Why Grenada is the perfect Caribbean island for a luxury tropical escape
Silversands Hotel Grenada is the perfect base for a relaxing and luxurious stay in this beautiful Caribbean island
The sound of the reggae music coming from the small radio is barely audible as the boat's sails ripple in the wind.
The Carriacou sloop gently glides through the waves as I look out across the water, taking in the beautiful turquoise Caribbean Sea and spectacular lush and jungle-covered mountains which blanket the island of Grenada.
“Grenada is one of the best Caribbean islands” skipper Danny Donelan tells me, as he sits, controlling the rudder of the wooden boat in the warm mid-afternoon sunshine. “It just has a bit of everything”.
And he’s absolutely right.
This beautiful, almost untouched island, feels much more laid back and quieter than others in the region.
And with amazing hotels, pristine beaches, stunning tropical landscapes, wonderful food and sunshine all-year round, it’s the perfect Caribbean island for a luxury tropical escape.
Stay in absolute luxury at stunning Silversands Grenada
Grenada is one of the most southerly of the Caribbean islands, lying just 100 miles north-east of Venezuela.
With flights direct from London Gatwick (via St Lucia in the same plane), or with just one stop in Barbados from Manchester, it is also more accessible than you might think.
For a place to stay the stunning Silversands, one of the newest and most luxurious hotels on the island, is perfectly placed.
This picturesque five-star resort sits directly on the south east coast - close to the capital St George’s - and is a short ride from the airport.
With only 43 suites, you are pretty much guaranteed a relaxing and secluded break in magnificent surroundings.
The hotel’s centrepiece is the huge and highly Instagrammable 100m-long infinity swimming pool - the largest pool in the Caribbean - which stretches from the reception area to the beach front and calm azure water beyond.
The modern-decorated suites, with marble and wooden paneling a theme throughout, overlook the sea and garden and have everything you need for a more than comfortable stay - with wide screen TVs, spacious bathrooms, free WiFi and even electronically controlled mosquito nets.
For those really wanting to splash the cash and stay in absolute luxury, the hotel has five beach-side villas and three hillside villas.
Theses are split into three or four-bedrooms with a shared spacious living area, dining room and kitchen.
Each also has its own large private infinity swimming pool, which would be the star attraction at any five-star hotel in their own right.
The bedrooms feel more like large luxury apartments with a bedside panel controlling everything from the curtains and blinds to lighting.
The hotel has two restaurants - the Thai-themed Asiatique which serves delights such as miso mahi mahi and shrimp fried in pepper and noodles, and the Grenadian Grill which serves more authentic cuisine including lionfish, grilled octopus and red snapper.
Breakfast, which is served in Asiatique, includes traditional Grenadian grub such as saltfish souse, salt fish fritters and and crab cakes or more traditional plates like pancakes, smoothies and avocado on toast.
If a day of sunbathing and feasting on incredible food gets too much, the hotel also has its own spa - complete with a sauna, ice cave, hammam and private swimming pool.
Services, which can be for singles or couples, include hour-long relaxing body massages, scrubs, facials and more calming full-body treatments.
Take to the waves and enjoy amazing underwater sculptures
While it would be easy to spend a day relaxing in the resort, there is plenty to see and explore across the island.
And there is no finer way than getting to know Grenada than by spending a few hours riding the waves on a traditional Carriacou Sloop with Savvys Sailing and skipper Danny Donelan.
The history of these beautiful hand-built vessels dates back to the 18th century, where they were used to transport spices, tobacco and rum due to their speed and maneuverability.
Today, the only alcohol on board is the exceptionally strong rum punch given to tourists.
I got to enjoy a half-day cruise on the magnificent hand-built sailing boat, taking in the island's crystal clear waters and snorkeling around the incredible Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park.
Created by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, this art installation sits on the ocean floor and can be explored with a snorkel and mask.
Jumping overboard, it was a haunting but also beautiful experience, seeing the dozens of concrete and coral-covered figures looking up at me from the depths, as brightly coloured fish and sea creatures swam and congregated beside me.
Chasing waterfalls
Away from the sea and its pristine beaches, Grenada is also home to tropical jungles, waterfalls and mountains - making it an excellent place for hikers and nature lovers.
There are more than a dozen waterfalls scattered across the island which can be reached by car or foot.
One of the most spectacular and accessible by vehicle is Concord falls - a 30 minute drive from St Georges along the coast and up switchbacks which slice through the jungle.
At the top of the mountain, I got a glimpse of the waterfall cascading below me - framed by dense tropical woodland and bright red flowers.
And while the waterfall itself is spectacular to watch and enjoy, it’s even better to cool off in the midday sunshine by having a refreshing dip in the deep and cool plunge pool below.
The island of spice
As I drove around Grenada I soon understood why it is known as ‘the island of spice’.
Nutmeg trees, or 'black gold' as the spice is referred to locally as it’s one of the island’s main exports, dot the landscape and are commonly spotted along the roadside.
You can pick up some of this nutmeg - which grows so well here due to the climate and fertile soils - as well as other homegrown spices such as turmeric, chili, bay leaves and cardamom at the bustling market in the centre of St Georges.
As well as being a hub for trade, its also a place locals visit to socialise - whether its enjoying a bottle of Stag or Carib while watching the football at Ryan's sports bar or eating traditional street food such as rotis, rice and pea and salt fish souse at TJs.
Amazing fish and a pint of rum punch
However, the place to eat in St George's is BBs Crabback, a small colourful restaurant which overlooks the super yachts and boats moored in Port Louis marina.
Serving authentic Grenadian food and freshly caught seafood, the menu includes red snapper in a tangy ratatouille sauce, curried goat cooked in coconut milk, shrimp in lobster sauce, pumpkin fitters and macaroni cheese.
It’s also the only place I have been to where I have been presented with a PINT of rum punch.
This fruity potent cocktail, which contains fruit juices, a healthy shot or two of rum and a sprinkle of nutmeg, is the perfect refreshing drink.
Grenada may not the first island you think of when you think of a Caribbean escape.
However with its calm blue sea perfect for swimming and snorkeling, pristine beaches, rugged and beautiful green mountain landscapes and scrumptiously spiced food and drink, it really is a place that has to experienced.
The facts
Rates for Silversands Grenada start from $800 (currently approx. £610) per night based on two people sharing a Garden View King including breakfast. Rates for an Ocean View Junior Suite start from $1,400 (currently approx. £1,068) per night based on two people sharing including breakfast, airport transfers, 30 min massage per person, and a bottle of Champagne on arrival.
Rates for a Four Bedroom Beachfront Pool Villa start from $8,000 (currently approx. £6,124) per night for up to 8 adults. Rates include breakfast, return airport transfers, 30 min jetlag massage per person and Champagne on arrival