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The Calabash Hotel Grenada captures the essence of informal Caribbean elegance. It has an easy but refined atmosphere, an attractive tropical setting, good levels of comfort and very friendly service. Set at the head of L’Anse aux Epines Bay in the south of Grenada, its 30 suites are ranged in a semi-circle of two storey cottages that look over lawned gardens to a pretty strip of light-coloured sand. And while there is activity on the beach, with a beach bar and some sports by day, in the evenings the quiet focus of the hotel gravitates to the bar and to the Rhodes Restaurant, British chef Gary Rhodes’s only restaurant outside the UK. The Calabash offers extremely low key but trusty luxury.
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KEY FEATURES
| Small but refined Grenada hotel – one of the traditional styled exclusive Caribbean resorts - with the only Gary Rhodes restaurant outside the UK. Eight private pool suites, 22 whirlpool bath suites, beach bar and restaurant, full service spa, boutique, library and snooker room, TV room, internet room, dive operator on property, complimentary watersports, Scubatech dive company, fitness room, floodlit tennis court, Grenada wedding packages. |
STYLE
| Off-duty elegance in a modern Caribbean setting |
CLIENT PROFILE
| Well heeled travellers looking for low key but elegant comfort, quite a few British |
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The Calabash Hotel is one of the stalwarts of the Caribbean. It is small and refined (unlike the typical mould of large resorts for which the area is generally known nowadays) and an extremely comfortable hotel with its own understated charm. Opened first in the 1960s, it has some of the best character of Grenada – the small hotels tucked away in coves, isolated from the humdrum – but Calabash also has levels of comfort and style that measure up around the region. And it has food that measures up too of course, with its Rhodes Restaurant. Most importantly the Calabash has its own charm as a trusty, low key retreat, which sees guests returning year after year.
The hotel is set right at the head of L’Anse aux Epines Bay, a deep cove cut into the southern shore of the island. It is laid around a heart of lawn, a large stretch of neatly trimmed grass that is dotted with the occasional palm and other tropical plants. It is particularly attractive at night, when the tropical greenery is under-lit and you can see through the palm trunks to the dotted lights of yachts in the bay. The suites surround the lawn in a semi-circle of two-storey cottages, looking across it and down to the beach.
You arrive at the rear of the resort, coming through Reception into the bar and dining room, the Rhodes Restaurant. This is Gary Rhodes’ only restaurant outside the UK and while much of the menu reflects the complexity and adventurousness of his cuisine, it also recognises that it is a hotel restaurant and so there are some simpler dishes too. The dining room is open-sided and so from your table there is a view out over the lawn, seen through an extremely attractive screen of cascading thunbergia vines. The vines feature as the symbol of the Calabash and they regularly drop their delicate bell-shaped flowers onto the dining tables.
As you look down towards the beach, you will find some of the facilities of the hotel close by. Up to the right, set on its own platform, is the pool and next to it are the massage and fitness room. The boutique and internet room are close to the tennis court, which you will have passed on your arrival at the resort.
The rooms at the Calabash run in two arms on either side of the small resort, set in modern, two-storey cottages. All suites have whirlpool tubs, whilst eight have their own plunge pool, set under an open-sided roof at the front of the room. Inside the decoration is sleek and contemporary. Each cottage of four suites (there are also five blocks with 2 suites) is overseen by a maid, who will look after you.
The day starts in a leisurely way at the Calabash, with breakfast served to you on your balcony or terrace, giving you a view over the gardens. Service to your room is a key part of the experience. Canapés will also be brought to your suite before dinner. Lunch is best taken down on the beach, at Jefferson’s Beach Bar, an open-sided white wooden deck that has a nice view out over L’Anse aux Epines Bay. The beach here is the nicest stretch of sand along this southern shoreline. It has mounded white sand flecked with grey and it shelves gently into the water - which, so far from the sea, is always calm.
