7 Captivating Hotels and Resorts in the Caribbean

Every year, millions flock to the Caribbean Islands to experience the region's lush mountains, pristine beaches, breathtaking waterfalls, and rich cultural heritage. Recently, a rising number of hotels and resorts are enhancing the islands' reputation for sustainable hospitality.

High electricity costs, abundant natural sunlight, and the increasing threat of power outages from more severe hurricane seasons have prompted many properties from Puerto Rico to the small island of St. Eustatius to seek more affordable and reliable energy sources—many of which are environmentally friendly.

As per a 2023 report by the Atlantic Council, a prominent American think tank, the most cost-effective clean energy options available today are solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind technologies— and nearly every Caribbean nation has the potential to harness them.

However, the report highlights significant challenges. Many Caribbean nations are small and remote, often lacking the physical space for large-scale solar or wind farms that can achieve economies of scale. Furthermore, clean energy initiatives tend to be pricier in this region due to the necessity of importing all materials, given the absence of local supply chains. Despite these obstacles, hotels across the region are discovering ways to invest in new technologies, setting an example for others—and sometimes even generating surplus energy for the islands they inhabit.

The region is also witnessing larger-scale adoption of clean energy, with significant projects at major airports on islands like St. Thomas, Antigua, Barbados, and the Bahamas. The PV system installed at Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas, supported by a $2.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, was the largest of its kind in the Virgin Islands upon its completion in 2011 and continues to be a key example in the area.

Each initiative represents progress in the right environmental direction—and it's a direction that guests can also embrace when planning a more sustainable Caribbean getaway. 'For the future benefit of the region and its people, this is a very positive development,' states Steve Bennett, a native of St. Croix, who writes the travel blog Uncommon Caribbean and has explored the islands extensively. 'A hotel committed to renewable energy is fantastic. One that is locally owned is even better. And if that hotel sources all its art, furniture, food, soaps, linens—everything—from local businesses, that's just about ideal.'

For travelers visiting the Caribbean, choosing off-the-grid accommodations is a great way to support the region’s long-term sustainability. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available.

Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize

At Francis Ford Coppola’s 20-room Blancaneaux Lodge nestled in the rainforests of Belize, Privassion Creek, celebrated for its stunning swimming holes and waterfalls near the property, provides 85 percent of the energy required for the lodge and its staff accommodations. The pools utilize saline systems to eliminate harsh chemicals harmful to the environment, and treated creek water is used for the resort’s showers and laundry. Guests can experience complimentary eco tours for a firsthand look at the hydro system—perhaps after a morning of bird-watching at sunrise. Rates start at $439/night

Casa Solaris at Hix Island House Hotel, Puerto Rico

Nestled on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, Casa Solaris at Hix Island House Hotel boasts six one- and two-bedroom lofts, each featuring outdoor showers and breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea, along with a yoga pavilion surrounded by casuarina pines. It proudly holds the title of Puerto Rico’s first all-solar hotel, functioning entirely off the commercial power grid. Rates start at $230/night

Coulibri Ridge, Dominica

Coulibri Ridge, situated on the island of Dominica, is a luxury resort with 14 suites that serves as a model for sustainable practices that other hotels can emulate. This property was selected as one of Dinogo’s 15 Best New Hotels in the World in 2023 due to its innovative approach to sustainability.

Spanning 200 acres, this property functions as its own quaint village, generating all electricity for its air-conditioned suites, two restaurants, multiple heated swimming pools, spa, and conference rooms through solar panels. It relies entirely on filtered rainwater for its water supply, and its hurricane-resistant exterior was crafted by local artisans from hand-chiseled rocks sourced on-site. These features have inspired other properties on the island that needed to rebuild after Hurricane Maria devastated the area in 2017. Rates start at $582/night

Golden Rock Resort, St. Eustatius

Nestled across 40 lush acres on the lesser-known Dutch Caribbean island, Golden Rock Resort is St. Eustatius's pioneering eco-friendly resort. A favorite among scuba enthusiasts, it recently launched a new PADI dive center, offering courses in a lagoon fed by the ocean, which is the largest of its kind in the Caribbean, roughly the size of a football field.

The resort boasts an on-site solar park featuring 2,240 panels that generate 0.8 megawatts of electricity daily. Batteries store surplus energy, which can be utilized to power the resort and its fleet of electric vehicles at night. According to Anthony Reid, the resort’s general manager, the solar park also supports the larger island. "While we produce energy for the resort, we also create excess power that is fed back into the island's grid," he explains.

Golden Rock Resort employs reverse osmosis machines to convert seawater into clean drinking water, while treated wastewater is repurposed for irrigation, nurturing plants and grass that provide a habitat for local wildlife. Rates start at $380/night

Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, Cayman Islands

Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa is a beloved spot on Seven Mile Beach, featuring an excellent kids camp. The resort generates electricity using a 143,000-watt solar array, one of the largest in the Cayman Islands. It also opts for aluminum water bottles instead of plastic and collects rainwater for its landscaping needs.

The hotel is dedicated to being a steward of the wildlife that shares its environment. The technology employed on-site is designed to minimize its impact on local fauna. They use turtle-friendly lighting outdoors to avoid confusing the turtles that rely on moonlight for navigation to the sea. Additionally, they have trained local divers, known as “Seafire Guardians,” to aid in coral reef regeneration efforts. This commitment to local wildlife makes the resort perfect for travelers eager to support the island’s natural inhabitants. Rates start at $949/night

Lighthouse Point Dive Resort, Cayman Islands

Resorts throughout the Cayman Islands are embracing solar energy for eco-friendly hospitality, including the scuba diver favorite Lighthouse Point Dive Resort. Completely powered by solar and wind energy, it features condo-style accommodations equipped with full kitchens, including a penthouse with a turret accessible by a spiral staircase, offering stunning views of the reef.

The resort caters to both novice and seasoned divers, offering “dive and stay” packages that include multiple guided dives each day. For experienced divers eager to explore the resort’s “house reef” at their own pace, scuba tanks are readily available at the dock. While finning around, you can expect to encounter underwater species such as eels, tarpon, and a vibrant variety of reef fish. For pricing details, contact tour operators like Reef Rainforest Dive & Adventure Travel or Fly & Sea Dive Adventures.

Zemi Beach House, Anguilla

Located on six oceanfront acres, Anguilla’s Zemi Beach House boasts an adults-only infinity pool and direct access to Shoal Bay Beach. This exclusive five-star hotel operates entirely on solar power during the day and often at night, thanks to a surplus stored in a lithium-ion battery system. The resort features a remarkable five-acre solar plant equipped with 2,700 solar modules, capable of powering up to 200 traditional households at peak performance. From $976/night