When the final tallies come in, more than 35 million people will likely have visited the Caribbean as overnight guests in 2025 — around 4 percent more than the previous year, and about 3 percent more than in 2019. That’s along with another 38 million arriving on a cruise ship.
In other words, travelers continue flocking to the Caribbean — and it’s easy to see why. The world’s most dynamic travel destination just keeps improving: stunning, vibrant cities and towns; breathtaking beaches; myriad remarkable hotels; the most delicious food on earth; and the world’s most fascinating tapestry of cultures. And that’s what we’re here to honor.
We launched the Caribbean Travel Awards in 2014 as the world’s premier celebration of Caribbean travel, showcasing the greatest places to stay, the best places to eat and drink, the best ways to enjoy the Caribbean and, most importantly, the people who work every day to make this region what it is.
This year is the 12th annual edition of the Caribbean Travel Awards, which are nominated and selected by our editors — the world’s top Caribbean travel experts. This year’s awards cover 41 different categories of Caribbean travel, led by Caribbean Destination of the Year.
The Caribbean Travel Awards have emerged as the region’s most meaningful measure of travel distinction, celebrating the destinations and experiences that shape the future of Caribbean travel,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal.
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!
Caribbean Destination of the Year
St Maarten/Saint Martin
It’s two different countries, but one magnificent Caribbean destination. For the first time, the Caribbean Destination of the Year is actually two places in one: Dutch St Maarten and French Saint Martin, the twin paradise that has been reaching new heights with surging visitor arrivals, thanks to a world-class culinary scene, booming airlift and one of the most diverse, rich hotel products in the region. St Maarten is one of the true capitals of the region, the keystone of the northeastern Caribbean, and its vibrant, dynamic character, its easy accessibility and its abundant friendliness have made it the 2026 Caribbean Destination of the Year.
Caribbean Hotel of the Year
The Palms. Turks and Caicos
This has always been in the pantheon of great Caribbean hotels: now, after an $18 million renovation, it’s better than ever — anchored by one of the most striking designs in the region, the straw-hat Sisi Bar right on the beach. This is the epitome of the Caribbean luxury resort: impeccable service, diverse, high-level fare , fabulous, massive rooms and one of the most beautiful pools you’ll ever meet. A Caribbean legend has taken things to a new level.
Caribbean Small Hotel of the Year
Rock House, Turks and Caicos
The Mediterranean meets the Caribbean with this stunning 46-room hotspot has set a new bar for Turks and Caicos cool: think oversized rooms with turquoise views, an elevated Italian-fusion eatery and a rock-walled Cave Bar.
New Caribbean Hotel of the Year
The Saint, St John
The first new hotel in St John in years is a hip, energy-filled boutique retreat that’s added a whole new vibe to the endlessly lovable beach town of Cruz Bay, from its outstanding spa to a destination eatery. And did we mention it’s adults only?
Caribbean All-Inclusive of the Year
Sandals St Vincent and the Grenadines
It’s a rare thing for a single resort to help transform an entire destination, but that’s what the Sandals St Vincent and the Grenadines has achieved,. It’s helped to put St Vincent on the travel map, drawn in new airlift, raised buzz and — oh, by the way, is a world-class luxury resort — replete with overwater bungalows and new private-rooftop plunge-pool suites, too. There are all-inclusive resorts, and there’s Sandals.
Small All-Inclusive of the Year
Ambergris Cay, Turks and Caicos
This is one of the best-kept secrets anywhere in the Caribbean: an uncrowded private island, with its own international airport, spectacular food, beautiful beaches, and a combination of plunge-pool bungalows right on the sand and fantastic villas. It’s equal parts private club and luxury resort, and you never have to reach for your wallet. A true gem.
New All-Inclusive of the Year
W Punta Cana All-Inclusive
The growth of all-inclusive in recent years has led to a number of new brand enter the space. But the most exciting debut was W, the hip, urban hotel brand that completed an effortless transition into the everything-included market last year with its new hotel in Punta Cana and has shown just how far all-inclusive has come — and where it’s going next.
