Calabash Hotel in Grenada's the perfect place to recharge and reset
Few things in life come close to the beauty of the Caribbean's golden sunsets, candy floss pink clouds and glistening turquoise waters. It was my first visit to the archipelagos, specifically the Spice Isle of Grenada and, as we flew in to land at the tiny airport which edges the ocean, I pressed my face against the plane's window to take in every detail - it's safe to say I was blown away before we'd even landed.
The journey from the airport to the Calabash Hotel, my home for the next five nights, was speedy, taking only seven minutes by taxi. On arrival we were met with a refreshing iced tea and the warmest welcome from the team, including Sisters Adele, Beth and Bobbie Garbutt who have recently taken on the long-established, family-run hotel.
Why the Calabash hotel?
Calabash is an award-winning, Relais & Chateaux luxury boutique hotel…need I say more? Nestled in the southern part of Grenada, overlooking Prickly Bay, it's calm and peaceful yet a short taxi ride away from the colourful harbour and bustling capital St George’s.
A huge focus for Calabash is the use of local and seasonal products. Their Zero Spa Miles treatment was no exception to this and was a highlight of the trip for me. This used ingredients from local artisans on the island which are said to help ‘nourish and heal’ the body. I enjoyed a 45-minute lemongrass back and shoulder massage which was possibly one of the most relaxing treatments I’ve ever had (big statement, I know).
It's safe to say the team at Calabash definitely make full use of the island's lush, natural resources. It’s not every day you’ll be sipping on a fresh mango juice while looking up at the mango tree it came from. Every morning I looked forward to breakfast, which you can have at the beach club or delivered to your balcony. Buttermilk soufflé pancakes, with star fruit and spiced butter were a huge hit particularly paired with a side of seasonal fruit and a coffee - a delicious start to the day!
I’m a sucker for attention to detail and loved reading the Calabash Times whilst tucking into breakfast and taking in the sea views. The activities listed in the newsletter vary daily, but a few of my favourite activities were a circular yoga class in the pavilion and a cooking demonstration with Chef Nick.
Tell me about the hotel rooms…
I stayed in a pool suite which was very spacious and exactly what was needed after a long day of traveling. It felt like a sanctuary of calm and catered to every want and need. An outdoor bath and shower in my own private garden? Yes please. Breakfast on my balcony overlooking the lawn and beach? Yes, yes and yes. The comfiest bed I’ve ever laid eyes on and could only be described as cloud-like? Oh go on then.
There’s an array of rooms to decide between, from Penthouse to junior suites - they each come with private balconies to take in the stunning views of Prickly Bay. They all have a similar feel with king size beds, walk in showers, Elemis products and Amazon Echo speakers (which were great when getting ready for dinner). The mini fridges were packed full, a few fave treats in there included the fresh rum punch and a locally made chocolate bar with a whopping 80% cacao.
What’s on the menu(s)?
A big part of the ethos at Calabash is the commitment to bringing the island to your plate, by working with local fishermen and farmers as well as having their own family estate (L’Esterre). This meant that we’d all look forward to sampling different menus at each of their three restaurants daily, but the decision paralysis of what to order was very real. The lobster gnocchi and beef shin were both the stars of the show for me at Rhodes restaurant.
Rhodes is named after Gary Rhodes, who was a close family friend and chef who worked with the Garbutt family for over 20 years. Chef Nicholas Pena Alvarez has now taken on the restaurant and honours his legacy with standout food.
Not forgetting the other two restaurants; Nori, a delicious Japanese inspired restaurant and the Beach Club with incredible views and hosts lively bistro nights with live music.
I’m not great at just relaxing…what else is there to do?
Kick things off with the ‘Eat Like a Grenadian’ experience and lunch with Home Hospitality Homestead. We were welcomed into the Robert’s family home and learnt about the medicinal and nutritional benefits of all the vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices grown during a tour of their garden and assisted in preparing Oil Down: a Caribbean stew and Grenada’s national dish. I loved being welcomed into a stranger’s home and discovering more about Grenadian culture, it was a unique experience that was well worth dragging myself away from the pool.
Next up, take an island tour with Tour de Spice. This is a great way to see all the island has to offer and to experience the vibrant and diverse culture. The tour stops by capital St George’s, including a stop at a chocolate shop before arriving at Grand Etang national park and rain forest. You’ll likely spot wild monkeys up in the trees and will be offered the opportunity to feed them fresh fruit.
You can’t leave without a snorkelling trip to the underwater sculpture park in Molinere Bay. The sculpture park was created by Jason deCaires Taylor’s and was listed as one of National Geographic’s 25 Wonders of the World. This was a lovely way to spend the afternoon and a personal highlight was spotting a turtle amongst the fish and sculptures.
The perfect way to end the day here is with a sunset catamaran cruise. We learnt a lot about the history of Grenada and had delicious canapes prepared for us freshly onboard, as well as a whole host of rum barrels to sample.
If you get restless on a sun lounger too then fear not as non-motorised water sports are included in Calabash’s packages. We took out some kayaks to look for turtles one morning and ended up exploring around the bay. Keeping fit here isn’t an issue either with an infinity pool to get your laps in and a gym kitted out with everything you need to get your fit hit.
Let’s go!
Rooms at the Calabash Hotel start from £630pn, including breakfast and private airport transfers BOOK NOW. Return flights with BA from £535.
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