Small and famously green, Grenada has long been nicknamed ‘the Spice Isle’ — and with good reason. In addition to aromatic spices, you’ll find an abundance of fruit and flowers growing on leafy hills, all fringed with miles of beautiful beaches. Popular with honeymooners and families on holiday, Grenada offers an extensive range of accommodation, including everything from simple guesthouses, to all-inclusive beach resorts, and top-notch luxury hotels. Many of the best places to stay in Grenada are clustered around the island’s southwestern corner, close to the pretty capital of St. George’s and the airport.
Set around horseshoe-shaped Carenage Harbour, St. George’s is a wonderfully vibrant community, with appealing heritage architecture, and a plethora of bars, boutiques and restaurants. The narrow streets which wind their way up the surrounding hillsides — once a volcanic crater — are home to some lovely little boutique hotels, too. Venture further up to explore historic forts with spectacular sea views. The oldest, Fort George, was built by the French in 1705, and there are fascinating defensive tunnels to discover nearby.
Make your way along the coast for striking beaches, bays and coves, with some exceptional diving, snorkelling, sailing and swimming. Grand Anse Beach is one of the best-known, but nearby Morne Rouge Bay and Lance aux Epines — to the south — are also particularly lovely.
Hire a car to tour the island, stopping to see historic monuments, to hike through the jungle to waterfalls teeming with wildlife, or to visit expansive organic farms. The northern part of Grenada is less developed, and great for adventurers. Stop in at colourful Sauteurs, a little town with an impressive church and a long stretch of picturesque beach. The islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique make for charming day trip destinations, too, with a real sense of remote escapism.
This is a magical island for foodies, outdoorsy adventurers and beach lovers. Some of the best places to stay in Grenada are brilliantly secluded — book a room at one of these to forget that the rest of the world exists.