Let's throw caution to the wind and start with the Four Seasons Resort Nevis. Yes, but stick with me for a moment. The resort sprawls over 350 acres of former coconut plantation at the base of a perfectly shaped volcano. A prodigious golf course, arguably the region's finest, snakes up verdant slopes. On the sea side of the resort is a long beach with little development beyond a few colorfully ramshackle beach bars.
Rooms are the size of junior suites, with marble bathrooms and deluxe amenities.
The hotel also has a superlative tennis facility, two new swimming pools, and a snorkeling trail. Service, a Four Seasons hallmark, is nearly unassailable and even includes spritzes of Evian while sunbathing. Finally, the island of Nevis is a languid delight. Keep your eyes out for packages or off-season specials and you might save more. Then there are the Caribbean classics, three resorts that have been honoring elegant island style for a combined total of more than a century.