There is arguably only one place to begin the search for the trophy home of your dreams, and that’s the Caribbean. Its year-round sunshine, balmy breezes, soft white sands and relaxed way of life are just the tonic for helping all your stresses slip away.
Choose from modern mansions for sale with their own slice of private beach, spa-style seafront sanctuaries and glass-and-timber turnkeys with sustainability in mind.
Perhaps you have your eye on a rainforest home in St Lucia or fancy the perfect launchpad for sailing into the sunset on a sports yacht in Antigua? Discover a tropical paradise in the picture-perfect Turks and Caicos Islands or retreat to your very own idyllic estate in Costa Rica.
Whatever you’re looking for, kickstart your search with our pick of the most palatial properties on the market in the Caribbean right now…
7 jaw-dropping trophy homes for sale in the Caribbean
Castle on a Coral Cliff
St James, Barbados
Offered at: US $40,000,000
Nestled among nature on a gently-sloping coral cliff is this beachfront beauty of a home, found on Barbados’s celebrated Platinum Coast. Built from elegant coral stone and designed in a classical, Georgian-Palladian style, the seven-bedroom mansion and its three-bedroom guest cottage have previously hosted royalty and celebrities.
Gaze out over the Caribbean Sea from the huge terrace, freshly-shaken piña colada in hand, or dive into the cascading half-moon pool. Stroll mere meters to the pure shores of a secluded beach, accessible only via the grounds of this palatial property.
The 20,000 square feet of opulent indoor space is tastefully brought to life by exquisite furnishings. The lavish living room is an entertainer’s dream, the bedrooms all boast Italian marble bathrooms, and plenty of shaded outdoor seating tempts you for an afternoon doze.
Picturesque scenery is framed by grand columns and graceful archways, and you can fully immerse yourself in the surroundings from a cliff-edge dining gazebo. Alternatively, take your fitness routine to the next level in the air-conditioned gym filled with state-of-the-art equipment or luxuriate in the perfectly-positioned Jacuzzi which offers spell-binding sea views.
Non-stop flights from the USA, Canada and the UK transport you straight to paradise and, as Barbados is currently a buyer’s market, the time is ripe to invest.
Read more: Luxury beachfront home for sale in Barbados
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Luxury beach house for sale in Barbados
Step into a Japanese-Inspired Sanctuary
Virgin Gorda, BVI
Offered at: Price on Application
A Japanese architectural masterpiece in the heart of the Caribbean? It might sound bizarre, but this East Asian-inspired sanctuary on leafy Virgin Gorda – the third biggest of the British Virgin Islands – perfectly fuses the finest design traditions of the Land of the Rising Sun with one of the most breathtaking settings in the Caribbean.
Nestled on three acres of landscaped grounds designed by world-famous Japanese garden designers, this three-pavilion estate set above a private beach took seven years to build, such is the loving attention to detail throughout. At the heart of the property is an extraordinary pool terrace with heated rock pool set off by dramatic boulders, multiple fire pits and cascading waterfalls – all set against the spectacular backdrop of the Drakes Channel dotted with views of neighboring islands on the horizon.
Exotic features also abound inside, including an expansive open-plan living space, 20-person spa and chef’s kitchen. Each of the five en suite bedrooms feature bespoke touches, such as a traditional wooden ofuro bath tub facing a miniature Zen rock garden and a master bedroom suite housed in a separate pavilion, accessed via an elegant Japanese bridge.
If you can bring yourself to leave the property, the crystal clear waters surrounding Virgin Gorda beckon. Experienced and newbie sailors alike will find no better destination than this for taking to the waves and letting the stresses of everyday life wash away. Should you need to drag yourself back to city life, New York can be reached in under five hours.
Read more: Luxury home for sale in Virgin Gorda, BVI
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Luxury beachfront home for sale in the BVI
Paragon of Private Beach Bliss
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
Offered at: US $18,800,000
Hidden away on the tranquil Turtle Tail peninsula on the island of Providenciales is this cluster of sun-kissed red pavilions, hugged by tropical greenery, blooming bougainvilleas and fragrant frangipani. Together they form an ultra-luxurious, six-bedroom estate built to resort standards by globally-renowned Mexican architect, Marco Aldaco.
Set on a hilltop, the turquoise hues of the ocean can be admired from almost every angle. Watch waves lap gently at sugar-white sand from Balinese daybeds in your totally private bay before returning to lounge by the wraparound infinity pool.
The open, palm-thatched living room at the heart of this oceanfront sanctuary brims with characterful antique furniture sourced from Asia to Africa. Elegant, tropical modern interiors with rich wooden accents and lofty ceilings give the balconied bedrooms a breezy feel. A variety of dining and entertaining areas offer plenty of options for enjoying meals or drinks indoors or al fresco against the backdrop of a blazing sunset. Amenities include a fully-equipped gym, private “beach club”, staff apartments and a high-tech security system.
The Turks and Caicos archipelago is one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing tourism hotspots – and with beaches, golf and fine restaurants minutes away – this is one of its finest gems.
Read more: Luxury home for sale in Turks & Caicos
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Luxury beachfront estate for sale in Turks & Caicos
Beguiling Beach House
Barnes Bay, Anguilla
Offered at: US $16,000,000
Much more than a beguiling collection of white cubes, this modern masterpiece of a beachfront home balances serenity and indulgence to striking effect. It was decorated throughout by New York-based interior designer Scott Salvator who lovingly handpicked and placed every item to create one of the finest homes for sale in the Caribbean. Blue dominates the color palettes, connecting with the cerulean sea of Barnes Bay mere steps away.
