Grenada: The Caribbean, Iconically Less Obvious
My firsthand guide to where to stay, what to do, and how to plan a Grenada trip tailored to you.
Grenada at a Glance
Best For: Travelers wanting uncrowded beaches, boutique luxury, lush rainforests, and an authentic Caribbean culture.
Key Hotel Regions:Grand Anse (iconic white sand, vibrant) vs. La Sagesse (secluded, calm bay, wellness-focused).
Top Experiences: Rainforest waterfall hikes, St. George’s spice market, bean-to-bar chocolate tastings, and local dining.
Mt. Carmel Falls, in Grenada’s lush interior
I went to Grenada expecting beautiful beaches and very good hotels. What surprised me was how excellent the hotels were, while the island around them still felt wonderfully low-key and lived-in.
Grenada is not entirely shaped around tourism. You can leave a beautifully designed resort and, before long, be walking through colorful streets, buying spices at a local market, or following a forest path toward a waterfall. Not everything feels perfectly arranged for visitors, and I mean that as a compliment.
Grenada has everything you hope for in the Caribbean. It just feels a little less obvious.
What I kept thinking about after I left
The green interior may have been my favorite part of Grenada. One morning took us from the spice market in St. George’s into the rainforest and on to Annandale Falls. Later, we walked farther into the countryside to Mt. Carmel Falls, which felt wilder and was absolutely worth the effort.
The guides we spent time with were Grenadian and knew the island from the inside, not from a script. Their stories made even the drives and smaller stops between the main sights feel memorable.
At the House of Chocolate, we watched Grenadian cacao become single-origin chocolate. I sampled enough to consider the research very thorough. We also had a local buffet lunch at Dre Flavors, where I was not shy with the buffet, and stopped at Fort Frederick for a little history between waterfalls and chocolate.
That mix is what stayed with me: excellent hotels, but also rainforest, local food, history, and a strong sense of place.
Where to Stay in Grenada: The Best Luxury Resorts
There is no single "best" hotel in Grenada. The properties I stayed at and toured each offer distinctly different atmospheres. The right choice comes down to who is traveling, the vibe you prefer, and how much of your trip will revolve around the resort itself.
Six Senses La Sagesse
Best for: Privacy, wellness, beautiful design, couples, milestone trips, and families/groups utilizing multi-bedroom villas.
Set on a quiet, protected bay on Grenada’s southern coast, Six Senses La Sagesse is peaceful and private, yet close enough to explore the rest of the island whenever you want. I loved that balance.
My ideal day started with Rock Fuel, housemade broth, and fresh carambola juice at breakfast, eased into a restorative wellness afternoon, and finished with dinner, cocktails, and live music at Seafire. There was plenty to do, but zero pressure to do any of it.
They knew my birthday, and the cake, bed setup, and thoughtful surprises were so lovely, though ultimately it was the genuine warmth and constant care from the team throughout the stay that made it unforgettable.
Advisor Note: The larger multi-bedroom villas make Six Senses a standout choice for families or small groups who want high-end privacy and space without giving up resort amenities.
Calabash Hotel
Best for: Quiet luxury, 14+, personal service, exceptional dining, and travelers who love quieter, family-owned boutique properties.
Calabash is polished without feeling showy. It has an easy, gracious rhythm that makes it effortless to settle into island time. It’s 14+, except for festive season when the hotel opens up for all ages.
Breakfast overlooking the water was a highlights-of-the-day moment, and my suite featured both a private plunge pool and an outdoor tub. What stood out most, however, was how naturally attentive the service is. Many have worked there for a long time which is meaningful. I celebrated my birthday here and it was the best. Cake, bubbles, singing servers, a gift.
Silversands Grand Anse
Best for: Contemporary design, ultra-modern luxury, an iconic pool, a expansive spa, and groups seeking private luxury villas.
Silversands Grand Anse brings a sleek, international architectural feel to Grenada, offering a distinct energy compared to the island’s classic boutique hotels.
The 100-meter infinity pool is the clear showstopper, but the spa was an equally impressive highlight, serene, beautifully designed, and far more extensive than standard island spas.
Advisor Note: We toured one of the multi-bedroom Beach Villas. These are an incredible option for families or friends traveling together who want generous, private residential living with direct beach access and full resort services.
Silversands Beach House
Best for: Adults looking for a quiet, stylish, intimate, and hidden-away coastal escape (16+)
Silversands Beach House is smaller and far more intimate than its sister property on Grand Anse. The cliffside and beach setting is dramatic, with striking turquoise waters and views stretching in every direction.
The two-bedroom suites are particularly well-suited for friends traveling together. A major perk here is that guests enjoy full access to the restaurants and facilities at Silversands Grand Anse, offering dining variety without sacrificing the Beach House’s quiet, boutique feel. 5 minutes from the airport, so also great for a long weekend getaway from NYC.
📌 Planning a stay at one of these properties?
Spice Island Beach Resort
Best for: Classic Caribbean elegance, effortless beachfront living, and travelers who want to step straight onto Grand Anse Beach.
