Raffles Resort Canouan Island
This very special resort is an 800 acre retreat that is the most luxurious one in the archipelago known as the Grenadines. It was once the site of the small islands main town and only when hoteliers agreed to keep the original church intact were they able to build. Approaching the resort, from a road that parallels the coast, this picturesque church is one of the first things that visitors see. Designed in amphitheater style, the resort's buildings cascade down the tropical forested hillside. At the top is the newly built Villa Monte Carlo, home of the Trump Club Privee, a European-styled casino.
The resort has seven restaurants and bars. The Italian concept La Piazza features Tuscan cuisine and one of the world's largest selections of Italian wines. Award-winning Jambu's serves up Latin and Japanese dishes pool-side. Godhals Beach Bar & Grill specializes in Caribbean-Cuban cuisine and is situated along the coral reef under bamboo pavilions. The resort's signature bar, Bellini's has an interesting assortment of canapés, tapas and cocktails. Thirsts can also be whetted at the beachfront pool bar or Jambus Bar, which features a selection of 88 martinis, including a $300 Martini served with a 24-karat gold olive sword. At the top of the hill in Villa Monte Carlo is La Varenne, a gourmet restaurant specializing in caviar and fine champagnes.
Recreational options abound, including a 12,900-sq-ft swimming pool with a whirlpool, four lighted tennis courts, and an 18-hole Jim Fazio-designed golf course. The health center houses a well-equipped fitness room-including a boxing ring-and a Raffles Amrita Spa with nine private treatment rooms designed after traditional palapas with thatched roofs. Guests can windsurf, snorkel or scuba dive in a watersports area on one of three private white-sand beaches. Golf carts provide transportation around the sprawling resort. The Trump Club Privee, the Americas' first European-styled casino, stays open around the clock. Guests can charter their own boat and spend the day sailing through some of the most beautiful waters anywhere stopping, if they wish, to swim off a secluded white sand beach.
Guest are escorted to this off-the-beaten path island via private jet service from Barbados or St. Lucia.
Accommodations are in one- or two-story villas, each with a private terrace or patio that enjoys breathtaking views of the gardens or shoreline. All are decorated in a Tuscan tradition with light-wood furniture, netted four-poster beds and terracotta-tiled floors livened up with colorful Caribbean throws for accent. The smallest rooms are 560 sq ft, and all are appointed with Frette towels and sheets, feather pillows, one king or two double beds, and walk-in closets. Also standard are air conditioning, ceiling fans, electronic safes, coffeemakers, phones with voice mail, satellite TV, CD players, wireless workspace and a minibar. Larger suites include kitchenettes. All baths come with a deep soaking tub with separate shower, hair dryers, RafflesAmrita bath amenities, beach slippers and robes. Suites and multi-bedroom villas add a second bath and larger vanities.
Gardenview rooms face away from the coastline. All others feature ocean views. Personality Suites have private poolsbut our absolute favorite are the rooms along the mezzanine level as they afford the most spectacular vies of the tranquil bay and beach.
There is a “kids’ club for pre-teens and another for entertaining teenagers.