20 Best Resorts in the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Turks & Caicos – Cond Nast Traveler

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It's hard to improve on an island vacation, but if your time off calls for more than an overcrowded stretch of sand and a half-melted pia coladasay, pristine, private beaches, full-service kids' clubs, and personalized snorkeling excursionslook no further than these 20 resorts, voted the best in the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Turks & Caicos in Cond Nast Traveler's 2016 Readers' Choice Awards. Click here to view as a list. Counting down...

It's hard to improve on an island vacation, but if your time off calls for more than an overcrowded stretch of sand and a half-melted pia coladasay, pristine, private beaches, full-service kids' clubs, and personalized snorkeling excursionslook no further than these 20 resorts, voted the best in the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Turks & Caicos in Cond Nast Traveler's 2016 Readers' Choice Awards. Click here to view as a list. Counting down...

Why you love it: Built around Aquaventure, a 141-acre waterpark with over a dozen rides and slides, the ocean-themed Atlantis, Paradise Island (located just off the northern coast of New Providence) is pretty much an aquaphile's dream. Knitted out with 20 swimming areas, it includes 11 pools, 31 private cabanas, and access to three beaches. The over-the-top mega-resort is a destination for marine-life enthusiasts, too: It's home to one of the world's largest open-air marine habitats, as well as Dolphin Cay, a state-of-the-art education center where guests can play with dolphins. And for those who prefer to stay firmly on dry land, there's also an 18-hole golf course, as well as a whopping 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges, and a casino.

Why you love it: Everything about Valentines Residences, Resort & Marina, on the Bahamas' Harbour Island makes it easy to unwind. Start with a laid-back lunch facing the docks at the breezy Boathouse Restaurant, and order the fried seafood platter with all your favorite fixings (think freshly caught grouper and jumbo shrimp, served with crispy plantains, tartar sauce, and a squeeze of lime), and you'll officially find yourself on vacation. The resort's world-class yacht marina is the largest on the islandit can accommodate vessels up to 160-feet longand offers fuel service, cable hook-up, and wireless Internet access at every slip. Speaking of marine pastimes: The waters around the resort swell with tuna, marlin, and wahoo, drawing both novice anglers and pro-fisherman alike.

Why you love it: Fresh off a two-year, $100 million renovation that saw the sprucing up of its rooms, suites, and public spaces, the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club is again the shiny new penny of Bermuda's resorts. It doesnt take long to reach this pink paradise: Flights from major U.S. hubs, like Boston, Miami, Chicago, and Atlanta, are under two hours, and the resort is just another 30 minutes from Bermuda International Airport. If accessibility isnt enough of a draw, then how about celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson's eponymously-named on-site restaurant? Like Samuelsson's other restaurants, dishes are at once highbrow and flavorful, but without the fuss (we recommend securing a seat on the 1,500 square foot wrap-around veranda and snacking on the crispy fish chowder croquettes). The resort is also home to the first and only full-service marina in Bermuda, and as such, it'll play host to the 35th America's Cupthe World Series of sailingbeginning in June 2017. More reason to book your summer getaway sooner rather than later.

Why you love it: Rosewood Tucker's Point has all the hallmarks of a five-star stay. The resort, golf club, and residential community sits on 240 acres of waterfront land in Bermuda, with immaculately maintained lawns and airy, colonial-style cottages furnished with four-poster beds. But it's not all about appearances: An attentive staff will remember not just your name, but how you take your morning coffee. Dinner at The Point is an upscale affair, and the formal dining room is decorated with eight 80-foot murals (which once hung in the SkyClub in New Yorks MetLife building) depicting seaports from around the world. The food isn't nearly as highfalutin' though, with seafood staples like grilled local swordfish and little neck clams. Head to the Dive & Watersports Center for a turn on the Tidal Pull, a 31-foot dive boat that'll guide you through some 240 square miles of pristine coral reef, and over to nearby caves and dive sites.

Why you love it: Connected via walkways to Atlantis Paradise Island, The Cove Atlantis is a refuge of calm within a complex resort thats all about activity. The 600-room tower (technically part of Atlantis Paradise Island, though it has a separate check-in, pool, and beach club) comes with its own slice of beach. Oversized rooms (ranging from 600 to over 4,000 square feet) are minimal in design and feature spacious bathrooms, sunken sitting areas between the bed and balcony, and two TVs. Sidle on over to the adults-only pool area to scope out the scene: The 9,000 square foot main pool is purposely shallow to encourage socializing with your fellow vacationers, but you can always opt to observe the action from afar on a poolside day bed.

