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GRENADA
Even though it’s a year-
round destination and
clear of the hurricane
belt, this 135-square-mile
island remains remark-
ably underdeveloped.
That will change a bit
in November with the
opening of
Silversands
Grenada
(
from $800
a night
), which has
44 expansive suites
done in pale marble and
blond wood. Lounge on
sugar-soft Grand Anse
Beach, hike through the
rain forest to the Seven
Sisters waterfall, or
tour Belmont Estate, a
400-year-old plantation
that still produces cocoa
and nutmeg.
ST. BARTS
A recent partner-
ship between United
Airlines and the regional
Tradewind Aviation
means you can get to
this French overseas
territory from San Juan,
Puerto Rico, in an hour—
without double trips to
the check-in counter and
baggage claim. While
many luxury hotels
are closed for renova-
tions until fall, one that
is open is also among
the most exciting: the
new eco-chic
Hotel
Manapany
(
from $678
).
Located on quiet Anse
des Cayes Beach, it
ofers 43 tropical-wood
bungalows, a leet
of electric cars, and
thrilling wreck-diving
expeditions.
ST. KITTS
Delta has added weekly
nonstops to this West
Indies oasis from New
York, plus more frequent
lights from Atlanta.
You’ll land near one
of the region’s hottest
arrivals,
Park Hyatt
St. Kitts
(
from $500
),
where all 126 rooms
have a private balcony.
The hotel’s restaurant,
Fisherman’s Village, is
modeled on the thatched
huts that once lined the
Kittitian coast; it serves
just-caught conch on
pretzel rolls with tangy
sauce gribiche
.
BARBADOS
A surge in development
is making Barbados,
already afordable and
well-served by lights,
even more attractive. If
you stay in a beachfront
junior suite at the just-
renovated
Fairmont
Royal Pavilion
(
from
$371
), you’ll get prior-
ity through immigration
and customs. Two other
recent additions:
Nikki
Beach Barbados
, with
the brand’s reliable day-
time party scene, and
Tapestry
, an adults-only
restaurant serving Bajan
tapas such as West Indian
cofee-rubbed beef.
BONAIRE
This Dutch isle, popular
with Europeans and
cruise-goers, is set to
welcome more U.S. trav-
elers in June, when
American Airlines
opens up daily non-
stops from Miami. At
Delins Beach Resort
(
from $160
), ocean-to-
table dinners come
courtesy of Jonnie and
Thérèse Boer, purveyors
of Holland’s three-
Michelin-star De Librije
restaurant. Work up an
appetite exploring the
island’s 86 dive sites or
windsuring on Sorobon
Beach, a hangout for the
sport’s world champs.
—Katie James Watkinson
72
PHOTOGRAPHS, FROM TOP:COURTESY DELFINS BEACH RESORT BONAIRE,COURTESY COCKTAIL KINGDOM
I
t’s not usually in the summer that we dream of the Caribbean. Rather, it’s the long stretches of dreary winter that turn
our thoughts to these 7,000 sun-soaked islands and their splendid hospitality. But it turns out right now is the best
time to plan your next trip. The parts of the region most afected by last year’s hurricanes—about a third of the islands
in all—are getting back on their feet, and those destinations that were spared are more enticing than ever. Book now
for the best prices on winter trips, using this guide to ind the getaway that’s right for you.
M A K E I T
E A S Y
These islands aremore accessible,
thanks to newnonstop flights—and
more comfortable, too, with swanky,
five-star hotel projects
TRAVEL
May 14, 2018
BUY IT
Le Galion, the lone factory producing brown
sugar on Martinique, uses a decades-old pro
to make its fruity, funky
Grand Arôme
rum
(
$6 for a 500-milliliter bottle
). The lavor comes from
vinasse
,
viscous distillation residue that’s mixed with fresh molasses
a 10-day fermentation process. The result is aged in oak barr
and bottled. Combine with cane syrup and lime for a comple
ti’ punch, then stir it with an all-natural swizzle stick, made f
the twisty root of Martinique’s
bois lélé
trees. Unlike the rum
sticks are easy to ind of the island.
—
Mark Ellwood
The pool at Delins Beach
Resort in Bonaire
A L L A B O U T
T H E C A R I B B E A N
cess
a
for
els
x
rom
, the