Our opinion
Paths wind through the palm tree scattered grounds towards the beautiful bay at The Calabash
Hotel description
The Calabash is an outstanding hotel in all respects and a very special place to stay. Enjoying a secluded beachside location on L’Anse aux Epines (Prickly Bay) in about eight acres of gardens, this is an extremely well-run hotel that offers the guest a wide range of facilities, an exceptional kitchen and friendly service. The hotel’s sandy beach is set in a natural bay that offers good bathing and opportunities for water sports, and guests at the Calabash can enjoy complimentary snorkelling, kayaking and windsurfing, amongst other water activities. Palm trees provide ample shade and Jefferson’s beach bar is close at hand with its range of cooling drinks and very tempting light lunches. The swimming pool is set a slight distance away from the beach and is a good size, surrounded by Mediterranean-style ceramic tiles that perfectly complement the white of the hotel’s architecture. Paths wind through the palm tree scattered grounds and bougainvillaea provides dramatic bursts of colour against the vivid green of the grass and trees. Dinner is served under trailing Thunbergia vines in the hotel’s restaurant, which has now come under the full direction of Gary Rhodes, after several years’ involvement. Local ingredients such as barracuda, dorado, kingfish, guava, nutmeg and dasheen are combined to produce dishes of the highest quality and imagination. A further attraction of the hotel is the excellent range of off-site activities that are on offer, from rainforest walks and full island tours to whale watching and south coast sailing, allowing you to really explore this fabulous island. The Heaven and Earth Spa is built on a ledge right beside the beach with three treatment rooms and a yoga pavilion. Natural products from Grenada are used in the treatments and a range of massage therapies, aromatherapy, reflexology and beauty treatments are offered. The thirty suites are set in mainly two storey houses that form a semi-circle facing towards the beach. The suites are spacious and very comfortable, and have been designed and decorated thoughtfully and charmingly. Each room has a balcony or patio where your maid serves you A la Carte breakfast each morning. The whirlpool suites are particularly attractive, with ample space for you to relax. This is an outstanding hotel in a beautiful location that is one of our favourite Caribbean hotels.
Annual opening
All year except from 12 August to 4 October 2011 and 10 August to 3 October 2012.
Distance from airport
About 10 minutes by car.
Room types
30 suites
All rooms have air conditioning, ceiling fan, shower, whirlpool bath, hairdryer, lounge area, patio or balcony, minibar, wall safe, tea-/coffee-making facilities, telephone, iron and ironing board, bathrobes, radio.
Type A West Side Suite.
Type B Whirlpool Suite.
Type C Superior Suite.
Type D Pool Suite on ground floor level.
Type E Thorneycroft One-Bedroom Suite with private pool.
Hotel facilities and services
Restaurant, Bar, Open-air swimming pool, Heaven & Earth spa, Water sports, Floodlit tennis court, Snooker room, Boutique, Fitness room, Car hire, Cycle hire, Fishing trips, Island excursions, Hairdresser service available on request, Laundry, Room service, Babysitting, Weddings, Aromatherapy and reflexology in suite, Heaven and Earth spa, Live entertainment on most nights with a steel band weekly, Scuba diving (PADI) centre at the hotel offering courses and dives for qualified divers.
Water sports
Range of water sports, Scuba diving centre offers courses and dives for qualified divers.
Land sports
Tennis, Cycle hire.
Out and aboutnearby/local interest
The hotel is in an attractive area with fields and private houses nearby and there are a range of restaurants and bars within walking distance. The capital, St George's, is about 10 minutes' drive from the hotel.
Children
Children over 12 are welcome from 15 January to 15 March. All children are welcome for the rest of the year. Children under 12 are free of charge on room only when sharing with parents. Children under the age of 6 are not allowed in the bar or restaurant after 7pm.
Other information
Half board and all-inclusive can be booked at a supplement.