Not a fan of the long, cold winter stretching before us? If you find your thoughts frequently turning to waking up with the ocean at your door, warm trade winds, gently swaying palm trees and late-afternoon walks on secluded beaches, these four boutique island properties get you. Pack your bags and blissfully leave the chill behind.

© Courtesy of Lovango Resort & Beach Club

Lovango Resort & Beach Club, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands’ newest resort celebrates its fifth year with new one-bedroom cottages and programming including Stay & Sail, where guests can explore the surrounding waters on a luxury charter boat. Located on a private island just a 10-minute ferry ride from either St. John or St. Thomas, Lovango feels a world away — but U.S. citizens can leave their passports at home. Other accommodations including a spacious villa, luxury treehouses and glamping rooms all boast incredible ocean-view rooms that’ll make you never want to leave your terrace. Spend the day at the beach club enjoying the pool and games like cornhole; hike or snorkel at nearby Reef Bay National Park; or hit the boutiques in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

© Courtesy of Silversands Beach House

Silversands Beach House, Grenada

Many of the accommodations at this 28-key luxury resort opening in February 2024 are designed to maximize the swoon-worthy views of the deep blue Atlantic Ocean with terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows. The rest of the resort is tucked away under the cliff and features an upscale trattoria, infinity pool, one-bedroom beachfront rooms and spa treatment rooms with a relaxation area. Guests also have use of the amenities of nearby sister property Silversands Origin, including the pool, PURO spa and dining options.

© Courtesy of Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort

Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort, St. Eustatius

This is the first upscale eco-resort on the under-the-radar Dutch Caribbean island affectionately referred to as “Statia.” Designed for the adventurous traveler, Golden Rock offers some of the Caribbean’s best diving and snorkeling thanks to a large, man-made, ocean-fed lagoon, as well as guided hikes to the Quill, a dormant volcano rising more than 6,500 feet. Luxuriate in one of the 70 rooms, suites and standalone cottages situated in the garden. Dine at Bobbie’s Beach Club, which serves fusion cuisine with ingredients sourced from the 20,000-square-foot greenhouse. On-site diversions include two pools, an oceanfront gym and mini golf course. New for 2024 are a PADI Dive Center, private indoor cinema, paddle court and two pickleball courts. New direct flights on JetBlue from New York (JFK) to St. Kitts (SKB) and a concierge transfer service via speedboat make the island even more accessible.

Playa Grande Beach Club, Playa Grande, Dominican Republic

Tucked away on the north side of the island, this intimate beachfront resort offers a markedly different vacation experience than staying in Punta Cana. Charming one- and three-bedroom cottages have design elements including traditional pastel hues, Dominican tiled floors, handmade furniture, local artwork and antiques. A separate shuttered porch lets in those ocean breezes. A new two-bedroom bungalow debuts this winter. The main building houses a Great Room with a dining area, lounge and bar. There is also a library and adjoining evening bar, lap pool and cabanas. Caribbean-focused cuisine makes use of local and organic ingredients, including daily seafood deliveries by local fishermen. Water activities include surfing, paddleboarding and snorkeling, and guests can get pampered ensuite or right on the beach. It’s truly a hidden gem in the Dominican Republic.