9 Caribbean Hotels With Amazing Swim-Up Suites
So, you’re in the Caribbean, surrounded by the sea, and they expect you to walk up to your room? No way! Book a swim-up suite and you can paddle everywhere you go. Whether you’re booking the honeymoon trip of a lifetime at an adults-only boutique, or looking to enjoy some bonding time with the family, every time you walk -- make that swim -- out your door, you’ll be reminded how very far away you are from the worries of everyday life.
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1. Azul Beach Resort Sensatori Jamaica by Karisma, Negril
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2. Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort, St. Lucia
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3. Coco Palm Resort, St. Lucia
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4. Sandals Barbados
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5. Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island, Nassau
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6. The Royal Suites Turquesa by Palladium, Punta Cana
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7. Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay, Jamaica
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8. Secrets Royal Beach, Punta Cana
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9. Calabash Cove Resort and Spa, St. Lucia
Unfolding along pristine Seven Mile Beach, this newly-expanded property hosts several spacious swim-up rooms with furnished terraces and views of the sand. A lazy river meanders past the swim-up suites, and palm gardens add a lush layer of privacy between rooms and the main pool areas. The resort attracts families as well as couples, with romantic offerings like the Beachfront Honeymoon Swim-Up Suite. Plus, with four pools and two swim-up bars, you’ll get all the trappings of a mega resort with the intimacy of a boutique.
With 12 restaurants, four pools, and stirring views of Pigeon Island, it’s no wonder this adults-only gem attracts honeymooners. Couples should book the Swim-Up Lover’s Lagoon Honeymoon Room, which offers direct access to the pool from the patio. (If you’re able to splurge, we also recommend upgrading to Butler Level for high-end service.) Best of all, all water sports, including scuba diving, are included in the all-inclusive rates, so you can hit the waves as soon as you’re done decompressing.
Coco Palm is an 83-room budget-friendly boutique hotel with style and service you’d expect at a higher priced property. It’s not located directly on the beach, but it does feature a huge free-form pool, French Caribbean-style decor, and the option to book with or without an all-inclusive plan. That’s to say nothing of its Luxe Swim-Up Rooms, which have steps from the terrace going straight into the pool. And if you begin to crave the beach, Reduit Beach -- and the buzz of Rodney Bay Village, St. Lucia's entertainment district -- is a short walk away.
If you’re staying at Sandals Barbados, a couples-only all-inclusive resort that boasts three pools including the Caribbean’s largest river-style pool, you’ll want to be as close to the turquoise waters as possible. So, book the Crystal Lagoon Swim-up One Bedroom, where you’ll get pampered with private butler service and even a freestanding terrace tub just inches from the pool. The lushly landscaped hotel also happens to be set on a private stretch of Dover Beach, though the proliferation of odorous seaweed can be unpleasant.
Formerly the famous Balmoral Club back in the 1940s, the 408-room Sandals Resort opened in 1995. These days, the resort still makes a grand impression, with Roman columns, statues, fountains, three levels of elegant accommodations, 10 distinct restaurants, and eight bars. And with the slogan “Love is all you need,” it beckons to couples seeking romance. Swim-up suites make it easy to unwind and recharge. When you’re ready, catch a free ferry to the private offshore island and relax. Those who are looking for a little more action can get the party started at the Piano Bar or English Cricketeer Pub, both of which are both open till the wee hours.
With 372 rooms, Royal Turquesa is the more pricey, adults-only section of the massive all-inclusive Palladium complex, and has a more peaceful setting than its neighbors. Here, the Cabana and Romance suites offer swim-up access as well as canopy beds and jetted tubs. There’s also premium liquor at the bars, and two restaurants (including a romantic French option) that are exclusive to this section only. Later, check out the prime private real estate on Bavaro Beach, where you can grab some sand with a lounge chair or daybed.
For a romantic all-inclusive in Montego Bay, turn to the isolated Secrets Wild Orchid, which is set on a small peninsula. The property serves up a laundry list of amenities, including a theater, a spa, a water sports and dive center, a shopping center, a casino, and numerous restaurants and bars. Make sure to book the Preferred Club Swim-Out Suite, so you can cool off on your private balcony with a soaking tub, then trot down to the pool whenever you please.
Why choose between relaxation and nightlife when you don’t have to? The adults-only Secrets Royal Beach offers numerous bars as well as nightly entertainment to keep the party going. When you need some me-time, simply head back to the Swim-Up Junior Suite, where you can hop into the Jacuzzi on the terrace before directly swimming out into the main pool.
Located on Bonaire Bay, this peaceful property has rooms for just 26 lucky parties. (Clientele are mainly couples, and while families are also welcome, the resort’s hushed, romantic atmosphere may not make it an ideal choice for families with young kids.) The resort is most notable for its beautiful ocean views, which can be had from just about anywhere on the grounds. But if you really want to indulge, the Swim-Up Junior Suite gives you a shady terrace where you can slide right into the pool -- and still keep the waves in view.