Why you love it: Guests can expect a little of everything at the 404-room and suite Sandals Royal Bahamian: There's access to the pristine Cable Beach, of course, plus ten excellent dining options, and personal butler service. A whopping 30 room categories means you can pick your price point (and perks); we suggest the Windsor swim-up suites, where you can roll out of a four-poster bed and into the lagoon pool in a matter of seconds. The one standout feature remains the resort's private, offshore island, which you can reach on your own via a kayak or sailboat, or a resort-operated boat. With two quiet beaches, a spa, and an open-air seafood restaurantplus all the low-slung hammocks and cabanas you can dream ofit's truly an escape within an escape.

Why you love it: Sandals are known for their sheer scalethe all-inclusive, adults-only resorts hum along like small citiesbut that doesn't mean they're short on detail. Not only does the 249-room and suite Sandals Emerald Bay sit on a mile-long stretch of powdery white beachfront, it's also home to an 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed golf course, three pools (including one with a swim-up bar and a central fire pit), and a rotating list of parties and events to suit every tasteincluding a late-night chocolate buffet on Wednesdays. We wouldn't blame you for sampling each of the resort's seven restaurants, but put down the fork now and then to take a dance, tennis, or windsurfing lesson to really round out your trip.

Why you love it: The family-friendly West Bay Club resort sits on the widest stretch of Grace Bay Beach, at a safe removefive miles west, roughlyfrom the swarms of vacationers in the resort district. It has a Kids' Club for the little ones, a spa for you, plus one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom suites equipped with kitchens, washers, and dryers. Nurse a cold one at the resort's beach bar before you depart on an excursion, arranged by one of the resort's handy concierges: Whether you want some of the best beginners' snorkeling in Turks & Caicos (less than ten minutes away, over at Coral Gardens Reef), a day on the green, or a horseback ride on the sand at sunset, they'll sort it out for you. On Thursdays, take a short walk over to Lower Bright Park for a taste of the year-round Fish Fry, where more than a dozen local restaurants serve up perfectly crispy plates of seafood, and a local band provides the soundtrack.

Why you love it: This 758-room, all-inclusive hideaway has something for everyone in your family, whether it's the 45,000-square-foot waterpark; a 12-mile beach lapped by clear turquoise waters; ten different pools; or an Xbox play lounge, stocked with the latest games. The resort, with four unique villages separately recreating the architecture of Italy, France, the Caribbean, and Key West, is as global with its food as it is with its accommodations: There are 22 dining options on-site, offering everything from sushi to spaghetti and meatballs.

Why you love it: On the scrubby tip of the Northwest Point Marine National Park on Providenciales, Amanyara is a veritable vision: Airy, Indonesian-wood gazebos appear to float on the resort's central reflecting pool; inside, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass walls lead to sunken dining areas and bedrooms inlaid with teak. Opt for one of the Ocean Villasthe most private accommodation of them alland enjoy an infinity-edge pool, garden, and dockside day bed, perfect for taking that much-needed cat nap. At the indoor/outdoor The Restaurant, simplicity is best. Sample the spiny Caribbean lobster, grilled on a hot flame, and enjoy the fresh air on the open patiothough if you'd rather dine in air conditioning, that works, too.

Why you love it: Ample living space isn't the only selling point of the nearly 100-acre, 593-room Fairmont Southampton, which claims some of the largest guest rooms in Bermuda. The resort's stretch of private pink beach (which one guest described as "cotton-soft"), plus its proximity to the quiet, crescent-shaped Horseshoe Bay Beach, are large draws, too. Make a reservation for dinner at the historic, AAA Four Diamond-rated Waterlot Inn, which deals in some of the island's best sunsets and steaks. Burn it off the next day by playing 18 holes at the resort's 2,684-yard Turtle Hill Golf Club.

Why you love it: Grace Bay Club offers not one, but three distinct accommodations to its discerning guests: adults-only The Hotel building, family-friendly Villas Suites, and the Estate, a resort within a resort, with personal concierge service and exclusive access to dedicated Estate amenities, such as a separate pool, cabanas, and more. Despite catering to different crowds, they do have a few common features, including spectacular oceanfront views and notable service. Looking to stake your umbrella in the sand a little while longer? Rent one of the homes in the Private Villa Collection, a cluster of five freestanding private beachfront residences that come with all the amenities and services of a superior hotel stay, including roundtrip airport transfers, daily housekeeping, and complimentary breakfast.

Why you love it: It's hard to imagine anything more reinvigorating than a few days at this health-centric resort, on its own private island in the Caribbean. Guests should take full advantage of the brand's wellness program, COMO Shambhala, which promotes good health through offerings like enzyme-rich cuisine (hello, zucchini carpaccio and pineapple sundaes); complimentary yoga and Pilates classes; and holistic therapies, including reflexology and Ayurveda. For those who are a little more adventurous, the resort will also coordinate fishing and diving trips, biking excursions on nearby islands, and windsurfing lessons, and more. Or give yourself a full break and stay closer to the spa's infinity pool, overlooking the ocean.

