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| The "Nude Pool" at Hedonism II in Negril, Jamaica is a great option for Caribbean-bound Millennials looking for a unique pool. |
When Millennials are choosing their Caribbean destination, a stylish, swanky pool can go a long way in making their decision.
Here are five chic pools Travel Agent recommends pitching to Caribbean-bound Millennials his spring and beyond.
One&Only Ocean Club, Nassau Paradise Island
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| The Ocean Pool at One&Only Ocean Club, Nassau Paradise Island. // Photo courtesy of the One&Only Ocean Club, Nassau Paradise Island |
Millennials vacationing to Paradise Island in The Bahamas should check out the stylish pool at the One&Only Ocean Club, Nassau Paradise Island.
The 125-foot-long, infinity-edge Ocean Pool provides views of the beach and the Caribbean Sea. Complimentary pool amenities are offered hourly by the Pool Concierge team, including tasty treats such as house-made lollipops and refreshing spritzers.
The Ocean Pool area can also be rented out for private parties. This particular request requires advance notice, and can only be accommodated on a case-by-case basis.
The Ocean Pool Grill’s cocktail menu is replete with craft cocktails incorporating local ingredients that aim to deliver a truly Bahamian experience, such as the Decadence with Nassau Royale, Bombay sapphire and cinnamon infused coconut water, as well as barrel-aged Negroni cocktails.
Live poolside entertainment celebrates the change of day and sunsets from 5 to 7 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday.
One&Only Ocean Club is roughly 40 minutes from Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS). Luxury transfers can be arranged with the resort's private chauffeur.
Visit www.oneandonlyresorts.com
The "Nude Pool" at Hedonism II in Negril, Jamaica
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| The "Nude Pool" at Hedonism II in Negril, Jamaica. |
The "Nude Pool" at Hedonism II in Negril, Jamaica, is perfect for Millennials who dare to get bare.
This famous 280-room, adults-only, clothing-optional, all-inclusive beach resort was created as a haven where guests can feel comfortable and at ease being exactly who they are.
That’s why Hedonism II has a no-clothes-allowed “Nude” side and a clothing-optional “Prude” side.
Though the resort offers three freshwater pools and three cold plunge pools, the Nude Pool is by far the most fun.
Situated a few feet away from the beach on the “Nude” side of the resort, this pool is open 24/7 and has a swim-up bar open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The bar also reopens from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily, pouring unlimited premium liquor. While all six pools allow nudity, this is the only one that requires it.
Visit www.hedonism.com
Queen’s Gardens Resort & Spa in Saba
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| The pool at Queen's Gardens Resort and Spa. |
Millennials looking for an island and resort that haven't been discovered by the masses yet should check out the Queen's Gardens Resort and Spa on the little-known Dutch Caribbean island of Saba.
The resort’s pool is the largest on Saba, offering views of the Caribbean Sea, The Bottom (Saba's capital) and the Saba rainforest.
Surrounded by comfy loungers, Millennials can quench their thirst from an array of cocktails, including Queen’s Gardens’ signature mojito, and from one of the Caribbean’s most extensive wine lists from the adjacent Ocean Bar and Lounge, which extends to an intimate terrace sheltered by several ancient mango trees.
Queen's Gardens Resort is located on the Caribbean island of Saba, near St. Maarten in the Dutch Caribbean, and is often considered one of the most LGBT-welcoming hotels in the Caribbean. The 1,200 feet elevation atop Troy Hill keeps this luxurious property secluded and allows natural cooling by the fresh breeze flowing in from the sea and the mountains. Twelve suites each occupy a private floor with an in-suite Jacuzzi and views of the Caribbean Sea or Saba rain forest.
The resort also includes the new Frangipani Spa, which is said to be the first and only spa on the island offering an array of treatments from full body massages, body wraps, and scrubs to manicures, pedicures and unique specialty treatments. A central pool and room service are also available.
With increasing numbers of gay and lesbian tour packages being offered by the island, and with American travelers not only accepting the LGBT community, but embracing it, Travel Agent expects Saba to get on the mainstream map very soon. So, go now while it’s still a secret.
Saba is also a scuba enthusiasts paradise and known by experts as one of the best diving spots in the world. With a population of about 1,600 spread out over four charming villages, Saba is intimate and inviting retreat welcoming couples, families and groups.
Visit www.queensaba.com
The Infinity Pool at Sugar Ridge Resort in Antigua
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| Sugar Ridge Resort's infinity pool |
Millennials looking for a swanky pool with impressive views in Antigua should take a dip in the infinity pool at Sugar Ridge Resort.
Sugar Ridge Resort's infinity pool, commonly referred to by guests as "Carmichael's Pool" because of its proximity to Carmichael's restaurant, is super sleek and a great escape and place to hang out for the hip and trendy.
