An Unsurpassed Vacation Experience
After 30+ years of travel, we've just returned from an exceptional resort experience. Pampered by a property and staff which appears to outnumber the guests, we relished each day except the last, having to go home. Thank you to the Hopkin family for continuing such a personalized and exquisite resort experience for ~40 years!
BEFORE leaving home, the resort sent an inquiry email AND a follow-up phone call asking about any special room, food or vacation requests. Impressive service we’ve never experienced!
LOCATION - about a 11-12 minute drive from the airport, we rented a car to explore the island more than we had during our previous Grenadian visits. However, Spice Island offers transport. The resort is located on the best stretch of the Grand Anse beach.
ARRIVAL - greeted with our names by the front office manager and the bellman in the covered circular portico, we were escorted and efficiently registered. Accompanied by the front desk staff to suite 30, the Royal Clove, we had the courtyard, room, and amenities tour. They also provided a Spice Island cell phone to contact them while on resort property or touring the island. Getting used to the rainy season humidity took about a day.
COURTYARD - The tropical foliage and plantings are varied and well-manicured. Surprising to us, we saw that there was a sauna which worked well and warmed up quickly. There is also a very useful and decorative drying tree. Having the private POOL and perimeter wall are what really made the room experience the best that we have ever had.
ROYAL SUITE LIVING ROOM and BEDROOM - Some room attributes: full-size living room, four-poster bed, love seat, chairs, tables and ceiling fans. Notable features include: plenty of drawer space, one A/C unit per room, several remote controls and Alexa, great for music! Cabinet amenities: tea kettle/tea, Nespresso coffee machine/capsules, toaster, Gordon’s gin, Absolut, Johnny Walker Black, Grenadian dark rum, red wine and champagne. The champagne was iced-chilled each day until we consumed it. Refrigerator amenities: sauvignon blanc, tonic, club, canned juice, ginger ale, Coke, beer, rum shot bottles, and several water bottles. THANK YOU to the gentleman who helped us with the TV remotes.
BATHROOM - very large area with a double vanity and plenty of counter space, huge jacuzzi/tub/shower, excellent water pressure and temperature controls, toilet/bidet/scale (not private), laundry bin, and closet area with hangars, iron/board, hairdryer and safe. Nice room and pool towels as well! There is a laundry service. The bathroom tends to be warmer than the bedroom and living rooms since there is no A/C in the bathroom. THANK YOU to the plumber who replaced the leaking sink valves within a couple of hours.
PUBLIC AREAS - lovely, serene ‘clover-shape’ pool and beach area cabanas/chaises, no observable ‘towel-chair saving,’ The beach is public. Resort public areas and landscaping staff are always visible and friendly tidying or maintaining the property and foliage; many even greeted us with our names! And if there is a rain shower, everyone is out in force squeegeeing, mopping and drying every floor and surface.
RESTAURANTS’ STAFF - First off, kudos to managers we met - head chef Brenda Joseph and assistant food and beverage manager Caralena. Resort servers and bartenders are amazing! Shirlyn and Kevin made the first impressions only to be quickly followed by a myriad of others: Kenitta, Tracy, Gillian, Rachel, Dainisha, Danah, Dellorna, Jeron, Shawna, Lyndonna, and Katrina. THANK YOU to Fabian for trying to locate a preferred liquor.
RESTAURANTS - Situated in a garden terrace venue with vines, trellises, and lattice, you will find Oliver’s and Sea & Surf restaurants, quite enjoyable! Whether you have breakfast/most dinners at Oliver’s or lunch/some dinners at the Sea and Surf Terrace-Bar, the food was delicious and perfectly timed at every meal. The dinner menu varied every day. Daily breakfast and weekday lunch menus are the same, but because of the numerous offerings, we still never ate the same meal twice. Three special moments for us during the week: (1) the fish catch of the day - swordfish, tuna, mahi, kingfish, and local couvalli (sp?) our favorite because of its texture, taste and not one we’ve seen in the US. (2) Wednesday - Caribbean night…we tried the local ‘Oil Down’ with chicken, pork, codfish, breadfruit, potatoes and, of course, the coconut milk. Heavy but tasty! (3) Lastly, we had mentioned to Caralena that the sample menu online showed frogs’ legs. Even though they were not on the menu, Caralena coordinated with the chef Brenda for us to have them on our last evening along with another of our French favorites, sweetbreads. Such a sensational epicurean delight for the finale!
HOUSEKEEPING - The “Shhh… / Service” sign was helpful. Calling to arrange a daily room service is fine. We only met Tonya, who was also so pleasant and efficient. The staff met every room need. And if we had special requests, each was met within the hour, if not minutes. There is also an evening turndown service. The ice bucket is refilled most of the time twice a day.
CAR VALET and ‘DOOR’ MEN - always pleasant and efficient. One in particular, Chard, was in-training and showed such enthusiasm and hospitality.
SPA & GYM - Janissa spa offers numerous body and facial treatments. We tried several and each session was rejuvenating. The staff is very pleasant and professional, especially Audrey. The gym abuts the spa. While the gym can be a bit warm, there is plenty of equipment: 2 Technogym treadmills, 1 bike, machine equipment for core, chest/back, and shoulders. Free weights, bands, ab and kettle balls and more… Never more than three guests in the gym, it opens at 7 am but will be opened by the front desk if you wish to go earlier.
RECOMMENDATIONS of NOTE:
Heed the public areas/courtyard signs “Slipper When Wet.” They are not kidding.
Take bug spray and After Bite. There were only two times at dusk when it was needed, but it was very helpful.
The ‘same/next day’ laundry service may not occur unless the request gets processed before 9 am.
If you desire privacy, the Royal and pool suites provide that atmosphere compared to the ocean front. The ocean front accommodations, however, have the best view.
