By Caribbean Journal Staff

More than 32 million people visited the Caribbean in 2023, and that number should be eclipsed by the end of this year. In other words, the Caribbean is more popular than ever — deepening its position not just as the world’s premier warm-weather Publishers Note: We are happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor in Chief of the Miami, Florida based Caribbean Journal and his staff contributing to the OTC and our Caribbean Connection Section. Check out the popular online magazine/website at caribjournal.com for valuable information on all fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbeano0destination but, in our opinion, as the most complex, diverse, vibrant destination on the planet. We work hard to convey how layered and how distinctive the Caribbean is across its more than 30 different destinations.

With the Caribbean Travel Awards, now in its 11th annual edition, we celebrate the mosaic of Caribbean travel excellence across 36 different categories ranging from the Caribbean Destination of the Year to the region’s leading chef to its top tourism executive, as voted on by the world’s foremost experts on Caribbean travel: the Caribbean Journal Editorial Team, who have nearly a century of experience traversing the Caribbean, exploring the region in depth and immersing themselves in the Caribbean with on-the-ground travel.

The grand entrance.

Caribbean Hotel of the Year: British Colonial Nassau

Nassau Harbour’s classic hotel celebrated its 100th birthday this year — but after a $100 million renovation, the newly-relaunched British Colonial is practically a brand-new hotel. When we stayed here after the reopening, what was striking was just how exquisitely the property managed to preserve its historic charm while catering to the needs of today’s traveler. From the always-beautiful beach to one of the world’s great hotel lobbies, the British Colonial isn’t just a gem of a Caribbean hotel; it’s also a symbol of the continued renaissance of downtown Nassau — a movement that has turned this corner of the Bahamian capital into a new level of destination.

Blancaneaux Lodge in Belize. Photo: The Family Coppola.

Caribbean Small Hotel of the Year: Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize

It began life as legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola’s private lodge, and now it’s a remarkable jungle retreat in the heart of Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Everything here is intimate, thoughtful and luxurious; it’s a place where you can dive right into the natural wonders that define Belize and savor the property’s particular take on Caribbean luxury. From the thatched-roof rooms to the lovely Jaguar Bar, it’s a truly unique, bucket-list travel destination.

The new Six Senses Grenada. Photos by Resort Photography.

New Caribbean Hotel of the Year: Six Senses La Sagesse, Grenada

Exciting things are happening in Grenada right now, and the first-ever Six Senes to open in the Caribbean is right at the center of it. The 71-room resort, which welcomed its first guests in April, is set on the island’s fantastic La Sagesse Beach, with a plunge pool in every room, a collection of high-design villas and Six Senses’ extraordinary blend of modern luxury and immersive wellness. It’s a hotel that fits in seamlessly with Grenada’s burgeoning identity as a global sustainability destination, and instantly in the pantheon of top Caribbean hotels.

The spa at Galley Bay.

Caribbean All-Inclusive of the Year: Galley Bay, Antigua

The story at Galley Bay starts with the natural beauty. Every time we’ve stayed here, we’ve remarked at how breathtakingly beautiful it is, from the lagoon to the beach to the myriad birds singing from the trees all day long. But Galley Bay isn’t just a beautiful place. It’s one of the world’s great destination all-inclusives, from its true toes-in-the-sand rooms to the endlessly comfortable Gauguin cottages (with private plunge pools) to the rum shack to the food at Ismay’s. This is a resort that oozes romance, and it’s the archetype of what the modern luxury traveler is seeking out.

Pool cottages at the “vintage” Caribbean all-inclusive resort called Keyonna Beach.

Small All-Inclusive of the Year: Keyonna Beach, Antigua

This lovely “barefoot” Caribbean all-inclusive manages to convey the essence of what we love about small all-inclusive resorts: the combination of a boutique feel with the convenience of the all-inclusive concept. At Keyonna, you can enjoy locally-focused food with a beautiful layout that marries plunge pool cottages with toes-in-the-sand bali beds and a commitment to delivering a truly Antiguan experience.

The new Almare resort just opened this fall.

New All-Inclusive of the Year: Almare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Isla Mujeres

Marriott has been making a dedicated push into the all-inclusive space for the last five years, adding new All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy properties across the Caribbean-Mexico region. But its new Luxury Collection resort on the lovely little island of Isla Mujeres off the coast of Cancun might be its crown jewel right now, with 105 rooms in a direct-oceanfront setting with a terrific spa. Almare just opened its doors this fall, and it’s instantly one of the region’s must-visit all-inclusive destinations.

Jakes Hotel in Jamaica.

Caribbean Sustainable Hotel of the Year: Jakes, Jamaica

Sustainability is term that’s thrown around quite a bit these days, but at its core it’s about making sure the impact of tourism is beneficial, lasting and deep. This boutique resort in Jamaica’s exquisitely beautiful Treasure Beach has made the community a centerpiece of its tourism philosophy for decades, with an overarching sustainability manifesto that applies to everything from supporting local entrepreneurs to local farming to regenerative fishing practices. That’s along with a broad green program that includes solar water heating and a chemically-free pool. When you stay at Jakes, you’re not just staying at a Caribbean hotel — you’re living in the heart of Treasure Beach.

Caribbean Wellness Resort of the Year: Kokomo Botanical Resort, Turks and Caicos

What is wellness? Yes, it’s about spa treatments and healthy eating and mental serenity, but it’s about more than that. It’s about body and soul. At this lovely boutique resort set within a tropical garden in Providenciales, wellness is a holistic concept, from the stunningly good Balinese spa to the meticulously-crafted food. A residential resort, Kokomo and its endlessly serene environs provide a respite from the noise of the world and a place to re-balance your energy. It’s one of the best-kept secrets in Turks and Caicos, but perhaps not for long. The Chilango Taqueria at Casa de Campo.

Caribbean Culinary Resort of the Year: Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic

When you have as many different amenities as the Dominican Republic’s Casa de Campo does (spa, wellness, golf, equestrian and more), it can be easy to forget that the La Romana resort is also a world-class foodie destination, with countless restaurants touching every cuisine from classic Dominican fare to a Mexican taqueria to a traditional Italian trattoria. But Casa de Campo continues to up its game, too, including its new Food & Wine Festival, which just held its second edition and reinforced the property’s place as one of the Caribbean’s great gourmet outposts.

The Greg Norman-designed golf course at Aurora Anguilla.

Caribbean Golf Resort of the Year: Aurora Anguilla

It’s one of the most beautiful courses in the Caribbean: The International Course at Aurora Anguilla, the luxury resort that has quietly developed a world-class golf offering over the last few years that includes the signature Greg Norman design and an equally stunning short course called Avalon Links. That, along with outstanding practice facilities and an on-site golf academy, have helped to turn the resort not just into the most complete hotel in Anguilla but one of the best destination golf resorts in the hemisphere.

Publishers Note: This is just a portion of the award recipients. For the full article on the 2025 Awards log on to www.caribjournal.com/2024/12/18/the-caribbean-travel-awards-2025. We are happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor in Chief of the Miami, Florida based Caribbean Journal and his staff contributing to the OTC and our Caribbean Connection Section. Check out the popular online magazine/website at caribjournal.com for valuable information on all fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbean.