What are your thoughts on Grenada? Would appreciate any advice-
 

I am trying to plan a surprise vacation for my wife. She likes laid- back places, nice beaches and smaller hotels. <BR>I would love to hear travel stories, good and bad about this place.<BR>Thanks-

The only bad thing I can say about Grenada is that it's a challenge to get there from the US (not to mention costly). But perhaps that has helped it avoid some of the over-commercialization that has hit other islands. Read my trip reports (with photos) on my website at www.homestead.com/islandtime/MainPage1.html.

i leave for my trip on friday and will be back at the end of next week, and will post a report then.<BR>we are staying at laluna (www.laluna.com) which looks great - so far we are planning a day trip to carriacou, an island off the northeast coast of grenada.<BR>in the meantime, other past travellers to grenada, i have a question: do i need to exchange dollars into EC? or do vendors accept US$?<BR>thanks.

Most vendors accept EC and US dollars interchangeably, list their prices in both currencies, and give you change in a combination of both. Make sure you know what you're paying, and use up those EC before you get home. Also, the exchange rate ($1US:$2.68EC) is not an easy one to calculate in your head, so if you're a little fuzzy due to a few too many Caribs or rum punches, be careful!

Hi Jonathan,<BR>If you do pick Grenada, be sure to take an island tour (can be done in one day).<BR><BR>The waterfalls are pretty neat - not great big - but at least one is in the jungle and worth the trip.<BR><BR>The people are extremely friendly and helpful and there are a lot of nice restaurants.<BR><BR>We stayed at Spice Island and were very pleased. (Agree that it's tough to get there. I wanted to go for several years before I found flights.)<BR><BR>Have fun!

Great island. Really cool things to see in the interior. The spice factories are a must visit. <BR><BR>Have flown there three times and didn't have much trouble. 2 planes, it took all day but for us leaving from Pitt, it takes all day to get almost anywhere. <BR><BR>We stayed at the Grenada Grand. Nice pool, lots of vendors on the beach.(Grand Anse) If it hadn't of been one leg of a 4 week trip ($$) I too would have picked Spice Island.

Hi,<BR><BR>Thanks for all the responses. Tickets from Chicago for June travel are $650/per person. Is this reasonable? The flights do seem to be quite long, but it sounds like its worth it once we arrive. I'm glad to hear the people are friendly too.<BR>How do you all like Morne Rouge for a beach? The Mariposa resort seems to be more in my price range but Spice Island and La Luna look amazing.<BR>EVA:I tried to see your web page but it said I had the wrong address?<BR><BR>Keep the advice coming, I'm new at this.. <BR> Jonathan

Jonathan,<BR>If you can get tix from Chicago for $650, GRAB THEM!! On our last trip, my parents came from ORD, and paid well over $850, which is more typical. <BR><BR>Morne Rouge is one of my favorite beaches on Grenada. The Mariposa looks nice from the outside, but I haven't seen the inside. <BR><BR>I checked my website address, and it works fine. Depending on your browser, you may be deposited into Homestead, but not my site. Once you get to Homestead, do a search for "islandtime" and you should get in. If all else fails, drop me an e-mail, and I will forward text copies (without photos, alas) of my trip reports.

You can literally smell spice everywhere you go in Grenada. <BR><BR>I was just there, and be sure to visit Anandale Falls, Fort Frederick (for a spectacular view of the harbor), and the spice factories. <BR><BR>Grenada has the most beautiful harbor of all the Caribbean, and the people are friendly, the weather great, and the scenery breathtaking. <BR><BR>If you want to really treat your wife...check out La Source...she'll never forget a week there!

Msg: Re: Airline Tix <BR>650.is a steal!! I am flying in Sept.<BR>and got a quote of 1100$ pp.coach.(depart out of Las Vegas).Since it is our honeymoon, we splurged for 1st cl, but one decent flight is the NON STOP<BR>from NY - JFK on Air Jamaica. We took that one, but on the way back, we stop in St. Lucia and PR before getting to LAX. <BR>Message to Beach Lover: HAVE A GREAT<BR>TIME. LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT REPORT.<BR>May I ask, did you take the meal plan for any portion of your stay? Did you pay for the food in advance? I have been talking to Charles & Wendy at Laluna - one says pay ahead, the other said we don't have too!!??? Just wondering.

Betsy:<BR>We opted not to participate in the meal plan because we hope to venture off the property and didn't want to make that commitment. Is is $55 a day for bfast & dinner? Sounds like a good deal...

Msg: Beachlover<BR>Yes, $55/day for Break & dinner, I think<BR>thats quite fair! Let me know where <BR>you 'ventured' to for meals. (I've heard<BR>the Beach House, Rudolfs, Brown Sugar,<BR>La Dolce Vida and Aquarium Beach Club were all very enjoyable places for a <BR>GOOD meal) BON VOYAGE

We are going back Friday, May 3rd for 10 days. Went last year for 10 days and loved it. Been there several times before on cruises. We now rent a villa. Will try renting a car this time...<BR><BR>Definitely exchange for E.C. if you're going to be there for a while or use a credit card. <BR><BR>Morne Rouge is our fav. beach. Rent a chair for the day from Bernard. Carib is $3 EC. <BR><BR>Have Fun<BR><BR>Marc

the place that macthes what you want would be www.twelvedegreesnorth.com<BR>check it out ,if you go you won't be <BR>disappointed .

Hi! Thanks to everyone who have posted advice.<BR>Co-workers have been suggesting St. Lucia for our trip- they have been there and not to Grenada.<BR> Has anyone been to both that can compare them?<BR>

Yes I've been to both and Grenada wins by miles. Much prettier and the people MUCH nicer and not so commercialised. Well worth the journey.

Hi Jonathan,<BR>I have been to both St. Lucia and Grenada. Here are my impressions:<BR>People - much friendlier on Grenada<BR>Beaches - more "traditionally pretty" on Grenada. Wider, more action, white sand<BR>Dining - More options on Grenada<BR>Natural beauty - definitely St. Lucia, but interior of Grenada is really lovely too.<BR>Diving/snorkeling - definitely St. Lucia<BR>Irie factor - St. Lucia<BR>I've been to both islands twice, and would probably recommend Grenada for what you are interested in. If diving is important - St. Lucia.<BR>On St. Lucia I'd recommend Anse Chastanet or Ladera.<BR>On Grenada, Spice Island.<BR>Have a great time!

I'm hoping to go to Grenada in Nov. with my wife & 2 sons. Wondering if anyone has info or seen Blue Horizons Cottages. It's a sister property of Spice Island.<BR>Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Kevin<BR>Try Grenadaexplorer.com there is a link to Blue Horizons web site and if you go to the Discussion Board you will find reviews of Blue Horizons from a few people who go there regularly. It looks good!

We went to Grenada on our honeymoonand it was fabulous! We stayed at Spice Island and had a private plunge pool and seclusion wall - awesome! We love this island. Blue Horizons is very nice and sits behind Spice ISland. It is a short walk down a hill from the units to Grande Anse beach (would be al ong walk up for me!). Considerably cheaper than SII but they share the property which is nice. We will probably stay there next time for lack of $$$$ to repeat SI.<BR>Be sure to tour the whole island - it is amazing!