Just back from Grenada: an insider’s look at the Spice Isle

Grenada is everything you’d hope for in a Caribbean escape – and then some. Known as the “Spice Isle,” it’s a place that’s alive with colour, flavour and a warm Caribbean spirit.

A team of our experts, including Alex, Hannah and Sue, recently returned from Grenada, discovering its standout stays and hidden gems. Here’s what they found on this off-the-track island, from the wild north to the lively south.

Why visit Grenada?

“Grenada is a beautiful, laid-back island,” shared Hannah Jones, Customer Support Specialist. “It doesn’t feel too big to explore, has some incredible beaches and an off-the-map appeal.”

Alex Killeen, Store Manager at Kuoni Manchester, agreed: “Grenada just has this authentic, old-world Caribbean feel. With its candy-coloured villages, joyful locals who make you feel welcome and an easygoing vibe, it was exactly how I’d pictured the Caribbean.”

An island of two halves

Grenada might be small, but it’s like two islands in one – ideal for a twin-centre holiday. You could easily come here to just relax on brochure-cover-worthy Caribbean beaches, but we recommend starting your trip up north, where tropical rainforests, waterfalls and hidden beaches show off an untouched side of the island.

Beach bliss in the south

With over 40 beaches scattering the coastline, Grenada has something for every beach lover. Grand Anse is the headliner, with blindingly white sands, tiffany-blue waters and a reputation as one of the world’s best. Up north, expect a more adventurous, wild feel.

Top beach retreats

Spice Island Beach Resort

For Sue Eaton, Store Manager at Kuoni at John Lewis Reading, Spice Island Beach Resort stood out. “ The beach was wonderful and the gardens were so well-kept,” she said. Hannah added, “It was lovely to stay at Spice Island for a couple of nights, and it felt just as special as it did when I visited years ago.”

Alex felt the same way, describing Spice Island Beach Resort as having "the most breathtaking beach and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. "You felt like you were part of the family," she said. Her favourite room of the trip was here as well. “I stayed in the Royal Collection Pool Suite, with a glass-roofed bathroom, a four-poster bed and a private pool,” she said. She also recommended the Seagrape Beach Suites for ocean views and direct beach access. “Whichever room you choose, the smell is amazing – they’re all scented with Molton Brown.”

Calabash Grenada

“Calabash is just iconic. It has all the resort luxuries like gourmet dining and gorgeous suites,” said Alex, “but what I really loved was that, just a short walk away, you could step out of the resort bubble and straight into the local life at nearby bars and restaurants.” Hannah agreed, calling it “a chic, boutique hotel with flawless service and exquisite food.”

Silversands Grenada

For a modern, stylish stay, Silversands was a huge hit. “Oh, it’s spectacular,” Alex said. “It’s that Instagram kind of place, with a 100-metre infinity pool – the longest in the Caribbean.” The team also visited Silversands Beach House, a sister property set to open in 2026, which features safari-style tented rooms with direct beach access. “This is set to be the island’s hottest new hotel,” said Hannah.

Exploring the untamed north

If you’re after a more rustic escape and some serious nature, Grenada’s northern coast is the place to be. Our experts stayed at two hidden gems where you’re right in the heart of the island’s raw beauty.

Petite Anse

Petit Anse won the team over with its off-grid charm. “The beach here has stronger waves and feels more rugged,” said Hannah. Alex described it as a “very cute, off-grid hotel with little cottages” and noted that food here is a simple set menu of traditional Caribbean dishes – a lovely contrast to the south’s fine dining options.

Mount Edgecombe Boutique Hotel

For Alex, Mount Edgecombe was a favourite. “It’s not about luxury here; it’s about the experience,” she explained. “Seeing blue waves roll in from your room, picking mangos right off the trees and exploring the jungle paths around the property.” She described the drive up north as “absolutely stunning,” with views of traditional Caribbean villages along the way.

Local Flavours and Foodie Finds

The team enjoyed a mix of fine dining and Creole Caribbean flavours, with plenty of chances to sample Grenada’s local food. A must-try is Oil down, the national dish – a hearty one-pot coconut-based stew with breadfruit, salted meat and callaloo. Fish also starred on menus, with mahi mahi, snapper and barracuda among the favourites. And as Grenada is one of the world’s top producers of nutmeg, you’ll find this spice in everything from soups and baked goods to coffee and ice cream.

Hannah shared that her best meal was at Calabash. “We tried lionfish, which was delicious,” she said, adding that the guava pudding at Spice Island was another highlight. Sue was equally impressed by the dinner at Spice Island, noting, “The staff were wonderful and the range of food was fabulous.”

“Grenada is best known for its spices, but it’s also earning praise for its artisanal chocolate,” Alex pointed out. “Their organic cocoa is amazing, known for its deep, complex flavours.”

For a fiery kick, Grenada’s hot pepper sauce brings a burst of island heat to every bite. Alex warned, “It’s delicious, but it will blow your head off!”

Thirst quenchers

Rum quickly became a favourite among the team – each island in the Caribbean has its own version, and rum tastings are everywhere. “While there are plenty of local drinks to try, most hotel bars also have familiar options like Bacardi and Coke,” Alex shared. “My go-to is a Margarita, and they made it perfectly at Spice Island.” The signature cocktails on the island are rum-based, and of course, often spiced with a dash of nutmeg.

Other favourites among Grenadians include cocoa tea, local beers like Carib and Stag and sorrel – a tangy hibiscus drink that’s especially popular during celebrations.

Activities you can do

Grenada has plenty to offer beyond its beaches. Here are some of the highlights our experts recommend:

Sunset cruise: Sail off on traditional wooden sloop with Savvy Sailing Adventures. “We had local food, fruity rum punches and reggae music with the sunset – it felt so authentically Caribbean,” said Alex.

Nutmeg museum: A fascinating dive into Grenada’s spice trade. “The man who showed us around has worked with nutmeg his whole life,” Sue shared. “It was amazing to hear him talk about it.”

Explore local towns: Spend some time wandering through Grenada’s villages. Alex recalls her visit to Victoria, where the air was filled with the scent of jerk chicken, calypso music played in the background and locals were getting ready for a carnival. “It was everything I imagined a Caribbean village to look like,” she said.

Jouvay Chocolate Factory: A treat for chocolate lovers – learn about cocoa’s bean-to-bar process and sample unique flavours like pistachio, cherry and pumpkin-spiced pecan bark.

Rainforest walk: “There’s a whole other side to Grenada,” says Sue, recommending a hike through Grand Etang National Park, where you'll find- rainforest trails, fresh pools to jump in and colourful birds flitting in the treetops.

Snorkelling & Carriacou Trip: Alex shared that if she returns to Grenada, she’d love to spend a day on Carriacou, a “laid-back isle known as the ‘island of reefs’”.

Best time to visit

Grenada has warm weather year-round, but the best time to visit is from December to April, during the dry season. For fewer crowds and lush scenery, the off-peak months are also lovely, though you may encounter a few tropical showers or storms.

Practicalities: how to get there

British Airways operates year-round flights from Gatwick to Grenada, with a flight time of about 10-11 hours, including a quick layover in St. Lucia. Our experts took advantage of this route, enjoying a twin-island trip by first spending time exploring St. Lucia’s romantic resorts and mountainous terrain before heading on to Grenada – a combination they highly recommend for a rich Caribbean experience.

This feature was created on 7th November 2024. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of print. Feature by Heather Flanagan.