The hotel industry in the Caribbean has been booming, with new hotels coming on the scene every week. Not only are new hotels being built in tourist hot spots like Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, but developers are also building in smaller islands like Dominican and St. Martin. 

Here are 15 Caribbean hotels that are either newly opened or will be opened in 2020.

Eclipse at Half Moon – Jamaica

The opening of Eclipse at Half Moon is the most exciting hotel opening in recent years and will be located in Montego Bay. There will be 57 rooms and located on the coast. 

The hotel will be opened on March 1st, 2020. 

Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla – Mexico 

Mexico has been seeing an abundance of new hotels popping up but Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla will bring something different to the table. The hotel will have a co-working space, rooftop pool and will be in close proximity to prime shopping in Cancun. 

The Morgan – St. Maarten

This luxury hotel will have 124 rooms and suites, a rooftop deck, an infinity pool and access to Maho and Simpson Bay beaches. 

The Morgan will start taking reservations in February. 

Planet Hollywood Cancun – Mexico 

Another opening in Cancun, Planet Hollywood will be making its debut this spring. There will be 648 rooms and the decor is inspired by movies. 

Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda – Dominican Republic

This location is the first-ever Exclusive Collection hotel by Club Med to open in the Caribbean. 

Located in the serene area of Miches, the hotel has 335 rooms and opened last month. 

Radisson Aruba – Aruba

Radisson left Aruba four years ago but is now making a comeback this year. The hotel will have 208 suites, ranging in size from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. 

Noni Beach, a St Thomas Resort – St. Thomas

This hotel will be opening in late 2020 but is the most anticipated opening on the island in years. Noni Beach will be a boutique hotel will 94 rooms. 

Paradisus Playa Mujeres – Mexico 

Opening this summer in Cancun is this mega hotel with 498 rooms, 10 dining areas, a fitness center, and a spa. 

Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana – Dominican Republic 

This Punta Cana resort will have 500 suites and a water park located in the Macao area of the city. The hotel will have an emphasis on being family-friendly and all-inclusive. 

Margaritaville Beach Resort, Nassau – The Bahamas

The Margaritaville Beach Resort is set to be a major addition to Nassau and will be opening this year. 

Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski – Dominica

Dominica’s brand new luxury hotel opened at the end of 2019, drawing more interest to this under-the-radar island. The hotel has 151 rooms and is located near Cabrits National Park. 

Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf – St. Barth

Opening in the first quarter of 2020 is the highly anticipated luxurious Hotel Barriere. The hotel will have 23 rooms in the heart of St Barth. 

Hammock Cove – Antigua

The recently opened Hammock Cove is a boutique all-inclusive, with all the rooms having their own private plunge pools. 

Secrets – St. Martin

Opening in the first quarter of 2020 is this all-inclusive hotel with 258 rooms and located on Anse Marcel. It is the first brand-new resort to open in Saint Martin and is anticipated to increase tourism to the island. 

Alaia Belize – Belize

Alaia will be opening towards the latter part of 2020 and will have a spa, art gallery, rooftop pool, and dive shop. 

With a new decade approaching, vacations in the Caribbean aren’t slowing down. In fact, accommodations in the Caribbean are improving their properties and becoming more luxurious. 

Next year will be the year of luxury Caribbean resorts. We’ve rounded up a list of the 10 hottest luxury Caribbean resorts for 2020. Although each has different elements of luxury, they share a common goal of catering to their guests. 

Cabarets Resort and Spa Kempinski Dominica

This resort is brand-spanking-new and the first real resort on the island. Housing 151-rooms, this property boasts plunge-pool suites which either overlook the ocean or lush green mountain. 

Eden Roc Cap Cana – Dominican Republic

This property has 62 suites, amazing restaurant options, and exceptional service. You can choose from pool suites or rooms with a beachfront view. You may also spot celebrities, as it’s a popular spot amongst socialites and the “who’s who”. 

Rosewood Little Dix Bay – Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

This property was known as a premier resort for those staying in the Virgin Islands. Unfortunately, the property was damaged from a hurricane but the resort is re-opening in January 2020. When opened, there will be 80 brand-new guest rooms, suites, and villas — perfect for a luxury Caribbean vacation. 

Eden Rock – St Barths

Conveniently located on St Jean beach is Eden Rock, offering beautiful suites and plenty of culinary options. 

Park Hyatt – St Kitts

Park Hyatt is the flagship resort of St Kitts and is the first Caribbean resort in the Park Hyatt brand. 

Silversands – Grenada

This new luxury resort has 52 rooms and is set on the popular Grand Anse Beach. The other amazing part of this property is its 330-foot-long pool. 

