The Great Recession that ended the decade may have caused delays, but it didn’t stop more than a dozen new resorts from opening—nor did it prevent a few classic ones from re-inventing themselves. For a seductive getaway, honeymoon or anniversary trip, here are the newest (and newly improved) options:

Caribbean
Viceroy Anguilla debuted in August 2009 with 166 Kelly Wearstler-designed rooms and suites (most with private plunge pools) and rates from $495. The owners of idyllic Little Good Harbour on Barbados in December added The Atlantis Hotel, a 10-suite B&B on the Atlantic coast with rates from $300. New to the Dominican Republic’s all-inclusive scene is Zoetry Agua Punta Cana, offering 53 thatched-roof suites set amid lagoon-like pools with rates from $504, all-inclusive. Taking over a former Four Seasons resort, Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma will debut in late January with 183 adults-only rooms, suites and villas with rates from $700, all-inclusive. The Veranda Resort & Residences will open in February on Providenciales in Turks & Caicos, offering Nantucket- and Key West-inspired studios and one-to-four-bedroom suites along Grace Bay with inaugural rates from $321, all-inclusive. A March newcomer is 157-room W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island, featuring sleek Caribbean-chic décor on this quiet isle off of Puerto Rico, and rates from $409. Also on the horizon is luxurious Scrub Island, featuring 56 rooms and suites on a 230-acre islet in the British Virgin Islands, set for a soft opening on February 11 and a grand opening in April, with rates from $450. One legendary Antigua property has a new look: Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort re-opened in December with 40 remodeled suites and 12 villas on a 300-acre private island and rates from $950, including meals and wine. For more trip-planning resources, check out our Caribbean Travel Guide.

Mexico
The newest luxury lair in Los Cabos is Capella Pedregal, which opened in September offering 66 rooms and suites, each with private terrace and plunge pool and rates from $475. Also new to Los Cabos is Zoetry Casa Del Mar, which opened in December with 42 suites, four swimming pools, sweeping Sea of Cortez views and rates from $648, all-inclusive. And debuting in early 2010 is cliff-top all-pool-villa Banyan Tree Cabo Marqués in Acapulco, which blends vibrant Mexican ambience with soothing Asian aesthetics at rates from $610. For more trip-planning resources, check out our Mexico Travel Guide.

Hawaii
The Aloha State’s most famous beach continued its 21st-century makeover with the October opening of 38-story Trump International Hotel & Tower Waikiki, featuring 462 sleek rooms and suites with rates from $425. Kauai saw the mid-2009 debut of Koa Kea Hotel & Resort at Poipu Beach, featuring 121 Hawaii-modern rooms with rates from $299. Kauai’s biggest news was the October rebranding of the St. Regis Princeville Resort, featuring 252 sophisticated rooms and suites and Kauai Grill, Hawaii’s first Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant, with rates from $575. For more trip-planning resources, check out our Hawaii Travel Guide.