Nine bedrooms have hand-painted walls, marble bathrooms and gorgeous views of the gardens, beach and the sea. Enthusiastic entertainers will enjoy making the most of the covered terrace with shaded sitting, dining and BBQ areas beside a heated freshwater infinity pool and beachfront Jacuzzi.
On-site facilities include a media room, games room, private spa, fitness center, floodlit tennis court and putting green. Acquiring this stunner of a property makes business sense too – it commands the highest rental rates on the island of Anguilla, where celebrity VIPs and Wall Street high-flyers come for pampering in privacy away from the crowds.
With colorful coral reefs, crystal clear waters ideal for snorkeling, kayaking or sailing and welcoming restaurants practically on your doorstep, this is the ultimate private retreat on this pristine, friendly and laidback island. Did we mention Anguilla is also a zero-tax jurisdiction?
Read more: Luxury beachfront villa for sale in Anguilla
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Luxury beachfront villa for sale in Anguilla
Hidden Paradise
La Garita, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Offered at: US $16,000,000
Move into this sprawling estate overlooking Costa Rican coffee and sugar cane fields and you’ll never want to leave. This special property is found in the charming town of La Garita in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, rated by the National Geographic Society as having the best weather in the world. It is only an hour’s drive from the Pacific coast, should you start craving the beach.
Crossing an ornate Asian bridge in the middle of a Japanese garden with a 20-metre river and waterfall brings you to an impressive triple height hall with its own fish pond and statement staircase leading up to a master suite with its own Jacuzzi, guest bedrooms and an art gallery. Glass sliding doors from the bedrooms make the most of the spectacular views across more than 100 acres of private land, including your own lake and forest.
Cool off in the free-form pool before cooking up a storm in the BBQ ranch and pool house. Guests can enjoy some privacy in one of two self-contained bungalows, and there are four small staff houses and even a chicken coop.
Savvy investors will spot a sparkling opportunity here not only to own a magnificent private home, but also to explore the potential of creating a luxury gated community or boutique hotel within the extensive grounds.
Read more: Magnificent luxury residence for sale in Alajuela, Costa Rica
View similar properties: Luxury real estate in Costa Rica
Luxury estate for sale in Costa Rica
Set Sail into the Sunrise
Jolly Harbour, Antigua
Offered at: US $12,000,000
It’s exceptionally rare for super-prime beachfront real estate to come to market in this prestigious gated community of Jolly Harbour – and this one’s in a league of its own. Set in manicured gardens, it opens onto a stretch of private, palm-lined beach and comes with its own 72-foot sports yacht, boathouse, 100-foot dock and the biggest boat lift in the Caribbean. Set sail into the sunrise before returning to enjoy the solar-powered infinity pool and bubbling Jacuzzi.
Minimalist all-white interiors soothe the senses before the grey shutters are thrown open, inviting the brilliant blue sky into the huge open-plan living space. Six bedrooms, all with king-size beds and Philippe Stark bathrooms, are found in the main house, but the master suite is the undisputed star. Hidden away in its own separate, circular pavilion on the tip of a peninsular, it features a large sitting area, standalone copper bath and 360-degree views of the sparkling sea from a shaded terrace.
This gem of a property is already a popular rental with a well-trained team of staff, and don’t forget that Antigua is one of the most accessible islands, too.
Read more: Luxury beachfront home for sale in Jolly Harbour, Antigua
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Luxury waterfront villa for sale in Antigua
Five-Star Homes in the Rainforest
Val des Pitons, St Lucia
Offered at: US $8,750,000
Escape everything to live between two majestic volcanic mountains, known as the Pitons, in the unspoiled rainforest of stunning St Lucia. Nestled in an ultra-exclusive enclave of the island’s most lusted-after five-star resort, these turnkey homes are designed by award-winning architects to deliver maximum privacy and comfort while showcasing the uniquely beautiful views of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounded by refection pools that reflect the changing colors of the sky, their natural timber exterior will age into a stylish silvery grey that blends into nature. Suspended timber walkways lead though a pivoting door into an open-plan interior with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that blur the lines between outside and in. Five bedrooms, including a master suite with four-poster bed, have shaded terraces and superb bathrooms with breathtaking views of the majestic Pitons.
Outside, cool off in the glamourous infinity pool or stroll through bountiful gardens to the beach just steps away.
Best of all, these homes combine the privacy of a personal retreat with full access to all the amenities and services of the nearby resort when desired, which include a rainforest spa, collection of restaurants and bars, tennis courts, kids club and PADI scuba diving center, to name just a few.
Read more: Luxury beachfront residence for sale in St Lucia
View similar properties: Luxury real estate in St Lucia
Luxury beachfront residence for sale in St Lucia
The Forever Holiday Home You Deserve
Whether you are in the market for a Caribbean home to retreat to when you need a break from everyday life, plan to live here full time or fancy yourself as a developer, there is a first-class property with your name on it. Really, the biggest decisions you need to make are which destination to jet off to, how many steps you’re willing to walk to the beach (if any) and whether you prefer your butler-served cocktails shaken or stirred…
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This article was originally published in Issue 8 of The Caribbean Property Investor Magazine.
For details on all these trophy homes and many others, contact 7th Heaven Properties.
Discover more: Luxury Caribbean real estate for sale