Luxury Grenada Holidays

It’s well known that the Caribbeans don’t shy away from a party, and the Grenadians are no different. From sailing regattas to celebrations of local food, Grenada is festival-ready throughout the year. Here are just some of the events that you could come across during your luxury Grenada holiday…

Island Water World Grenada Sailing Week (January)

This six-day regatta kicks off the sailing season from Grenada’s southern shores. Each spectacular day of racing is followed by an evening party, showcasing the best of Grenada’s entertainment scene. It’s time to take to the water!

Spicemas Festival (August)

Celebrating the various influences on its culture (including Africam French, British and of course the wider Caribbean), Grenada’s Spicemas Festival is roundly regarded as its premier cultural event. Taking place over ten days in August, this is the island’s proud heritage displayed in all its glory. Expect lots and lots of colour.

Grenada Chocolate Festival (May)

Grenada Chocolate Festival lets visitors in on its most beloved export, teaching, amongst other things, how to make truffles and how to produce chocolate ethically. There’s a lot of time for some luxurious chocolate indulgence too, so let the aromas waft around you whilst you cool down with some locally produced chocolate ice cream. Farm to table has never tasted so good.

Grenada Drum Festival (May)

In the north-east of Grenada, travellers can find Tivoli, a small rural community that has a strong drumming tradition. Now an established event, the Grenada Drum Festival sees the Tivoli Drummers demonstrate their unique style, found nowhere else in the world, that derives from the music brought over by their ancestors from Africa during the slave period. Head north as part of your Grenada holiday for a truly authentic cultural experience.

There’s a whole world of attractions to explore in Grenada, taking in everything from colonial history to scenic waterfalls to historic forts to rum production palaces.

Luxury holidays to Grenada can mean relaxing on the white-sand Caribbean beaches too, of course. From snorkelling off Grand Anse or turtle-watching at Levera Beach to simply relaxing on the golden sand of La Sagesse, you won’t be short of chances to kick back and soak up the rays on this incredibly welcoming island. Ours is a rum punch, when you’re ready.

So, what are our main tips for a luxury escape in this, the spiciest of all the Caribbean islands? Read on to find out…

Explore pretty Saint George’s

Found on Grenada’s south-western coast, the harbour capital of Saint George’s has frequently been called the prettiest spot in the whole of the Caribbean. Wander its pastel-coloured streets, admire its French villas, climb up to historic Fort George to catch the town’s vista from above, and then descend to the Carenage inlet for a waterside stroll alongside the fishing boats.

Do as the locals do at the main market

For an authentic experience, head to Saint George’s main food market found near the cruise terminal in the north of the town. Expect to haggle and to brush shoulders with regulars as they handpick the freshest of local produce: think plantain, mangoes, nutmeg and guava jam as the staples of what you’ll find here.

Visit the monkeys at Grand Etang National Park

Head inland and you’ll find Grand Etang National Park, where you can trek, seek out waterfalls, or take an organised tour via the visitor centre. A big draw is the resident monkey population; you’ll find these curious locals without too much trouble. You’ll want to visit the sparkling Grand Etang Lake, too. Formed from the crater of a volcano, this is really a sight to behold.

Live the rural life at the Belmont Estate

Once a working plantation, the Belmont Estate is now an agro-tourism experience that includes an organic farm, cocoa processing facilities, a heritage museum, and a restaurant that serves up the finest in local produce. You’ll find it an hour’s drive from Saint George’s; the scenic drive alone is very much worth your time.

There are more than a couple of indulgences when it comes to food and drink in Grenada.

As the world’s main exporter of nutmeg, you’ll find offerings laced with the spicy stuff at every turn. The island has a strong history when it comes to cacao and rum too, and you can seek out factories and distilleries in which you can sample both right from the source.

Cooking-wise, Grenada’s national dish is a hearty concoction of chicken, dumplings, vegetables, breadfruit, and callaloo, known as “oil down”. You’ll find oil down on every local menu, alongside Caribbean staples including goat curry, roti and baked saltfish.

Here are a few suggestions for eating and drinking experiences to incorporate into your luxuriously tasty Grenada holiday…

The House of Chocolate

To really get a sense of Grenada’s history, this museum and cafe is definitely worth a visit. It charts the long history of chocolate-making on Grenada, stretching from colonial times to the present day, and also offers the chance to sample goodies from the island’s five working chocolate factories. An afternoon of true indulgence awaits!

Andy’s Soup House

Well-loved by the locals, this top restaurant is a firm favourite among Grenadians and travellers for its sumptuous local eats. As you might expect, locals rave about its eponymous soups, of which there are usually at least five on offer. We’d recommend scooping the bowl with one of Andy’s delicious Rotis.

River Antoine Rum Distillery

The most scenic rum distillery on Grenada has a past that stretches for more than two centuries, so we’d definitely recommend stopping by during your visit. Built in 1785, River Antoine offers guided tours that allow you to delve deep into the history of the spirit on Grenada. You’ll have plenty of chances to sample the local produce and pick some up to take home too, of course.