There’s nothing more luxurious than a vacation in the tropics, so why not book a trip that helps preserve this natural beauty? We’re continuing our #HAPBoutiqueCaribbean series with travel writer Katherine Parkermagyar’s selections for the best eco-resorts in the West Indies.
Coulibri Ridge
4 Stars | Website | Douglas-Charles Airport
14 | 2 outdoor pools; Spa; Free WiFi | 1
Champagne Reef; Boiling Lake; Champagne Beach; Trafalgar Falls
Coulibri Ridge is a 14-suite off-grid discreet luxury resort perched atop a mountain ridge in southern Dominica, just minutes from Soufrière Bay where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. The brainchild of Canadian-born entrepreneur Daniel Langlois, Coulibri Ridge was designed as a long-term research project in how to respectfully develop and operate a modern, self-sufficient eco-resort that is closely intertwined with the local community. Solar panels fuel all of the resort’s power needs, water is generated entirely by filtered rainwater, much of the restaurant’s produce is grown on-site, and the resort’s hurricane-resistant exterior was constructed by locals from hand-chiseled rock sourced from the property. On-site, you’ll find two infinity pools, two dining rooms, a yoga pavilion, and a spa, among other amenities.
Belle Mont Farm
5 Stars | Website | Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport
84 | 1 outdoor pool; Free WiFi; Spa | 3
Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park; Mount Liamuiga; Frigate Bay
St. Kitts’ endless rainforest terrain stuns all who visit. When it comes to electing an eco-chic hotel here, the five-star Belle Mont Farm should be high on your list. It’s situated on Mount Liamuiga amidst hundreds of acres of tropical rainforest. With robust sustainability measures put into place, the hotel has a working organic farm that ensures meals and general practices throughout are eco-friendly and imbued with a minimal carbon footprint.
Caves Branch Jungle Lodge (Belmopan, Belize)
4 Stars | Website | Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport
23 | 1 outdoor pool; Spa; Bar | 1
St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park; St. Herman’s Cave; Guanacaste National Park
Head inland to Caves Branch in Belize for the ultimate eco-immersive experience in the Mayan Mountains. The lush surroundings (and lack of WiFi) ensure you won’t have to try hard to feel present during your Caribbean getaway. Stay in a canopy treehouse or jungle cabana and prepare to fall asleep to the sounds of the wild—and wake to the birdsongs of the tropical forest.
Pagua Bay House (Marigot, Dominica)
4 Stars | Website | Douglas-Charles Airport
6 | 1 outdoor pool; Spa; Free WiFi | 1
Kalinago Barana Aute; Emerald Pool; Chaudiere Pool
Dominica is considered the hidden gem of the tropics—and one visit to the Caribbean’s “Nature Island” will have you thoroughly convinced of its charms. Go off the grid at Pagua Bay House, a secluded oasis overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Marigot. There’s no better place to take in the nation’s wild beauty than on the verandah of your private cabana.
Hotel Manapany (Anse des Cayes, St. Bart’s)
5 Stars | Website | Gustaf III Airport
43 | 1 outdoor pool; Beachfront; Private beach area | 1
St Jean Beach; Plage des Flamands; Lorient Beach
Though you may not equate eco-resorts with the luxe sophistication of St. Bart’s, Hotel Manapany is the perfect place to (sustainably) experience the island’s “La Belle Vie”. The boutique hotel combines the best of both worlds, with 5-star amenities, as well as an eco-friendly design. (Not to mention it’s very own surf school along the Anse des Cayes beach). Who says green can’t be chic?
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