Taking Off

by travel-expert José Berrocoso

Photography: Pure Grenada & Silversands Grenada

Gorgeous Grenada

Known as The Spice of the Caribbean, this picturesque and petite island offers the perfect balance, appealing to the interest of adventure lovers, beach dwellers or couples looking for a romantic destination in a vibrant culture and hospitality.

Grenada is the hidden gem of the Caribbean, boasting a wealth of unspoilt beauty, breath-taking waterfalls and 30 white sandy beaches – including the world famous Grand Anse beach. Famed for its aromatic spices, organic chocolate and unforgettable dive sites – including the world’s first underwater sculpture park and the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean; The tri-island destination of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique offers the perfect haven for foodies, sunseekers and diving enthusiasts. A unique array of reefs, marine life and shipwrecks can be found in the turquoise waters of both Grenada and Carriacou - making it a sought after dive and snorkelling location. With over 35 reefs to discover, those taking to the water will be sure to spot colourful reef fish, turtles and healthy corals. One of the most popular snorkelling sites is an underwater gallery of sculptures in the Molinere Beauséjour Marine Protected Area, acting as artificial reefs, the sculptures attract a stunning array of marine life. With less than 110,000 inhabitants and only 133 sqare miles of land, the tri island state of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Marinique appears almost invisible on the world map. Despite its size, the island is widely known for its abundance of spices, unspoilt beauty and friendly people.

WHERE TO STAY

Silversans Grenada is an ode to sophisticated simplicity and outstanding service, locate 15 minutes from the airport and sits on a stretch of more than seven hundred feet of white sands on Grand Anse Beach. Designed by architects AW², Reda Amalou & Stéphanie Ledoux, the style here is sleek and contemporary. The resort’s aesthetic blends authenticity, nature, luxury, and modernity in a stunning display of clean lines against the undulating sands of Grand Anse beach and its attendant wild beauty. The resort’s architecture, in all its simple forms and materials, defines the identity of the resort. The layout is primarily organized to showcase the stunning sea views, while ensuring the utmost degree of privacy and simultaneously providing unique spaces for relaxing, celebrating and mingling. The exterior spaces echo the architecture’s modern lines through gardens, courtyards and water features. Terraces, day bed areas and pools are all designed to blend seamlessly with the architecture itself. The resulting setting lulls guests down to the rhythm of the island in a sea of bright whites, natural teak and neutral tones. The view lines and spaces are all arranged to make the location and surroundings the star, while offering the best possible discovery of the Caribbean’s last secret hideaway. There are 43 rooms and suites – larger groups and those seeking a greater degree of privacy can find a spacious sanctuary with a multiple-bedroomed beach or hillside villa. A focus on community and culture flows through the menus Silversands Grenada, along with global influence. The resort includes two distinct dining venues: The Grenadian Grill a casual beach club-style poolside lunch and dinner restaurant serving casual fare, including a selection of authentic Grenadian dishes; and Asiatique, an Asian-influenced dinner venue showcasing Grenada’s wild abundance of local ingredients and spices. A cigar and rum bar, Puro, entices guests for nightcaps and conversation over moonlit views. Silversands Grenada is partnered with GRENROP (Grenada Network of Rural Women Producers), which provides farming jobs to a network of 50 single mothers on Grenada.

GRENROP was created in rural communities, where many women derive their livelihoods from farming The property partners with local tour operators and guides to inspire guests to break out from behind the hotel walls and forge a connection with Grenada’s spectacular landscape. Examples include waterfall chasing, scuba diving, chocolate farm tours, historic explorations of St. George, fishing, day trips to nearby islands Petite Martinique and Carriacou, and more. Through these activities, forged by connections with Grenada’s unequalled people, Silversands will act as a conduit to envelop guests in the warm, captivating soul of authentic Grenada.