The Sugar Club pool area includes waterfalls, a lap pool and Carmichael's Pool, as well as covered and open lounge areas. The Sugar Club pool area can be rented out for private functions and for weddings.
Millennials can enjoy drinks from the bar or waiter service right to their poolside lounger. There is also Happy Hour here from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. daily.
Carmichael’s Pool is perfect for sunset gazing and conversations. The signature cocktail here is the "Carmichael's Joy," which includes Cavalier Dark Rum; Orange Curacao, pineapple juice, tamarind puree, passion fruit puree and angostura bitters.
Sugar Ridge is a stylish and intimate family-owned, lifestyle boutique hotel for discerning travelers who want to connect with the beautiful island of Antigua.
Visit www.sugarridgeantigua.com
The Infinity Pool at Viceroy Anguilla's Sunset Lounge
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| The infinity pool at Viceroy Anguilla's Sunset Lounge |
Millennials looking for a cool pools during their stay in Anguilla should check out the infinity pool at Viceroy Anguilla's Sunset Lounge.
The Sunset Lounge can be rented for private parties and functions. There is also a swanky, poolside bar. This is where Millennials will find one of the best sunset views on the island, as well as the best views of Barnes Bay.
The Sunset Lounge incorporates an infinity pool that overlooks the setting sun. This bar and lounge features DJ mixes of calypso and reggae sounds with a South Beach, Miami-type vibe. A collection of aged rums, Cuban cigars and fine Champagnes are the lounge’s specialty. Sushi and light fare are served nightly.
Location is what sets Viceroy Anguilla apart from other notable luxury resorts in Anguilla; it sits on two beaches, Half Shell Beach and Meads Bay. Half Shell is the smaller of the two, attracting fewer people because the water is a bit rocky.
Millennials staying here with friends should book the Five-Bedroom Beachfront Villa. It comes with a golf cart to make it easier for guests to get around the grounds, as well as a “Lifestyle Assistant” (think butler).
The best dining option on the island set within a hotel is Coba, the signature restaurant of the Viceroy Anguilla. The ambiance is outstanding and commands guests’ attention as soon as they walk through the door. The restaurant usually welcomes patrons with some tasteful live music, such as covers of popular American classics.
Visit www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
The Edge Pool at Sonesta Ocean Point Resort
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| The Edge Pool at Sonesta Ocean Point Resort in St. Maarten |
Millennials making their way to St. Maarten should check out any of the three types of pools at the new, luxury, all-inclusive Sonesta Ocean Point Resort.
Sonesta Ocean Point Resort in St. Maarten is home to a stylish Swim Out Pool and the modern-chic Edge Pool, which is perched on a cliff on the southernmost point of the island, featuring its own manmade beach providing extraordinary views of the infinite horizon over Maho Bay.
The Edge Pool, Travel Agent's personal favorite at this hotel, uses silica-based sand that lines the bottom of the pool, featuring a cleansing filtration system, while loungers and umbrellas line the beach.
The four feet deep pool is perfect for a refreshing dip and the sunsets here are incredible. After dark, the party is just getting started as fire pits take over the scene and illuminate along the edge creating a dramatic and inviting atmosphere.
Sonesta Ocean Point’s signature Swim Out Suites feature seamless access from the terraces directly into the Swim Out pool that meanders along side the hotel’s façade and charming pathway, offering gorgeous southern sea views. In pool loungers provide guests with the perfect spot to cool off all day long.
In addition, Sonesta Ocean Point features the more traditional Point Pool, surrounded by a deck, dotted with cabanas and loungers, centrally located overlooking the entire resort, beach and Caribbean Sea. All pools are exclusive to Ocean Point guests and feature attentive food, beverage and towel poolside service.
Visit www.sonesta.com/stmaarten
The Private Pools at CeBlue Villas and Beach Resort in Anguilla
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| CeBlue Villas and Beach Resort |
Millennials looking for an ultra-chic pool with amazing views of Crocus Bay in Anguilla surrounded by greenery, hills and an ocean should book a villa at CeBlue Villas and Beach Resort.
Each villa has a private pool, great for at-home-style happy hours with family and friends. And also the best place to watch an Anguilla sunset.
Clients can order tailor-made cocktails, like the house favorite “CeBlue Lagoon” from the resort’s Blue Bar (be nice to bartender and you may get the recipe) and indulge in great salads and snacks from the Brick Oven Restaurant.
Outdoor grills are also provided for impromptu barbecues and private parties for in-villa guests.
A private enclave of eight luxury villas designed for maximum privacy, each self-contained unit boasts a private pool that includes an adjacent outdoor rain shower and bathroom.
There is also 3,000 square feet of uncovered deck space and one 2,000 square foot covered deck.
Additionally, the concierge team can arrange for a private in-villa chef to prepare a gourmet meal or a poolside barbecue.
