Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Just Back from Grenada

Dorrie: Did not see the Calabash, but heard it is one of the best resorts on the island. The rainy season was no problem at all when we were there (7/21-7/28). Most days it rained very lightly a couple of times a day for maybe 15 minutes. No heavy or lengthy rains. Debbie: OK, here's a trip report: Grenada is pretty basic compared to most Caribbean islands - that is it's not too commercialized or Americanized. They are still improving their tourism trade, and frankly have a ways to go. However, for relaxation we had a very good time. We stayed at the Grenada Grand Beach Resort. The rooms are somewhat small, but its location at the center of Grand Anse Beach was ideal. While the beach was excellent, we especially enjoyed their new "fantasy pool" - undoubtedly the nicest pool on the island. It's a huge horseshoe shaped pool with waterfalls at each end, two jacuzzi's atop one of the waterfalls, and a swim up bar next to the other waterfall. The entire pool area was beautifully flowered, and you could even find shaded areas while swimming. We found the restaurants on the island to be charming and all open-air. Prices for dinner were more expensive than we expected. The food was genarally very good but not what you'd call gourmet. We found some very good seafood and interesting local fruits & vegetables. We ate at Coconut Beach, True Blue Bay, Brown Sugar, Beach House, Nutmeg, and Boat House. All but Brown Sugar had wonderful views of various waterfronts. We spent Saturday morning in St. Georges, at the fascinating and busy market square, Ft. George (where Maurice Bishop was summarily executed in 1983), and the Carenage harbor area. another day we took a day tour (by minivan taxi) up the west side of the island and into the rainforest. We saw a sugar cane rum distillery, a spice factory, Concord Falls, Grand Etang Park, and miles of plantations growing nutmeg, bananas, cocoa, etc. We spent another day at La Sagesse Nature Center - one of the nicest parts of our trip. It's located in a small bay on the southern part of the island - very remote and beautiful. The beach was wonderful, with very soft sand, very warm shallow water, and absolutely no rocks or shells to step on. They served us a great swordfish lunch right on the beach, and also gave us a walking/tasting tour of the local fruits & vegetables within the Preserve. We didn't do any diving, but learned that Grenada has the largest divable shipwreck in the Caribbean - the Bianca C which sank in the 50's or 60's. There are so many beaches around the island, from small & secluded to long & more busy, that you'll never run out of good sand. I'm running out of memory, but let me add a couple of last thoughts. Unless you like driving on narrow, winding roads with a lot of potholes and few guardrails, I strongly recommend you take taxis (even though they are not cheap). It would be hard to imagine driving ourselves without having at least one accident or driving off into a ditch. If you really feel that you want to rent a car or jeep, I suggest you spend 1 or 2 days on the island first, to get a view of the roads. Bottom line: Grenada is not for those looking for extreme luxury, gourmet food, lots of nightlife or casinos. But if you want a relaxing island with lots of friendly people, without the commercialization of most islands, and with some things to explore besides just beaches, then Grenada might be just what you're looking for.