July 1, 2009

Caribbean | Grenadines

Your Own Private Grenadines

By Nicole Cotroneo

Raffles and Elite Resorts raise the stakes for ultimate Caribbean seclusion.
Originally published on September 5, 2007.

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Flecked with bits of pink coral and white seashell, Casuarina Beach on Palm Island is one of the prettiest shorelines in the Grenadines. And now that Elite Resorts has banned cell phones from this stretch of their private isle retreat, it’s possibly the most tranquil too. Call it the icing on a recent makeover that added four new guestrooms and spruced up the beachside dining rooms. But they’re not done yet: While the resort already offers one private oceanview villa, it now plans to build a second with its own arbor-shaded terraces and infinity pool.

But to snag the MVP award (most valuable property, of course) it’ll have to compete with the recently opened Raffles Villa, just north on Canouan Island. Perched on a coastal bluff, the three-bedroom sanctuary is decked out in Persian rugs and Italian marble, and goes for $7,000-per-night. You’ll find ultimate seclusion — but for your private chef, butler and housekeeping legion. If you actually feel like mingling, join the other Raffles guests at the Jim Fazio-designed golf course, Amrita spa, or Trump casino. And don’t forget to use the “air-limousine.” The seven-seat Citation II is this resort’s Rolls Royce, and come December, Canouan’s expanded runway will give it ample room to land.