Spice Island Beach Resort

Spice Island Beach Resort has been family owned and operated since it first opened on Grand Anse beach in 1961, though this chic, all-inclusive luxury resort feels brand new. Renovated in late 2013, the rooms, restaurants and common spaces are all bright, breezy, and modern. Named after the nickname of Grenada, the Spice Isle, the property remains one of the most respected brands on the island to this day, and is often host to important figures and celebrities. The hotel describes itself as “a place of unpretentious luxury” and it actually delivers upon that claim with its immaculately kept grounds, beautiful rooms, and effortlessly chic decor.

Guests enter Spice Island through a sunny courtyard lined with lush tropical plants, and are soon surrounded by the clean lines and fresh, all-white buildings that give the resort a crisp, spa-like feel. The lobby features dark woods, silver fabrics, and views out to the blue Caribbean sea. Despite the polished, grown-up atmosphere, the hotel is family-friendly and has a great activity center for kids.  Of the 64 suites, 32 are beachfront and the rest set in lovely gardens, many with a private pool. A large, lovely public pool area, two restaurants, and an excellent redesigned spa are all included on the eight-and-a-half-acre property.

Located on the south end of the famed Grand Anse beach, Spice Island is close to all of the action, yet the grounds of the resort are quiet and serene. There are 8.5 acres of property, and a quarter mile of the two-mile stretch of golden beach that makes up Grand Anse. The southwest corner of the island is the bustling center of tourism, with many hotels and restaurants close by. There is a small shopping mall and a good supermarket only about a five-minute walk away. Spice Island is only about a 10-minute car or taxi ride from the airport, and it's about 15 minutes to St. George's, the quaint, historic capital city of Grenada.

Spice Island features 64 beautiful, spacious suites with posh, modern decor incorporating dark woods, bold patterns, and jewel-toned fabrics. The suites are split between 32 beachfront rooms and the rest scattered throughout the gardens, including many suites with private pools. While lots of upscale resorts offer small private plunge pools, many of the pools accompanying the Pool Suites at Spice Island measure 16 by 20 feet -- a nearly regular-sized swimming pool within a private veranda. The Royal Pool Suites even have the addition of a private cedar sauna.

Beachfront suites have the ocean just outside their back door, with a nice patio area and a personal hammock and lounge chairs -- but garden rooms are also just a few steps away from the beach. All rooms have a separate living room or sitting area, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, iPod docks, and Italian linens. Coffee and tea facilities, mini-fridges, and a stocked minibars also come standard. The bright, spacious bathrooms have Molton Brown toiletries and jetted tubs.

There are two upscale restaurants at Spice Island -- Oliver’s, serving Creole and international dishes for breakfast and dinner, and the Sea and Surf Terrace, offering locally inspired lunch. All guests are all-inclusive at the resort, and premium brand drinks are included (bottles of wine are extra). Entertainment is provided in the evenings, a few nights a week. Activities are also included, such as golf, tennis, Hobie Cat sailing, and kayaks. There is a decent gym on-site with modern Cybex equipment.

The excellent spa, featuring a beautiful fountain in the middle of a courtyard, was refurbishing in 2013 is has several treatment rooms and a salon. The property also has two boutique shops with designer clothes, one for men and one for women. There is a nice, spacious kids' club called Nutmeg Pod, which has lots of games and an arts and crafts area.

Another high point of the resort is the large, secluded pool area, set back a few yards from the beach, and surrounded by lots of tropical greenery. There are plenty of padded lounge chairs and shade to come by, and the bar is not far away.

Spice Island's property boasts a quarter-mile of beachfront on the famous two-mile long Grand Anse beach. Grand Anse is the most popular beach on the island, so its far from an isolated getaway here. There is a good amount of foot traffic on the sand, from both local vendors selling wares and guests from other nearby resorts. (The beachfront suites do provide a private lounging area.) If a quiet, private-island-like beach is a top priority, guests may want to check out the nearby and more affordable Laluna Hotel. Grand Anse is immaculate, though, with calm, clear blue waters and plenty of room to go around. Spice Island provides comfortable, padded lounge chairs and beach umbrellas for guests.