My latest trip to Grenada was actually a work trip for a trade show, so I had a pretty busy schedule. But when in paradise, there's always time to have some fun!
I enjoyed a 4-night stay at
Spice Island Beach Resort which recently reopened with enhanced and re-imagined public spaces and greater beach access. I was very lucky to be staying in a Luxury Almond Pool Suite - this spacious suite was everything and more, from the complimentary Molton Brown amenities to the pool in the private courtyard patio area. If you're one for privacy, I would highly recommend booking this suite category.
Spice Island Beach Resort is an all-inclusive hotel and their food offering is fantastic. Everything is delicious and there's a great choice. A stand-out for me was the a la carte menu in Oliver Restaurant which is set beside the sea.
During my stay here, my 'Sunday Funday' began on board a catamaran with Star Wind Cruises. Whilst this was a snorkelling trip, I am not a strong swimmer and was quite sure I would be staying aboard, so I intended to enjoy the sail around the island and a few rum punches. This being said, after some lovely encouragement, I got that life jacket on, and in I went.
I had the time of my life; I had never snorkelled before and loved every minute of it! We snorkelled above the Underwater Sculpture Park and could easily see the newly added sculptures that were added in the past two weeks. This excursion was certainly one of the highlights of my trip and I felt very honoured to have been part of this. I would thoroughly recommend booking a snorkelling excursion - if I can do it, then anyone can!
My Caribbean adventure was actually a multi-centre stay, where I paired the two beautiful islands of Grenada and St Lucia.
In Grenada, I stayed at
Calabash Hotel where I was immediately greeted by the warm hospitality of the Garbutt family - I could instantly tell that I was somewhere special. This luxury boutique hotel is set in a horseshoe shape, offering fabulous views of the tranquil Caribbean Sea which is speckled with moored yachts from all areas of the hotel.
Home to the only Gary Rhodes restaurant outside of the UAE, Calabash has a tonne of delicious offerings. Rhodes Restaurant is set in the most elegant, romantic vine-covered open-air dining space, where dishes are exquisite and all beautifully presented.
The beach club restaurant is also a must, with a casual feel, relaxed tapas-style menu and even pan steel band music in the evening. It's a great spot for soaking up the Caribbean vibe and dancing along to the music.
You can really tell that Calabash has been made for guests to have fun. From the attentive pool servers on hand at the infinity pool to the beach with a beach chessboard and plenty of watersports for the active beachgoer, there is an incredible energy to the resort.
As mentioned, I paired the island with a visit to
St Lucia, which made for a breathtaking taste of the tropics.
Jade Mountain in St Lucia was a truly unique luxury hotel, unlike anything I had experienced before. From the unobstructed panoramic views of the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Piton Mountains with the sounds of rainforest below, to a midnight swim in my infinity pool under the dazzling clear night sky abundant with stars, this was a mesmerising stay. I also stayed at
Cap Maison, where the most gorgeous flowers bloom all around the hotel. you could easily be mistaken for thinking that you are in the Mediterranean. The lush tropical surroundings are set on the grounds of an old sugar plantation, and the elevated cliff location affords beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea.
I would absolutely recommend adding a touch of island hopping to your Grenadian getaway, as it really brings the beauty of the Caribbean to life.
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