The moniker “Boutique Hotel” is bandied about so often these days that it has gotten somewhat difficult to know what to anticipate. My personal expectations are for a smaller and more intimate hotel, but even more, the place must embody a distinctive character unique to the establishment and embrace a reasonable level of elegance while eschewing any sense of pretense. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, it should be designed to appeal to the few who make the effort to seek it out. A good boutique hotel will rarely be the easiest place to find, but oh the rewards to be had for a little extra effort. Welcome to Hotel Secreto, an award-winning Mexican island apparition that meets all my ideals. See the photo gallery of ...

Minimal. Eco. Luxury. Boutique. Innovative. There's a new resort on Belize's Ambergris Caye. El Secreto is the name. And all the other acts in town better watch out. Go to the gallery now.

One of the most luxurious resorts in the entire Caribbean is about to open, and you can get there with one of the cheapest direct flights in the Caribbean. That's why we're so excited with the news that the Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is now accepting reservations for its grand opening this December in time for the holidays. Just west of San Juan, Puerto Rico, this ultra luxury resort looks absolutely spectacular, with ...

We all know all-inclusive resorts throw in food, drink and activities – after all, that’s the whole point. But some all-incs go the extra mile. At Buccament Bay in St. Vincent, you can take tennis lessons with Pat Cash – for free! And all-inclusive Bahamas’ private island Fowl Cay gives guests in each of the island’s six villas their own 17-foot boat to explore the surrounding Exuma islets. The award for most unusual inclusion, however, must go to the Hard Rock Punta Cana. Here's why ...

As sun lovers, we know about the cooling wonders of aloe vera (a vacation life saver!), but Aruba really knows how to make the most of the green plant. To help celebrate Aruba’s indigenous resource, The Westin Resort & Casino, Aruba invites guests to indulge in their Farm-to-Treament Table experience. Start your day with a trip to the Aruba Aloe Museum and Factory and bring home your own freshly extracted aloe to use later at the spa. Learning all there is to know about aloe vera can be tough work, so you can really start to appreciate it with one of two treatments ...

CT+L travel expert Audrey St. Clair recently visited this new luxury resort on the Samana peninsula of the Dominican Republic.

You’re in love. Big-time. And you want to show it in a suitably big way. A bottle of Asti Spumante and a heart-shaped bathtub in the Poconos won’t cut it this time—better head to Steele Point, doubtless one of the most astonishing rentable homes on earth.

A list of our favorite affordable hotels, from Mexico to Turks and Caicos.

Today's guest blog comes to us from travel and lifestyle writer Chanize Thorpe of New York, who just sailed aboard the new NCL ship:

The historic yet homey Sweetfield Manor bed-and-breakfast may be the best-kept secret on Barbados.

A round-up of the editors' picks for all-inclusive resorts and the best all-inclusive vacation content featured in Caribbean Travel + Life.