Spice Island Beach Resort offers a warm, classic Caribbean atmosphere. Family-owned and deeply welcoming, it sits directly on Grand Anse Beach, anchored by an open-air lobby where the ocean is always within view.
The vibe is relaxed and unpretentious rather than overly formal. (Side note: They have a lawn Connect Four set—secretly one of my favorite games. While not an official hotel review criterion, it certainly didn't hurt!)
InterContinental Grenada La Sagesse (Opening Preview)
Best for: Travelers who want to experience one of Grenada’s newest major openings.
During my visit, I had the unique opportunity to tour the property with the General Manager while it was under construction. Even in its build phase, the grand scale, abundant natural light, architectural fixtures, and prime position along La Sagesse beach were evident. It is near the Six Senses, has several restaurants, kid’s club, pickle ball etc. etc. Full service!
The hotel team is targeting an opening date of November 4, 2026. Because I experienced it prior to launch, I consider this a preview rather than a full review, but it will be an exciting addition to Grenada's luxury portfolio.
How I Would Spend Two Days Exploring Grenada
Day One: St. George’s, Spices, and Chocolate
Start in St. George’s, with time to walk through its colorful, hilly streets and visit the spice market. Add Fort Frederick for history and sweeping views over the capital, then stop at the House of Chocolate to see how local cacao is processed. Or visit the cocoa and spice plantations. Go right to the source! A local buffet lunch at Dre Flavors fits naturally into the middle of the day.
Day Two: Grenada’s Green Interior
Head inland with a local guide for the rainforest, waterfalls, and the spice-growing landscape. Annandale Falls is easier to incorporate into a broader island day, while Mt. Carmel Falls takes slightly more effort, feels wilder, and is well worth the walk. Next time I want to hike to the Seven Sisters Waterfalls. A bit more of a trek. If you enjoy hiking there are plenty to do. Also fun options to go river tubing and ziplining!
Note: I would not schedule an outing every day. Grenada works best when exploring is balanced with enough time to enjoy the hotel you carefully chose.
Grenada’s lush interior was one of my favorite parts of the island
How Long Should You Stay in Grenada?
A Long Weekend: Yes, if you are traveling from US East Coast and have a direct flight. Choose one hotel and lean into what it does best.
Five to Seven Nights: One hotel can work very well when the location and atmosphere are right. I would balance resort time with a couple of days exploring St. George’s, the rainforest, waterfalls, local food, and cacao. Or go all in at a special retreat at Six Senses
A Week or Longer (or Two-Island Combos): A split stay can make sense when the two hotels create a real contrast, such as Grand Anse followed by the quieter La Sagesse coast. You could also take a short ferry trip to Carriacou or Petite Martinique, Grenada’s smaller sister islands.
For European & Long-Haul Travelers: If you’re traveling from further away (like the UK or Europe), combining Grenada with a second Caribbean island is a fantastic way to maximize your flight time. St. Lucia is an especially easy pairing, inter-island flights between the two are short and direct, letting you combine St. Lucia’s dramatic volcanic Pitons with Grenada’s lush, low-key charm in a single trip.
Who Will Love Grenada?
Grenada is a particularly good fit for:
Caribbean Regulars looking for somewhere less expected.
Couples who want privacy but still enjoy exploring.
Families & Friends who need villas or multi-bedroom accommodations.
Wellness Travelers who do not want the entire trip to feel like a retreat.
Food & Culture Lovers who appreciate local food, nature, and history.
Anyone who prefers an island that still feels relatively uncrowded and real.
Practical Travel Tips for Grenada
Getting There: Grenada has direct flights from parts of the US East Coast and from London, making it easier to reach than many travelers realize.
Hire a Local Guide: For an island day, I strongly recommend arranging a private driver and local guide. The stories and local knowledge added far more than simply moving between the main sights.
Choose Your Location Carelessly: Grand Anse and La Sagesse have very different settings and rhythms, and the right suite or villa layout can matter just as much as the hotel name, especially for families and groups.
How I Plan Grenada Trips You’ll Remember
Grenada is not a one-size-fits-all destination, and a great itinerary should reflect that. I look at the full picture of your trip, not only where you sleep.
When we plan your trip together, I will:
Match you with the right hotel
Whether that is a private villa, an intimate boutique hotel or a full-service resort, I will help choose the property and room category that best suit your travel style.Design the complete itinerary
I will bring together hotels, private transfers, trusted guides, island experiences and restaurant recommendations, with the right balance of exploring and time to slow down.Connect you with the right people
My local partners add the stories, context and personal insight that make Grenada feel like much more than a beautiful beach destination.Use my hotel relationships on your behalf
You will receive preferred-partner benefits where available, and I will communicate your preferences directly to the hotel team so you are known and well looked after from the moment you arrive.
The goal is not simply to make a series of reservations. It is to create a seamless, highly personal trip that connects you to Grenada and leaves you with the kind of memories you will still be talking about years later.
A few of the thoughtful details waiting throughout my stay:
Planning a Trip to Grenada?
Tell me your approximate dates, who is traveling, and what matters most to you. I’ll help match you with the right hotel and shape the trip from there.