Shore Club – Turks and Caicos

This property is still fairly new to Turks and Caicos but has certainly set the standard for great resorts in the area. The guest rooms are luxurious and the service is unmatched. 

Eclipse at Half Moon – Jamaica

Half Moon is a popular Jamaican resort but will be adding a new resort in March 2020. Eclipse at Half Moon will have 57 rooms, an infinity pool, two restaurants, and a beautiful white-sand beach. It is sure to be an iconic luxury property. 

Baoase Luxury Resort – Curacao

Located on a private beach, this property will remind you of vacationing in Bali. Not only are the rooms breathtaking, but the food offered is also absolutely delicious. 

Curtain Bluff – Antigua

A celebrity favorite, this area is the perfect place for a luxury Caribbean getaway. 

Carnival in the Caribbean is like no other party experience in the world. People from all over the world gather to celebrate, whine, and drink from dusk till’ dawn and throughout the day. During Carnival season, you’ll experience the true essence of West Indian culture through music, dance, and contagious vibrant energy. 

The first Carnival in the Caribbean was in Trinidad and Tobago, with steel bands, whining in the road, exquisite costumes and other fun activities. Carnival originated from Catholic traditions in Europe but West Indians have made it into their own form of an annual celebration. 

After Trinidad started its carnival, other West Indian countries joined in and has attracted visitors from all around the world because of it. 

Here are 15 Caribbean nations you should visit for Carnival:

Trinidad

Trinidad is infamous for having one of the largest parties in the Caribbean. Carnival started because slaves in Trinidad wanted to participate in the European masquerade balls and ended up creating their own. 

Carnival in Trinidad happens on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and people from all over the world flock to the streets with their best costumes, ready to whine all day to the sound of soca and steel pans. The celebrations take place in the capital city of Port of Spain but other cities throughout the island celebrate as well. 

Martinique

French and African cultures merge during Martinique’s Carnival which lasts for five days. Celebrations happen annually at either the end of February or beginning of March. 

People dress up in costumes to sing, dance, and celebrate with a Carnival King or Vaval (a mannequin that is carried through the parade and made from paper or wood). There is also a Carnival Queen who is chosen by the people and has to sit next to the Vaval until the last day of Carnival when it is burned in a bonfire. 

Puerto Rico

Carnival Ponceño is the name for carnival in Puerto Rico and happens in the city of Ponce during the week leading up to Lent. Celebrations occur all week and every day there are parties sand parades reflective of the Spanish influence on the island. 

The first activity is the Parade of the Carnival King and the final ceremony is the “Burial of the Sardine”, also known as Entierro de la Sardina. Most of the ceremonies and costumes are seen during carnival in Puerto Rico are an homage to the Catholic roots of the nation. 

The Bahamas

Nassau, Bahamas has a weeklong carnival during the first week of May. Reggae and soca artists perform while people party and enjoy the parade. 

Hotels and Airbnbs get booked quickly during carnival in the Bahamas so it’s advised to book well in advance. 

Jamaica

Bacchanal is one of the most anticipated carnivals in the Caribbean. Celebrations take place from March until the end of April in Ocho Rios and Kingston, Jamaica. 

Carnival goers drench themselves in oil, paint, and glitter while wearing their costumes, dancing down the road to dancehall, reggae and soca music. 

St. Maarten

April is the month where St. Maarten celebrate Carnival season with the theme “Come, Experience Life!”

Celebrations continue for 17 days with parades, dancing, reggae, and soca performances and people having the time of their lives wearing costumes and enjoying great vibes, food, and drinks. 

Grenada

The island of spice has its own “Spice Mas” Carnival, occurring annually every August. There are events such as the ShortKnee masquerade, showcasing French and African culture with “Vieux corp” carnival gowns. Spice Mas occurs on the streets of St. George’s and you’ll see masqueraders parading through the street. 

Dominican Republic

Music played during carnival in the Dominican Republic differs from soca and reggae on other islands. Instead, you’ll dance to the sounds of merengue and bachata. Carnival goers will be wearing African clothing and traditional Taino costumes. There are also people who wear masks with long horns and pointed teeth to resemble the Diablos (devils). During the month of February, parades happen every Sunday. 

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Carnival in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is known as Vincy Mas and is usually celebrated days before Lent but has recently become a summer celebration. You can expect beautiful costumes, calypso music and dancing in the streets. The last two days of Carnival 

St. Lucia

Carnival in St. Lucia was initially celebrated at the beginning of the year, during Lent but is now celebrated in the Summer, during June. This month-long celebration is filled with pageants, steel band competitions, parties and even a Junior Carnival for kids. The last two days of Carnival consist of a Road March competition which is essentially a costume parade with lots of reggae, soca, and calypso music. 

