Nobody ever said you had to love the beach in order to enjoy a great beach resort. At these 11 newcomers—all within a few hours of most U.S. cities—there’s far more to do than lie in a cabana with a margarita. (But we won’t blame you if that’s what the doctor orders.) This year, you can golf in the Dominican Republic from the comforts of an Aman resort, sleep in a villa in what’s been dubbed the “Billionaire’s Playground,” and even take cooking classes at a food-focused hotel in the Cayman Islands. Whether you’re in search of sand, sun, or both, it’s time to get planning.
The Cliff
Negril, Jamaica
For that kick-off-your-shoes, let-it-all-hang-out vibe, there’s nowhere better than Negril. And the new place to stay, hands-down, is the Cliff, a takeover and total redo of the old Moon Dance Resort. Its 22 suites are some of the most spacious in all Jamaica, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the Caribbean Sea. Spend days at the natural saltwater pool or kicking back Red Stripes at one of three bars—just make it back to the hammock on your private terrace in time for those glorious Jamaican sunsets. From $260.
Amanera
Playa Grande, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has just earned its own Aman resort in the form of the gleaming new Amanera, on a secluded beach that's an hour's drive from Santiago International Airport. Here clifftop casitas are dressed up in Aman’s signature brand of sleek, tatami-inspired décor, with private plunge pools and unobstructed views of the ocean. From $1,216.
Zemi Beach House
Anguilla
Carved wooden headboards and gauzy white linens. Pearlescent beaches that seem to stretch for miles. A spa in a perfectly reconstructed, 300-year-old Thai house. Anguilla has no shortage of luxury hotels (hello, Malliouhana!) but this newcomer can compete with the best of them—without breaking the bank. From $350.
Le Soleil d’Or
Cayman Islands
Culinary enthusiasts have traditionally had little to rave about in the Caribbean. This intimate property on Cayman Brac is hoping to change that. It started out as a few exclusive-use villas connected by a farm and pool and has now expanded with big ambitions to become a tropical farm-to-table oasis. Now it has a four-room inn, a culinary school, and two new restaurants that make nearly exclusive use of the bounty grown on site—though you can also get private chef service in one of two newly renovated villas. From $850.
The Ranch Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach, Calif.