Caribbean Smart Splurge Islands

The air of seclusion and top-of-the-line lodgings draw the international elite to this teeny island with its quiet, white-sand beaches. Chic and sophisticated, Anguilla abounds with exclusive inns, upscale villas, and cosmopolitan restaurants. Its luxury resorts, most located on the island’s western side, are perfect for pampering and privacy. See our Anguilla Travel Guide

It’s the elite resorts, inns and spa-hotels dotting Antigua’s many bays that make this British-flavored island a choice destination for celebrities. In fact, star-spotting is reason enough to splurge on an Antigua getaway – Armani and Oprah are among celebs who own holiday homes on this elegant isle.

Located approximately 650 miles east of North Carolina, this British island is a posh retreat for mature, well-heeled vacationers, who come for legendary golf courses, pink-sand beaches, and the delightful pastel-colored houses. The accommodations are wide-ranging but typically classy and worth the splurge – from stylish B&Bs and cottages to boutique oceanfront hideaways. See our Bermuda Travel Guide

What you pay for dearly on Barbados is the island’s assortment of high-quality accommodations that range from Old World-style resorts to fashionable villas and condos. What you get back is the unique combo of British high life with a sprinkling of West Indian flavor thrown in. Everyone from hip, young couples to families to more mature travelers find their groove here. See our Barbados Travel Guide

Accommodations on Nevis skew toward luxury (top rooms go for $300-700/night) but the price tag is worth it for a holiday on an island still blissfully free of mega all-inclusives that plague other Caribbean destinations. Visitors can choose between converted plantation inns and classic, upscale resorts. See our Nevis Travel Guide

It’s the tropical bien-être, gourmet restaurants, and haute-couture shopping that draw Rothschilds, rock stars and royalty to this petite island in the French West Indies. While top-end retreats charge north of $1,000/night, there are an abundance of more affordable (and by more affordable, we mean anything between $300-600 per night) resorts, delightful inns, hillside villas, and boutique pieds-à-terre. See our St. Barts Travel Guide

A holiday on Turks & Caicos costs a pretty penny because the twin islands are fairly undeveloped and, consequently, offer some of the Caribbean’s most pristine sun, surf, and sand. This seclusion typically comes at high cost but the lodgings are varied, ranging from cozy guest houses to gorgeous villas and award-winning hideaways. See our Turks & Caicos Travel Guide

If you skip the over-developed section between the capital, Castries, and the island’s beach-lined northern edge, you’ll find British-owned St. Lucia nearly untouched. At a price, stay in the pristine southwest region around Soufriere, where high-end resorts sit amidst thriving rainforests, verdant mountains, and white- and black-sand beaches. The southwest tends to attract honeymooners, while the area around Castries is a favorite for families. See our St. Lucia Travel Guide