What’s Haute: Caribbean

By Eve Gurevich

Make the quick getaway to the islands to get that sun-kissed, dewy skin, which keeps all eyes on you. The choices are endless: St. Barths? Turks & Caicos? Barbados? Where do you go? What do you do? Here, Haute Living takes the guess-work out of the process as we provide a list of the top places to indulge in the islands.

Raffles Resort
Canouan Island, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, West Indies
866.589.2450

You can find this Canouan Island resort on 300 acres of the private 1,200-acre island. Its three secluded beaches are surrounded by one of the world’s largest coral reefs, granting each visitor a tropical paradise. The resort’s 156 suites are designed in an amphitheater-like style, allowing spectacular views of the property. The resort offers a Flight Concierge Program and will pick you up from Barbados and bring you to its remote location. The Trump Club Privee-a European style casino suitable for any James Bond enthusiast-includes a members-only salon. The Donald manages this exclusive property, which means that the grandiose décor of gold and marble is not only expected but is the quintessential definition of Trump properties. In typical Trump fashion-a name attached to just one property just won’t do-the golf course is also named for the real-estate honcho, and is designed by Jim Fazio. Holes 11 to 15 teeter on a knife’s edge ridge, and the backside features two par threes with drops of 200-plus feet.

One&Only Ocean Club
Paradise Island Bahamas
242.363.2501

Paradise Island in the Bahamas features the Ocean Club by One&Only, Kerzner International’s luxury arm. A $100 million renovation in 2000 redefined the property, which currently features three- and four-bedroom private villas. Each villa offers at least 4,000 square feet of ultimate comfort with an infinity-edged pool overlooking the beach and lush greenery. A library adjacent to the reception area conducts High Tea every afternoon, just one of the treats for Ocean Club’s visitors. After tea you can indulge with some frozen grapes as a rose-covered bath is drawn for you. A relaxing afternoon may bring you to La Palestra’s fitness center, known for its personalized approach to fitness, or to the Tom Weiskopf golf course. At the end of the day, head to The Dune, a creation of über-chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The restaurant fuses Asian and Bahamian delicacies and overlooks the resort’s Versailles-inspired gardens.
Cain At The Cove
Paradise Island Bahamas
877. COVE VIP

Kerzner International, which is known for its luxurious vacation living, partnered with the CAIN NYC group, known for the similarly named hot spots in New York and The Hamptons. The partnership launched The Atlantis location known as Cain at The Cove. Cain at The Cove is positioned on the peninsula overlooking Cove and Paradise Beaches, with 20 private cabanas, which open to both the beach and the pool. Cain also features a pool café and bar and open-air gaming pavilions that house blackjack and mini-craps tables.

Amanyara
Turks & Caicos
British West Indies
800.477.9180

Amanyara in Turks & Caicos adopts simplicity as its guiding force and an attentive staff ensures that you are not only greeted with a smile, but that the smile is, in fact, genuine. Founder Adrian Zecha knows his niche-a savvy urban traveler, who is tired of pretentious service and an inattentive staff. Amanyara also attracts with its physical beauty as it is surrounded by an 18,000-acre nature preserve and a coral reef. The rooms are a constellation of shingled open-air pavilions, spread out on a mile and a half of white sand. The Zen-like ambiance is hard to resist, but luckily you don’t even have to try.

Molton Brown Spa
Hotel Isle De France Saint Barthelemy
+ 0.590.27.61.81

Philippe Starck décor enchants Caribbean’s first Molton Brown Spa with its modern elegance and unfussy aesthetics. Located on Baie de Flamands in St. Barths’ Isle de France hotel, this modern spa does not come with a standard list of services. Instead, clients experience custom-made treatments tailored for their state of mind and life-stage. Aside from the signature Shiatswe massage, treatments include the corporeal cocoon, a deep rejuvenation for the body and the senses, allowing guests to truly unwind. The mirror of life facial is also a must, as it visibly restores the skin’s texture. All treatments can be enjoyed outdoors on the Pavilion amidst lush greenery and Flamand’s breezes. Don’t worry about being interrupted-Isle de France upholds a strict “No children under 8” policy.

Terrace Restaurant
BB 26025 St. Peter, Barbados
246.422.2291

One of The Caribbean’s best-loved hotels, Cobbler’s Cove, is home to Terrace, which serves the finest cuisine on the island in a Moorish enclave of ocean breezes. Part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux group, Terrace can be found on the edge of the beach, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Winner of local and international awards, the local produce provides an extensive daily menu, complimented by a thorough wine list. Known for the best seafood and caviar that Barbados has to offer, Terrace is surprisingly low-key. Cobbler’s Cove employs its own fisherman, who provides a selection of freshly caught barracuda, snapper, mahi mahi, or swordfish.
Yacht Haven Grande
9100 Port of Sale
St. Thomas, USVI 340.774.5030

Yacht Haven Grande is located alongside the Charlotte Amalie Harbor. The premier marina facility can-and has-accommodated some of the world’s top megayachts. Its luxurious facilities are perfect for any yacht-lover and offer countless hi-tech amenities, such as high-speed in-slip fueling, black water pump-out and waste oil removal, up to 600 amps of 3 phase power, 24-hour security, side-to berthing for yachts up to 450 feet, and extra wide concrete docks. But that’s just for your vessel! The property also includes an esplanade with three restaurants and 80,000 square feet of retail space, home to luxury boutiques like Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Coach, and more. Twelve waterside condos, two tennis courts, a putting green, swimming pool, and office space round out the offerings.

Peter Island
Tortola,BVI
284.495.2000

The Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Sir Francis Drake Channel surround Peter Island, the largest private island in the BVI. Accessible only by boat or helicopter, PI is ranked as one of the most romantic and idyllic getaways. The staff-to-guest ratio is 177 to 104, ensuring a maximum level of attention. Miles of hiking and biking trails provide a glimpse at a remarkable variety of flora and fauna unique to Peter Island. Snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, and scuba diving are some of the water sports available to the guests. Five white-sand beaches provide the setting for any water-sports, and yachts may be chartered to explore the island. Little Deadman’s Bay attracts a majority of the island’s yachts and also serves as popular snorkeling spot. Peter Island’s White Bay is favored for its privacy and reveals views of Norman and St. John islands. The Tradewinds restaurant offers a sophisticated approach to West Indian dishes, served against the backdrop of the Drake Channel and neighboring Tortola Island.

Biras Creek Restaurant
North Sound,Virgin Gorda, BVI
284.494.3555

Recognized as one of the top luxury destinations in the world, Biras Creek Resort is situated on 140 acres on Virgin Gorda. Like many exclusive retreats, Biras can only be reached by boat or helicopter and is free of cars, television, and even Wi-Fi. The world-class restaurant overlooks North Point and has a daily variation of a four-course, prix-fixe menu, which includes lobster on Wednesday and Sunday nights. The rest of the week may offer tuna, salmon, or spiced duck, which will be complemented by an array of freshly made desserts. An apple parfait or a warm banana fritter topped with caramel sauce awaits your distinguished palate. Don’t leave before the port and cheese make their way to your table!