Why you love it: You needn't leave your room at Harbour Island's Pink Sands Resort, just 50 miles east of Nassau, to sense that you're on vacation: Twenty-three British Colonial beach cottages, each with ocean- or garden views and decked out in wicker, white linens, and shiplap, should give you all the context clues you need. Stay holed up, however, and you'll miss the biggest draw of the resortthe pearly pink beaches from which it draws its name. Stop over at Blue Bar & Restaurant for crispy conch fritters served with bird chillies and sweet peppers; later, work off the carbs by kayaking or paddle-boarding with one of the resort's free boats.

Why you love it: On the eastern hook of Providenciales Seven Stars Resort, has plenty of bragging rights. For starters, the 115 all-suite resort is home to the island's only heated saltwater pool, plus a private shopping service, complimentary access to kayaks and paddle boards, and sailing and windsurfing lessons. Other freebies at the resort run the gamut, from a glass of rum punch and a chilled towel on arrival to a daily breakfast buffet and a Kids' Club (lizard hunting and sand castle building included). When you're not busy scuba diving, snorkeling the third largest coral reef in the world, or learning how to parasail, head over to the spa for a jet-lag massagefirm pressure focused on all those plane ride-driven problem areas, like the neck and lower back.

Why you love it: A stay at The Cove, Eleutherawhether in one of their rooms, suites, villas, or cottagesis bound to change the way you vacation. Located on a crescent of white sand beach backed by palm trees, you won't need to be reminded to relax. Take a dip in the hilltop infinity pool, which hangs over the ocean, or head to one of the resort's two beaches, where activities like kayaking and paddle-boarding abound. Looking to get off the island? Set sail for a half-day conch diving experience in nearby waters, after which the captain will take you to a private beach for a lunch prepared with the haul. However you fill your day, make time in the evening for an al fresco dinner at the indoor/outdoor Freedom Restaurant & Sushi Barwe recommend sitting outside on the wooden deck to guarantee some of the resort's best views.

Why you love it: Traveler readers are crazy about The Reefs, in Southampton Parish, Bermudaand it's easy to see why. This salmon-hued limestone resort, with a private pink sand beach to match, was built on the ruins of a 1680s farmhouse and offers a sunset view from every room. Guests extol the superb staff, and though it might not be best suited for families (this is honeymoon and anniversary territory, really), don't count it out: There are seven nearby golf courses, a swimming pool, two tennis courts, and three restaurants and bars. Ocean Echo, where semi-circular windows wrap the room in sea views, is known for its breakfast and brunch spreads. But for dinner, order the pan-roasted scallops and six-hour short ribs at Aqua Terra.

Why you love it: Located on Grace Bay in Providenciales, The Palms Turks & Caicos, is perfect for both a adults-only getaway or a trip with the kids. Rooms with white linens overlook the pool or the ocean, and the three-bedroom Penthouse Suite has a private outdoor shower to wash off the wear and tear of a day by the water. Bike ride into town, just ten minutes away, or take advantage of a seemingly-endless list of onsite activities that includes horseback riding, parasailing, tennis, whale watching, and jet-skiing. Stop to take in views of the crystalline surf at the beach, and cue the R & R at the award-winning, 25,000-square-foot The Palms Spa for a Mother of Pearl body exfoliation, delivered with a blend of hand-crushed conch shells.

Why you love it: Not only will you feel like a celebrity at the 107-room and suite One&Only Ocean Club, but you might just brush by a few at this beachfront resort with a twelfth-century Augustinian cloister and gardens modeled after those at Versailles. If you're feeling especially like a rockstar, opt for one of the 4,400-square-foot villas, each with its own infinity lap pool and louvered hardwood doors that open onto a private patio or balcony. Both the food and service across the resort's three restaurants are excellentespecially at Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Dune, which was recently spruced up. Good to know: The Hartford Wing, refurbished in 2015, includes completely renovated and expanded guest rooms and suites, plus a new beachfront infinity-edge pool, complete with a new bar and grill.

Why you love it: Spared damage by Hurricane Matthew in 2016, the 10-suite Kamalame Cay, right off of Andros Great Barrier Reef, still feels undiscovered. Choose from a selection of rooms, suites, bungalows, or 1,400-square-foot villas that sit right on the beach; then, when you're ready to pry yourself from the white sand, take advantage of the nearby hiking, diving, snorkeling, bird watching, and kayaking. Just don't forget to book an appointment at the resort's overwater spawe're especially fond of the 70-minute coconut body polish treatment, which involves a scrub of freshly shredded young coconut and brown sugar, followed by an application of Madagascan vanilla-scented moisturizer. This gentle exfoliation treatment will leave you smelling as divine as you feel.

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20 Best Resorts in the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Turks & Caicos - Cond Nast Traveler