Best Caribbean Islands and Resorts; Best Hawaii Hotels and Resorts; Best Hotels in China, Japan, and India

Condé Nast Travel magazine last week issued its Readers’ Choice Awards. Included was a detailed look at top spots in the Caribbean, as well as Hawai’i and Asia. Here’s a look at a few of the highlights, and some of my fave places and hotels.

The Best Islands in the Caribbean at a Glance

• Best Caribbean island for beaches: Anguilla
• Best Caribbean island for diving: Dominica
• Best Caribbean island for honeymoons: St Lucia
• Best Caribbean island for island hopping: British Virgin Islands
• Best Caribbean island for families: Barbados

The Top 10 Caribbean Islands

Grand Anse Beach in Grenada. Hugh Whyte/Unsplash Photo.

1. Barbados (a personal fave)
2. St. Barts (only visited on a cruise but enjoyed it)
3. Saint Lucia (perhaps the most striking Caribbean island)
4. Anguilla (maybe the best beaches)
5. British Virgin Islands (still waiting for an invitation)
6. Dominica (amazing nature spot)
7. Grenada (hope to go this coming winter)
8. Puerto Rico (terrific destination)
9. St. Kitts and Nevis (don’t know St. Kitts but love the quiet island of Nevis)
10. Jamaica (always an exceptional experience)

The Best Caribbean Resorts

1. Baoase, Curacao
2. Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
3. Cheval Blanc, St. Barts
4. Peter Island Resort, British Virgin Islands
5. Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort, Saint Lucia (splendid spot on a fine beach, with tremendous views of the famous Pitons)
6. Eden Roc Capa Cana, Dominican Republic
7. Le Sereno, St. Barts
8. Eden Rock, St. Barts
9. Rosewood Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands
10. Curtain Bluff, Antigua

And a few of Jim’s faves:

The Crane Resort sits on a beautiful bluff in southeast Barbados. Photo courtesy The Crane Resort.

Half Moon, Jamaica (finished 13th on the list; a fabulous place near Montego Bay)

Sunset at the Palms, Jamaica (a lush, tropical spot across the road from a fine beach. Here’s my review)

Jungle Bay, Dominica (terrific place on a hill overlooking the Caribbean)

The Crane Resort, Barbados (one of my fave resorts on the planet, with an exceptional beach and beautiful rooms)

Bequia Beach Hotel, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (relaxed luxury on a fun, casual island)

Kimpton Seafire, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (an upscale spot with fine food and an excellent beach)

Club Med, Martinique (very good, French-inspired cuisine and a great spot for families)

The Top 10 Hawaii Resorts

The Four Seasons Hotel Oahu at Ko Olina. Jim Byers Photo

1. Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina (tremendous family spot)
2. The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua (beautiful resort with fabulous f00d and a remarkable club lounge; here’s my review from a few years ago)
3. Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, Hawaii Big Island (haven’t had the pleasure)
4. Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii Big Island (ditto)
5. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa (a fine spot on Ka’anapali Beach; here’s a story that includes the resort)
6. Ritz-Carlton, Oahu, Turtle Bay (haven’t made it yet)
7. Ko’a Kea Resort on Po’ipu Beach, Kauai (haven’t stayed but their Red Salt restaurant is sensational)
8. Koloa Landing Resort at Po’ipu, Marriott Autograph Collection (terrific spot for families, with an incredible swimming pool; see my review)
9. Wailea Beach Resort, Marriott, Maui (another great family spot, but also lovely for couples. My review is here)
10. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort (I’ve only been for lunch but it was very good)

And some of Jim’s faves:

Napili Kai Beach Resort, Maui: A truly magnificent, family-friendly and very Hawaiian spot on what I think is the best beach in Hawai’i, Napili Beach. Here’s a review.

Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa: A fine spot on the north end of south Ka’anapali Beach, with terrific food and nice pools for kids. My review is here.

One Hotel Hanalei: A super-luxury, tropical retreat on the north shore of Kaua’i. Here’s a link to my review.

Hanalei Colony Resort: A low-key, lovely spot on the north shore of Kaua’i, quite close to the entrance to the magnificent Ko’olau Trail. My review is here.

Beachfront units at Hanalei Colony Resort, Kauai, Hawaii. Photo courtesy Hanalei Colony Resort.

Waimea Plantation Cottages: Lovely cottages spread across vast acres of lawn on the west side of Kaua’. One of the island’s most affordable places to stay. Here’s a review).

Four Seasons Resort, Lana’i: Another ultra-luxury spot, with outstanding food and a South Seas-looking swimming pool complex. It’s also super close to beautiful Hulopo’e Beach.

Volcano Village Lodge: A quiet retreat in a jungle-like setting on Hawai’i Big Island.

The Best Hotels in Hawaii

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu.

1. Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki, Honolulu, O’ahu
2. Kahala Hotel and Resort, Honolulu, O’ahu
3. Halekulani, Waikiki, Honolulu, O’ahu
4. Ka Lai, Waikiki, Honolulu, O’ahu
5. Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber, Honolulu, O’ahu (excellent for families)
6. Queen Kapi’olani Hotel Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, O’ahu
7. Prince Waikiki, Honolulu, O’ahu
8. Royal Hawaiian, a Marriott Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki, Honolulu, O’ahu (the granddaddy of them all; a truly magnficent hotel)
9. Hotel Wailea, Maui
10. Espacio, The Jewel of Waikiki, Honolulu, O’ahu

The Best Hotels in Asia

The Peninsula Hotel in Shanghai.

CHINA

1. The Peninsula, Shanghai (magnificent spot on the historic Bund)
2. The Langham Shanghai, Xintiandi
3. Rosewood Beijing

HONG KONG 

1. Mandarin Oriental, The Landmark
2. Upper House Hong Kong
3. The Peninsula (I haven’t stayed but the food is amazing)

JAPAN

1. Park Hyatt, Tokyo (tranquility and luxury in the heart of the city)
2. The Tokyo Station Hotel
3. The Tokyo Edition, Ginza

INDIA

1. Imperial Hotel, New Delhi
2. Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
3. Six Senses, Rajasthan

SOUTHEAST ASIA

1. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (an exceptional place to stay in a great city)
2. The Sukkothai, Bangkok
3. Park Hyatt, Saigon