Travelers without a significant other or a family to bring along may feel a bit out of place when vacationing to the Caribbean.
But that could be because they haven’t heard of these impressive Caribbean properties that cater to singles.
To clarify, when we refer to “singles,” we are referring to those clients who are not married or in a relationship. Singles can include solo travelers, but also girls' and guys' getaways. You don’t have to be single to enjoy any of the resorts we mention here, but you also won’t feel awkward if you don’t have someone to share a sunset dinner on the beach with.
The 10 properties include some of Travel Agent’s personal favorites for singles, as well as recommendations from several top advisors. In no particular order, here are Travel Agent’s 10 best Caribbean hotels for the single traveler.
The BodyHoliday - St. Lucia
The BodyHoliday is an excellent option for both girls' getaways and solo travel. The hotel caters to singles not only during the month of September when it hosts its popular September Solos event, but year-round by offering 29 Single Garden rooms. It is also one of the only Caribbean resorts with dedicated singles rooms with no single supplement.
Additionally, the property offers designated “communal tables” at every dining venue, which are regularly hosted by property staff, for singles to pull up a chair and mingle with other guests. All guests at the all-inclusive BodyHoliday receive daily inclusive spa treatments and can participate in activities such as archery, “Spoga” (spinning + yoga) in the property’s glass Tree House Spin Studio, Tai-Chi, water sports, golf, tennis and fencing.
Visit www.thebodyholiday.com
Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa – Jamaica
Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa, surrounded by Montego Bay Marine Park, is a modern, five-story, adults-only, 150-suite resort with a chic design and modern technology from free Wi-Fi to in-room tablets.
Singles looking for exclusive service should book the Junior Suite Ocean View category or higher to receive the complimentary service of a butler. Other notable amenities that will entice singles and solos include a swanky rooftop pool and bar, a beach club, fire pits, cabanas and five bars and lounges.
Singles may also be interested in the resort’s occasional theme parties, such as the “Gatsby Party." It includes flappers and a speakeasy-themed bar. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes from the 1920’s. The Gatsby Party takes place every other Saturday night.
Guests can also enjoy free flow access to eight bars and ten restaurants with AMResorts’ “Exchange Privileges,” which allows guests to use the amenities of other nearby AMResorts hotels. Breathless Montego Bay is right next door to Secrets Wild Orchid and Secrets St. James.
Visit www.breathlessresorts.com/montego-bay
Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa - Cayman Islands
Set 24 feet above sea level, nearly every one of Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa's 266 guest rooms has a private balcony. Seafire’s three freestanding beachside bungalows offer loft-like one- and two-bedroom layouts, enhanced amenities and exclusive views of the beach and ocean.
From its signature restaurant, Ave, to its casual beach bar, Coccoloba, all of Seafire’s restaurants are helmed by Executive Chef Massimo De Francesca. Foodies will especially love Avecita’s nine-seat chefs’ bar, serving an ever-changing, seasonally significant dining experience prepared around a wood-fired grill and plancha.
The bar to admire the sunset at, however, is Coccoloba. This bar is literally feet from the ocean, providing an up close view of the sunset. This place is crowded pretty much all day, but if you want any chance of grabbing a prime seat for the sunset, we suggest snagging one no later than 4:30 p.m.
Singles should note that this is where you will get the best Instagram-worthy picture of your stay. Additionally, Seafire’s two pool bars serve up creative cocktails and light bites for open-air noshing. We prefer the Seafire Pool Bar, located directly behind Coccoloba and to the right of the pool.
But one of the best features here for singles is actually the hotel’s proximity. It is within walking distance of Calico Jack’s, one of Travel Agent’s favorite beach bars in the Caribbean.
Calico’s often has live music and a fun open-air atmosphere. While Calico’s often draws a decent crowd throughout the week, Saturday night is the most lively night here. Additionally, outside of Calico Jack’s, Tiki Beach is another casual bar within walking distance of the property to meet locals and visitors alike.
Visit www.kimptonhotels.com
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana - Dominican Republic
The 1,775-room Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana is located along Macao Beach in the Dominican Republic and is a solid fit for both girls' and guys' getaways.
