TRAVEL | COLOUR SPLASHED,
CARIBBEAN RESORTS
Leave the fresh whites and restful tones of contemporary resorts behind and step into a technicolour world. These one-of-a-kind hotels take a playful approach, embracing the tropical hues around them, to create vibrant indoor and outdoor spaces brimming with colour and filled with sunshine.
COLOUR SPLASHED, CARIBBEAN RESORTS
Words by Natasha Were.
Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, Aruba
A three-minute walk from the calm waters of Palm Beach, sisters Kimberly and Stephanie have created an exuberant retreat in the heart of Aruba’s resort district that cannot fail to spark joy. A former coconut plantation has been lovingly transformed into a tropical wonderland, bursting with flowers and foliage. Dotted among these gardens, the 46 individually styled casitas, with private patios and barbecues, are decorated in pastels and jewel tones, some with gorgeous murals. With two pools, a spa, a restaurant serving fresh, healthy dishes with plenty of meat-free options, and turquoise hammocks at every turn, it’s impossible not to love. www.boardwalkaruba.com
Little Arches, Barbados
There’s a hint of Morocco in the terracotta tiles, mosaic details and salmon-pink walls of this adults-only boutique bolthole on Barbados’ south coast, but the cobalt sea views, pastel-hued rooms and flower-filled gardens are very definitely West Indian. To soak up more local colour, borrow a bike to explore the nearby beaches and feast on fresh catch at the local fish fry – or if you prefer to relax, the hotel’s pretty sun deck and pool are surrounded by brightly cushioned loungers, huge hammocks and billowing fabric shades. The romantic rooftop restaurant serves up award-winning cuisine and sensational sunsets. www.littlearches.com
Golden Rock Inn, Nevis
A hillside hideaway on the slopes of Mount Nevis, the 11 rooms and cottages of this unique resort bring a splash of colour to the dense green jungle. Set amid 40 acres of beautifully designed grounds, the artist owners have renovated historic cottages and former sugar mills, pairing ancient stone walls with brightly painted furniture, colourful rugs and bold textiles. Equally vibrant is the acclaimed contemporary Caribbean food, which focuses on fresh seafood and local spices. Guests can tour the gardens or hike Nevis’s lush interior before relaxing by the dreamy spring-fed pool. Surrounded by foliage, it’s the perfect spot for watching vervet monkeys swinging through the trees and hummingbirds feeding on tropical flowers. www.goldenrocknevis.com
Jakes, Jamaica
Strung along Jamaica’s rugged south coast, Jake's multi-hued cottages and rooms embody the carefree, bohemian spirit of the island. Each is unique, but all provide plenty of space to lie back and enjoy the views, sip a cold Red Stripe, or shower under the stars. There's plenty of entertainment close to home, but if you want more adventure, options include mountain biking, waterfalls and a boat trip to a floating bar. Jakes is also a community hub where locals and travellers mingle, and fishermen and farmers supply the restaurants. www.jakeshotel.com
Gyp Sea, St Barth
High in the hills of Colombier, this boho-chic hideaway’s vivid colours will surely lift the spirits. Verdant tropical gardens bursting with mango and banana trees, cacti and blooming bougainvillaea contain within them 21 bungalows where colonial-style verandas, roll-top baths and four poster beds are mixed with an eclectic collection of antiques, quirky curios and bold textiles. Enjoy breakfast poolside under a buttercup yellow parasol, lunch at the trendy, teal-accented beach club, and dinner at the elegant mahogany-clad Chef’s Table, all brighter and more vibrant than the hotel’s resident parrots. www.gypsea-stbarth.com