Last Thursday, we headed to The Soho Hotel in London for an evening with Caribtours, one of our long-standing Preferred Partners. It was a great opportunity to catch up with the team, hear what’s new and revisit some of the hotels we know and love. From GoldenEye in Jamaica and Silversands Grand Anse in Grenada to Eagles Resort in Halkidiki, Daios Cove in Crete and The Residence Maldives. There were plenty of new developments to discover, as well as some useful reminders of why first-hand knowledge and strong relationships matter when choosing the right hotel for our clients.

Eagles Resort, Halkidiki
Set on the beautiful Athos peninsula of Halkidiki, Eagles Resort combines a spectacular Aegean setting with the understated luxury of a true five-star retreat. With Eagles Palace and Eagles Villas surrounded by fragrant gardens, a private sandy beach and views across to Ammouliani and the Drenia islands, it is an easy choice for both families and couples. The resort has also recently entered a new chapter, with a major renovation of Eagles Palace completed in May 2026, transforming its public areas, restaurants and bars with a fresh, contemporary Greek design. Add an impressive spa, private yacht excursions, watersports and excellent dining, and Eagles Resort offers a wonderfully complete Greek island-style escape without leaving the mainland.

Asimina Suite, Cyprus
Asimina Suites, Paphos
Set directly on the beach in Kato Paphos, Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites is an elegant five-star, adults-only retreat where spacious all-suite accommodation meets a wonderfully relaxed seaside setting. With its own sandy beach, two interconnected freshwater pools, beautifully maintained gardens and the tranquil Elixir Spa, it has everything needed for an unhurried Cyprus escape, while Paphos town is just 2km away. Suites are particularly spacious, with large balconies and a choice of sea views, and the Executive Suites add private pools and Jacuzzis for an extra level of privacy. The hotel has also introduced new Deluxe Superior One Bedroom Suites with front sea views, while its 2026 awards and certifications reflect its continued position as one of Paphos’s established luxury adults-only hotels.

GoldenEye, Oracabessa, Jamaica
Lagoon Cottage
Goldeneye, Jamaica
GoldenEye is one of Jamaica’s most distinctive luxury retreats, a place where its extraordinary history is as compelling as its setting. Once the Jamaican home of Ian Fleming, where he created James Bond, the resort now comprises private villas, lagoon cottages and beach huts scattered among tropical gardens, secluded coves and two very different beaches. There is a wonderfully informal, barefoot feel here, with kayaking straight from the lagoon cottages, snorkelling, paddleboarding, a characterful collection of restaurants and bars, and a spa using locally grown Jamaican botanicals. 2026 is a particularly special year at GoldenEye, marking 80 years since Fleming first discovered the property, with a new celebratory experience including a guided snorkelling trip to Fleming Reef, birdwatching and a traditional Bush Bath at the spa. The recently updated Low Cay Beach adds another reason to return, while GoldenEye remains one of those rare Caribbean hotels where the sense of place, history and personality are just as important as the luxury itself.

Strawberry Hill
Strawberry Hill, Jamaica
High in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, around 3,000 feet above sea level, Strawberry Hill is a wonderfully atmospheric mountain retreat quite unlike the island’s traditional beach resorts. Part of the Island Outpost collection, its individually designed cottages and villas are spread across 26 acres of lush gardens, with spectacular views towards Kingston and the Caribbean Sea. There is an infinity pool suspended above the mountains, a tranquil spa, excellent Jamaican cuisine and some of the island’s best opportunities for exploring the Blue Mountains, including guided hikes and coffee experiences. The cooler mountain air makes it an ideal contrast to Jamaica’s coast, and the hotel is currently introducing new wellness-led experiences such as its Blue Mountain Renewal programme, combining guided hiking, locally inspired spa treatments and healthy juices. For a particularly memorable Jamaican itinerary, Strawberry Hill also pairs beautifully with sister property GoldenEye, creating a two-centre holiday that moves from misty mountain mornings to the turquoise Caribbean coast.

Nana Princess, Crete
Nana Princess, Crete
Nana Princess is one of Crete’s most impressive luxury resorts, set on a private stretch of coastline near Hersonissos with a striking contemporary design and wonderful views across the Aegean. I’ve stayed here twice myself, and it is a hotel I’m very happy to recommend for its combination of excellent service, spacious accommodation and a genuinely relaxing atmosphere. Many of the suites and villas have private pools, while the main infinity pool overlooks the sea and there is a choice of restaurants, a superb spa and plenty of activities both on and off the water. It is particularly well suited to couples and families looking for a high level of luxury without the formality, with the private beach and extensive facilities making it easy to spend days simply enjoying the resort, while Crete’s archaeological sites, villages and coastline are within easy reach.