Aruba

Starting on New Year’s Day until the first week in March is when Aruba celebrates its Carnival. There is an annual carnival queen competition as well as parades and pageants. The Lighting Parade happens at night in February and illuminates the streets of Aruba.

The largest carnival parade on the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) is the Grand Parade and it starts in San Nicolas making its way into the capital city of Oranjestad. To mark the end of Carnival celebrations, a life-sized model called King Momo is burned. 

Curaçao

From January until March, you can enjoy the carnival in Curaçao. There are King and Queen competitions for both teenagers and adults, a children’s parade and street parades. The two major events, Gran March (“The Grand Parade”) and the March di Despedida (“the Farewell March”) both happen at the end of the carnival season. 

Dominica

In February, Dominica celebrates Mas Domnik, also known as Real Mas. This carnival is a fusion of African culture, French masquerade traditions, and Caribbean culture. Events happen during the Monday and Tuesday prior to Ash Wednesday. Leading up to the main shows are concerts, Calypso shows, and pageants. 

Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe celebrates Carnival starting in January until Ash Wednesday. The Opening Parade and the Grande Parade happen in the capital city, Basse-Terre. You can expect a Carnival King and Queen competition as well as singing and dance contests. The symbolic model for Carnival, King Vaval, is burnt to signal the end of Carnival season on Ash Wednesday. 

Barbados

We all know Rihanna is the queen of Crop Over but what you may not know is this celebration started in the 1700s to celebrate the end of sugar cane harvest. The sugar cane industry has since been in decline but Crop Over is still in full swing. Festivities begin in May or June and last until the first Monday in August with The Grand Kadooment parade being the biggest event. Crop Over festivities includes Bridgetown’s craft and food market, Crop Over King and Queen competitions, and Kiddies Kadooment. 

Winter is coming and now is the perfect time to plan your holiday escape for November.

Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a week-long vacation, heading to the Caribbean this November is always a great idea. Not only is it the quietest time of the year for tourism, but it’s also pleasantly warm.

Here are 5 locations in the Caribbean to visit this November:

Cat Island, Bahamas

Although there has been a spike in tourism on Cat Island in recent years, the island is still a widely unknown gem in the Bahamas.

The beaches are spectacular and the small boutique hotels and friendly locals will make you feel welcomed and at home.

Discover the famous sounds of rake-and-scrape music, originating on Cat Island a unique experience of the Bahamas.

Barbuda

The sister island of Antigua is currently going through a rebirth, making it a great time to visit.

The beaches will captivate you with its white and pink sands and best of all: they’re almost always empty.

Saint Lucia

This island is perfect for travel year-round but its best during slower seasons, like November.

Satisfy your tastebuds at the newly-opened Orlando’s in Rodney Bay, spearheaded by the top chef in Saint Lucia, Orlando Satchell.

Dominica

On October 14, Dominica will be the home to Cabrits Resort and Spa. The new luxury resort will boast 151-room and is predicted to attract tourists to the island.

Stay ahead of the game and be one of the first to stay in this gorgeous resort during the month of November.

Nevis

This tiny island is home to the first hotel ever built in the Caribbean, which is now a government building.

Bring your sneakers and take in all the views with a hike up Nevis Peak.

There are boutique hotel options to choose from on the island, but if you want more of a luxury experience, head to the Four Seasons Nevis.

The Caribbean is a wonderful place to travel to because of the variety of islands — each one with their own culture, history, and cuisine.

Some islands are more known than others, which is why it is important to visit the lesser-known Caribbean countries as well.

Here are the lesser-known Caribbean countries you should travel to:

Grenada

This island is located in the eastern Caribbean and is often referred to as “Spice Isle” because of its variety of spices. There are nutmeg plantations you can tour but spices aren’t the only thing Grenada has to offer.

You can spend your time visiting the white sand beaches, an underwater sculpture gallery, gorgeous waterfalls and enjoying the local cuisine.

There are direct flights to Grenada from New York, Miami, Canada and London which makes this country very accessible.

Saba

Saba, a country in the Caribbean Netherlands isn’t like most Caribbean countries.

Instead of beaches, Saba is filled with green mountain landscapes. You can hike up the Mount Scenery Volcano, which may actually be active.

Spend time in this country going on nature hikes, visiting the Harry L. Johnson museum and Jo Bean Glass Art Studio.

There is very little crime here and a total population of about 2,000 people.

St. Barthelemy (St. Barths)

There are over twenty beaches in St. Barths and most of them are considered to be alluring.

