Latest news from Grenada: new restaurant, hotels update, new tours – music, gardens and chocolate

31 January 2012

ACCOMMODATION & RESTAURANT NEWS

Mount Hartman Bay Estate in Lance aux Epines, Grenada has re-launched to the UK market as a luxury boutique hotel offering eight individually designed suites – including The Black Suite , The Jacuzzi Suite, The Romantic Suite – in the quirkily-designed hillside house. With a waterfall cascading through the entrance hall and exteriors reminiscent of Hobbiton, guests will not find a boutique hotel experience like this anywhere else. Opened just before Christmas 2011, The Cave House Restaurant within the Estate is the latest dining hot spot on Grenada, and can be reached by road, by yacht – or via the property’s private helipad.   

Peter de Savary’s hillside retreat overlooking the white sands of Grand Anse has taken on a new name and is now Mount Cinnamon Resort and Beach Club. New Grenadian-born General Manager Kisha Smith, appointed December 2011, has brought in Parisian skincare experts Yon-Ka to create a new Spa Room, and now offers treatments on the white sands below the resort in a new Beach Cabana.

Laluna is now featured by travel zeitgeist hub Beach Tomato. The chic beach side retreat boasts hillside villas surrounded by tropical forest, a Yoga pavilion by the sea and a Balinese-inspired spa. A favourite retreat for the likes of Kate Moss and Dave Stewart, the resort blends discretion, privacy and Grenadian hospitality.

Sir Royston and Lady Hopkin, founders of Spice Island Beach Resort, added another award to their already packed mantelpiece as the five-star ocean view resort was named the Most Excellent Property in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific Islands by Condé Nast Johansens in January 2012. The resort is widely featured by the UK’s upscale tour operators.

SPECIALIST TOURS: GARDENS, CHOCOLATE AND MUSIC

March 2012: Gardens

The gardens of Grenada are showcased each year at RHS Chelsea Flower Show by Grenadian designer Suzanne Gaywood, and Kudu Travel has created a 12-day tour of Grenada so that fans of Caribbean flora can see first-hand the gardens and nurseries that have inspired Gaywood to nine Gold Medals. The itinerary takes time to visit sister island Carriacou and the private idyll of Hog Island, and includes gardens, spice plantations and attractions in capital St George’s. Gardens of Grenada departs London Gatwick on 1 March 2012 and costs from £3,890 per person including accommodation, all meals (with wine and cold beer), a dolphin spotting excursion and the chance to snorkel in Grenada’s cerulean waters.

June 2012: Music

Some serious beats are on the cards for the inaugural DJ Tour to Grenada organised by Kalinago Resort. Featuring artists such as Choice FM’s Martin J, LiveLinq Sounds and Antz International from the UK supported by local talent, Explosion in the Sun runs 6-20 June 2012 and includes a packed calendar of waterfall parties, BBQs, beach fests, catamaran cruises and river rafting – as well as fantastic music. Available from £1,090 per person including flights, accommodation, entry fees and all-inclusive drinks exclusively from SN Travel.

October 2012: Chocolate

An exclusive and escorted visit to upscale chocolatier Rococo’s Grenadian cocoa plantation is the highlight of Mundy Cruises’ Gourmet Chocolate Cruise, 29 October to 9 November 2012. Guests will explore Grenada with Rococo founder Chantal Coady, and discover how chocolate goes ‘from bean to bar’ on the island. The cruise starts from £2,895 per person including British Airways flights, 7 nights aboard the Silversea Whisper in a sea view Vista Suite, 3 nights’ accommodation in Barbados and a full day tour of Grenada with Chantal.

AND FINALLY…

More Britons visited Grenada in 2011 than in 2010, reports Grenada Board of Tourism. The UK endures as the most important market for the Spice Isle as year on year visitor numbers rose 4% to 30,625 in 2011.

The Grenada Board of Tourism has won Caribbean Web Award for Best Tourist Board website at the second annual TravelMole Caribbean Web Awards held at Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) Marketplace on 21 January 2012. Grenada was selected based on its website’s use of the latest technology, its user-friendliness and the degree to which it highlighted the destination’s key selling points. Check out: www.Grenadagrenadines.com

 

Grenada Board of Tourism wins Caribbean’s Best Tourist Board Website

30 January 2012

The Grenada Board of Tourism has won Caribbean Web Award for Best Tourist Board website at the second annual TravelMole Caribbean Web Awards held at Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) Marketplace on 21 January 2012.

Grenada was selected based on its website’s use of modern technology, its user-friendliness and the degree to which it highlighted the destination’s key selling points.

Presenting the award to Grenada was Graham McKenzie of TravelMole noted that Grenada’s site won because the judges were impressed by the home page design. He stated: “When you study the site, it gives the feeling of being beautifully crafted and makes one want to go inside and find out more. The tourist board section is one of the more popular and therefore competitive of the awards, and for this reason Grenada should feel proud of their online achievements.”

E-Marketing Officer at the Grenada Board of Tourism, Orlando Romain said: “Last month we integrated a new accommodation booking engine into the website so this award is a double victory for the Board.”