While the beach itself is usually fairly quiet, the bay sees some low key activity. Its arms are lined with private villas and it is a good anchorage (it has a shallow sandy bottom), so it is often filled with yachts at anchor. The district of L’Anse aux Epines itself is wealthy and has large private houses set in extensive gardens.
If the logo of the Calabash comes from the thunbergia vine, the name of the hotel itself derives from a local tree. It has spiked branches and its fruit is the gourd, a large green ball with a hard shell. The flesh of gourds is inedible but traditionally they were used as bowls and nowadays you will find the shell carved into decorative objects. Conceivably the name of the bay itself might also derive from the tree. In English l’Anse aux Epines is called Prickly Bay, épine meaning ‘thorn’ in French.
There is some entertainment at the hotel in the evenings, but it is kept fairly low key. This is in keeping with the Calabash, which is all about understated refinement and quiet elegance. It is a thoroughly trusty retreat.
Amber Belair Villas
Amber Belair is a villa development set on the hillside just to the west of the Calabash. It is under development (and it is far enough away not to cause any disturbance to guests). Three or four villas have been built and some are available independently for rent, but while ownership is connected to the hotel in some cases, the villas are not associated with the hotel in their administration. For more information about the development, please contact the Calabash through the Direct Email facility at the top of this page. |
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Beach & Swimming
Set right at the head of L’Anse aux Epines Bay, the beach at Calabash is well protected and calm. The sand is white flecked with grey and there is plenty of it. It shelves gently into the bay, so it is ideal for small children. The sand is backed by number of palm trees, under which you will find Jefferson’s Beach Bar, an open-sided wooden building with white criss-cross balustrades.
There is a swimming pool on the property. It is set at the rear, on a raised platform reached by stairs opposite the bar and restaurant. |
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Sports & Recreation
Some non-motorized watersports are available on the beach, including kayaks and small sailing boats. They also have snorkelling gear.
Scubatech, among the leading dive operators on the island, is also based on the beach. They can give scuba instruction at the resort and their boats depart for the various dive sites from here (they are open to outside divers when space permits). There are wrecks particularly along the southern shore, but much of the reef diving is around the tip of Point Salines and up the leeward coast of the island, even beyond St Georges. See our review of ScubaTech.
There is a tennis court that can be lit for night play and a fitness room with machines just by the pool. |
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Spa
The hotel's new 2000 sq ft spa opened in December 2008. The Heaven and Earth Spa at The Calabash is located on a ledge overlooking Prickly Bay and the hotel’s beach. The spa has three treatment rooms, a Zen garden, a chill out area with a fresh juice bar and a yoga pavilion. Treatments on offer include Swedish massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, Reiki, Indian head massage, along with a range of beauty treatments. |
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Staff
Each suite is assigned a maid who will look after you during your stay, including serving your breakfast on your terrace or balcony in the mornings. The staff are very much a feature of the Calabash and you can expect to be greeted by the same faces year after year. Clearly the pleasure is mutual as some of the staff prefer to stay on after retirement.
You might wonder how Jefferson’s Beach bar got its name. Although he is no longer around, Jefferson Downes was a great character and very much a part of the resort.
‘Jefferson Downes appeared as an extra in the film ‘Island in the Sun’, which was shot on location in Grenada. During their time in the country the stars of the movie, James Mason and Harry Belafonte, came to depend upon Jefferson to mix them some exotic cocktails to enjoy after their days on the set. It was during this time that Jefferson developed his Cooler, which immediately met with their approval. It has been on the Calabash Cocktail List ever since. Jefferson has now retired from service at Calabash, but his Cooler still remains a favourite with new and returning guests. ‘
The manager of the Calabash is Englishman Clive Barnes, who has worked in various islands around the Caribbean since 1975 and has been at the Calabash since 1989. You will probably also come across the Duty Manager, Russell Antoine. The owner of Calabash, Englishman Leo Garbutt, has a hands on approach to the hotel and is also often on property. |
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The Rooms
All the rooms at the Calabash are suites and they have a bedroom, a sitting area and a balcony or terrace. They have the names of tropical flowers and fit a number of categories, including West Side Suites, Whirlpool Suites, Superior Suites and Pool Suites - they are increasingly spacious in this order. As the name implies, the Pool Suites have their own plunge pools.
