Three Splurge-Worthy Caribbean Spa Sanctuaries You Should Try

The ultimate in relaxation, spa breaks are a chance to escape the stresses of daily life and give your mind and body the attention they deserve. And with its chilled out charm and picture-perfect scenery, it’s no surprise that the Caribbean is home to some of the best spas in the world. Across the islands there are a multitude of resorts offering luxurious facilities, highly skilled staff and some truly indulgent treatments made to restore, rejuvenate and refresh.

 As the world begins to make a tentative return back to travel, we’ve compiled three of the Caribbean’s most tranquil spas, from low-key yet luxe Jamaican lodgings to private island resorts bathed in white sand. Here is everything you need to know about these Caribbean spa sanctuaries and how to plan your next getaway.

Photo: GoldenEye Resort

The FieldSpa at GoldenEye Hotel & Resort, Oracabessa, Jamaica

Perched on the edge of a leaf-lined lagoon, this laidback spa offers a calming oasis where you can recharge both physically and mentally. In the open air treatment rooms you can listen to the gentle rustle of the leaves as you enjoy a herbal wrap, salt scrub or facial, or perhaps their signature warming pimento and ginger massage. Intrinsically linked with nature, the FieldSpa’s tantalising list of treatments is carried out using oils and elixirs adapted from traditional Jamaican recipes and using ingredients from the hotel’s very own farm.

 The resort itself is a collection of villas, cottages and huts designed with barefoot living in mind. Surrounded by verdant gardens and breathtaking views, it’s no wonder that GoldenEye has inspired some of the world’s most brilliant creative minds. It was there that writer Ian Fleming created the iconic character James Bond and Sting penned the hit song ‘Every Breath You Take’.

Plan Your Getaway

Montego Bay is the nearest commercial airport to the GoldenEye Hotel. If you don’t fancy making the hour and a half drive yourself, staff will happily arrange for a driver to collect you. It is also possible to reach Oracabessa from Kingston Airport, taking two hours, or with special arrangements, the Ian Fleming International Airport, just a seven minute drive away. 

 There are direct flights to Jamaica available from a number of US cities including Chicago, Miami, Boston and New York. You can find flights with various major airlines such as Delta, United and American Airlines.

 For the best rates and gorgeous weather, it’s a good idea to try and visit between November and mid-December when the hurricane season has tapered off. This avoids the expensive peak period of January to March and the Christmas vacations while also getting the best out of that beautiful Jamaican sun.

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Photo: COMO Parrort Cay Hotel

Shambhala at COMO Parrot Cay Hotel, Turks and Caicos Islands 

 You can’t help but feel instant relaxation as you step inside this Zen-like spa, where you’ll find a wide selection of holistic treatments inspired by ancient Asian practices. Set on a private island, Shambhala overlooks the North Caicos Channel through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, and is laid out in low-lying pavilions with a Japanese style design. There, you can indulge in Ayurveda, aromatherapy or a range of luxurious face and body treatments that aim to relax and renew. You could even kick back and relax in the outdoor jacuzzi, where the water’s heat will ease the tension from your body as you enjoy the untouched nature around you.

 Thanks to its exclusive location, the COMO Parrot Cay Hotel offers intimacy and seclusion in a sophisticated setting. With a mile-long beach, it’s also an ideal option for off-season travel, promising an average of three hundred and fifty days of sunshine a year.

Plan Your Getaway

Providenciales International Airport is the primary airport on the Turks and Caicos Islands, where you will begin your private transfer to COMO Parrot Cay. The journey involves a fifteen minute drive to Leeward Marina and a picturesque thirty five minute boat ride.

 There are direct flights to Providenciales from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte and Philadelphia. Popular airlines American Airlines, JetBlue and United all offer frequent flights to the area.

 While the Turks and Caicos Islands promise beautiful weather for most of the year, for the best rates and fewer crowds look to book your stay in April or May. As with all flights, it’s generally better to book as far in advance as you can.

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Photo: Google, Andreas von Einsiedel 2013, All Rights Reserved

BodyHoliday Wellness Resort, Castries, St Lucia

Tucked away in a secluded cove, BodyHoliday is dedicated to complete rejuvenation through delicious food, invigorating activities and of course, world-class wellness. BodyHoliday’s imposing spa building is inspired by Spanish architecture, with grand archways, terracotta-tiled floors and perfectly pruned trees that line the outdoor pool. Elevated above the rest of the resort, this one of a kind spa is home to a tempting array of treatments from tried-and-true body massages and facials to thalassotherapy  and even acupuncture.

 As BodyHoliday is an all-inclusive resort, you can take advantage of a therapy and spa treatment every day of your stay. When you’re not being pampered, you can enjoy the beachside location, high-end rooms and delicious, healthy cuisine from one of the resort’s five restaurants.

Plan Your Getaway

There are two airports in St Lucia, with most airlines flying to the larger Hewanorra International Airport. Though it is further away from Castries than George F. L. Charles Airport, as St Lucia is such a small island the transfer time is still only around an hour and fifteen minutes.

 There are direct flights to St Lucia available with American Airlines from Miami, Charlotte and Philadelphia, with JetBlue from New York and Boston, with Delta from Atlanta and with United Airlines from New Jersey and Chicago.

 For the best deal on your flight to St Lucia you could aim to travel during the low season that runs from June until November, although you do run the risk of encountering bad weather. For a good compromise between good rates and reasonable sunshine, you might prefer to visit during the shoulder season of mid-April to early June.