The 10 Most Secluded Hotels in the Caribbean
Hard day? Week? Month? We feel you. Sometimes, you just want to get away from it all. The city noise. The crying baby. The incessant traffic. Picture yourself on a tranquil beach somewhere far, far away. Whether you're dreaming of a blissful vacation by yourself or a secluded trip with your significant other, we've got you covered with this list of remote hotels in the Caribbean. They're all well worth a trek.
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1. Virgin Islands Campground, U.S. Virgin Islands
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2. Anse Chastanet Resort, St. Lucia
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3. Fowl Cay Resort, Bahamas
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4. St. Francis Resort, Bahamas
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5. Westender Inn, Jamaica
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6. Jade Mountain Resort, St. Lucia
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7. Petite Anse Hotel Grenada, Grenada
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8. Geejam, Jamaica
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9. Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge, Panama
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10. Pigeon Cay Beach Club, Bahamas
Situated on beautiful, secluded Water Island, this property is perfect for privacy chasers. The nearly 500-acre island, which is home to less than 200 inhabitants, can be accessed by an eight-minute ferry ride from Crown Bay Marina. Plus, the six cottages and single suite at Virgin Islands Campground are far enough away from one another that you'll also have peace and quiet once you arrive. If you want to get away, this is the place, but be prepared to give up stores and public transportation. The eco-sensitive campground also has shared bathrooms.
If you want the seclusion that this upscale resort offers, you're going to have to work for it. The steep road leading up to Anse Chastanet is among the worst on the island. Winding, rocky, and unpaved with lots of blind curves, the drive is not for the faint-hearted. The resort is set in the middle of thick jungle, so don't expect much within walking distance, though that is precisely what creates an away-from-it-all vibe. That being said, there are several great restaurants and some colonial-era landmarks just a 12-minute drive away in Soufriere. The rooms also offer views that are so stunning that you might not even realize there's no TV.
You're going to need to jump on a boat to reach the luxurious, all-inclusive Fowl Cay Resort. However, once docked on this private island, you'll be overwhelmed with a sense of pure paradise. Exclusivity is paramount to Fowl Cay's appeal, and there's a capacity of just 28 guests on the island at any one time. Neighboring islands play host to a smattering of celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Faith Hill, and Nicolas Cage, all of whom have vacation homes on privately owned cays. Accessible by a small charter plane via Fort Lauderdale or Nassau, the islands are known for marine life-rich coral reefs, underwater caves, and exceptional yachting. Villas are pimped out with their own boats, fully-stocked kitchens, and private decks and terraces.
St. Francis Resort is located on Stocking Island, which is accessible by a 10-minute boat ride across the harbor from Great Exuma. This island is about as remote as you can get -- don't expect to see any cars or even roads. Guests who make the trek will be rewarded with miles of private white-sand beaches, nature trails, and other outdoor activities. There are only eight rooms here, and some lucky guests delight in having a beach all to themselves. Rooms are simple in terms of decor and features, but you can still count on microwaves, mini-fridges, coffee-making facilities, and a small two-top dining area, but no TVs.
If you take the road to Negril all the way down, passing Seven Mile Beach and going over many potholes, you'll eventually hit the Westender Inn. This mid-range hotel has both the luxury and the curse of its location. There are no restaurants, bars, or shops within walking distance other than the hotel's own, and you'll need to pre-book any taxis, as there's practically no traffic in the area. The hotel does provide free shuttles to the town center in the mornings and pickups in the afternoons, as well as shuttles for a fee at other times. Because of the secluded location, the beautifully manicured grounds are generally quiet, and guests often only hear the sound of crashing waves outside the 28 oceanfront rooms and suites.
This 600-acre luxury property shares space with its sister resort, Anse Chastanet. Both rest on a gorgeous stretch of Caribbean coastline, just past the town of Soufriere. Roads leading to this secluded spot are filled with hairpin turns, massive potholes, and serious inclines -- and the last 10 minutes of the journey will take you up a steep, one-lane dirt road. Guests can expect to be isolated from everything and everyone -- aside from a rooster crowing at dawn, or tree frogs singing their nightly chorus. The true star of the show -- and what makes the harrowing ride from the airport worth it -- are Jade Mountain Resort's 29 guest rooms. Through an innovative, open fourth wall, each one has a sea view -- from the canopied bed, raised whirlpool tub, and (in all but the entry-level category) private infinity pool.
Petite Anse Hotel Grenada is positioned on the northern tip of the island, giving this mid-range property a beautifully remote location. Off-the-beaten path is an understatement here -- guests can expect a windy, hour-and-a-half drive up the coast from the airport. The 13 rooms are situated in natural gardens on a hill overlooking the sea, with views of the Grenadine islands. While the property is not luxurious, it is low-key and laid-back, and guests receive plenty of personal attention. This place feels like a well-kept secret, and it's the perfect respite for those looking for an escape from the pre-packaged, generic beach holiday.
Perched on a hill in the midst of thick jungle foliage, Geejam is tough to find -- but that's kind of the point. An ode to the hotel's private nature, there isn't much fanfare surrounding Geejam's entrance -- just a high stone wall and a seemingly impenetrable wooden gate. Geejam is renowned for its privacy. In fact, it's not rare to spend days at the resort without encountering other guests. Fun fact: Rock stars are a more common sight than kids, though that's hardly a surprise considering there's a state-of-the-art recording studio on-site. The studio has drawn celebs such as Bjork, Common, Drake, Rihanna, John Legend, Gwen Stefani, and India Arie. And although it doesn’t have a spa or communal pool, Geejam is usually most appreciated for what it lacks: crowds. The hotel's ultra-private rooms feature minimalist decor with vibrant island accents and eclectic touches, like original Banksy wall murals or private hot tubs.
If you want to be in a remote part of Panama, this hotel is a solid pick. It's in Isla Colon, the main island in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. There are a few ways to reach the resort, all requiring a bit of effort. Most travelers will make their way to the city of Almirante and take a 30-minute boat ride from there. The clear water makes it easy to spot stingrays, fishes, and dolphins swimming nearby. With only nine cabanas, this mid-range resort is able to remain peaceful and quiet, even at full capacity. Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge also uses solar panels for electricity -- one of the reasons it bills itself as an eco-luxury property. The hotel even underwent a two-year environmental impact study to ensure the construction of the property would not disturb or affect the coral reefs.
The intimate, budget-friendly Pigeon Cay Beach Club is located on the beautiful and secluded Cat Island. With only seven cottages, the resort is quiet and relaxing. The simple, rustic cottages have dated decor and no TVs or Internet, but they include fully-equipped kitchens and furnished outdoor spaces. The beach is the best part of Pigeon Cay -- it's quiet, secluded, and gorgeous with turquoise water and powdery white sand. This isn't an updated or lavish property, but the very affordable rates make it a good choice for those looking to get lost in Cat Island's natural beauty while grabbing some time away from the hustle and bustle of regular life.
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