For those traveling on their own, the resort’s many luxury offerings are sure to keep you entertained throughout your stay, with amenities such as the signature Rock Spa, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed Hard Rock Golf Club at Cana Bay, music memorabilia and a Las Vegas-style casino – the largest in the Dominican Republic.
For some more relaxation, singles can enjoy any of the 13 pools, four swim-up bars and lazy river. Additionally, some tasty eats are available through the resort’s ten restaurants, including Brazilian steakhouse Ipanema, Zen Asian Teppanyaki and Pizzeto brick-oven pizza.
Also, the Hard Rock Hotel Hotel & Casino Punta Cana’s ORO Nightclub is modeled to rival the finest nightclubs of Las Vegas and Miami, with more than 14,000 square feet of space across two levels.
With an optional "European-style" bathing policy and a lively pulse, Eden is the place to go if you're looking for a high-energy experience. This adults-only pool has a live DJ, full bar, and Bali Beds for those looking for something a little more exclusive.
Visit www.hardrockhotelpuntacana.com
Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa - Dominican Republic
While at Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa, singles can mix and mingle with people from around the world or reconnect with those that mean the world to you.
For a daring experience, singles should check out the hotel’s “Lingerie Party,” a sexy dance party that celebrates lingerie through the ages. It is held every other Monday night. Also, be sure to hit up the “Breathleass Mega Dance Party” with a DJ, vibrant colors, dancers and glow-in-the-dark paint. This is held every Thursday night.
Featuring 750 suites with private terraces, Breathless Punta Cana has 10 chic bars and 10 restaurants with Exchange Privileges, right next door at Now Onyx Punta Cana.
For the solo traveler, book an Allure Junior Suite Pool View room. It comes with a king-size bed, a furnished balcony or terrace with a Jacuzzi, a pool and garden views. Also, solo travelers, since a good chunk of this market is recently-divorced, may be interested in the hotel’s “Untying the Knot” package, which is geared for newly single clients. It includes a room upgrade, a cocktail-making or wine-tasting experience, a reserved spot on the beach and a “Trash the Memory Ceremony,” where a recently-divorced client can smash a pinata with the face of his or her ex-husband or wife on it.
However, for girls' or guys' getaways, go big and book the xhale club Presidential Suite. It comes with everything you need for a fun gathering with friends from a large living area to a fully-equipped kitchen and dining room area. There is also a large, furnished terrace with sun loungers and a Jacuzzi with beautiful views of the ocean.
Visit www.breathlessresorts.com/punta-cana
Iberostar Dominicana – Dominican Republic
Iberostar Dominicana has an array of fun activities for singles. With a casino, a nightclub, a series of restaurants, bars, and sports all on property, the hotel provides an environment in which adults can have fun and mingle with other guests.
And, as a plus for the single traveler, Iberostar Dominicana is accessible in terms of budget. This property shares facilities with Iberostar Punta Cana, located next to it, so guests from both hotels can enjoy all the services that both properties have to offer and mingle with a larger group of guests, as the hotels have 490 rooms and 427 rooms, respectively, which provides potential for meeting a lot of interesting people from all over the world.
Iberostar Dominicana is located at one of the Dominican Republic’s best beaches, Playa Bavaro. Guests can enjoy their day at the beach or the three pools with sun loungers and parasols and a spa wet area with whirlpool, sauna and Thalassotherapy pool.
In addition to the bars, those interested in nightlife can choose between enjoying a nightly show, or testing their luck with other guests at the casino from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m., or dancing the night away at the nightclub. They can also enjoy a live band at the plaza, where the Star Band performs live every day, with dance classes and a varied selection of music.
Visit www.iberostar.com
Harbour Village Beach Club – Bonaire
Harbour Village Beach Club offers solo clients a great combination of relaxation and tailored adventure. In fact, the club’s concierge tailors the guest experience to include as much or as little adventure as desired.
Guests here typically love to lounge on Bonaire’s only private beach, just steps from the rooms and suites, and enjoy beach service from La Balandra restaurant.
