Canouan
by David Sutcliffe
Combining tropical escapism with Italian glamour the Raffles resort brings a touch of Costa Smeralda to the gentle charms of the Grenadines.
Accessed via either Barbados (on the Raffles private jet) or St Lucia you can easily combine Canouan with one of it’s more famous neighbours on a twin centre holiday and, if you’re thinking of having a couple of weeks in the Caribbean, I would strongly recommend doing so.
The Raffles Resort (the first one outside Asia) is a haven for relaxation and recreation. The luxuriously oversized rooms and stunning setting combine with the impeccable service and hospitality that Raffles aficionados have come to expect. The recently opened villas offer the perfect compromise between villa and hotel holiday – four spacious rooms and your own infinity pool with the additional facilities of a five-star hotel.
If you can drag yourself away from the rooms recreational pursuits include scuba diving, snorkelling with turtles, windsurfing, visiting uninhabited tropical islands (where you can pretend to be Captain Jack Sparrow) and of course golf. The 18-hole championship golf course offers a challenge and some breathtaking views of the nearby islands. Each room is allocated it’s own golf buggy to get you around the vast resort so, as well as Captain Sparrow, you can also imagine yourself as a slightly more lethargic Lewis Hamilton. Children are also kept entertained with indoor and outdoor activities at the Sugar Palm Kids Club.
The jewel in the crown, however, is the spa. The Amrita Spa features 2 treatment rooms spectacularly set over the teeming waters of the reef – a feature quite unique in the Caribbean.
Dining presents a delectable dilemma – La Piazza is very contemporary with a distinct Italian theme, Jambu’s is the signature restaurant providing poolside all-day dining and La Varenne offers gourmet dining with panoramic views of the coast. After dinner why not try the casino at the Trump Club where you can complete your fantasies by being James Bond for a night.