Caribbean Tourism Minister of the Year
Grisha Heyliger-Marten, St Maarten
St Maarten’s climbing tourism numbers have come under the leadership of Grisha Heyliger Marten, who took office in 2024 and has helped lead the destination to new levels of tourism success, repositioning St Maarten as one of the Caribbean’s major travel power players.
Caribbean Tourism Executive of the Year
Kelly Fontenelle, St Kitts
Few destinations have seen a bigger ascent in recent years than St Kitts, which has cultivated a high-imipact niche combining ecotourism, romance, adventure and luxury — and St Kitts Tourism Authority Kelly Fontenelle keeps pushing that growth forward — with targeted promotion, strategic travel and an impressive push to put St Kitts top of mind for the global travel trade.
Caribbean Tourist Board of the Year
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
For the last half decade, no Caribbean tourist board has been more creative than Antigua and Barbuda. Under the steward ship of CEO Colin C. James, the ABTA is a model for an innovative, creative, high-performance tourist board in the region, from its clever marketing efforts to what has become one of the most exciting event lineups in the Caribbean, including both Restaurant Week and the unrivaled Art Week. Antigua and Barbuda is one of the region’s buzziest destinations, and that’s in large part due to their work.
Caribbean Hotelier of the Year
Kimberly Rooijakkers, Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, Aruba
We first fell in love with this hotel years ago, and it’s the rare small Caribbean hotel that continues to reinvent itself, to push iteslf, and to get better. What was once a tiny hotel is now a full-fledged, full-service boutique, thanks to the leadership of Kimberly Rooijakkers, who has cultivated a hotel that feels real, friendly, sophisticated and fun — while putting Aruba at the forefront.
Caribbean Sustainable Hotel of the Year
Secret Bay
This six-star retreat in Dominica single-handedly vaulted the island into the global luxury ecosystem, led by visionary owner Gregor Nasseif’s relentless approach to delivering an authentic, truly Dominican experience — rooted in a perspective on sustainability that covers every facet of the property, from the staff to the culinary program to the sand.
Caribbean Spa of the Year
Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
This is more than a spa. It’s a global destination: 18,000 square feet of high-tech wellness amenities, from a hydrothermal circuit and 12 treatment rooms to a cold plunge pool and a menu of state-of-the-art treatments like touchless infrared detox.
Caribbean Wellness Resort of the Year
Kokomo Botanical Resort, Turks and Caicos
It’s almost hard to believe this oasis exists in Providenciales, a lush retreat with a high-level Balinese spa, a strong yoga program, gourmet food and an overarching approach to wellness that, as the hotel puts it, is about ROH — return on health.
Caribbean Culinary Hotel of the Year
Graycliff Hotel, Nassau
A regular at the top of the list of the best restaurants in the Caribbean for decades, this Bahamian classic is a gourmand’s delight, from its signature restuarnat (with some of the best sourcing you’ll experience) to its on-site chocolate factory to the region’s largest collection of cognacs. Food and beverage is, for us, the essence of luxury, and here, if you are a bon vivant, you are home.
Caribbean Golf Resort of the Year
Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
The recently-upgraded Teeth of the Dog is the crown jewel of a golf offering that remains unrivaled anywhere else in the Caribbean. Casa de Campo has set the standard for Caribbean golf for a half century, and that’s showing no signs of changing, anchored by three courses and 63 holes of Pete Dye-designed magic – and the facilites to match.
Caribbean Pickleball Resort of the Year
Pineapple Beach Club, Antigua
Elite Island Resorts was a pioneer in bringing pickleball to the Caribbean, and the company’s pickleball offering keeps expanding, including the recently-upgraded Pineapple Beach Club, which now boasts six state-of-the-art courts just a short stroll from the beach.
Caribbean Dive Resort of the Year
Cape Eleuthera, The Bahamas
The Caribbean is peppered with some very good dive resorts — but most of the time, there can be so much focus on diving that everything else can be overlooked. At The Bahamas’ Cape Eleuthera, though, the world-class dive outfit feels more like a bonus — with totally empty, white-sand beaches, beach bungalows, sandbars and 4,500 acres on land. In other words, it’s the best of both worlds.
