As we head into winter’s monochrome, is it any wonder that we daydream of white sands, palm trees, and the serene sapphire seas of the Caribbean?
To provide respite from the chill, Luxury Defined presents seven tropical escapes in the Caribbean, where the Northern snow and ice are but a memory.
Contemplate that fathomless blue from a tropical, lagoon-style pool in the Bahamas; unwind on the tennis court or in the full-service spa of a secluded seaside sanctuary in Anguilla; or find solace on an idyll in the Turks and Caicos, with its own deepwater dock for the superyacht that gets you there.
1. Illawarra House, Albany, Nassau, Bahamas
The luxury resort community of Albany, encompassing 600 oceanside acres in New Providence, Bahamas, is the collective vision of its founders—Joe Lewis and private investment organization Tavistock Group, along with golfing greats Tiger Woods and Ernie Els and pop superstar Justin Timberlake.
Illawarra House is among the resort’s beautiful beachfront homes. The property includes a two-story four-bedroom main residence, a two-bedroom guest house, staff quarters, and a three-car garage.
All that chic, barefoot luxury includes a private spa with a sauna and an invigorating ice bath, an outdoor entertainment zone, and a luxurious pool facing calm, cerulean seas, and, of course, the resort’s world-class sporting amenities and five-star service.
2. Contemporary Beachfront Villa, Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
Built in 2020, this contemporary beachfront villa abides on the Dominican Republic’s Samana Peninsula.
The fluid, 16,145-square-foot interior offers luxurious accommodations for 27 overnight guests, all designed with accessibility in mind.
The terrace offers an additional 3,229 square feet of outdoor living space enhanced with tropical vegetation, an oceanfront pool—with a vast Jacuzzi—sun-lounger decks, a cocktail bar, a beach kiosk, and private parking for a dozen cars.
If that’s not enough, the peninsula’s five-star resorts, fine dining, and rejuvenating spas are a short walk away—along palm-fringed powder white sands.
3. Blue Cay Beach Estate, Leeward, Turks and Caicos Islands
This oceanside villa is in the exclusive yachting community of Blue Cay Estate in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.
The 0.7-acre grounds include 127 feet of beachfront and 220 feet of frontage on the Blue Cay Canal, an 85-foot-wide waterway with direct access to the Leeward Channel and some of the finest cruising grounds in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The main residence and guest house are luxuriously appointed with bespoke furnishings, high-tech features, and artisan touches. There are six bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms in all, including a full-floor, beach-themed owner’s suite.
An array of lifestyle amenities includes an infinity pool, a 65-foot boat dock with 20,000lb boat lift, a 180-foot private pier (with a pavilion and swim deck), and an oceanfront fire pit lounge to take in the sensational sea views.
Related: Explore Epic Estates Around the World
4. The Beach House – Oil Nut Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
An extraordinary escape from the everyday, The Beach House is one of the prestigious villas at Oil Nut Bay—an ultra-exclusive resort community accessible only by boat or helicopter on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands.
The beachside location provides a panoramic view of Eustatia Sound and, in the distance, Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island.
The layout incorporates six en suite bedrooms, including two large primary suites, each with a private outdoor shower garden. The grand atrium has a reflection pool, a gourmet kitchen, and private study.
The outdoor areas are characterized by a striking infinity pool, a fire pit lounge, and a private path leading directly to a pristine, powder-sand beach.
5. Clifftop Estate on Secret Bay, Dominica, Lesser Antilles
This clifftop aerie is perched on a promontory above the aptly named Secret Bay on Dominica—the Caribbean’s “Nature Island.”
The two villas—Zabuco V and Ti-Fèy II—encompass terraces for dining and lounging, private plunge pools, barbecue areas, and verdant gardens.
Indoors, the meticulous craftsmanship shines with Guyanese greenheart wood and Dominican red cedar finishes.
The open-plan chef's kitchens are equipped with Siemens appliances. The living spaces are air conditioned and equipped with a Sonos sound system.
Owners enjoy exclusive access to the beaches and top-tier resort amenities and services at Secret Bay resort—named the No. 1 Resort in Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas in Travel + Leisure's 2023 World's Best Awards.
6. Limin' Da Coconut, Little Harbour, Anguilla
Limin' Da Coconut is a stunning, contemporary Caribbean getaway on Little Harbour on the serene Leeward Island of Anguilla.
The villa’s bright white façade is enhanced with gardens of bougainvillea and swaying palms, set against a backdrop of sugar sand and serene, cerulean seas.
Inside are sleek entertaining spaces, a gourmet kitchen, and six bedroom suites, all with luxurious spa-like baths, opening onto wraparound, sea-view terraces.
The verdant grounds are a sanctuary with a resort-worthy pool, sun decks, and a picturesque sandy beach leading into the waters of Little Harbour, a paradise for snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
7. Sea-View Townhouse in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Extensively refurbished, this dramatic contemporary townhome is in the sought-after seaside neighborhood of Ocean Park in the Puerto Rico capital, San Juan.
The cool white interiors extend to 5,000 square feet of sleek geometries and luxurious finishes, with oversized windows framing unobstructed ocean views.
The primary suite, with its soaking tub and walk-in shower, is one of five en suite bedrooms plus one half-bath. The kitchen offers top-of-the-line appliances, custom cabinetry, and a spacious breakfast bar.
Outdoor spaces include a ground-floor patio and a second-floor half-shaded deck with picture-postcard ocean views.
This lovely locale, just steps from pristine beaches, offers easy access to vibrant nightlife, and world-class dining. The property is leased until July 2024.
Looking to escape the winter chill? Sunseekers: search our collection of seaside getaways in the Caribbean and beyond.
