Hotels
Grenada’s Boutique Hotels:
By Jay Schleifer
In The Fountainhead, a landmark novel about architects and architecture, author Ayn Rand describes large, mass-market hotels as “huge ant piles,” with “fish market-tank swimming pools” and “stock-corral tennis courts.” That may be a little harsh, but there are hotels all around the Caribbean that come close to earning those analogies. There’s still one island on which you won’t find them, though: Grenada. In fact, the islands’s best hostelries pursue a directly opposite tack … a strategy of “less is more.” Hotels here are small, exclusive, high end, pleasure boutiques. What’s more, Grenadian hoteliers mean them to stay that way. Here are six of the best of the breed… each a bit of personal Heaven on the beach.
6Best
of the
the Spice Island experience is enhanced by the skill and attentiveness of the hotel staff
staff. With a ratio of three staffers per room, all personnel are continually trained and are constantly monitored by Sir Royston himself. “I’m hands-on,” he says, “and I’m always visible. I don’t compromise on standards.” Spice Island is famous, but not through advertising, of which the hotel does little. Instead Sir Royston relies on public relations, including reviews and articles in major magazines, and on recommendations from travel agents. “We have a broad-based guest profile,” he explains, “all ages and backgrounds. They spend a week and tour the island.” He also widens the hotel’s exposure through a long established program of local philanthropy, and he points with pride to a 44-year record of serving his country. In the end, he feels his success is due to one thing. “Standards,” he explains. “I compete with myself, and raise the bar as high as possible.”
Spice Island Beach Resort
n Medieval times, travelers seeking luxury accommodations might just decide to stay at some knight’s castle. In Grenada, they still do. The knight is Sir Royston Hopkin, K.G.M.G., so dubbed with a traditional sword tap on each shoulder by Queen Elizabeth II herself, for bringing honor and growth to Grenada’s tourist industry. His “castle” … the fabled Spice Island Beach Resort, thought by many to be Grenada’s--and one of the world’s--finest small hotels. Just 64 rooms in size (can you say, “exclusive”?), Spice Island has received a prestigious 4-star rating by international ratings agencies, and in actuality, says Sir Royston, has 5-star facilities. It’s also received a top 4-diamond rating by the American Automobile Association. Much of the credit goes to Sir Royston himself. He’s a native Grenadian, with family roots in the hotel industry… a business to which he has devoted his entire working life. At just age 24, he was named president of Grenada’s hotel association, a role he held for 10 years. By age 45, he was able to become sole owner of Spice Island, which was originally founded as a 20-room hostelry in 1961. He immediately expanded it to its current size. Spice Island’s website proudly points to its many attractions. These include golfing, water
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Portrait by Tony McQuilkin...Sir Royston Hopkin K.G.M.G sports, including snorkeling and Hobie Cat and ocean kayak availability, cycling, afternoon tea and fine dining at the Sea and Surf Terrace & Bar and Oliver’s Restaurant, site of a weekly Caribbean buffet with live steel band. “Seventeen rooms have private pools, four have a sauna, and all rooms have double whirlpool, as do all honeymoon suites,” says Sir Royston. “Everything is the best.” As might be expected, the cuisine is world class, with a full wine list. And much of the fare is locally sourced for freshness and assurance of quality. “I spend over $100,000 a month with local farmers,” Sir Royston says. And all of it graced by the matchless background of spectacularly scenic Grand Anse Beach, one of Grenada’s finest natural wonders. Beyond facilities, the Spice Island experience is enhanced by the skill and attentiveness of the hotel
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