With hammocks, lounges and tables and chairs, solo travelers can spend the better part of the day relaxing and dining or can swim, dive, snorkel, kayak or paddle board right off the beach.
Guests at Harbour Village have complimentary access to kayaks and paddle boards and can also take a group kayak or paddle board tour with Great Adventures, right from the beach. Guests can also order a picnic lunch from La Balandra and kayak to Klein Bonaire, a small island just off the coast.
Visit www.harbourvillage.com
Club Med Turkoise - Turks and Caicos
Club Med Turkoise is a great year-round destination for singles. This all-inclusive resort is located in Grace Bay of Providenciales Island. This adults-only property offers watersports, nightly entertainment, colorful bungalows, spa services and hibiscus-lined beaches.
With a fresh, colorful ambiance and central location, the Blue Reef Bar is great place to meet with other guests after a day on the beach. The chic and airy lounge is ideal for enjoying a cocktail, while the open-air dance floor is perfect for letting loose.
Solo guests can also enjoy Sharkie’s Bar, a this palm-lined open-air snack bar. After a busy day by the sea, the Sharkie's team will serve solos appetizers and cocktails to enjoy with the sunset. Also, nightly entertainment includes night shows and parties hosted with a different ambience every night.
Visit www.clubmed.us
Goldeneye – Jamaica
The best spot for solos to lounge while staying at the gorgeous Goldeneye resort in Jamaica is the Bizot Bar, which is set above the beach and houses a chatty, social staff eager to rub elbows with patrons.
Other cool amenities for solo clients are sunset yoga, which is offered multiple times a week; kayak tours to the property’s Field Spa and snorkeling in Snorkeler’s Cove, which is home to the Oracabessa Fish Sanctuary.
Guests at Goldeneye can also set sail on a glass bottom boat to discover marine life and coral or even paddleboard to James Bond Beach. Be sure to grab a cold Red Stripe once you’re there.
For solo travelers, we recommend any of the hotel’s Beach Huts, the most recent addition to the GoldenEye property. Each free-standing hut has been designed to promote indoor/outdoor living. High ceilings and oversized windows maximize cross-ventilation from ocean breezes, eliminating the need for air conditioning.
For girls' or guys' getaways, go big and book the property’s famous Fleming Villa. The villa is like an island unto itself. Fleming Villa, along with its satellite cottages, Pool House and Sweet Spot, is all about privacy. Guests here have their own beach, their own pool, private gardens and their own staff.
Visit www.goldeneye.com
SugarBeach, A Viceroy Resort - St. Lucia
The coolest amenity here for single travelers is nighttime snorkeling, where guests can catch glimpses of such marine life as octopi, squid, sergeant major trumpet fish, needle fish, trigger fish, parrot fish, moray eels and sometimes Sea horses.
The resort is also home to Schiller Bikes, which are hybrids of bikes and catamarans and allow guests to spin on water. The Cane Bar is a single traveler's spot to grab a tasty Caribbean rum on the rocks. The rum bar’s “rummelier” also offers occasional rum tastings at the bar.
Other cool amenities here for single travelers include chocolate-making classes with the chef, cinema under the stars, tennis lessons, stand-up paddle boarding and personal training sessions.
Singles can also make their own ceviche at the hotel’s weekly beach barbecue. The resort has Luxury Sugar Mill rooms and Superior Luxury Sugar Mill rooms, all with views of the resort's tropical gardens and palm lawn.
Each room has a private walled garden and plunge pool and has the same plantation elegant styling associated with the resort’s luxury villa category. The 11 Luxury Sugar Mill rooms and Superior Luxury Sugar Mill rooms are within easy reach of the resort's Great House, the swimming pool and Anse des Pitons.
The majority have lovely views of Gros Piton across the waters of the Sugar Mill lily pond and the ruins of an 18th century sugar mill. The Superior Luxury Sugar Mill rooms have the added benefit of a private roof terrace overlooking the ocean.
Visit www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com and keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for all your latest Caribbean travel news. Be sure to follow Travel Agent's Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike and Instagram @pike5260.