Image: Caribtours – Daios Cove
Daios Cove, Crete
Daios Cove is one of Crete’s most striking luxury resorts, dramatically built into the hillside above its own secluded sandy cove on the island’s north-east coast. The setting is exceptional, with contemporary architecture following the natural contours of the landscape and almost every room, suite and villa looking across the clear blue waters of the private bay. Spacious accommodation, many with individual seawater pools, sits alongside an impressive infinity pool, excellent restaurants, a beautiful wellbeing centre and a particularly strong range of facilities for families. There is also plenty happening for food lovers, with the resort’s Culinary Journeys bringing acclaimed chefs to the Cove throughout 2026. New for the resort is RHO, an elegant adults-only evening restaurant offering contemporary dishes overlooking the bay, while the redesigned Taverna brings a more relaxed Cretan feel to the dining line-up.

Windjammer Landing, Saint Lucia
Windjammer Landing, Saint Lucia
Spread across more than 60 acres of hillside overlooking Labrelotte Bay, Windjammer Landing is one of Saint Lucia’s best-known luxury resorts, combining the feel of a Mediterranean village with the relaxed character of the Caribbean. Its spacious villas and residences are particularly appealing for families, with many offering private pools, generous living space and spectacular sea views, while couples can choose more intimate accommodation. There is a beautiful white-sand beach, six swimming pools, seven restaurants, a spa and an impressive range of watersports, with the Premium All-Inclusive package covering dining, drinks and both motorised and non-motorised watersports. The resort has recently undergone a complete overhaul and villa upgrade, giving Windjammer a fresh new look while retaining the spacious, residential feel that has long made it popular.

Regnum Carya
Regnum Carya & Crown
Regnum Carya is one of Belek’s standout luxury all-inclusive resorts, combining a beautiful Mediterranean setting with an extraordinary choice of facilities, restaurants and entertainment. Set beside a private white-sand beach, the resort has 557 rooms, suites and villas, including spacious Pearl Pool accommodation and some seriously impressive private villas, alongside a 20,000m² waterpark, dedicated children’s facilities, a 5,000m² spa and access to the renowned Carya Golf Club. The resort is particularly strong for families, but the sheer scale of its dining, sports and entertainment makes it equally appealing for couples and multi-generational holidays. 2026 marks an exciting period for Regnum, with the recently opened Regnum The Crown adding a more exclusive, refined sister property to the collection, while Regnum Carya continues to evolve with new experiences including its Longevity Centre, Alia Beach Club and an extensive programme of international entertainment.

The Residence
The Residence Maldives
The Residence Maldives on Falhumaafushi is a beautifully secluded island retreat in the remote Gaafu Alifu Atoll, where long stretches of white sand, turquoise lagoons and abundant marine life create the classic Maldivian setting. Its spacious villas are designed with a strong sense of privacy, from beachfront villas surrounded by tropical gardens to overwater villas stretching out across the lagoon, with many featuring private pools. There is a relaxed yet refined feel throughout, with several restaurants and bars, a spa, watersports and excellent diving and snorkelling, including access to some of the Maldives’ most rewarding underwater experiences. The resort is also home to The Spa by Clarins, making it particularly appealing for couples looking for a quieter, more secluded island escape, while the complimentary bicycles provided to guests are a lovely way to explore the island.

Image: Caribtours – Silversands Grand Anse
Silversands Grand Anse, Grenada
This is one of Grenada’s most striking luxury resorts, occupying an enviable position directly on the island’s famous two-mile Grand Anse Beach. Its sleek, contemporary design feels refreshingly different from the traditional Caribbean resort, centred around a spectacular 100-metre infinity pool – one of the longest in the Caribbean – with spacious suites, private villas and floor-to-ceiling windows making the most of the setting. There is a strong emphasis on space and privacy, alongside excellent dining, a beautifully designed spa and a wealth of experiences that showcase Grenada itself, from rainforest and waterfall adventures to chocolate and rum experiences and private cruises aboard BLADE. The extensive private villas are particularly impressive for families and groups, with direct beach access, private pools and generous indoor-outdoor living.


