Score: 94.50
When it comes to picking a resort in the Caribbean, Bermuda, or the Bahamas, the decision can seem tough, almost daunting: what island should I choose? Do I opt for a nonstop flight or am I willing to go farther afield? Do I want calm beaches, or waves?
Or, how about asking yourself: Will I get bored staying on a private island, where the rooms have no Wi-Fi or TVs? Clearly, our readers were up for a digital detox, because Kamalame Cay, a stylish hideaway off Andros Island in the Bahamas, won as the top resort hotel in the region for the second year in a row. Vacationing at this 96-acre hideaway can sometimes feel like a throwback to another era. Guests can walk its three-mile-long beach in total solitude; help themselves to generous pours of champagne at the breakfast buffet; and spot a mama manatee right at the arrival dock. The owners, the Hew family, even make it a point to invite guests to a brunch in their home, where they’ll whip up grilled chicken, frittatas, and rum punch. “Once you visit, you are part of the family,” said one reader, “and you will want to go back year after year.”
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities.
Kamalame wasn’t the only private-island resort to make the list. Exclusive retreats like Petit St. Vincent in the Grenadines, Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort, in Antigua, and Guana Island, in the British Virgin Islands, also earned spots on the list. All three offer guests privacy, multiple beaches, and the chance to see marine life. At Petit St. Vincent, you’re just a short boat ride away from the diving mecca the Tobago Cays, and on Jumby Bay, hawksbill sea turtles often come to nest on the shore. Six resort hotels that specifically cater to adults — Jade Mountain, a stylish aerie perched high in the hills of St. Lucia; its sister resort, Anse Chastanet; the Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios; and Jamaica’s popular Couples Negril, Couples San Souci, and Couples Swept Away — also placed, proving that the region is still top-of-mind for a romantic vacation. “Jade Mountain is a spectacular hotel,” raved one reader about the No. 2 hotel. “Rooms and food are unforgettable. It’s a great place for a honeymoon.”
1. Kamalame Cay, Andros, Bahamas
Score: 97.49
“Wonderful, organically natural resort with plenty to do — or nothing at all.” That’s how one reader summed up this unique Bahamian retreat. Adventure-minded guests can experience superb bonefishing and diving just offshore. On-island, it’s all about lounging with a book by the quiet, restful pool, heading to the overwater spa for a massage, or taking cocktails in the Great House’s cozy living room before a dinner of grilled lobster or Andros stone crabs. The 27 rooms and 15 villas, which have all been uniquely decorated and face the sea to take advantage of the breezes, feature colorful artwork, white linen sofas, and plenty of natural woods. “Three little words: paradise on earth!”
