Six Senses and Silversands Beach House are new options for clients

Grenada has this year added a pair of upscale resorts that haven’t gone the all-inclusive route that is common in much of the Caribbean, with the arrival of the properties welcome news to the Grenada Tourism Authority, which invites those vacationing in the destination to explore their surroundings.

New this year is a Six Senses property, which Sekou Stroude, who oversees the tourism authority’s Canadian office, says is a “very upscale, more of a European-known brand” which is committed to both sustainability and wellness, offering guests the likes of yoga retreats.

Six Senses now has some 27 properties worldwide.

The other new addition is the Silversands Beach House, the second property on the island to bear the Silversands name, with the first opening in 2019 and home to the largest infinity pool in the Caribbean.

The new Silversands is five minutes from the airport and found on what Stroude describes as a “beautiful, secluded beach,” with the upscale retreat having the unusual architectural feature of canopied guest units and restaurants.

“They’re both very unique properties,” Stroude says.

Meanwhile, work has begun on an InterContinental resort that will further broaden Grenada’s resort room inventory.

Grenada is now home to three all-inclusives — the Spice Island Beach Resort, a Sandals and a Royalton — but Stroude says most of its hotels are family owned boutique properties and visitors are actually encouraged to head off resort grounds during their vacations, familiarizing themselves with what he labels a very safe, very friendly destination.

“They can explore the island because it is safe and eat at local restaurants,” he says. “We really encourage people to leave the resorts and get to know the locals. It’s not unusual to see visitors on a house veranda, having a drink with a local.”

Stroude is predicting a good winter for Grenada, noting that Air Canada will increase its Toronto-Grenada frequency from one to two weekly flights on Oct. 27.

WestJet in turn will start a weekly Toronto-Grenada flight Dec. 15, continuing it through to April 27.

Both Air Canada Vacations and WestJet Vacations are offering Grenada.

Stroude is expecting flights will have 95% loads.

Stroude is promoting his part of the world as a “very very green” place, adding visitors will find tropical forests, mountains, waterfalls, sulphur lakes, and both black-sand and white-sand beaches. The black sand is found on the Atlantic side, while the white sand is on the Caribbean side.

He adds that his destination was named the World’s First Culinary Capital by the World Food Travel Association, with Grenada billed as the Spice Island and producing lots of cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices. “You name the spice, we have it.”

Stroude also says that Grenada is a “chocolate paradise,” holding an annual Chocolate Festival in May, during which people can receive the likes of chocolate facials and enjoy “amazing” chocolate rum. “It’s like Willie Wonka’s island,” he says of Grenada, which has 6 chocolate factories.

Tree to Bar tours that showcase the chocolate industry are available.

Grenada — home to the world’s first underwater scultpure park — has gained a second on the island of Carriacou, with the new addition labelled A World Adrift and featuring boats. The sculptures are made of concrete and attract marine life, heightening their appeal for divers and snorkelers, with Stroude adding that those who enjjoy underwater exploration will find numerous dive operators and Grenada has the Caribbean’s largest wreck dive site, a vessel that sunk in the 1960s.