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We finally made it to Grenada after having to cancel last year's planned trip because of medical issues. I kept checking the weather report before we left, and it said, rain, rain and more rain, which worried me, but the rain turned out to be a brief shoer that was no big deal, or the one or two times it really came down, it was during the night while we were in our rooms sleeping.
Our flights from PHX to GND, via Miami, were uneventful. We were thrilled that the flight schedules worked out to allow us to get there in one (long) day. We usually end up overnighting in Miami when we go to the Caribbean. Flights back were fine, too.
We split our time between 2 hotels; LaLuna and Spice Island Resort.
LaLuna is a magical place. It's got 16 rooms, and occupancy was about 50 percent. Our room was lovely,although at the very top of the resort, so we had a big, and I do mean big, hill to climb to get to our room. We used the steps to go up there once, and after thinking we would get heart attacks, after that we walked up the road. It was still difficult, but luckily, our room came with a plunge pool to dip into to cool off. My husband loved the outdoor bathroom. Me, not so much. I'm used to outdoor showers from other places we have stayed, but no so crazy about the toilet being outdoors. But it was fine and I have to admit, a lovely view of the sea while showering. LaLuna provided wonderful bath products and skin creams.
The "lobby" of the hotel is like an outdoor living room with comfortable chairs, lounges and even a daybed. There is small bar right there with a most accomodating bartender.
The pool is right there too. The best part, of course, was the beach. It was small, and dark sand, but the water was gorgeous. There were comfortable lounge chairs scattered all along the beach, and thatched roof umbrellas to provide shade. Mostly, we were in those lounges on the beach, just reading, napping, and gazing out to sea. We both got so totally relaxed there. It was wonderful and just what we needed. We ate all our meals there - food was excellent- and did not venture away from the property until it was time to go to our next hotel.
I have to also say that Bernardo and Wendy, the owners, are charming and friendly, and Chef, as everyone called him, was delightful and accomodating.
Alas, after 5 days of pure and total relaxation, it was time to move on to Spice Island. More on that to come...
Finally made it to Grenada!
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Forgot to mention, so far, not even one mosquito bite!
wonderful report on a wonderful island
thanks for posting brings back fond memoroes...
Sounds like you had a great start to your trip! I know what you mean about the walk back to the rooms--our room wasn't as high up as yours was, but we walked up above the road to take some photos from that higher elevation and it was tough! Glad to hear that the food was just as good as on our visit many years ago and i look forward to hearing about your stay at Spice Island.
Thanks for the report and I am anxiously awaiting the second part . . . I always thought combining LaLuna and Spice Island was the approach I would take when visiting Grenada. In March I did get to visit for one day on a cruise stop and I toured Spice Island, I thought it was lovely and very elegant, but frankly, not sure it would be worth the high price, especially because it's right on the same beach as many other much less expensive resorts (Mount Cinnamon and Coyaba looked nice)and just does not have the privacy factor of our all-time favorite resort (Galley Bay in Antigua). Spice Island never seems to have any sales, either. So I can't wait to hear about your experiences!
allisonjames, we actually got our stay at spice island thru skyacution.com for $300 a night, all inclusive. Keep checking skyauction and you might find it there.
We were welcomed at Spice Island with a glass of sparkling wine and were taken to our Sea Grape suite. Because occupancy at the resort was so low, our room was ready even though we got there way before check in time.
First impression of the Sea Grape suite was WOW. You immediately see the sea thru the sliding glass doors that open to the patio that is right on the beach. The suite was large and beautifully furnished. We checked out the minifridge and noticed there was mostly non-diet soda. I made a remark about that. No problem; the gentleman who had escorted us to our room made a call and shortly thereafter someone showed up and filled our fridge with diet sodas.
We went to lunch, and the first thing we noticed was the sound of kids screaming, something we hadn't heard at LaLuna. The food was very good . I don't remember what we ate, but I do remember we split the cheesecake of the day. Yes, that's right. Every day there was a different kind of cheesecake.
Back to the room, changed, and on to the beach. There was plenty of shade so we spent our days lying on the lounges, reading and swimming.
The food was quite good, although not as good as at LaLuna. The desserts, though, were to die for. We also enjoyed afternoon tea one day, which was lovely. We were the only Americans at the resort; everyone else was British. So we started saying everything was either lovely, brilliant, or rubbish. It became a private joke. I think it's one of those things where "you had to be there".
We had planned to take a tour with Mandoo, although we hadn't made any specific plans with him, but I got so uncomfortably warm once I was away from the water. Even at mealtimes, I was pretty uncomfortable and felt like I was melting. So we decided against sightseeing and just sort of vegged. Either the weather had changed, or being in a different place there was a change in weather, but at LaLuna, other than the climb up the hill t our room, I was comfortable. At SIBR, I was always extremely hot once I left the beach.
I know we will go back to Grenada, and when we do, will make sure to see some of the island.
So...LaLuna, a magical place of casual elegance. SIBR, elegant with impeccable service. Combining the two was great; both so different, yet both wonderful.
And, not one single mosquito bite!!
Wow, I use skyauction sometimes and have never seen SIBR there -- what a great deal you got, at that price -- what's not to like? That's less than 1/3 the rack rate -- we were quoted about $1,250 a night for a Seagrape room in high season -- too rich for our blood but I agree, the Seagrape rooms are gorgeous! The presence of kids puts me off a bit too, one of the many reasons we love Galley Bay is because it is adults-only and there just aren't many resorts beyond the typical Adults only AI chains that don't allow kids. I will definitely have to try LaLuna and keep hoping for a SIBR sale. Thanks for the review.
Wow, I've never seen Spice Island offered for auction except at Luxury Link. For $300/night, I would be very tempted to stay there myself! As it is, my husband and I always stop in for lunch a couple of times during our stay to get that touch of casual elegance. We travel during the summer months and though we sometimes saw kids, they were never disruptive. And oddly enough, we always thought the dining room was cool and pleasant, so maybe you were there during a time when the weather was particularly still?
But it sounds like you had a great time and the kind of vacation you really needed--all veg, all the time.
A few weeks before we went, Spice Island was on skyauction again, although this time for a max of 2 days. I check skyauction every other day if I think of it; I would love to go to St Kitts and/orNevis and hoping to find
one of the higher end hotels listed.
We haven't had a veg out vacation in a long time and Grenada was just what we needed.
Okay, Orangetravecat, so what is ultimate verdict? Laluna or Spice Island? I am planning a trip in January and I can't decide. (would be traveling with my hubby)
That's a tough one. How long will you be there? We loved splitting our time between the two places. I liked the room at Spice Island more and the service was terrific, plus having the beach right outside our back door, well, you can't beat that. My husband preferred LaLuna because it was more casual, and we both thought the food at LaLuna was better. If I were you, I'd go for whichever one I could get the best rate at. You can't go wrong with either one.
LaLuna is always on skyauction.com.
Hey guys:
As I had mentioned to ejcrowe, I was able to get Laluna for under $200 (including taxes etc), and we will be staying there for 3 nights, after 4 nights at Turtleback (which we got on the cheap too).
Heading out in a month....we are thrilled!
foodiechan: enjoy laluna. it's a wonderful place.