This year’s World’s Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world.

In the second half of 2020, when most Caribbean countries reopened, travelers made a beeline to the region in search of space and seclusion, as well as sun, sea, and sand. It’s not surprising, then, that islands which are either large enough to spread out on (Jamaica) or small enough to be relatively exclusive (St. Bart’s) were home to half of the resorts that made this year’s rankings.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.

Courtesy of Kamalame Cay

Once on the ground in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas, T+L readers continued to prioritize privacy, favoring hotels that were either small, spacious, or secluded. Their preferences are proven by the top 10 retreats on the list, which comprise a mix of private-island resorts, villa-based properties, or hotels with fewer than 60 rooms.

The Turks and Caicos islands drew many travelers, who raved about Providenciales hotels No. 9 Point Grace (“Awesome location, awesome employees!”); No. 19 Seven Stars Resort & Spa (“The spa is the best on the island”); and No. 24 Grace Bay Club (“Our seven-night stay was spectacular!”). Round Hill Hotel and Villas, which came in second, was one of four Jamaican resorts to make the list. Readers praised it for its “stylish yet timeless interiors” and “delightful afternoon tea.” “After 15 years of visiting we have never been disappointed,” one fan claims. St. Lucia also put in a strong showing with four resorts, including the ever-popular romantic retreat Jade Mountain, which earned the No. 3 spot.

Your top pick, Kamalame Cay, was the only Bahamian resort to make the list. Read on to find out why it stood out from the competition.

  1. Kamalame Cay, Kamalame Cay, Andros Island, Bahamas

Courtesy of Kamalame Cay

Described by T+L readers as “an amazing experience” that is “truly paradise,” this 97-acre private-island resort with just 20 accommodations (a mix of bungalows, beach houses, cottages, and villas) checks all the post-vaccination traveler’s boxes. Whether they arrive via puddle-jumper or hop seaplane, readers rave about the family-run boutique’s “great service, excellent food,” and “wonderful atmosphere.” Home to the archipelago’s only overwater spa, Kamalame also includes diversions like diving, fishing, and kayaking the Bahama-blue waters, as well as beach picnics and classic cocktails at its tiki bar, which draws patrons from Nassau, a 40-minute boat ride away. The sum total, according to one reader, is “spectacular and dreamy all around,” making the cay a “destination that you want to rush to get to and never leave.”

Score: 99.14More information: kamalame.com

  1. Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Montego Bay, Jamaica

Courtesy of Round Hill Hotel and Villas

Score: 97.49More information: roundhill.com

  1. Jade Mountain, Soufrière, St. Lucia

Courtesy of Jade Mountain

WBA Hall of Fame honoree.Score: 97.10More information: jademountain.com

  1. (tie) Cap Maison, Gros Islet, St. Lucia

Courtesy of Cap Maison

Score: 96.73More information: capmaison.com

  1. (tie) Tensing Pen, Negril, Jamaica

Courtesy of Tensing Pen

Score: 96.73More information: tensingpen.com

  1. Hôtel Le Toiny, Anse de Toiny, St. Bart’s

Courtesy of Hotel Le Toiny

Score: 96.71More information: letoiny.com

  1. Frangipani Beach Resort, Meads Bay, Anguilla

Courtesy of Frangipani Beach Resort

Score: 96.40More information: frangipaniresort.com

  1. Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Courtesy of Jamaica Inn

Score: 96.27More information: jamaicainn.com

  1. Point Grace, Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

Courtesy of Grace Bay Resorts

Score: 96.25More information: gracebayresorts.com

  1. Secret Bay, Portsmouth, Dominica

Courtesy of Secret Bay

Score: 96.18More information: secretbay.dm

  1. Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, St. Bart’s

Laurent Benoit/Courtesy of Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa

Score: 95.75More information: lebarthelemyhotel.com

  1. Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba

Courtesy of Bucuti & Tara

Score: 95.75More information: bucuti.com

  1. Le Sereno, Grand Cul De Sac, St. Bart’s

Courtesy of Sereno Hotels

Score: 95.67More information: serenohotels.com

  1. Palm Heights, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Courtesy of Palm Heights

Score: 95.60More information: palmheights.com

  1. Anse Chastanet Resort, Soufrière, St. Lucia

Courtesy of Anse Chastanet

Score: 94.81More information: ansechastanet.com

  1. Eden Rock-St. Barths, Baie de Saint Jean, St. Bart’s

Courtesy of Eden Rock – St Barths

Score: 94.71More information: oetkercollection.com

  1. Half Moon, Montego Bay, Jamaica

Courtesy of Half Moon

Score: 94.43More information: halfmoon.com

  1. Jumby Bay Island, St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda

Courtesy of Jumby Bay Island

Score: 94.29More information: oetkercollection.com

  1. Seven Stars Resort & Spa, Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

Courtesy of Seven Stars Resort & Spa

Score: 93.64More information: sevenstarsgracebay.com

  1. Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort, Soufrière, St. Lucia

Courtesy of Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort

Score: 93.53More information: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

  1. Eden Roc at Cap Cana, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Courtesy of Eden Roc Cap Cana

Score: 93.47More information: edenroccapcana.com

  1. Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Maundays Bay, Anguilla

Courtesy of Belmond

Score: 93.46More information: belmond.com

  1. Curtain Bluff Resort, St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda

Courtesy of Curtain Bluff Resort

Score: 93.27More information: curtainbluff.com

  1. Grace Bay Club, Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

Courtesy of Grace Bay Resorts

Score: 93.22More information: gracebayclub.gracebayresorts.com

  1. Zemi Beach House, Shoal Bay East, Anguilla

Courtesy of Zemi Beach House

Score: 93.04More information: zemibeach.com

See all of our readers’ favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World’s Best Awards for 2021.

