Grenada Hotels And Restaurants

FTF has spotted some of the top family hotels, resorts and local eateries on the intriguingly quiet, purely green Caribbean Spice Island of Grenada.

If you’re looking for big resorts with fancy kids clubs and video arcades, this is not your island. Grenada just isn’t the place to find extensive, on-property children’s programs rivaling those on other Caribbean islands like Jamaica. But while the majority of hotels and resorts remain predominantly occupied by adults, most have picked up on the family travel trend and happily welcome children. Don’t worry about the limited childcare options; you’ll want to include children above 4- to 5-years-old in all daily activities and meals, as you can see from guide to the best Grenada attractions for family fun.

Consider any of these hotels your home base for all that this beautiful island has to offer.

Places to Stay in Grenada

Spice Island Beach Resort
Grand Anse Beach, St. George’s
Grenada, W.I.
800/501-8603
Located on Grand Anse Beach, this casually elegant property is a winner for families looking for an exlusive getaway. It is family owned and operated and the utmost care is taken to indulge guest’s every whim. The 64 suites are all the height of luxury. Adjoining accommodations, cribs, cots, and babysitting service are available, but toilet-trained kids ages 3 and up can also hang out at the Nutmeg Pod. The Nutmeg Pod is part of a $12 million renovation that brought Spice Island Beach Resort back stronger than ever after Hurricane Ivan. An expanded full service spa and fitness center are additional improvements. All-inclusive rates cover gourmet meals, beverages, live evening entertainment, traditional British afternoon tea, room service, and use of non-motorized watersports equipment and bicycles.

Sandals La Source
Pink Gin Beach, St. George’s
Grenada, W.I.
888/726-3257
If you’re seeking a luxurious all-inclusive vacation without the kids, Sandals La Source is a fabulous adults-only beachfront property. The 225 rooms and suites are divdided amoung three seperate villages, so there’s a sense of intimacy that is rare in a property this large. Pink Gin Beach is one of Grenada’s most stunning swaths of sand and sea, so plan on spending lots of time in the water. The dining options are mighty fine and include everything from casual buffets to a hearty steak at Butch’s Chophouse. Everything is included in the rate, so there’s no sticker-shock at the end of your holiday. Non-motorized water sports are included, so you may dive, kayak and snorkle away your sunny vacation.

Allamanda Beach Resort
Grand Anse, St.George’s
Grenada, W.I.
473/444-0095
Diving enthusiasts can look for year-round dive specials at the Allamanda beach resort. Specials typically include a dive per day for each member of your group, accommodations, taxes, and gratuities. Choose from customized dive packages, tennis facilities, swimming pool, fitness room, and proximity to the beach for watersports and swimming.

Blue Horizons Cottage Hotel
Grand Anse, St.George’s
Grenada, W.I.
473/444-4316
Blue Horizons is Spice Island Beach Resort’s more informal and budget-oriented sister property and a recipient of the Green Globe 21 benchmark certificate for its environmental initiatives. Among its 32 rooms in a cottage-style atmosphere, there are studios with king bed, kitchenette, living space, and terrace, and one-bedroom suites with one king or two double beds, double bed settee, kitchenette, living space, and terrace. Cribs and babysitting service are available. There are surrounding tropical gardens, an aviary, a pool, a gourmet restaurant, and small kiddie playground.

The Flamboyant Hotel
Grand Anse, St. George’s
Grenada, W.I.
473/444-4247
Families looking for self-catering options and more flexibility in their stay can choose from 67 luxury studio apartments right along the beach. Enjoy the weekly Manager’s Rum Party and crab races. This place boasts stunning views, diving, snorkeling, sailing, hiking, proximity to local restaurants, and excursion assistance. There’s also a market a 10-minute walk away where families can pick up snacks and cooking supplies for dinner in their studio.

True Blue Bay Resort
Grand Anse Beach, St. George’s
Grenada, W.I.
888/883-2482
Rated one of the three best value hotels in the Caribbean by Travel + Leisure magazine, True Blue just might get the family-friendliness award for Grenada. Children are welcomed year-round and those under 12-years-old stay free. Families can swing in hammocks, swim in the striking infinity pool, play on two playgrounds, borrow books from a small library, or request children’s movies for the room VCR. Indigo rooms accommodate a maximum of three people, but adjoining rooms with connecting doors are available. Two-bedroom Club True Blue Villas sleep up to four people, and include a living room, dining room, and full kitchen. The luxurious and most recently built villas offer even more style and comfort for families with similar features to the cottages, plus an additional bathroom with jacuzzi, private plunge pool, and stunning view of the bay. Continetal breakfast is included in the room rate.

Favorite Restaurants in Grenada

During my visit to Grenada, quick service was not a sign of good service, but most restaurants were open-air shelters with natural breezes serving as air-conditioning and bird song serving as distraction. That made the sometimes long waits a pleasure, even with young children. Grenadian cuisine is delectable, seasoned but not spicy. Fresh fish is served everywhere and the quality is excellent. The bounty of fruits and vegetables translates into healthy dishes that are cooked with great care.

Patrick’s
Lagoon Road, St.George
Grenada, W.I.
473/440-0364
This small restaurant doesn’t look like much, but it’s wildly popular for Patrick’s expansive (and reasonably priced) Grenadian homestyle cuisine. He presents plate after plate, until there are about 20 that can barely fit on the table, with dishes like pumpkin soup, lambie (conch) with creole sauce, curried mutton, river crayfish, stir fried rabbit — it’s a riot for adventurous eaters looking for local flavor! Open for lunch or dinner.

True Blue Restaurant
Grand Anse
St. Georges, Grenada, W.I.
473/443-8783
Part of the fabulous True Blue Bay Resort, this restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. The cuisine is an interesting mix of Caribbean island and Mexican (great fajitas!) and there’s a children’s menu and nearby playground. The bay is beautiful any time of day, but looks especially captivating by moonlight.

Aquarium
473/444-1410
Open for lunch, dinner, and back with its popular Sunday BBQ, this gorgeous restaurant has palm trees for walls. It is both natural and funky, with local artwork hanging on the walls, light music playing overhead, and a Caribbean/European menu. Their nutmeg ice cream was the best I tasted in Grenada. Closed Monday.

For more information about Grenada accommodations, dining options and activities, please visit Grenada Grenadines or call 473/440-2001.

Photos Courtesy of Sandals LaSource