Providenciales. The rooms and suites feature soft ocean colors, and the oceanfront options offer views of one of the Caribbean's most famous beaches. If you choose Club Level, you'll have access to a quieter lounge and more personalized service.
Guests can enjoy an adults-only pool, a spa inspired by the sea, and several restaurants like Casa Nonna and the beachfront Coralli. Couples can book sunset cruises, snorkeling trips, or private charters on the resort's catamaran, Lady Grace. There's also a casino for evening entertainment. While it's less secluded than some other Turks and Caicos resorts, its location is great for couples who want a stylish beach getaway with easy access to the island's lively scene.
Best Wedding Resort
There are ten unique properties in the wedding category. Anse Chastanet Resort represents Saint Lucia, Canouan Estate Resort & Villas is nominated for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas is the pick from the Dominican Republic, and Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla stands for Anguilla.
The other nominees include Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall and Princess Senses The Mangrove in Jamaica, Jumby Bay Island in Antigua and Barbuda, Rosewood Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin Islands, Silversands Grand Anse in Grenada, and The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort in the Bahamas. These resorts offer almost every kind of destination wedding, from adults-only all-inclusives to private islands and large group resorts.
Meyer says it is easy to narrow down the wedding nominees. She describes Jumby Bay as an ultra-exclusive private island, perfect for a small luxury wedding with multi-bedroom villas. Princess Senses is quite different, offering the size and all-inclusive pricing that make a larger wedding easier for guests. Both are good options, but they appeal to different couples.
Best Romantic Resort
Five resorts from the luxury honeymoon category are also on the romantic resort shortlist: Amanyara, COMO Parrot Cay, Four Seasons Resort Nevis, Princess Senses The Mangrove, and Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth. The list of eight nominees is rounded out by Sandals Grande Antigua, Sandals South Coast in Jamaica*, and The Ocean Club, a Luxury Collection Resort in Costa Norte.
Best Honeymoon Destination
This award focuses on entire islands instead of individual hotels. The eleven nominees are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Barth, Saint Martin, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Saint Lucia is still the favorite, winning the title every year since 2014 and most years since 2009. Many romantic resorts near the Pitons and Soufriere help explain its success, but the shortlist offers couples a range of other options. Meyer is also seeing more couples book two-island honeymoons, such as Saint Lucia with St. Vincent, Grenada with Barbados, and Aruba with Curacao. For couples who want a mix of scenery, beaches, and activities, visiting more than one island can be a better choice than relying on a single resort.
Complete 2026 Nominee Lists
Caribbean's Leading Luxury Honeymoon Resort
Amanera, Dominican Republic
Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France
COMO Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies
Jade Mountain Resort, Saint Lucia
Princess Senses The Mangrove, Jamaica
Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth
The Ocean Club, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Norte, Dominican Republic
The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos
Caribbean's Leading Wedding Resort
Anse Chastanet Resort, Saint Lucia
Canouan Estate Resort & Villas, St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, Dominican Republic
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla
Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, Jamaica
Jumby Bay Island, Antigua & Barbuda
Princess Senses The Mangrove, Jamaica
Rosewood Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands
Silversands Grand Anse, Grenada
The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas
Caribbean's Leading Romantic Resort
Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
COMO Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies
Princess Senses The Mangrove, Jamaica
Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth
Sandals Grande Antigua
*Sandals South Coast, Jamaica (undergoing a significant remodel and opening November 2026)
The Ocean Club, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Norte, Dominican Republic
Caribbean's Leading Honeymoon Destination
Antigua & Barbuda
Barbados
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Jamaica
Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Barth
Saint Martin
The Bahamas
Turks & Caicos Islands
Source: Forbes













