Palm Island Resort, St. Vincent and Grenadines

 

The view from an Island Loft at Palm Island Resort

 

Near the southern tip of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a chain of 32 islands and cays known for their natural beauty and clear, warm waters, your clients will find one of Elite Island Resorts’ finest properties—Palm Island Resort.

Recreational sailors and divers from around the world gravitate to Palm Island, which has an abundance of sea life, reefs and challenging shipwrecks. The private hideaway straddles the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, just north of Grenada.

I must admit I didn’t know much about this secluded haven in the Caribbean until my brother honeymooned there in October. Since my brother was all smiles following his trip, it’s probably safe to say that this is a good choice for couples’ getaways. Palm Island Resort has only 43 exclusive guest rooms, all of which are ideal for guests who want to unwind and escape their daily cares. In fact, this is one of those “disconnect from reality” resorts where the rooms have no TVs and telephones.

More than half of the accommodations are set directly on the beach; the rest are just a few steps away. All have such tropical touches as custom-made bamboo furnishings, woven rattan ceilings and rich and subtle fabric with a tropical flair throughout.

We recommend the Island Lofts, the Plantation Suites and the Seagrape Suites, the newest rooms at the resort. The Island Lofts are almost treehouse-like cottages with 514 square feet of space. They come with either two queen-size beds or one king bed. All have private terraces with views of the ocean toward the Tobago Cays, deep soaking tubs and separate his-and-her showers.

All lofts have peaked roofs and breezy louvered windows. Three of the Island Lofts perch above the ground on stilts, set back from the beach amid gardens. The other two are set on the beach.

The Plantation Suites are 560 square feet each and are in a two-story building, also located in the gardens. Two suites are on the top floor, which we recommend because the elevation gives you a better view of the water. There are two more suites on the first floor.

The Seagrape Suites are similar to the Plantation Suites. Built in the same style, the two-story buildings host four suites each on the beach.

Both types of suites have pull-out couches in the sitting areas. There are two queen-sized sleigh beds in the Plantation Suites, whereas the Seagrape Suites come with king beds and a double shower. Both offer covered furnished terraces or balconies that provide views of the gardens or the Caribbean Sea.

All-Inclusive Plans

An all-inclusive holiday includes three meals per day in two restaurants, afternoon tea, weekly managers’ cocktail party and top-shelf beverages. Clients can get all meals at the Royal Palm Restaurant, where Euro-Caribbean cuisine is the specialty. Private seaside dinners for two served next to a heart-shaped sea grape tree may be requested for an additional $25. Guests can also order picnic lunches to be shared on a secluded beach for a separate fee. For a more casual vibe, the beachfront Sunset Grill serves steaks, grilled shrimp and blackened fish.

For guests seeking recreation beyond lounging on beach hammocks or at the pool and meandering along nature trails, there is complimentary tennis, table tennis, bicycle riding, pitch-and-putt golf, shuffleboard and non-motorized water sports. All tips, taxes and service charges are included. Palm Island caters exclusively to adults for arrivals from January 3 through April 1. Agents should get in touch with  Joann Shand, reservations manager for Elite Islands Resorts, at 800-858-4618.

Honeymoon at Palm Island

Earlier this year I won a trip for an eight-day stay at Palm Island and gave it to my brother and his then-fiancée for their honeymoon. All I asked in return was a full report.

The highlights of the trip, according to my brother Matt, were his room, #46, an oceanfront suite and one of the hotel’s best; a seafood risotto with shrimp, scallops and clams marinated in red pepper sauce at the restaurant; a sunset cruise; sipping champagne in a hot tub that could fit an entire family; and another dinner by the sea at a heart-shaped tree.

Matt and his now-wife Karrianne arrived at Union Island from New York after taking two flights. On their arrival, they were greeted by the general manager and three security guards and escorted to their room.

The bathroom was twice an average living room, had his-and-her showers and a hot tub. The balcony had two lounge chairs and a view of the ocean. The only room with a TV (with DirecTV) was the recreation room.

The ocean was clear, turquoise blue but my brother, a pool guy, was impressed by the huge pool with little cabanas. The best event, Matt said, was the personal picnic. You take your pick from a menu. They leave you in a remote place with a hammock, with the food you ordered and some beers
and then pick you up a few hours later.

 

 

Suites at Palm Island Resort have either covered terraces or balconies facing the gardens or the sea