The interiors follow a lean, contemporary look with pale and dark furniture on a white background, and unfussy sofas in lilac, green and beige. All the suites at the Calabash are air-conditioned, but they also have a ceiling fan, a mini bar, a safe and a television. Some suites can be inter-connecting. |
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Dining
There are two dining rooms at the Calabash, but the principle one is clearly the Rhodes Restaurant, which opened in January 2004 as the British chef’s only restaurant outside the UK. The cuisine reflects his work in Britain, in its Englishness and to a certain extent its seasonality, but it has been adapted for the tropics. It also recognises that hotel guests may not want to eat exotic creations every night of the week, so they can expect dishes that they recognise to be served in different forms. Two of Rhodes’ chefs are in residence at the hotel.
The dining room itself was redone for the opening of the Restaurant and is sleek and minimal without being asceptic. It has a white tiled floor and light coral render walls which are spiked with colour by luminous lights and the occasional bright red heliconia. See a review of the Rhodes Restaurant.
The second dining room is Jefferson’s Beach Bar, which serves lunch and daytime snacks at the bar. The menu is international and simpler.
Breakfast is served on your terrace at your room. Afternoon tea is served in the main dining. Room Service is available from 11am-8.30pm. |
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Weddings
The Calabash Hotel is delightful location for a memorable wedding or for the renewal of wedding vows, with the services of a wedding co-ordinator to oversee the arrangements. The following package has been specifically created for your convenience:
Wedding Package: complimentary room upgrade on arrival (subject to availability), fees for Registrar/Minister, marriage licence fee and certificate, wedding ceremony at the Calabash Hotel with two witnesses provided if required, wedding cake, bottle of Champagne, bridal bouquet of local tropical flowers, complimentary bottle of wine with wedding night dinner and a photographer to take 24 prints of the event. The cost of this standard package is US$850 plus tax and service. See special offers below. |
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Children
Calabash is happy to accept children except during the height of the season between mid-January and mid-March. Dinner for children under 6 is served in the restaurant between 6 and 7pm, after which time they are not permitted within the bar or restaurant areas.
Rollaway beds and cots are available for children – maximum one child sharing a room with two adults. Babysitting can be arranged at a cost of approximately US$7.50 per hour. |
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Practical Facts
Annual Closure Dates: 01 September to 15 October 2010
Dress Code: Casual/relaxed during the day, elegant/casual around public areas at night - no jeans, shorts, vests, T-shirts or hats in the bar or restaurant areas on evenings
Facilities: 2 restaurants & bars: Rhodes Restaurant, Jefferson's Beach Restaurant and Bar, The Barnes Bar. Swimming pool, floodlit tennis court, snooker and billiards room, fitness room with multi-gym, rowing machine, treadmill and step machine, shuffleboard, beach boules, exchange library, CD library, TV lounge with PC for internet use, boutique, watersports facility and full service spa
Complimentary: welcome cocktail, fresh fruit or fruit punch served on the beach each morning, daily afternoon tea, pre dinner canapés delivered to suite every evening, weekly managers cocktail party, non motorised watersports (windsurfing, sunfish sailing, kayaking and snorkelling), use of flood-lit tennis court, postage for Grenada postcards, green fees at the Grenada Golf Club, e-mail and internet facility in TV lounge
Other Services: day trips, car hire, fishing trips, and yacht charters arranged. ScubaTech Grenada dive operation located on the beach
Children: under 12 welcome throughout the year apart from the period during 15 January and 15 March. Child under 12 sharing a suite with parents stays free on an EP basis only
Weddings: cost of a basic wedding package in 2009 is US$850 plus 18% tax and service charge (see wedding information above).
