It’s officially winter, and the weather outside is frightful — we know. You and yours could definitely stand a bit of Caribbean Sea and sunshine, but sometimes a hotel room just won’t make the cut. To the rescue: a private villa, where you can spread out and let the kids run wild.
PARROT CAY, TURKS & CAICOS
When you’re staying on a private island a half-hour boat ride away from an already posh isle, you know you’re hitting the height of exclusivity. No wonder, then, that this 1,000-acre, car-free resort — ringed by sugary white-sand beaches and crisscrossed with nature trails — is so popular with A-listers like Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Roberts and Paul McCartney. (Ben Affleck tied the knot with Jennifer Garner here in 2005.) But even regular folk can get a taste of the good life here: Book a one- to three-bedroom oceanfront villa, or rent one of the larger private residences (Donna Karan’s among them) nearby. Two new two-bedroom villas were just added, with private gardens and 700-square-foot pools. Amenities include the Asian-themed Shambala spa and an ayurvedic doctor on-site. From $3,700/night, http://www.comohotels.com/parrotcay
TRYALL CLUB, JAMAICA
Small families up to Brangelina-sized broods can find just the right amount of space at this all-villa property near Montego Bay. Its 86 villas range from spacious one-bedroom duplexes up to a grand 15,000-square-foot, eight-bedroom estate. Some are nestled on a hillside, others are near the beach or on the Ralph Plummer-designed golf course (hailed as one of the world’s best). Since these are private homes, you’ll come across all kinds of architectural styles and décor — from English Colonial to ornate Italianate to super-sleek modern. All come with a private pool and 24-hour staff — butler, cook, gardener, nanny, etc. — so you never need to lift a finger. From $950/day, http://www.tryallclub.com
FOWL CAY RESORT, BAHAMAS
With just six villas and a maximum of 28 guests, this 50-acre all-inclusive island hideaway feels super-intimate — but if things get too cozy, just hop on your personal motorboat and head out to explore some of the 300-odd surrounding islands and cays, like Compass Cay (pictured above) where kids can feed and even swim with friendly nurse sharks. Several of the one- to three-bedroom residences have gotten much-needed updates, including new furnishings and artwork, and the Hill House restaurant has been spruced up as well. Because of its small size, the resort doesn’t have a spa, but there’s plenty to keep you occupied: snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing or just soaking up the sun on one of the three private beaches. From $9,500/week, http://www.fowlcay.com
SUGAR BEACH, ST. LUCIA
This 100-acre property, a former sugar plantation, was recently rebranded as Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort. Updates are ongoing and include a renovated spa (with seven treehouse treatment gazebos), new dining and bar venues and a new pool. What hasn’t changed is the spectacular setting, in a lush rainforest between the volcanic peaks of the Pitons, bordered by the blue waters of Jalousie Bay. The 59 new and renovated villas — four layouts, all with custom furnishings, terraces and plunge pools, as well as butler service — are scattered along the hillside, offering truly spectacular vistas of the Pitons and the white-sand beach below. From $990/night, http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com