Innovative Destination of the Year
Cayman Islands
It isn’t easy to redefine the Caribbean vacation. But that’s precisely what the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism pulled off earlier this year with its dynamic, creative new marketing campaign aimed at repositioning the art of the vacation — and reminding travelers why it is they travel in the first place. It’s the latest win for a destination that has always been one of the region’s most forward-thinking hotspots.
Resilient Destination of the Year
Jamaica
It’s only been three months since Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, but thanks to the indomitable spirit of its people and a forward-thinking resilience strategy, Jamaica’s tourism sector is back and operating again, with hotels across the island welcoming guests and airports functioning. It’s a remarkablly quick comeback for this island — and a reminder of Jamaica’s enduring, endless strength.
Caribbean Culinary Destination of the Year
Nassau Paradise Island
Daniel Boulud. Marcus Samuelsson. Michael White. JJ Johnson. Dario Cecchini. Jose Andres. Nobu Matsuhisa. We could go on. But you get the point — Nassau and Paradise Island has assembled a who’s who of the culinary world, complementing a dynamic local food scene (hello, Fish Fry) and a stable of stories eateries like Graycliff. If you’re a foodie, this is your next stop.
Caribbean Cruise Destination of the Year
US Virgin Islands
Shopping, historic sites, beaches, restaurants, boating. If you have one day on a Caribbean island off a cruise ship, the offerings in the US Virgin Islands, whether you’re in port in St Thomas or St Croix, are vast, well-oiled and well run. That’s without mentioning one of the best excursions: a visit to St John.
Caribbean Cruise Line of the Year
Virgin Voyages
It’s the coolest cruise line on the market right now, with high-design vessels that feel more like boutique hotels than cruise ships — and the best food at sea. It’s a brand that began with a big vision – and continues to deliver, innovating, inspiring, and excelling. That includes the sparkling debut of the new Brilliant Lady late last year.
Sustainable Destination of the Year
St Kitts
Farm-to-table dining. Lush rainforests. Organic agriculture. A solar powered airport. In St Kitts, sustainability isn’t just a buzz word. It’s part of the fabric of the place, and it’s a big reason why it’s developing such renown as a haven for sophisticated, wellness-minded travelers.
Caribbean Cultural Destination of the Year
Trinidad
Doubles. Cricket. Calypso. Bake n Shark. Carnival. Trinidad has always been one of the region’s most vibrant hotspots: it’s a colorful, vibrant, cosmopolitan blend of energy from both hemispheres, with a hard-to-top fusion of history, art, food and music that will always keep you wanting more.
Experiential Destination of the Year
US Virgin Islands
Kayaking the mangroves. Walking the streets of Charlotte Amalie. A chef’t table at the marina. A day trip to Buck Island. The USVI is all about getting out and exploring, with options for just about every kind of travel – all delivered in an easy-to-roam, friendly, accessible package. And that’s exactly what travelers are looking for right now.
Caribbean Adventure Destination of the Year
Belize
Reefs, rainforests, jaguars, blue holes. Belize is a full-fledged natural wonderland, with its unique blend of jungle and sea meaning an almost unlimited selection of adventure opportunities for intrepid travelers — and the adventure and experiential-focused hotels to match.
Event Destination of the Year
Nassau Paradise Island
Last year’s Routes Americas only underscored what a world-class Meetings destination Nassau Paradise Island is, from the terrific facitilies at Baha Mar and Atlantis to its growing place as a sports hotspot for everything from LPGA golf to NCAA basketball.
Luxury Destination of the Year
Antigua and Barbuda
It’s already home to one of the best concentrations of luxury resorts in the Caribbean, from Hammock Cove to Galley Bay to Jumby Bay; and the luxury offering on this island is making more additions over the next few years, from a One&Only resort to Robert De Niro’s highly-anticipated Nobu Beach Inn. It all ads up to the perfect blend of jet-set buzz and classic luxury vibes.
