Owning a private vacation home sure sounds nice, but people fantasizing about their own beachside property often forget that owning also means cleaning, maintaining, fixing, the list goes on... and it can end up being less of a vacation and more of a job! That's why we love vacation villas; gorgeous homes nestled within resort communities, hotel villas are the perfect way of getting the best of both worlds -- visitors find the privacy and massive size they seek, without having to worry about dealing with any issues that may arise, as hotel staff is willing and waiting to assist! So without further adieu, check out nine drool-worthy (and hassle-free) hotel villas in the Caribbean.
Round Hill is phenomenal. Sincere, intimate hospitality; private child care; breathtaking grounds; and large, beautifully designed rooms by Ralph Lauren all add up to make it is easily among the best resorts in Jamaica. The property includes numerous standalone villas of varying size; many have private pools and spacious, open verandas.
Crowded beaches are unheard of on this private island resort where a maximum of 28 guests at a time have free range of 50 acres and three beaches. Personal boats for daily excursions, on-call service, spacious villas with fully stocked kitchens and wet bars, and a host of all-inclusive activities make Fowl Cay a standout gem in the Exumas. The two-bedroom Birdcage Villa boasts particularly gorgeous views, as well as a spacious living room, complete with a fireplace, and a private pool.
The D.R.'s classiest, most famous resort since 1974, the Casa de Campo hotel is part of a massive, 7,000-acre resort community that includes three world-renowned golf courses, an immaculate beach, a marina, the quaint "town" of Altos de Chavon, and numerous private homes that can be rented through the hotel (the Kardashians famously stayed in one while filming their reality TV show). Villa Laguna Del Mar sits on the water and features spacious, stylish bedrooms and a waterfront pool.
Quiet, sophisticated, and stylish, this luxury resort doesn't skimp on amenities -- it boasts a beautiful Olympic-size pool, an exceptional spa and fitness center, an extensive kids' club, and a secluded beachfront with open-air restaurant and lounge. The resort's 49 stately residences range from sizable one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom villas of impressive proportions -- each with a private balcony or terrace and a full kitchen.
Undoubtedly one of the most prestigious hotels in St. Barts, this exclusive 15-villa luxury resort with a Parisian flair sits amid 28 lush acres of natural hills and beachfront. The private villas are spacious and airy, each with its own infinity-edge pool. Many, like this one-bedroom villa suite, also have breathtaking ocean views.
Arguably Jamaica's most romantic escape (for adults only), the Caves' 12 unique, private cottages and suites are tucked along lush garden paths and dramatic seaside cliffs (there's no beach). Moonshadow is a two-bedroom, two-story cottage complete with bright, Caribbean decor, amazing views, and an outdoor shower.
The Rosewood Little Dix Bay is a luxury property located just north of Spanish Town. The jungle-meets-ocean setting makes it one of the most romantic spots on this sparsely populated island, and the thick tropical grounds allow for utmost tranquility and relaxation. The hotel is directly on a beautiful sandy beach, and most units are just a couple dozen yards from the water. Beach Houses and Villas, like the Ocean Cottage, include wonderful extras such as private pools, full kitchens, flat-screen TVs in every room, Wii game consoles, and free use of golf carts to move around the property.
The Eden Roc, opened in 2012, is one of the most high-tech properties in the Dominican Republic, and is located in the gated Cap Cana community -- which has a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, marina, and beach club. Thirty-four colorful suites are clustered around a small, man-made lagoon and feature elegant decor (picture four-poster beds, intricate floor tiling, and spacious bathrooms). The family suite includes a spacious master bedroom, complete with a walk-in closet and en-suite outdoor patio off the bathroom, as well as a children's room with bunk beds.
Accessed via a 30-minute boat ride from Providenciales, this 1,000-acre all-inclusive resort on a private island is the definition of tranquility. With an incredible infinity-edge pool, world-renowned COMO Shambhala Spa, waterfront Balinese-style villas, and more than three miles of pristine beaches, it's easily one of the most luxurious and romantic options in the Caribbean. Large villas, such as the Dhyani, also include 24-hour butler service.