Mandarin Oriental Canouan

The tone for my trip to St Vincent & The Grenadines was set immediately after stepping off the 40 minute flight from Barbados. As I began the leisurely drive down the stunning coast to the hotel, windows down, sun pouring in, I took in a deep breath of sea air, and exhaled all of my troubles. With scenery like this acting as a welcome party, you feel instantly embraced into the lap of luxury.

Arriving at the hotel itself only consolidates this feeling. Mandarin Oriental Canouan’s regal marble-lined lobby exudes pure luxury, and the long, neutral coloured room draws the eye directly to the beautiful ocean views right on the doorstep. Drawing your attention to the natural splendour of the island is clearly important to the design of Mandarin Oriental Canouan, and the hotel is very quiet, accentuating the feeling of remoteness and enhancing your connection with the beautiful scenery.

My room only continued the secluded luxury that my arrival had teased. With an unobstructed view of the ocean it was almost impossible not to dive straight in. Managing to keep myself dry (for the time being!) I set about exploring the rest of my two bedroom Ocean Suite. The facilities were top-of-the range, the décor contemporary and stylish, and with a large dining area and beachside patio, I felt as though I could stay forever. I was simply blown away by the size of the place. The villas could easily fit an entire family, and from what I saw of the kids club it’s unquestionably the best I’ve ever seen.

For the grown-ups, the white sand beach, luscious green foliage, and craggy mountain peaks are a playground of exciting activities. The aqua-sports opportunities are unlike anything I’ve seen anywhere else in the world. We did a catamaran trip to the Tobago Cays, which was an incredible experience. On the expedition I swam in the temperate waters and got to snorkel amongst the stunning marine life. If you’d prefer to stay on land, the meticulously manicured Mandarin Oriental Canouan golf course provides a breathtaking backdrop for a round of golf. And for none golfers, cocktails on the 13th hole are a refreshing break from the day’s activities.

The food and drink selection on the island is simply divine. Obviously sea food is the focus of many of the menus, so fish lovers will be in their element. At the Asianne restraint I had the most amazing steamed Mahi Mahi that I’ve ever had in my life, while the option for private dining at my villa made me feel like I was the only person on the island. There are an unbelievable amount of tantalizing dining options to choose from and one of my biggest regrets upon leaving was not having the chance to try more of them.

Despite travelling in May, which is the start of the rainy season, there was nothing but clear skies throughout my stay – something reflective of the entire trip as I absolutely cannot fault the service and facilities at Mandarin Oriental Canouan.

If you’re a family, a couple, or even a solo traveller, I highly recommend this resort for an ultra-luxury beachside getaway. It’s definitely a somewhere that I’d return to.