Visit www.ceblueanguilla.com
Sandals LaSource Grenada's Freshwater Pool
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| The freshwater pool at Sandals LaSource Grenada. |
Millennials looking for a swanky pool at a Caribbean all-inclusive should check out the freshwater pool at Sandals LaSource Grenada.
There are actually an array of cool pools here, mostly found in the Skypool Suites category, but the main, freshwater pool located in the Italian Village at Sandals LaSource Grenada is considered the hotel's best overall pool.
This pool is situated on the beach and overlooks the Caribbean sea. Amenities include pool-side bar service, curtained cabanas that are included in the cost of stay and an adjacent Jacuzzi.
But its most spectacular feature, a really sexy lounging area with fire pit, truly comes alive at night. We were told this is a very special setting and a favorite location for events and meetings.
Sandals LaSource Grenada consists of 231 rooms and suites housed within three distinct villages: Pink Gin, Italian and South Seas. The best rooms at the resort are the Skypool, Millionaire and Rondoval Suites. For the best views, however, clients should look no further than the oceanview Skypool Suites, which give outstanding views of the Caribbean Sea and come with large balconies, lounge chairs, dining tables, soaking tubs and a plunge pool.
There is also Butler service in the following suites: Italian Swim up Bi-level One Bedroom Butler Suite with Veranda Tranquility Soaking Tub, Italian Oceanview Bi-level One Bedroom Butler Suite with Veranda Tranquility Soaking Tub, and South Seas Honeymoon One Bedroom Butler Suite with Private Pool Sanctuary. (Of special note for your romance clients: All rooms and suites in The South Seas and Italian villages have a soaking tub).
Visit www.sandals.com/grenada
South Point Antigua
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| The pool at South Point Antigua. |
South Point Antigua, which is just under three years old, is a chic condominium resort that gives off a heavy cosmopolitan vibe and caters primarily to affluent Millennials.
It is well suited for girlfriend getaways or couples traveling with other couples to Antigua.
There are 23 rooms, 19 of which are included in the rental pool. All are the same size and provide similar views of the marina.
There is practically no beach here, so this is more of a pool-lover’s hotel — and the pool doesn’t disappoint as it overlooks the ocean. In fact, from a glance, it’s hard to see where the pool ends and the ocean begins. We were told a glass-front gym facing the ocean and small spa with two treatment rooms will be open by the end of the year.
The style of South Point Antigua and surrounding area definitely caters to Millennials, but not in the “Vegas pool party” sense.
When not out and about though, there’s no better place to be than poolside, enjoying the million dollar view. Literally, in the winter months, when many of the world’s multi-million dollar mega yachts are moored a hundred meters away.
Pool service is complimentary, and the cocktails are addictive, so maybe save the paddle boarding for another day. The pool also offers some incredible views as it is located right on the beachfront, steps away from the water.
Visit www.southpointantigua.com
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino's H2Oasis Pool
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| The H2Oasis pool at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. |
Millennials vacationing in Aruba should plan for a cooling dip in the 3,364 square-foot H2Oasis adults-only swimming pool at Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.
This pool sports a unique shape that provides a long strip of water perfect for taking uninterrupted laps while still offering pockets of open areas on either side for those travelers who just want to soak in one spot.
With no rowdy children in sight, Millennials can put their feet up in the serenity of a stylish cabana with poolside service so they don’t ever have to leave. Millennials swimming here should also note that "Happy Hour" and two-for-one cocktails start at noon daily.
The hotel is a hot spot among both the Millennial and LGBT markets, which tend to overlap. At the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, LGBT clients can enjoy luxurious Aruba accommodations that feature spacious guest rooms, upscale bedding and bathrooms, high-tech amenities and some of the largest balconies in Aruba. The hotel culinary offerings are lead by the always-popular Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
There are 411 rooms here, including 23 suites. Each room has a 100-square-foot balcony featuring a view of the Caribbean Sea. For guests 18 years old and above, there is an exclusive, hotel-within-a-hotel, the Tradewinds Club, that sits on the resort’s top floor and has access to the H2Oasis swimming pool and recreational area.
Visit www.arubamarriott.com
The Palms Turks and Caicos' Infinity Pool and Bar
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| The Palms Turks and Caicos. |
At the heart of the The Palms Turks and Caicos resort lies a gorgeous infinity pool with undisturbed ocean views.
The design revolves around wooden decking and an array of sun pods fitted with white parasols, together with a "hot tub island" located in the center of the pool. Millennials can expect perks like cold towels, fresh fruit and refreshing lavender spray to cool off when temperatures sore.
"Plunge," the pool bar and restaurant, offers a wide range of Caribbean-inspired menu items. Guests can relax in a water banquette or at the swim-up bar while sipping the popular Palms D’or made with gold rum, coconut rum, passion fruit puree, pineapple juice, muddled mint leaves and champagne.
