The best Caribbean resorts to visit by superyacht

The emerald islands and glittering turquoise seas of the Grenadines have been a celebrity bolthole for decades, and Canouan is the jewel in this Caribbean crown. Located at the northern end of the island, strung along the blindingly white Godahl Beach, lie the 26 colonial-style suites and six four-bedroom Lagoon Villas of the Mandarin Oriental, Canouan. Cruise into the island’s recently-opened Sandy Lane Yacht Club & Residences (which can accommodate yachts up to 90 metres) or arrive via jet on the private runway, before being whisked away to the palm tree scattered resort. Recently acquired by Mandarin Oriental, the chain’s first foray into the Caribbean, the property combines old school charm with state of the art technology – use your in-room iPad to set the temperature or order a rum cocktail. Ideal for golf lovers such as Eddie Jordan, guests can play on the Jim Fazio-designed golf course. Its verdant green fairways are lined with tropical flower boarders and all 18 holes provide spectacular ocean views. And the sport doesn’t need to end there with three flood-lit tennis courts, a mountain cycling circuit and guided hikes to Mount Royal, the highest point on the island.

Flanked by flourishing rainforest on one side and a palm-tree-lined beach on the other, this Caribbean institution is based in one of Antigua’s most beautiful bays. Its understated style combines colonial touches with minimalist sophistication; dark grey tones and neutral marble are interspersed with plantation shutters and flashes of colour. Its laid-back vibe is contagious and guests – who are greeted with a walkway over a lily pond – quickly swap stilettos for flip-flops and espressos for rum punch.

Relaxation is aided by thoughtful touches rather than in-your-face service: chilled water coolers are placed twice-daily by the cream beachside sun loungers and a wash bowl topped with fuchsia petals is left by your door so that you can rinse the sand off your tootsies. It’s been a firm favourite with snowbirds since it opened in 2003 and its modern jetty and calm anchorage mean that it is on the up with the superyacht set. Less than five nautical miles from English Harbour, its four restaurants, floodlit tennis courts and cavernous spa offer plenty to tempt you ashore.

Sitting at the southern end of the three-kilometre curve of golden sand that is Grenada’s Grand Anse Beach, Spice Island Beach Resort is a gleaming white example of Grenadian hospitality. The property is run impeccably by Sir Royston Hopkin and his family and exudes old-school luxury: porters in gleaming gold buttons and pith helmets greet you upon arrival, staff address you by your surname and “elegant casual” dress is required for dinner.

The low-lying resort, which was rebuilt after Hurricane Ivan struck in 2004, is undergoing a rolling revamp to ensure it keeps up to date with Grenada’s luxury tourism boom. Its traditional interior colour palette is being modernised to include brighter blues and lighter woods to complement its spectacular views of the gently shelving beach and cerulean waters beyond. This picturesque location is also handily located just a short drive, or quick tender spin, from the Camper & Nicholsons Marina – making it the perfect stop-off before or after an exploration of the unspoilt Grenadine chain by boat.

Set on a small peninsula on Antigua’s southern coastline, where the turbulent waters of the Atlantic meet the gentle Caribbean Sea, Curtain Bluff’s destiny was secured when Sir Howard Hulford flew over the site in 1957. With a personality as flamboyant as his colourful shirts, he and his wife Chelle set about creating Antigua’s first luxury resort. Howard died nearly a decade ago but Chelle continues his legacy, still hosting weekly guest cocktail parties on their huge wraparound patio with views across to Montserrat and Guadeloupe.

It is this personal connection that allows the term “all-inclusive” to take on a new meaning, with its fiercely loyal staff more akin to a superyacht crew. The resort’s two palm-lined beaches are less than 30 minutes from English Harbour but, with two fine dining restaurants, a tennis centre, water sports, scuba diving tours, a kids’ club, gym and yoga studio at your fingertips (and at no extra cost), you’re unlikely to find a reason to return to your yacht.

Nestled between St Lucia’s iconic Piton mountains, this former plantation has been transformed into an uber-luxurious Viceroy Resort, claiming what might be the best view in the Caribbean. The picturesque bay was once the stomping ground of the late eccentric Lord Glenconner, who once owned Mustique, and his pet elephant Bupa which he acquired from Dublin Zoo. Today, Hollywood stars and rock legends roam the resort’s 100-plus acres, where the lush vegetation is peppered with tropical flowers.

Anchor in the deep bay and tender in to the resort’s jetty, which juts out from a powdery white beach. A dapper staff member will call a multicolored tuk-tuk to whisk you up the hill to visit either the sprawling spa, which is set alongside a waterfall (no need for music during your treatment), or the chic white and charcoal Cane Bar, where a “rum-melier” will help you select your perfect local libation.

For ultimate seclusion, book in to one of the two new treacle-colored Beachfront Collection residences. The four bedroom properties have large decks and infinity pools that offer views out to Petit Piton and the superyachts bobbing beneath.