St. George's Grenada, St. George's, Curaçao | (937) 315-4602
On a lovely, serene beach with calm ocean waters
Within walking distance to the action at the bustling Grand Anse beach area
Apartment-style rooms have full kitchens and living rooms
A casual beachfront restaurant and bar
Small, friendly, laid-back atmosphere
Pool access available next door at an affiliated property
Free Wi-Fi
Rooms have dated furniture, old-fashioned furnishings and small tube TVs
Buildings are old and in need of fresh paint and updates
No fitness center, sailing, or kayaks available
The Gem Holiday Beach Resort is one of the older properties in the area, and is hasn’t quite adjusted to modern hotel standards. But with a friendly vibe and just 16 rooms, it has a cozy atmosphere for a budget hotel. It offers one- and two-bedroom apartments with full kitchens and lovely ocean views, though the furniture and furnishings don’t appear to have been updated anytime recently. There is a casual restaurant and bar, but the highlight of the property is its location right on the beautiful, tranquil Morne Rouge beach.
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Scene
This casual, friendly budget hotel is cozy but old-fashioned, and updates are well overdue.
The Gem Holiday Beach Resort first opened in 1988, and at the time it was the only property on the small, tranquil cove of Mourne Rouge beach. Since then the area has changed quite a bit, and many houses and properties have been built nearby, but the same warm, friendly atmosphere remains at this budget hotel. There are 16 apartment-style rooms, which include one or two bedrooms, as well as a kitchen and living room -- a convenient layout for families. The property is small enough to feel welcoming and intimate -- and by the end of your stay, you may even feel like part of the family.
The furnishings are old-fashioned and haven’t been updated in years, but the rooms are functional and cozy. There is no lobby, just a small office that serves as reception, and there are few common areas. The beach and the bar and restaurant are the only amenities at this small property. If budget is the primary deciding factor, this is one of the most affordable options in the area that’s on a beach. But for a few more dollars, travelers should check out the Flamboyant Hotel up the street, another value option, with newer furniture and more features.
Location
On a tranquil cove called Mourne Rouge Bay, walking distance from the bustling Grand Anse beach
The Gem Holiday Beach Resort is located down a side road a few minutes past the popular Grand Anse beach area, on a smaller cove called Mourne Rouge beach. The hotel only shares Mourne Rouge beach with one other resort, its more updated sister hotel, the Kalinago Beach Resort. Mourne Rouge bay is also the site of the underwater sculpture park, a popular attraction for snorkelers and scuba divers, though a boat is needed to reach the site.
The hotel is situated in the Southwest corner of the island, about a 10-minute walk over a hill to reach Grand Anse beach and a variety of restaurants and shops. It is a 10-minute taxi ride to the airport, and a 20-minute drive to Grenada’s pastel-colored capital of St. George’s.
Rooms
The self-contained apartments have full kitchens, but furniture is dated and many updates are needed.
The hotel offers self-contained, one- and two-bedroom apartments with kitchens, living rooms, and an outdoor patio or deck. The rooms are a decent size but have dated furnishings. The living rooms have old-fashioned wood-frame sofas with floral-patterned cushions. The fabrics feature busy, colorful patterns, and curtains and bedding are old and could use updating. Old, tube-style TVs, old clock radios, and free Wi-Fi are the extent of the technology available here.
Living room and kitchen spaces are ample, but the bedrooms and bathrooms are on the small side. Bathrooms are clean but dim and basic, with small shower stalls and no bathtubs. The well-stocked kitchens offer a full-sized refrigerator and stove, a microwave, toaster and coffee/tea facilities, as well as some dishes and cookware. All rooms have an outdoor space. Garden-view rooms have a small patio, while ocean-view rooms have a deck that overlooks the sea.
Features
The few amenities include a casual bar and restaurant, and the lovely Mourne Rouge beach
From the main hotel building, it’s just a short walk down to the restaurant and beach. The casual beachfront restaurant and bar, called Sur La Mer, feels very authentic, though a bit shabby. It’s painted in bright Caribbean colors of pinks and yellows, with big windows that open right out onto the beach. It has the atmosphere of a friendly neighborhood pub, and locals drop by regularly for a drink or lunch of their famous rotis (an Indian flatbread). In the evenings for dinner, the dining room is open for a slightly more formal ambiance. It serves Creole and international dishes, with a focus on seafood. There is also a room with a pool table in the restaurant, which is the extent of the entertainment, except for Saturdays, when there is a barbecue and live music. Meal plan options are available.
Activities at the Gem hotel are limited. There are few plastic beach lounge chairs available and shade can be found. Snorkel gear can be borrowed from the hotel, but there are no kayaks or hobie cats as at other resorts. The highlight is definitely the natural beauty of Morne Rouge beach, which is a lovely white-sand beach in a protected bay that allow for calm waters and tranquil setting. It is quieter than the popular Grand Anse beach nearby, and guests enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. There is no pool, but guests can visit the pool of the affiliated hotel next door, Kalinago Beach Resort.