Accommodation: 30 suites
Room Types: All suites are air-conditioned, have ceiling fans, king size beds (convert to two twins on request), feature a balcony or patio where breakfast is served daily by your maid, have an en suite bathroom with shower and a whirlpool bath, have hair dryers, TV and DVD player, CD player, clock radio, WiFi, iron & ironing board, sitting area, mini bar, wall safe and tea /coffee making facilities. 7 West Side Suites (former whirlpool suites) with 3 on the upper floor and 4 on the ground floor. 6 Whirlpool Suites all on the upper floor. 9 Superior Suites larger in size with 4 on the upper and 5 on the ground floor. 7 Pool Suites each with a private plunge pool, an extended terrace, recently fully refurbished and all on the ground floor. Suites #14 and #16 are suitable for wheelchair users. Thorneycroft Suite, a 2000 sq ft upper floor suite with lounge leading to a sundeck with pool (22ft x 15ft), kitchen for breakfast service, separate bedroom with four poster bed, spacious marble tiled en suite bathroom with double shower and whirlpool bath, walk-in wardrobe and dressing area.
Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard and American Express |
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Rates
| | 06 Apr-20 Dec 2009 | 21 Dec-31 Mar 2009-10 | 01 Apr-20 Dec 2010 | | Meal Plan | BP | BP | BP | | West Side Suite | 295 | 570 | 295 | | Whirlpool Suite | 325 | 600 | 325 | | Superior Suite | 375 | 710 | 375 | | Pool Suite | 405 | 750 | 405 | | Thorneycroft Suite | 660 | 1,000 | 660 | | 3rd person | 150 | 250 | 150 | | Single | -40 | -40 | -40 | All rates are quoted in US$ per room, per night exclusive of 10% service charge and 10% government tax. BP=Room & breakfast. All rates are subject to change without notice. Meal supplements: dinner US$65 per adult, per day (US$120 Christmas night & New Year’s Eve), children under 12yrs US$35 for dinner and US$20 for breakfast (Christmas Day & New Year’s Eve US$60) , plus service and tax. Children under 6 sharing with 2 adults booked on dinner supplement eat free from children’s dinner menu. Children over 12 welcome 15 Jan-15 Mar. Minimum stay 7 nights during Christmas/New Year and 15 Jan-15 Mar, with a 7 night deposit during winter or 50% of total booking, and 3 night deposit in summer. Loss of deposit for cancellations within 30 days of arrival for stays in winter and within 14 days of arrival for stays in summer. |
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Special Offers
Summer Special - Free Nights: book 7 nights and pay for 5 on packages booked for stays from 07 Jul-23 Nov 2009 and from 13-20 Dec 2009 - breakfast package includes 2 free nights accommodation including breakfast and half board package includes 2 free nights accommodation including breakfast and dinner. This offer can be combined with the Bash Dollars offer to gain 20% resort credit on each night paid for if booking directly with The Calabash Hotel following a website enquiry.
Repeat Guests: receive a 10% discount off your Food & Beverage account (credited locally) and Spa Treatments if you have stayed at the Calabash Hotel within the last three years of your previous stay and have not booked a special package.
FREE Wedding/Renewal of Wedding Vows Package - 2009: stay a minimum of 7 nights half board during the months of July, August and September or stay a minimum of 14 nights half board rest of the year and receive the wedding or renewal of wedding vows package free of charge. See above for inclusions.
Honeymoons: complimentary Flowers and Sparkling Wine for honeymooners with free room upgrade on arrival subject to availability.