Additionally, Millennials can choose to sit poolside at the conventional bar with the additional facility of a sunset dining terrace surrounded by a relaxing waterfall and garden. At night, guests can gather around the fire pit at Plunge next to the pool while sipping cocktails, or enjoy "moonbathing," in which they can relax in one of the lounge chairs under the night stars while enjoying mini spa treatments and after-dinner cocktails.
Visit www.thepalmstc.com
Jade Mountain's In-Room Infinity Pool
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| Travel Agent's Joe Pike sips on a Piton beer in his in-room infinity pool at Jade Mountain resort while overlooking the actual Piton mountains in St. Lucia. |
Millennials staying at the over-the-top luxurious Jade Mountain resort in St. Lucia won't have to venture far to find the best pool on the property. It's in their room.
Each of the roughly 30 suites at this hotel come with an infinity pool that begins from the bed, which is netted to protect guests from mosquitoes, and extends to the front of the living room with perhaps one of the best views you'll ever see at a Caribbean hotel.
Looking out from the edge of your pool, you can see the pride of St. Lucia: the Pitons, two gigantic, gorgeous green twin mountains. To your right is more ocean, which looks like a painting when the sun goes down. The bottom line is you can be in this pool, drinking a cold beer or a rum on the rocks, overlooking a real-life mountain. Enough said.
Each room has only three walls. Without the fourth wall, you are basically outside while in your room. You can catch plenty of rays just by sitting in the lawn chairs in your living room. Butlers, upon request, can bring wireless devices to your room, so you have Internet service if you feel the desire to connect with the outside world or brag to your Millennial friends.
Visit www.jademountainstlucia.com
Langara, The Penthouse at Sandy Cove Barbados
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| The pool at Langara, The Penthouse At Sandy Cove Barbados is a great place for Millennials to enjoy some cocktails and incredible views. |
Millennials looking for a high-end, private pool scene in Barbados should consider Langara, The Penthouse At Sandy Cove Barbados.
The Langara penthouse, which recently joined the Blue Sky Luxury portfolio, and its pool are private. Langara’s private chef can throw a barbecue party on the pool deck and the penthouse’s private butler can tailor make cocktails and pass the hors-d'oeuvres as guests enjoy the view.
Also, the Blue Sky Luxury “Concierge Can” team will assist with booking a band, steel or otherwise, or a DJ for dancing.
With four bedrooms and an exclusive address on the Platinum Coast, the penthouse offers a staff of four, including a butler and private chef. It also comes with “smart home” technology and a private yacht.
Guests can also discover some hidden beaches aboard the home’s private yacht, explore the white-sand beach cove and vibrant reef with snorkels and SUP boards, or explore Barbados with a private car and driver. The Langara luxury experience also includes elevator access to the Sandy Cove facilities including a lagoon pool, gym and sauna.
Crystal chandeliers light the master suite, which opens to a terrace, sun deck and en-suite bath with marble rain showers and free-standing tub while the three guest bedrooms, one with a private terrace, feature their own marble en-suite bathrooms.
Visit www.blueskyluxury.com
JW Marriott Santo Domingo's VERTYGO 101 Lounge
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| The stylish rooftop deck and pool at the JW Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo // Photo by Joe Pike |
Millennials looking for a swanky pool scene in the Dominican Republic’s capital of Santo Domingo should book the Caribbean’s first ever JW Marriott hotel.
In the colonial city of Santo Domingo, the JW Marriott Santo Domingo, which represented JW’s debut in the Caribbean when it opened in August of 2014, stands out as one of the only modern chic hotels in the city and offers perhaps one of the coolest pool scenes in all of the Dominican Republic.
The main draw here is the Vertygo 101 Lounge & Bar, the Dominican Republic’s first “floating” restaurant and bar, which has a glass floor terrace rising 101 feet above the city. For those who fear heights, it can be a little scary to walk on, but it is definitely something worth experiencing at least once.
The ice cube-shaped rooftop infinity pool at the lounge beckons Millennial clients to take a dip while overlooking the beautiful city of Santo Domingo. But be careful what you do underwater, as the glass surrounding the pool is see-through. Think of an aquarium, but replace the fish with A-list travelers.
The hotel represents a $50 million investment. It has some other really cool, out-of-the box features, including televisions embedded into the mirrors of the bathrooms and key cards that are protected from magnetic strip damage.
The hotel is located in the upscale Piantini financial district and located inside the Blue Mall, which features several fine dining restaurants and high-end shops, such as Cartier, Carolina Herrera and Louis Vuitton.
Visit www.jwmarriott.com and be sure to follow Travel Agent's Joe Pike on Twitter: Follow @TravelPike
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