New Caribbean hot spots

From Nancy Roc

If you’d rather sink your toes into the sand at a new Caribbean resort than revisit the same old standby, you’re in luck; 2014 is proving to be a banner year for luxury openings and revamps in the region.

After several years of slowed development, the Caribbean is making a comeback, and though long construction times are still the norm, there are plenty of sparkling-new retreats ready to be discovered on your next island vacation. As one of Forbes Travel Guide’s newest soon-to-be-rated destinations, we’ve rounded up six spots that are particularly hot right now—and where to stay at each.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has had a hand in reshaping the luxury landscapes on Aruba, Grand Cayman and Puerto Rico over the last two years; since Ritz-Carlton chose the latter as the site of its second-ever Reserve-branded property, Puerto Rico has welcomed another landmark hotel, the newly reopened Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, originally designed in 1919 by architectural firm Warren and Wetmore of Grand Central Terminal fame. This June, El Blok hotel follows with an entirely different take on Puerto Rican style and an equally buzzed-about restaurant from a celebrity chef. Meanwhile, Ritz-Carlton has also opened a new Aruba property and reimagined its Grand Cayman resort’s rooms and restaurants, including Blue by Eric Ripert.

On Canouan, the upcoming Pink Sands Club is transporting the legendary luxury of its sister hotel, Barbados’ Sandy Lane, to the Grenadines. Conveniently, nearby St. Vincent will open its $240 million Argyle International Airport in early 2015, making access to these remote islands easier than ever. In the Bahamas, Baha Mar is the headliner, bringing luxury hotel brands Rosewood, Mondrian, Grand Hyatt and others to a single beachfront development later this year. And Anguilla, home to luxe favorites including Cap Juluca and Viceroy Anguilla, welcomes Auberge Resorts to the island this autumn with the opening of a revamped Malliouhana, which will have a new look but the same stunning location above Meads Bay and Turtle Cove beaches.

Click through the link below for the rest of the Caribbean hot spots:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestravelguide/2014/05/07/6-new-caribbean-hot-spots/

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