The Caribbean is an ideal vacation destination, complete with warm weather year-round, beautiful tropical landscapes, and some of the most gorgeous beaches anywhere in the world. Your choice of lodging will significantly impact how much you enjoy your stay.
There are many fantastic options available, including bungalows, villas and hotels—all with unique amenities.
Here are several key benefits of each.
Bungalow
The luxury and comfort of a Caribbean bungalow is a truly unparalleled experience for visitors, especially if you’re seeking a more secluded, intimate stay.
Bungalows are characterized as small houses, cabins or cottages with a single story, and many bungalows are located over water right off the shore, giving guests a magnificent view of crystal- clear seas and white-sand beaches. These modest residences are stylish, comfortable, incredibly picturesque, and perfect for small groups or couples looking for a quiet Caribbean escape.
Villa
Caribbean villas provide plenty of privacy, comfort, and services designed to make your stay truly unforgettable. Rentals boast a range of extraordinary features, such as private pools, spacious living spaces and common areas, and even on-call service staff. The experience combines many of the creature comforts of home with amenities of a hotel or resort—giving visitors the best of both worlds.
These are a great option for adult groups and families looking to get away from it all, choosing to travel and experience their vacation more on their own terms.
Hotel
Most Caribbean hotels are conveniently located near large population centers and tourist attractions, so you won’t have to worry about long travel times to get to your itinerary destinations.
There are many major hotels and resorts throughout the islands, which offer a wide array of services and amenities enhancing the quality of your stay. From all-inclusive packages which bundle many aspects of your trip to make for a more cost-effective and seamless experience, to exclusive offerings such as spas, private transportation, guided tours, and plenty of other activities.
Whether you plan on going out and exploring the island or staying in and enjoying all the associated amenities, you can’t go wrong when you find the right hotel.
Factors to Consider
Other major factors in achieving your dream vacation digs include your overall plans. These include:
Vacation Type
If you’re seeking an adventurous holiday in some of the more populous areas of your desired island, hotels and resorts are usually located near the center of all the action and great for adventure-filled solo or family vacations.
If you’re looking for a group- or family-oriented retreat with a more home-away-from-home vibe far from the crowds and noise, a Caribbean villa may be the perfect choice. However, if you’re craving an intimate and romantic setting, or you just want to bask in the simple beauty of nature, you can’t go wrong with a gorgeous overwater bungalow.
Availability
Be advised: Not every Caribbean destination has ample availability of all the aforementioned choices. Villas need to be reserved early, as they often fill up quickly. Overwater bungalows aren’t offered on every island. Depending on the time of year, hotel room prices and availability fluctuates.
Budget
Lodging prices vary based on a number of factors, such as the destination, travel season, duration of your stay, and more, so you’ll need to check out the rates ahead of time to see which you can comfortably afford.
Generally speaking, however, hotels offer the most opportunities for budget-friendly accommodations, bungalows while most private villas and bungalows will sit on the higher end of the price spectrum.
Time/Season of Travel
The season you decide to travel can influence your accommodation preference, as well. If you’re not a fan of large crowds, avoid booking a hotel during the high season, and while weather is typically great in the Caribbean, hurricane season may not be the best time of year to rent an overwater bungalow.
A lot of time and thought goes into planning a Caribbean trip, and if you want to get the most out of your vacation, be sure to work with an InteleTravel Advisor.
Our community of qualified travel advisors will work with you to build a custom itinerary to your specifications, and will find and book the perfect accommodations for you and your party—so all you have to do is enjoy your stay!
