Spice Island Beach Resort: Luxury All-inclusive in Grenada

The writer was hosted.

At Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada, you can indulge in the “life of spice” as you dip your toes in white sand and drink in jaw-dropping views of the Caribbean Sea. With open-air restaurants, lounges, and a yoga pavilion along turquoise water, Spice Island Beach Resort offers a 5-star luxury all-inclusive experience on the stunning Grand Anse Beach.

We’ve Been There: Spice Island Beach Resort

On a recent visit to Grenada, known as Spice Island, I fell in love with seaside villa life at Spice Island Beach Resort. My days here started with a meditative stroll through gardens of tropical flowers and lush vegetation. As the Caribbean Sea came into view, I grabbed a seat by the sand for a breakfast of fresh fruits and coconut. This was followed by yoga, pool time, or a visit to the spa. My time at the resort was peaceful, which I enjoyed in between more active adventures on the island, like snorkeling over the underwater sculpture park and hiking to waterfalls.

SheBuysTravel verdict: Spice Island Beach Resort is a great fit for travelers who want an all-inclusive vacation at an intimate beachside property. Here you can enjoy local cuisine and long walks on the beach before retreating to your secluded villa.

About Spice Island Beach Resort

Locally owned by the Hopkin family, Spice Island Beach Resort has received the AAA Five Diamond Award and the Six Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. It offers guests a luxury boutique resort experience in spice-themed suites along a beautiful beach.

Lady Hopkin, wife of the late founder, Sir Royston Hopkin, KCMG, helps to maintain the all-inclusive resort’s lush landscaping. Sir Royston’s daughter, Janelle Hopkin, serves as president and managing director of the family-friendly resort. You could quite possibly see one or both of them during your stay.

All-inclusive Package

You don’t have to worry about paying for meals or drinks during your visit, which makes it even more relaxing. A stay at Spice Island Beach Resort includes:

• Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
• Beverages, including cocktails, house wine by the glass, and in-room mini-bar drinks. (Bottles of wine and champagne are available at an additional charge.)
• Group activities, such as a scenic walk with the Spice Fit Group.
• Non-motorized water sports, including snorkeling, Hobie-cats, paddle boards, and kayaks.
• Fitness center.
• Tennis court.
• Bicycle rentals.
• Business center.
• Kids club: Nutmeg Pod Activity Center.
• Room service, excluding a delivery charge of $10 plus 15% VAT.
• High-speed wifi.

Read More: Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean for Families

Spice Island Beach Resort Suites

Spice Island Beach Resort has 64 villa-style suites, many of which are oceanfront or private enclaves with patios and plunge pools. All suites have air conditioning and include Frette linen, bathrobes, Nespresso Machines, Alexa Voice Remotes, and Molton Brown amenities.

I stayed in an Anthurium pool suite, which felt more like a private house. Behind a locked gate, it had a furnished patio, a plunge pool, and two loungers with an umbrella. With a stocked mini-bar and room service a phone call away, it was hard to leave my private paradise.

Choose from one of 34 beachfront suites, a garden suite, or a pool suite. Here are your options:

• Oleander Superior/Garden Suite. These 620-square-foot suites have en-suite living areas and a balcony or patio, with a king bed or two queen beds.
• Seagrape Beach Suite. 720-square-foot beachfront suite with a living area and a private garden with chaise lounges, umbrellas, and a double hammock.
• Anthurium Pool Suite. Enjoy a private entrance into your personal garden with an outdoor terrace and plunge pool. This pool suite is 1,200 square feet with one king bed.
• Luxury Almond Pool Suite.  In this 1,500-square-foot suite, you’ll have a king bed, and a large private pool, and an outdoor terrace for dining and lounging.
• Royal Collection Pool Suite. Also 1,500 square feet, this suite includes a separate living room, a private garden and swimming pool, and an outdoor cedar sauna.
• Royal Cinnamon and Saffron Beach Suites. Located directly on the beach, these 1,400-square-foot suites have a private patio, living area with a wet bar, dining room, bedroom with a king bed, two bathrooms, chaise lounges, and a double hammock. You also have the option to connect to a Seagrape Suite.

Restaurants at Spice Island Beach Resort

When staying at Spice Island Beach Resort, you have two open-air restaurants to choose from.

• Oliver’s Restaurant. For breakfast, don’t miss the buffet with fresh fruits, granola, and yogurt. Try different juices every day, from cucumber to tangerine. You can also order from the breakfast menu which features local favorites such as fish creole, black pudding, and salted codfish souse with fried plantains. In the evening, this becomes a more formal restaurant for guests aged 5 and up. Here I enjoyed delicacies like cream of breadnut soup, coconut and lime sorbet, sauteed scallops, and banana parfait. The restaurant also has vegetarian options, such as asparagus and fresh pea risotto.
• Sea and Surf Terrace & Bar. This more casual option offers beachfront dining for all ages and kids’ menus are available. During the day, you can stop by the bar for a drink to take to the pool or the beach. The restaurant also serves afternoon tea, where you can order vegetable quiche, a scone with clotted cream, and a variety of cakes and petit fours.

Relax by the Pool or in the Spa

Since many of the suites have private pools, the resort pool was quiet during my stay. But it’s a lovely spot to relax with a book or go for a swim.

Janissa Spa is another haven on the resort, hidden away at the back of the resort. Choose an indoor or outdoor experience and you can spend up to seven hours here, forgetting the outside world exists.

Read More: Best Caribbean Honeymoon Destinations

Things To Do in Grenada

Grenada is an easy place to visit because the official language is English and the U.S. dollar is accepted. But driving here is less easy for Americans — you need to drive on the left and the hilly roads have no lanes. I recommend hiring a local guide to take you wherever you want to go.

Here are a few of the best things to do in Grenada:

• Annadale Waterfall. Take a short walk through a tropical rainforest to Annadale Waterfall and Forest Park. Next to the falls, you can grab lunch and a beer in a treehouse restaurant called Wild Orchid.
• Beaches. There are no private beaches in Grenada, so you can visit them all. BBC beach has a calm cove with shallow water that’s good for families. I also enjoyed a glass-bottom kayak tour here.
• Carnival. Visit in July or August to enjoy music, costumes, and parties that last all night at the Spicemas Carnival.
• Grand Etang National Park. You can feed mona monkeys at the entrance to Grand Etang National Park. If you’re lucky, you may also see a Grenada frog.
• Molinere Bay Underwater Sculpture Park. This underwater sculpture park is a unique place to scuba or snorkel. 27 new statues were added to the park last year.  
• St. George. As you drive around town, you’ll see goats, sheep, chickens, and roosters roaming free. Stop by the Grand Anse Craft and Spice Market and buy spice souvenirs and a hot meal for a beach picnic.  
• Tri Island Chocolate Factory. Aaron Sylvester used to be a music industry executive in London, but he moved to the land of his grandparents to start a chocolate farm. Take a tour and stay to try your hand at making chocolate.