It takes a village to create an experience authentic to both the Grenadian culture and the Six Senses brand, and that’s just what the luxurious, vast new retreat, La Sagesse, offers.
Six Senses La Sagesse is not just the brand’s first property in the Caribbean, but in all the Americas – and it’s blazing the trail ahead of numerous North and Central American destinations set to open in the coming years. And it goes big, feeling less like a resort and more like a sumptuous village retreat for relaxation and learning among rugged nature.
Tucked away in the quiet southeast parish of St. David, it sits on a secluded enclave of a peninsula that feels like its own world – about a 40-minute drive from the airport and St. George’s.
The Vibe
From the moment I arrived, and my cheerful Guest Experience Manager handed me a refreshing juice, I felt the familiar – and always welcoming – embrace of a Six Senses stay. Set among low hills and flanked by dramatic Atlantic surf as well as a more tranquil lagoon that you can swim and snorkel in, this sprawling property offers an immersion into the Six Senses philosophy of sustainability, harmony with nature and holistic well-being. Tapping into the warmth of the Grenadian culture – much of the staff are local from the surrounding parish – this is an ideal destination for culturally curious families and adventurous couples alike. And it’s not just great for people – pets are welcome, too, with a number of amenities available for your furry friend.
The Rooms
Hugging the natural, hilly terrain of this area, the resort’s 71 suites and villas each feature spacious layouts with spectacular views and lots of thoughtful little details, from games like UNO (cased in a leather envelope), recycled wood duckies at the standalone bathtub, coffee-table books that showcase Grenada and the Caribbean, and arguably the best detail of all: your own private infinity pool. The style leans nautical – blue tones, white louvered sliding doors – without being too on the nose, with huge, airy windows that let in plenty of natural light and sea breezes while framing postcard-perfect island and water views.
A number of room types will suit what you’re after – whether you’re a couple seeking privacy with ocean views (Panorama Ocean View Pool Suite); direct beach access (one or two-bedroom Beachfront Pool Villa); a family with kids that would benefit from being close to the action at the resort pools, water sports centre and children’s amenities (Two Bedroom Bay View Pool Villa); or a larger group for whom privacy is important (Four Bedroom Retreat). But bear in mind the size and variety of the property also means that a golf cart may be a necessity to get around, especially if you choose one of the more out-of-the-way room types.
The Food + Drink
You’d be wise to arrive hungry at any of the three restaurants, but perhaps especially at Callaloo’s breakfast where a spread of pastries, fresh fruits and juices, and a plentiful menu of eggs and other breakfast favourites are dished up with local ingredients and spices. As the resort’s all-day dining restaurant, there’s a nice mix of farm-to-table dishes inspired by the region such as gently spiced curries and a risotto of callaloo (a local superfood similar to spinach or kale).
Poolside Panquai, with comfortable al fresco seating and open-air bar – shaded by a kaleidoscopic cover – is ideal for lunch. Grab wood-fired pizzas and South American churrasco (skewered meats) for lunch and linger till sunset for a tropical sundowner. On the more dramatic ocean front, Six Senses’ signature restaurant, SeaFire, is open for dinner with a menu of fresh cuts of meats thoughtfully prepared to showcase their natural flavours. Along with a raw bar and certain evenings featuring live music, a meal here feels like a special experience. I found, at times, servings to be large, but the restaurants all offer take-away boxes so that you can save it for a late-night snack in your room – another way the hotel works to cut back on waste.
The Spa
As you would expect from a Six Senses property, the spa here is an experience unto itself. Situated in a quiet spot along the lagoon (look for small school of barracuda when you cross the bridge to the spa area), its look is inspired by a tranquil Caribbean fishing village with spacious thatched-roof treatment suites and relaxation areas, and a small pool overlooking the lagoon. Additional facilities include a panoramic sauna, a state-of-the-art gym, a yoga pavilion and a Biohack Recovery Lounge.
Spa-goers from all paths are likely to find what they need here, with a vast menu that includes locally inspired treatments, multi-day wellness journeys and tried-and-true massage favourites. I stopped by the Alchemy Lab before my Holistic Massage to pair an all-natural face scrub with my spa time and left feeling supple and revitalised.
The Little Extras
You might be wondering about the just-mentioned Alchemy Lab. This is one of a few labs found around the resort that offer quick experiences that showcase the Six Senses’ philosophy of well-being and sustainability. You can hand-make your own all-natural skin care at the Alchemy Lab (and take the recipe home with you). At the Earth Lab, learn about the resort’s innovative and sustainable initiatives before stopping by the Fermentation Lab to see how house-made ketchup and pickled goods are made. All of the resort’s more typical amenities – two large pools, playful kids’ and teens’ clubs, and a gorgeous library complete with a gliding ladder to create your own Beauty and the Beast moment – come with an exceptional standard.
The To-Do List
Home to two types of endangered sea turtles – hawksbill and leatherback – head down to the lagoon at your leisure to see if you can spot one. Your best bet is going out on a kayak or paddle board, both available on a complimentary basis at the water sports centre. To better discover Grenadian culture and the Six Senses way of life, there’s a nice menu of experiences to get you out and about. I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely and knowledgeable Theresa Marryshow in the Harvest Homestead excursion. Theresa leads Grenada’s women’s farming organization and comes with a wealth of local agricultural experience, as you’ll learn while exploring her organic farm. It’s an ideal morning excursion with servings of farm-fresh coconut water and local fishcakes. Other excursions allow you to discover waterfalls in lush rain forest, ethical sport fishing and a Reggae-infused journey of local food.
All image credit: La Sagesse, Six Senses
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