For more information, visit grenadagrenadines.com.

Grenada Sailing Festival Promises Action on Sea and Land

25 January 2012

Festival fun starts this week as the Grenada Sailing Festival Camper & Nicholsons Racing Series opens on Friday, 27 January 2012 at Port Louis Marina.

In 1994 when organisers named the island’s first international yachting event the GrenadaSailing Festival it was for a very good reason: to highlight its blend of great sailing and great Grenadian hospitality. The 19th Festival (27 – 31 January, 2012) promises to keep up this tradition with some of the most challenging racing in the southern Caribbean plus some of the best parties.

For the newly styled Grenada Sailing Festival Camper & Nicholsons Racing Series 2012, organisers are planning four days of yacht racing over different set courses, all based at the company’s world class Port Louis Marina. However, it is not just about tactics, wind conditions and bragging rights – once racing is over, all yachtsmen and women -  this year coming from the UK, USA, Canada, France, Austria and Italy, as well as Caribbean neighbours, Trinidad and Antigua – can enjoy Festival Fun action on land in the laid-back atmosphere that has made the event so popular.

Working closely with hosts Camper & Nicholsons and The Victory Bar & Restaurant, Festival organisers have put together a programme of Finish Line Limes, afternoon BBQs and Prize Presentation Parties to provide great memories for everyone to take home. The event kicks off on Friday with a Welcome to Grenada Party with steel pan, drummers and dancers giving a great first flavour of traditional island entertainment.

Then, top of the list of ‘Must be There’ Parties is the famous Mount Gay Rum Red Cap Party held on Saturday night (28 January) – will be wearing their limited edition ‘Red Caps’ and making a red hot atmosphere. Monday night will be another great experience, when the party moves to old festival favourite Dodgy Dock at True Blue Bay Resort for a Reggae Night not to be missed. The Festival finishes back at the Victory Bar on Tuesday with a grand Prize Presentation and Farewell with DJ and live band to send all home with great memories until next year.

Grenada Appoints New Sales & Training Manager in UK

24 January 2012

GRENADA BOARD OF TOURISM APPOINTS NEW SALES & TRAINING MANAGER IN UK & IRELAND

The Grenada Board of Tourism has appointed Sola Thomson as Sales & Training Manager. Based in the Board’s London office and reporting to General Manager, Sharon Bernstein, Sola is now the primary contact for all travel industry professionals in the UK and Ireland seeking information about Grenada and sister islands Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

 Sola holds a degree in Tourism Management from Manchester Metropolitan University and has extensive industry experience gleaned in previous roles with Voyages Jules Verne and Emirates.

 Sola said: “I’ll be providing product training all over the UK as well as assisting agents with general queries over the telephone and email, helping them to make sales and to complete our online training programme.”

 Agents can reach the Grenada Board of Tourism on 020 8328 0644 or at Grenada at Eyes2market.co.uk

Andara Resort, Phuket Opens New Beach Lounge

FIVE STAR PHUKET RETREAT, ANDARA RESORT, OPENS NEW BEACH LOUNGE ON KAMALA BEACH

24 January, 2012: Andara Resort & Villas, the five star resort located on the pristine west coast of Phuket, has opened a ‘tres chic’ Beach Lounge on the white sands of Kamala Bay with naturally shaded loungers for singles and couples and a traditional Thai ‘plae’ (above right), creating an unrivalled private haven of relaxation.

 Fully-staffed, this sanctuary for resort guests is tucked away on the quietest part of Kamala Beach at the northern end of the crescent shaped bay, and features tastefully designed wicker furniture in serene natural-toned colours. Striking features include 16 twin-loungers affording guests unrivalled Andaman Sea views along with a traditional Thai ‘plae’ – pronounced ‘play’ – a Thai hammock ideal for two to enjoy sunset cocktails. Attentive yet discreet Andara staff offer guests chilled towels, a range of drinks and refreshments from the well-stocked bamboo bar, and truly local Thai cuisine direct from Khun Meena’s kitchen.  Completing this is a regular complimentary shuttle service between Andara Resort and the Beach Lounge.

 The Beach Lounge offers new creature comforts for Andara guests and compliments the original fully-staffed beach club located closer to Kamala village; ideal for those who still wish to shop as well as enjoy a refreshing swim in the cerulean sea.

 Andara accommodation of all-ocean view Pool Villas (see central image) and Residence Suites is nestled within   a lush tropical hillside overlooking one of west Phuket’s gems, the powdery white sands of Kamala Beach. The resort has a well-appointed spa providing luxurious treatments which can be taken in one of its eight treatment rooms or in the privacy of a guest’s villa or suite, while the award-winning Silk Restaurant & Bar serves traditional Thai and western favourites to diners enjoying amazing views of the Andaman Sea. Two stunning fully crewed motor yachts – measuring 28m and 35m – are available for private charter by guests wishing to explore the Phuket coast or savour a sunset cruise.

 Azure Collection (01244 322770\www.azurecollection.com) offers seven nights in a Terrace Suite at Andara Phuket including breakfast, return flights with Thai Airways and resort transfers from £2,250pp.

Ends

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