Caribbean Wedding Destination of the Year
Cayman Islands
When it comes to a wedding in the Caribbean, the ask can vary. But one request is constant: a ceremony on the beach. And in recent years, Seven Mile Beach has only deepened its popularity as a bridal hotspot, with a host of top-flite hotels (including the Ritz-Carlton and the Kimpton), with the perfect cocktail of a great airport, high-level service island-wide and improving access from all over the US.
Caribbean Dive Destination of the Year
Curacao
Despite Curacao’s surging popularity, its dive offering continues to fly a bit under the radar. The reality is that this Dutch Caribbean island has some of the best diving in the whole region — to the tune of almost 50 different sites across the destination, along with some terrific dive hotels including LionsDive and Scuba Lodge.
Caribbean Honeymoon Destination of the Year
Antigua and Barbuda
It’s the perfect honeymoon combination: luxury all-inclusive resorts, a buzzing food scene, and 365 magnificent beaches. You couldn’t come up with a better place for a post-wedding getaway if you tried. And Antigua and Barbuda keeps getting better.
Caribbean Beach Destination of the Year
Grenada
Somehow, this is still the best-kept secret in Grenada (and its sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique). The beaches aren’t just good. They’re Grand — as in, bucket-list, swoon-worthy beaches, from tiny white-sand cays in the Grenadines to the majestic coastlines in places like Grand Anse and BBC.
Caribbean Yachting Destination of the Year
British Virgin Islands
There’s really no place to get out on the water quite like the BVI, where every yacht charter trip instantly becomes a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Here, island hopping isn’t just a fantasy, it’s everyday life — and that means that whether you’re here on The Moorings or on your own boat, you’ll find a beach-filled, green-hill-covered, Painkiller-heavy getaway.
Caribbean Airport of the Year
Princess Juliana International Airport
It’s already the most famous landing in the Caribbean. And now, for the second year in a row, St Maarten’s airport takes home the crown, thanks to a sparkling new combination of terminals and an even deeper role as one of the Caribbean’s most important air hubs.
Caribbean Villa Company of the Year
Nocturne Luxury Villas
Nocturne’s ever-expanding Caribbean portflio includes operations in two of the region’s top villa markets, St Barth and Grand Cayman, with an impressive portfolio of five-star properties and a continually impressive operation. Villa travel keeps getting more popular in the region, and Nocturne is well positioned at the top of the market.
Caribbean Airline of the Year
Cape Air
They’re the Caribbean island hopping experts, and Cape Air continues to expand around the region with its outstanding operation and ability to fly, well, just about anywhere. Small airlines are essential to the Caribbean, and Cape Air continues to set the standard.
Caribbean Residential Resort of the Year
Goldwynn Resort and Residences, Nassau
It’s no secret that residential resorts are the hottest thing in the Caribbean travel industry right now, with guests drawn to the combination of luxury, comfort and space — where you can enjoy the amenities of a hotel but also feel like you actually live on the island. That’s precisely what you find at Goldwynn, set on a plum stretch of Nassau’s Cable Beach.
Caribbean Restaurant of the Year
Brass Boer, Bonaire
The first Caribbean outpost of the three-Michelin-star Die Librije in Holland is a bucket-list experience, with unimaginably good food in a jaw-dropping setting at the water’s edge at the Delfins Beach Resort. It’s a place where culinary genius meets a playful, breezy vibe — the rare world-class eatery that makes you feel right at home.
Caribbean Chef of the Year
Jerome Droingt, Le Pressoir
Saint Martin’s legendary Le Pressoir has regularly been at the top of the 50 Best Restaurants in the Caribbean for years, and it’s in large part due to the culinary mastery of Droingt, who continues to push the limit of what is possible at a Caribbean restaurant with his marvelous fusions of French and Caribbean flavors and ingredients.
Caribbean Bar of the Year
Jon Batiste’s Jazz Club at Baha Mar
This isn’t just our top bar of the year, it’s one of the most remarakble places in the Caribbean: a breathtakingly designed performance space that features endlessly talented perfomers and creative sets every single night. It’s just a marvelous place to be.
Caribbean Journal Staff
2026-01-22 00:21:00