From a classic hotel in the hip destination of Grenada to the Breathless brand’s debut in Jamaica and Palace Resorts’ new swanky hotel in Los Cabos, we break down three all-inclusives that offer traditional services with a new-age twist.
Spice Island Beach Resort is a longstanding favorite on the island of Grenada that recently invested $3 million in upgrades, which include the addition of an open-air Yoga Pavilion overlooking the Grand Anse Beach, redesigned suites and upgraded kitchen facilities.
The Cinnamon and Saffron suites represent the best rooms at the resort. There is only one of each and they provide guests with 1,440 square feet of space, including a living room, a floating canopy bed in the bedroom, an elaborate marble bathroom and private patios equipped with hammocks.
For honeymooners, we hear the resort’s Royal Collection Pool Suites are a solid fit. As the category implies, each room includes a full swimming pool. Good to know: These suites have a cedar sauna, an outdoor dining terrace, a living room, luxurious canopy bed in the bedroom and a marble bathroom.
Spice Island Beach Resort’s Anthurium Pool Suites have a shaded terrace, personal gardens and private plunge pool.
For all room requests, we recommend connecting with Janelle Hopkin (janellehopkin@spicebeachresort.com), deputy managing director.
For wellness seekers, we recommend the Spice Island Beach Resort’s aforementioned outdoor Yoga Pavilion. Certified yoga instructors lead sessions on Yin Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Gentle Flow, Restorative Styles, Therapeutic and Hatha Yoga.
The resort also has an on-premises Spice and Vegetable Garden, which provides fresh, farm-to-table ingredients utilized by the culinary team, as well as for natural spa treatments at Janissa’s Spa.
Insider Tip: When on island, Sir Royston Hopkin, the resort’s owner, hosts a Chairman’s Cocktail Party at his private residence on a biweekly basis.
The events are open to all guests staying at the resort. Participating guests are transported three miles from the resort by bus for an evening of cocktails, conversation and laughter overlooking Grenada’s lush hillside and the Caribbean Sea.
Spice Island Beach Resort has two beachside restaurants, Oliver’s and the Sea and Surf Terrace & Bar, both with direct views of the water. Note: The tables closest to the Grand Anse Beach are usually the ones guests prefer.
Oliver’s features Creole and international cuisine, including vegetarian selections. Tip: Try the twice-baked callaloo soufflé. This is a fluffy appetizer served with a tomato compote and a drizzle of herb oil. A dessert favorite here is the Christophine Pie, which is made, interestingly enough, with caramelized vegetables and a scoop of locally made ice cream on the side. Note: Oliver’s is open for breakfast and dinner.
Sea and Surf Terrace & Bar offers international and local cuisine but is especially known for its “Sunday Barbecue” lunch buffets, where guests can enjoy a variety of Grenadian favorites served right off the grill in a beachside setting. Sea and Surf Terrace & Bar is open for lunch daily. Note: Neither restaurant requires reservations.
Your go-to person for all dining requests, including special seating arrangements, is Food and Beverage Manager Fabian Mitchell (reservations@spicebeachresort.com).
The Beachside Yoga Pavilion at Spice Island provides a tranquil environment for guests to focus on their wellbeing.
For guests looking to be pampered, The Janissa’s Signature Custom Facial is a highly recommended treatment at the hotel’s spa. As part of this treatment, the skin is analyzed, cleansed, exfoliated, steamed and moisturized.
Other popular treatments include the Swedish Massage and the Spice Classic Chocolate Body Wrap. Spa appointments should be booked at least 24 hours in advance in order to guarantee availability.
Nice Touch: The spa also offers guests an assortment of exotic herbal teas, brewed to complement specific treatments and served at the end of each visit. All teas are served in their natural state along with local Grenadian honey as sweetener.
Note: The hotel is about three miles from the Point Salines International Airport. For all other enquiries, reach out to Sir Royston Hopkin (roystonhopkin@spicebeachresort.com), owner and chairman.
At the new, modern Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos, which is less than a year old, we were told the most luxurious suite available to guests is the Royale Governor Suite.
This room has a bedroom with a walk-in closet and a bathroom connected to the common areas, which include a living room and dining room. Good to know: With a partial ocean view and a balcony with a daybed, seating area and dining table, guests can enjoy sunrises and sunsets without leaving their room.
A Royale Deluxe Partial Ocean View Suite at Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos
Nice Touch: The in-room liquor dispenser is stocked with a premium selection of rum, whisky and vodka.
Other in-room amenities include CHI blow dryers, flat irons and top hair product essentials.
Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos has four pools, one of which is an infinity pool. The resort’s 29,000-square-foot spa features a hydrotherapy area, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, an herbal steam room, chromotherapy, an ice room, a relaxation lounge and 25 treatment rooms.
