By Katharine Dyson
Grenada’s tourism is about to get a huge bump in hotel rooms, port facilities, shopping and spa facilities. The harbor, clogged for years with sunken boats, silt and debris, has been cleaned up as part of the Port Louis marina project; Mount Cinnamon, a colorful new hillside villa resort overlooking Grand Anse Beach just opened; and an eco-spa and several boutique hotels are in the works.
Peter de Savary of the de Savary Group, the man who created The Abaco Club at Winding Bay and the St. James Clubs is behind many of the projects destined to make the Grenada one of the top tourism destinations in the Caribbean. His mantra is less is more.
“I’m an enthusiast, a passionate person,” says de Savary. “I’m about having fun. If you need the high heels, Cartier, Gucci and all that, I’m not your man. Here we are all about lifestyle — laughing, kicking back. I’m a niche guy. Small is better.” All good news for Grenada where islanders are fiercely protective of the environment and quality of life.
Mount Cinnamon, Port Louis marina resort, club and village, Mount Edgecombe (his personal weekend home and a former plantation) and Tufton Hall, soon to morph into a sensational spa, are all at various stages of completion. De Savary, a master at putting together alliances has encouraged other developers to invest in Grenada as well.
Levera, an eco resort with 60 villas is due to open next year; Le Phare Bleu Marina & Resort will serve the yachting community; The Point, an environmentally-friendly resort will have 15 rooms and a holistic spa; Bacolet Bay Resort & Spa, with 214 units on 41 acres will open in 2011 and the Four Seasons at Mount Hartman will have Grenada’s first 18-hole golf course.
Mount Cinnamon
Mount Cinnamon, the first of de Savary’s projects to be completed has 21 fresh, colorful one-, two- and three-bedroom suites and villas. When he acquired the property, the question was should he tear down or renovate. A major incentive for buyers was their annual taxes were capped at $150 for 25 years if they went into the rental program.
This property conspires to amuse with happy hues of lemon yellows, fuchsias, purples, lime greens and whimsical touches like wood oars in tall wicker baskets, retro-style fridges in orange and electric blue and gaily painted pictures by local artists. Spacious balconies overlook the sea, kitchens are fully equipped and there is Wi-Fi, plasma-screen tvs, DVD and CD players and washers and dryers.
Suites are large, villas even larger; the beach is a five-minute walk. The resort also has a tennis court, pool, Savvy’s restaurant and spa. Rates $400 to $950. A Jax Fax Special: book a seven-night stay and receive a complimentary daytrip to the Mount Edgecombe plantation. Call 473-439-4400; www.montcinnamongrenada.com
Port Louis & Other Places to Stay
Grenada’s answer to St. Tropez, Port Louis is rapidly being transformed into an exciting environment of shops, restaurants, homes, spa clubs and marina.
The Grenadian-style Creole Village is well underway and Camper & Nicholson, the largest marine developer in the world, is investing more than $24 million to market and develop Port Louis Marina in partnership with the de Savary Group.
When completed there will be 300 slips for yachts up to 400 feet, the Port Louis Yacht Club, duty-free shopping, residential lots for homes up to 6,000 square feet, and a mix of apartments, townhouses and marina apartments.
Tufton Hall: Think Jurassic Park. Set on a hilltop in the rainforest overlooking the sea, this historic Great House is being rebuilt as an eco-spa. Cottage accommodations, organic and herbal treatments, massages by a brook and donkey treks up to a waterfalls will be part of the experience.
Laluna, a stylish gem on a secluded coconut palm beach, evokes the Italian flair of owner Bernardo Bertucci. Each of the 16 cottages has its own plunge pool, walk-in garden shower, and minimalist fashion furnishings — lots of white, filmy fabric.
Adobe walls are hand-rubbed in subtle earthy colors; French doors open to sea-facing patios; and the infinity pool, open-air lounge and cushy pillows invite total chill-out. The superb cuisine is a fusion of Sicilian and island.
Call 866-4-laluna; www.laluna.com
Spice Island Beach Resort on Grand Anse Beach has been rebuilt and is better than ever after damage from Hurricane Ivan four years ago.
With 64 suites, many on the beach, a spa, fitness center, pool and beachfront restaurant with luxury amenities like Frette linens and furniture from the Far Eas, rates start from $635 per room, per night.
Call 800-44-UTELL; www.spiceislandbeachresort.com
Bel Air Plantation: A secluded garden hideaway, Bel Air has 11 island-style cottages. Décor is soft, natural and there is an infinity pool and restaurant. Rates $350-$520.
Call 473-444-6305; www.belairplantation.com
Projections
Within five years, the number of hotel rooms is expected to double from 1,500 to 3,000 rooms.
De Savary who likes the challenge of getting things up and running says, “A beach is not enough. You need a marina, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, tropical vegetation. Grenada is like that. I don’t know any place in the Caribbean that’s better than here. If I did, I would be there.”
Call 473-440-2279 www.grenadagrenadines.com