Island hotels range from the cheapest beachside huts to the most luxurious tropical resorts imaginable, but whichever way you go, travelers looking for a complete escape from the chaos of everyday life will want to research staying at one of these. Nothing quite says relaxation like long stretches of beach, island breezes, and cozy accommodations. Some travelers don’t know where to begin looking for a tropical island hotel and can be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice available, so be sure to consider a few things in advance. In order to choose the best Caribbean island hotel, it is necessary to decide what you’re looking for in a trip. Choosing between small and large resorts, relaxed or full of entertainment, for adults or for families, will all help you narrow down your options.

Island hotels can be broken down into many categories. One of the favorite types of a tropical island hotel is the all-inclusive island resort. These beach resorts offer all inclusive packages that bring great value to island travel. By bringing together the cost of accommodation and meals, packages help travelers to better budget for a trip; sometimes the best Caribbean island hotel is the one that offers the best deal. The Sandals resorts, for instance, are located in Jamaica, St Lucia, Antigua, and the Bahamas, and they’re famous for their quality standards and all inclusive package options.

Honeymoons are a popular reason to take island vacations, and some island hotels are adults only, which is perfect for romance and relaxation. Families and children are not permitted at these properties, and everything from décor to entertainment to food is designed with adults in mind. If you’re planning a getaway from the kids, this type of hotel can be an ideal choice. In the Caribbean, some of the top resorts for adults only include Almond Beach Village in Barbados, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St Thomas, and the Occidental Grand Aruba.

A tropical island hotel can be broken down into two further categories: budget or luxury. Resorts in these categories are designed for two different markets. While value can be found in each hotel, they each offer a different level of service and different amenities. This doesn’t mean that one is superior to the other. Some travelers find luxury hotels to be stuffy and praise cheap island hotels for being personal and appreciating your patronage. On the other hand, some travelers prefer the high level of service at luxury hotels and despise the cookie-cutter packages of budget properties. The decision is entirely up to the individual traveler.

The best Caribbean island hotel options for luxury travelers include the Jade Mountain Resort in St Lucia and Atlantis in the Bahamas. Jade Mountain covers 600 acres near the Anse Chastanet beach, and it’s possible to book rooms that have only three walls, leaving the fourth open for an amazing view and fresh air. Atlantis, located on Paradise Island, is a sprawling property that has separate towers, and it’s a great choice for travelers of all budgets, as there are beautiful private villas located off the hotel grounds and cheaper rooms in the hotel’s oldest tower, the Beach Tower.

Island hotels in Tahiti are great if you’re looking for something more exotic and far away than the Caribbean. The Tahitian islands are the most popular places to visit in French Polynesia, and with the great hotels in island destinations such as Bora Bora, Papeete, and Rangiroa, it’s not hard to see why. The Le Meridien Tahiti, located on Papeete, was designed to blend beautifully with its surroundings and offers more than 130 rooms and suites, including twelve overwater bungalows.