Top Touch: The spa features ancient, local-inspired treatments such as the signature Pericue Massage, a four-hand massage ritual derived from the history of the region’s ancient natives, the Pericue Tribe.
For all spa enquiries, we suggest reaching out to Katia Perez (kachavez@leblancsparesorts.com), spa manager.
Active travelers can indulge in personal training and new fitness activities, such as TRX and Aqua Spinning. Tip: A variety of less intense activities are also offered at the resort, including stand-up paddleboarding, yoga, guided meditation classes — and even live music and karaoke.
There are seven restaurants here, but we were told the best dining experience at the resort can be found at Lumiere, the hotel’s French-fusion signature restaurant that presents a seven-course tasting menu. Note: Lumiere is the only restaurant at the hotel that requires reservations.
The best seats of all the restaurants can be found at BLANC Ocean, as the majority of the restaurant’s tables have a front row view of the ocean with glass windows surrounding the perimeter.
With an extensive list of carefully crafted libations by the resort’s top mixologists, Le Blanc Spa Resort has six different bars. Tip: The best here is BLANC Fire, which is popular for live music, cocktails over a fire pit and the ocean views.
Food & Beverage Manager Carlos Torres (carlotorres@leblancsparesorts.com) is your go-to person for all culinary requests, including reservations.
Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos's Lumiere Restaurant serves French fusion cuisine.
Other unique experiences offered at the resort include private tequila tastings and private dining areas for romantic dinners. Tip: Guests who book seven nights or more are eligible to receive a $1,500 resort credit that can be applied to spa treatments, upgraded wines or off-property tours. Note: The hotel is located about 35 minutes from Los Cabos International Airport.
For other requests, we suggest reaching out Rene Virgilio (rvirgilio@leblancsparesorts.com), the general manager.
AMResorts recently debuted its Millennial-friendly brand, Breathless, in Montego Bay, Jamaica — Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa.
The best rooms here are the Xhale Club Junior Suite Ocean View rooms, which come with butler service. Nice Touch: Scented towels and cocktails upon arrival are available to guests of this category. Note: Every suite offers a private balcony or terrace with a whirlpool.
Reservations Manager Tanya Green (reservations.sesmb@secretsresorts.com) is your go-to person for all room requests.
We hear that the Altitude rooftop bar at Breathless Montego Bay is the only rooftop pool bar in Montego Bay with 360-degree mountain, ocean and bay views.
Breathless Montego Bay’s 1,098-square-foot Xhale Club Master Suite has a spacious living room and a private, furnished balcony or terrace with whirlpool.
Travelers can also mix and mingle at plenty of social spots throughout the property, including communal tables with fire pits, cabanas and five bars and lounges. Note: Theme parties are hosted every month. We love the Gatsby Party, where guests are invited to don full flapper costumes and relax at a speakeasy-themed bar. This party takes place every other Saturday night.
The resort’s beach club is an exclusive section for Breathless guests, complete with a grill, a bar, palapas and wait service.
Altitude is a gourmet fusion restaurant; Bare Buns Grill is a casual dining option located at the hotel’s beach club; Culinaria specializes in international fare with a Caribbean influence; Fish Nets serves up grilled seafood; Sofrito serves gourmet Latin cuisine; and Spoon offers buffets with international cuisine.
Tip: Tell guests about the resort’s “Exchange Privileges” option, which grants free-flow access to the nearby Secrets St. James and Secrets Wild Orchid resorts for additional restaurants and bars.
For all other dining requests, including dietary needs and special seating, we recommend connecting with Florian Seifert (fseifert@secretsresorts.com), director of food and beverage.
Note: Those in search of spa treatments will need to go to Secrets Spa by Pevonia, which is located at neighboring Secrets Wild Orchid and Secrets St. James.
The Altitude Rooftop Bar at Breathless Montego Bay provides 360-degree mountain, ocean and bay views.
The spa includes 10 indoor massage cabins, five dual massage rooms, one hydro massage room, one wet massage room and a Jacuzzi big enough for eight people. Nice Touch: The spa is also home to a peaceful garden with a yoga facility. We were told the resort’s most popular treatment is its Deep Tissue Massage, which involves techniques tailored to release tension and knots.
Spa Manager Benieve Henry (spa.bremb@breathlessresorts.com) can assist with all spa requests.
The onsite water sports center with a fully certified staff offers activities from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some inclusions for guests of Breathless Montego Bay are kayaks and guided snorkeling tours. Note: The resort is located about five miles from Sangster International Airport.
To further customize a stay at Breathless Montego Bay, we suggest reaching out to Alberto Grau (agrau@breathlessresorts.com), general manager.
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