This lesser-trodden Caribbean island might not be at the very top of your bucket list, but don’t write Grenada off.
Often overlooked in favour of its neighbours (Barbados or Saint Lucia, anyone?) Grenada – the ‘Spice Island’ – has plenty of pristine beaches, steamy rainforests, and dramatic coastlines to offer. Not to mention the endless spice plantations, rum distilleries, and chocolate factories scattered across it.
Sleep over at Calabash Grenada, an intimate, family-run hotel on the south coast, where peace and quiet, culinary excellence, and warm Grenadian hospitality are guaranteed.
The Vibe
Days at Calabash are spent splayed on sun loungers dotted along the pristine, white-sand shores of L’anse Aux Epines Beach. All beaches in Grenada are public, yet L’anse Aux Epines is almost always undisturbed, so you can happily snooze away underneath the palms.
Strew yourself across one of the loungers, and a cheery member of the team will immediately whizz over, armed with towels and ice water. When you’re feeling peckish, segue over to lunch at the Beach Club, just steps away from the sand and, when you’ve had your fill of sun-worshipping, the hotel’s infinity pool beckons from its perch next to the spa, overlooking the manicured gardens. Time seems to slow down in this sun-drenched corner of the island, with guests leisurely going through the motions of sun, sea, and swim each day.
The Rooms
Within the curve of Prickly Bay, secluded other than a smattering of private yachts, Calabash Grenada is an elegant boutique hotel loved by those in the know. Thirty spacious suites are lined up in a sweeping semi-circle overlooking perfectly-pruned gardens that stretch down towards the beach. These whitewashed hideaways are designed in a classic, colonial style, and sit face to face with the prickly palms: step inside to find luxe bedrooms awash in creamy tones, each equipped with terraces to lounge on, and generous sitting rooms. Some suites even boast private plunge pools and outdoor bathtubs.
The Food + Drink
On most evenings, guests gather at Calabash’s fine dining restaurant, Rhodes, which has consistently been voted the best restaurant on the island for the last seven years. There’s an enchanting old-school charm about the space, with its hanging fauna, white-clothed tables, and adjoining Piano Bar, where many guests choose to gather for pre- or post-dinner drinks and are serenaded by live music. Caribbean flavours are expertly blended with British and European flair on the menu: expect dishes such as lobster risotto with Grenadian spices, and roast duck served on a bed of creamy mash, all finished off with hand-churned ice creams (make sure to try the nutmeg and coconut flavours). It’s comforting to know that 80 per cent of the fruit and vegetables used across the hotel’s three restaurants are grown at L’Esterre, the property’s own farm – and any other produce is sourced from local producers and fishermen.
Next to the pool, you’ll discover Izakaya, the hotel’s Japanese-Latin fusion restaurant, serving sushi dishes and fresh sashimi that are perfect for sharing. You may be somewhat skeptical of tasting Japanese cuisine in the Caribbean, but dishes here are surprisingly flavourful and contemporary (make sure to try the crispy tuna bites and zingy ceviches).
Breakfasts are served from the comfort of your suite or at the airy Beach Club, which straddles the shore and offers uninterrupted views over Prickly Bay. Breakfast at Calabash is certainly no afterthought, and unfolds in a series of indulgent courses. Start off with sticky banana bread and homemade pastries before moving onto Mexican, British and Caribbean classics (choose from saltfish souse and plantain, or spicy chilaquiles, and soufflé pancakes). Leisurely breakfasts lead into relaxed lunches, where you’ll be spoiled with an extensive selection of international dishes: curries, hearty club sandwiches, and tacos all feature on the lunch menu. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, the Beach Club hosts Caribbean Night and Grill Night, where you’re invited to dine on menus incorporating local flavours along to the chorus of a steel pan drum band. The evening often ends with everyone dancing in the sand, under the stars.
The Little Extras
You’ll never go hungry at Calabash, with lots of edible surprises keeping you topped up throughout the day: moreish sugar cookies and homemade rum punch are waiting in your bedroom upon arrival (and stocked up every day), daily afternoon tea is served in The Piano Lounge, and canapés are delivered to your doorstep each evening – all complimentary, and included in your room rate.
On Tuesday evenings, the hotel hosts a cocktail and canapés night, where guests are invited to sink a tipple with each other, and meet members of the Garbutt family, who have owned and run the hotel since 1987. Thanks to the boutique size of the hotel, you’ll encounter the same team members rotating between all three restaurants each day, soon recognising each member of staff individually for their unique charisma – it’s no surprise that some guests book their return visit before they’ve even departed.
The To-Do List
Shake off the jet lag by starting the day with a grounding yoga session before breakfast – or head to the hotel’s boutique fitness studio and tennis courts. Tempting though it may be to splay on the beach or besides the infinity pool all day, there are plenty of activities to get stuck into at the hotel’s watersports centre, from kayaking and snorkelling to paddle boarding – all of which are complimentary. Boat trips and motorised water sports can also be arranged with an extra cost.
Next to the infinity pool, you’ll find the boutique spa which features a handful of treatment rooms where you can enjoy a selection of soothing ‘Zero Mile Spa’ treatments. The hotel’s partnership with OMI, a local skincare brand, means that all products used across the spa incorporate natural ingredients, such as Grenadian cocoa and honey.
Island tours, excursions to one of the island’s 62 beaches, and hikes through the rainforest can all be arranged. The hotel has curated unforgettable experiences such as the ‘Cocoa & Spice Connoisseur’ package, which allows you to learn how cocoa and spices are harvested across the island, includes a tour of the hotel’s organic cocoa estate, and culminates in a private dinner on the beach.
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