Canada’s Okanagan Valley – Water & (surprisingly excellent) Wine!
February 15, 2015Hup Ho in Maui!
March 3, 2015By Steve MacNaull
It’s all about design innovation, pampering and service at the new Sandals LaSource Resort in Grenada
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Is it too much information to reveal my wife and I skinny dipped in our secluded, curved-edge plunge pool countless times daily? And, sunned and sipped champagne in a circular lounger made for two while making myriad plans for further indulgence?
Those including a couples’ massage with nutmeg-infused oils over-the-water at the end of the pier; a string of long dinners in gourmet restaurants; a private catamaran tour; snorkelling in pristine Caribbean waters; and bumping into a cast of colourful characters on an exclusive island excursion.
This could only happen at Sandals LaSource in Grenada, the new resort that ups the luxury, adults-only, all-inclusive ante. The chain is already famous for being the best in the Caribbean, but the new 225-room property includes design elements, features and service that make it the envy of the industry. “Sandals LaSource Grenada is the sexiest Sandals in the chain,” says public relations manager Raelene Lazarus when we bump into her. “Just get a load of those love tubs.” She’s referring to the deep soaker tubs made for two on the patios and balconies of many of the rooms. Billowy white curtains can be drawn for private bath times.
Other rooms feature infinity pools jutting out of balconies and swim-up suites fronted by yet more pools.Our room isn’t a room at all, but a standalone palm-thatched villa with a patio tucked away from prying eyes featuring the aforementioned plunge pool, outdoor shower and hot tub. Inside our circular villa, the bedroom and bathroom are sumptuous and the bar well stocked.
We dine on lamb shank at Le Jardinier; gnocchi at Cucina Romana; the catch-of-the-day at Neptune’s; sushi at Soy; and surf-and-turf at Butch’s Chophouse, the first steakhouse at a Sandals named after company founder Butch Stewart.
When we tear ourselves away from this luxury it’s to snorkel nearby at La Luna Reef and the famous sunken statues at the Underwater Sculpture Park.
We also whip along on a tiny catamaran captained by Jeff Dumont, a multi-talented guy, who not only works at the Sandals water sports centre, but is a beekeeper and calypso musician with the apt stage name, Da Stinger.
Our island tour includes stops at the Spice Market in the capital of St. George’s, after all, Grenada is known as the Spice Island where nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla reign supreme.
There’s a steel-drum-band welcome at Fort Frederick for history and great views and a mini-hike to the Annadale Waterfall in the Grand Etang Rainforest to be entertained by cliff jumpers and Mona monkeys.
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Steve MacNaull is an accomplished travel writer and regular contributor to ‘QuickTripTo’.