Although this island is known as a popular destination for celebrities, everyone is welcomed here.

The island encompasses 8 square miles and has a population of a little over 9,000 people.

St. Barths is only ten minutes from St. Martin and is definitely a destination for splurging.

Curaçao

This island is located 35 miles north of Venezuela and although it is geographically part of South America; it is considered to be a part of the Caribbean.

There are over 40 different ethnicities in Curaçao and many of the locals speak English, Spanish and Dutch.

This island is the go-to for beautiful beaches and weather.

Dominica

Dominica is known as the “Nature Island” and although its name is similar to the Dominican Republic; it is completely different.

This country has an array of rainforests, mountains and lush greenery.

There are 365 rivers that flow through this island, making it a Caribbean country unlike any you’ve ever traveled to before.

These under-the-radar countries in the Caribbean are amazing destinations with no crowded tourist areas — yet.

Often confused with the Dominican Republic, a little island named Dominica is the place I dream of constantly. Without a doubt, Dominica is my favorite place.  The island is small in a way that is so breathtakingly dreamy; there really is no other way to describe it. So small that you can drive around the entire island in five hours, but I don’t suggest you do that.  Please don’t do this, you’ll miss all the beauty I’m referring to and those winding roads will surely make you carsick – beautiful things need to be taken in strides, slowly.

I visited Dominica at the most turbulent time in my life yet I still view it through rose-colored glasses, a bittersweet love affair that is buried deep in my soul. I was here with the man I had come to love deeply but who had also recently broken my heart so severely I wasn’t sure I’d ever recover.  I wanted to be alone on the island but he was there, he was everywhere even when I was trying to escape him.  A part of me wanted to escape him, yet another part desperately wanted him to be mine.

I had vaguely read about the Botanical Gardens and wanted to venture there on my own for solitude. The weather peaked at being almost unbearably hot (was it hard to catch my breath or was the heat playing games with me?) but my wanderlust would never allow me to simply whine and cease exploration. I couldn’t find the Gardens, and believe me getting lost in a place so small seems silly and I remember laughing at myself often those few days. Finally, to ask for directions (there was no one on the streets which I was later told was because no one went outside in this mid-day heat, silly girl) I walked into a quiet spice and rum shop where four young men told me it was much too hot for me to be trying to walk up there. I should stay and chat they said, so they offered me a ‘shandy’ (a ginger-beer-lemonade type of hybrid that was all types of delicious) and so I did.  I barely noticed how the hours went by unhurried, as we discussed my Philosophy major and what purpose (if any) religion served in people’s lives.  The highlight of Dominica?  Its people – so genuine, soulful, and colorful.

When I ventured back outside, I instantly remembered I was supposed to meet back with my bedmate. Suffice to say he was furious I had disappeared so many hours without a word.  Suffice to say I could care less how he felt, and perkily suggested the Botanical Gardens because what else were we going to do really? We walked the ten or so blocks to the foot of the hill, and started uphill to the Gardens. Dominica is a place that can take you from a place of gloom and pick you up with its magnetic encompassing beauty. At least this is what it did for me. Here was all this majestic flora and fauna, and reaching the top of the Gardens promised a picturesque view of the town Roseau. If you squint, you can even see Martinique off in the water. When we reached the top, we had an argument – I screamed and sobbed for what seemed like forever –after all I had just found out prior to arriving here that this man had played a twisted game with my sincere love in ways that are indescribable. I didn’t want to be here on this most beautiful island with the person I loved, who I was unsure could love me.  I wanted to go home, but being a broke university student I couldn’t afford a plane ticket. Embarrassingly, I pleaded with him to just buy me a ticket and I would later pay him back but no luck.  There were plenty of ugly moments following this revelation atop this hill, but suddenly a part of my mind snapped and told me to look out. I looked out, saw this city of Roseau, the rest of Dominica stretching out behind and somehow the view gave me the reassurance that everything would be great.

Despite the Botanical Gardens healing abilities, there are other places too, like:

• The Morne Trois Pitois, the ‘mountains of three peaks’ that you’ll glimpse no matter where you look;
• Emerald Pool; shimmering emerald-green water supplied by the 50-foot waterfall;
• Roseau’s Saturday Morning Market; go very early,eat breakfast there, buy coconut water and watermelon; and ask people where to go, what to do, where to eat and they’ll offer up suggestions.

Broken-hearted or not, Dominica will infect you with sun, sudden bouts of rain and people who will chat with you for hours. No matter what your situation, this island will stay with you long after you leave and you too will be dreaming of how soon you can come back.  I always am.

This Story was curated by Adey Farah.