This year’s World’s Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world.

In the second half of 2020, when most Caribbean countries reopened, travelers made a beeline to the region in search of space and seclusion, as well as sun, sea, and sand. It’s not surprising, then, that islands which are either large enough to spread out on (Jamaica) or small enough to be relatively exclusive (St. Bart’s) were home to half of the resorts that made this year’s rankings.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.

Once on the ground in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas, T+L readers continued to prioritize privacy, favoring hotels that were either small, spacious, or secluded. Their preferences are proven by the top 10 retreats on the list, which comprise a mix of private-island resorts, villa-based properties, or hotels with fewer than 60 rooms.

The Turks and Caicos islands drew many travelers, who raved about Providenciales hotels No. 9 Point Grace (“Awesome location, awesome employees!”); No. 19 Seven Stars Resort & Spa (“The spa is the best on the island”); and No. 24 Grace Bay Club (“Our seven-night stay was spectacular!”). Round Hill Hotel and Villas, which came in second, was one of four Jamaican resorts to make the list. Readers praised it for its “stylish yet timeless interiors” and “delightful afternoon tea.” “After 15 years of visiting we have never been disappointed,” one fan claims. St. Lucia also put in a strong showing with four resorts, including the ever-popular romantic retreat Jade Mountain, which earned the No. 3 spot.

Your top pick, Kamalame Cay, was the only Bahamian resort to make the list. Read on to find out why it stood out from the competition.

1. Kamalame Cay, Kamalame Cay, Andros Island, Bahamas

Described by T+L readers as “an amazing experience” that is “truly paradise,” this 97-acre private-island resort with just 20 accommodations (a mix of bungalows, beach houses, cottages, and villas) checks all the post-vaccination traveler’s boxes. Whether they arrive via puddle-jumper or hop seaplane, readers rave about the family-run boutique’s “great service, excellent food,” and “wonderful atmosphere.” Home to the archipelago’s only overwater spa, Kamalame also includes diversions like diving, fishing, and kayaking the Bahama-blue waters, as well as beach picnics and classic cocktails at its tiki bar, which draws patrons from Nassau, a 40-minute boat ride away. The sum total, according to one reader, is “spectacular and dreamy all around,” making the cay a “destination that you want to rush to get to and never leave.”

Score: 99.14More information: kamalame.com

2. Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Montego Bay, Jamaica

Score: 97.49More information: roundhill.com

3. Jade Mountain, Soufrière, St. Lucia

WBA Hall of Fame honoree.Score: 97.10More information: jademountain.com

4. (tie) Cap Maison, Gros Islet, St. Lucia

Score: 96.73More information: capmaison.com

4. (tie) Tensing Pen, Negril, Jamaica

Score: 96.73More information: tensingpen.com

6. Hôtel Le Toiny, Anse de Toiny, St. Bart’s

Score: 96.71More information: letoiny.com

7. Frangipani Beach Resort, Meads Bay, Anguilla

Score: 96.40More information: frangipaniresort.com

8. Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Score: 96.27More information: jamaicainn.com

9. Point Grace, Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

Score: 96.25More information: gracebayresorts.com

10. Secret Bay, Portsmouth, Dominica

Score: 96.18More information: secretbay.dm

11. Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, St. Bart’s

Score: 95.75More information: lebarthelemyhotel.com

12. Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba

Score: 95.75More information: bucuti.com

13. Le Sereno, Grand Cul De Sac, St. Bart’s

Score: 95.67More information: serenohotels.com

14. Palm Heights, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Score: 95.60More information: palmheights.com

15. Anse Chastanet Resort, Soufrière, St. Lucia

Score: 94.81More information: ansechastanet.com

16. Eden Rock-St. Barths, Baie de Saint Jean, St. Bart’s

Score: 94.71More information: oetkercollection.com

17. Half Moon, Montego Bay, Jamaica

Score: 94.43More information: halfmoon.com

18. Jumby Bay Island, St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda

Score: 94.29More information: oetkercollection.com

19. Seven Stars Resort & Spa, Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

Score: 93.64More information: sevenstarsgracebay.com

20. Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort, Soufrière, St. Lucia

Score: 93.53More information: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

21. Eden Roc at Cap Cana, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Score: 93.47More information: edenroccapcana.com

22. Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Maundays Bay, Anguilla

Score: 93.46More information: belmond.com

23. Curtain Bluff Resort, St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda

Score: 93.27More information: curtainbluff.com

24. Grace Bay Club, Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

Score: 93.22More information: gracebayclub.gracebayresorts.com

25. Zemi Beach House, Shoal Bay East, Anguilla

Score: 93.04More information: zemibeach.com

See all of our readers’ favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World’s Best Awards for 2021.