Ladera

With just thirty-two sumptuous suites and private plunge pools overlooking the Caribbean Sea (1,100 feet above it) and sitting directly between the Pitons, Ladera will thrill couples seeking privacy, plus a spa and a terrific restaurant with striking views.

• The three-walled rooms done in local woods and smooth stone, with jaw-dropping views of the Pitons
• Sunset cocktails and gorgeous mountain views at the hotel’s Dasheene restaurant
• The two-bedroom, 2,400-square-foot villa suite with private pool

This eco-lodge–style resort in the Soufrière hills overlooking the Pitons has been a romantic island favorite since it opened in 1982. There are thirty-two suites, done in local woods and smooth stone, and all are three-walled, with the “missing” fourth wall opening onto superb views (Ladera is positioned right between the Pitons), and featuring private plunge pools. I did hear from one island resident that noisy neighbors in the room next door could be a challenge here, so it’s probably best to book one of the more private Dream Suites or the 2,400-square-foot, two-bedroom villa suite with a private pool.

Because Ladera is on a somewhat level part of a hill, at 1,100 feet above sea level, it’s easier to get around the lush property than on the steep slopes of Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain. Aside from the private plunge pools, there’s a small infinity pool, a spa and a fitness center on the premises, plus a daily shuttle service to two beaches, which are a twenty-minute drive away. The biggest draw, however, is Dasheene restaurant, which occupies two levels of an airy structure that seems to hang off the mountain and that offers brilliant close-up views of the Pitons. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, come for drinks and dinner—and try to arrive well before sunset to claim comfortable armchairs on the terrace, all arranged to face the glowing nightly spectacle.

A good choice for travelers in search of tranquility and romance who prefer mountain views and ocean vistas to actual beach access (the nearest beaches are a twenty-minute drive from the hotel).