Offers cannot be combined and are subject to change without notice. |
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Exclusive Website Offer - Bash Dollars
All new direct hotel bookings for stays until 20 Dec 2009 made following a website reservation enquiry will receive 20% resort credit in Bash Dollars. The Calabash Hotel’s exclusive Bash Dollars can be used for Suite upgrades, lunch at Jefferson’s Beach Bar, dinner in Rhodes Restaurant, drinks in their bars and treatments in The Heaven & Earth Spa. Examples of savings:
Accommodation Nightly rate Bash dollars West side suite US$ 295.00 US$59.00 Whirlpool suite US$325.00 US$65.00 Superior suite US$375.00 US$75.00 Pool suite US$405.00 US$81.00
Example: For a seven night stay in a pool suite US$567.00 will be automatically credited to your Bash Dollars account to be redeemed against suite upgrades, meals, drinks and spa treatments. Please go to The Calabash Hotel’s own website (see above) and fill out their online reservation enquiry to ensure Bash Dollars are credited to you for your stay at Calabash. Offer valid for stays from 15 May-20 December 2009 and are for new bookings only. Bash Dollars credited to a guest account for a stay overlapping the 20th December 2009 will not be redeemable after that expiry date. Bash Dollars are only credited to a reservation started with a Calabash Hotel and Villas website reservation enquiry. Bash Dollars credit is based on the nightly rate of accommodation and they are not refundable or redeemable for cash. Bash Dollars are credited to the guests’ bill upon check-in to be applied toward purchases. |
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How to Book
If you wish to make further enquiries or a reservation, please use the WEB LINK or DIRECT EMAIL ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this page to make contact with the Calabash Hotel Grenada, or if you wish to telephone them, please click on TELEPHONE CONTACT to reveal the number. |
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UK Tour Operators
If you are resident in Europe and wish to book a flight inclusive holiday departing from the UK, you may wish to contact a fully bonded tour operator.
See List of UK Tour Operators
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Locality
The Calabash is set in L’Anse aux Epines (pronounced ‘Lansapeen’) a residential area that has a mix of private homes, villas (many of which are for rent) and some small hotels and collections of apartments. There are also a couple of restaurants and bars.
The main activity is not far off, much of it centred on the Grand Anse area to the north of L’Anse aux Epines, where there are some bars and restaurants in the hotels and small shopping areas. Or you can go west along the Point Salines peninsular towards the airport, where there is quite a lot of activity, mostly in the hotel and beach bars along the northern side of the peninsular. Heading east from the Calabash you quickly come into Grenadian countryside, where there are some lovely coves which also have excellent beach bars.
St George’s, the capital of Grenada, is the prettiest waterfront town in the Caribbean, and is about twenty minutes drive away. |
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Meet & Greet
If you are travelling independently, there are usually taxis at the airport. The ride takes fifteen minutes and costs approximately US$10 during the day and US$14 at night. The hotel would be happy to arrange a taxi to collect you if you let them have your arrival times. Alternatively, if you would prefer to be taken care of from the minute you arrive at the airport, with a range of services that include airport transfers, a Concierge Service is offered by Caribbean Horizons.
If you are travelling with a tour operator, their representative should be there to meet you at the airport to deliver you to the hotel. They will also take you back to the airport on departure. Please check at the time of booking. |
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Getting Around
Hiring a car to explore the island is easily arranged and is a great addition to a stay in Grenada anyway. You can travel to some of the remoter beaches and the island’s excellent beach bars, and then out to eat in some of the other restaurants around the island in the evenings. If you will want a car only for a couple of days at most, then the Reception at the hotel will be happy to help you. Otherwise we recommend that you make a reservation in advance through your travel organiser or through Y & R Car Rentals, who will deliver the car to the property and issue your Grenadian driving licence (price EC$30). Vehicles can be returned at the airport or at the hotel. Be aware that at the height of the season between December and April cars can be booked up on the island, so it is a good idea to reserve one in advance. Also book early if you want one for a week or more because the rate will be better.
Taxis are easily available through Reception at the hotel. Buses rarely drive down the L’Anse aux Epines road and so they are not really a realistic mode of transport. |
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