Royalton: a luxurious all-inclusive in sun-drenched Grenada

With four restaurants, a butler service and crowd-free areas to access turquoise waters, Radhika Aligh enjoys the perfect no-fuss holiday
1/7

Forget screaming children, packed-like-sardine breakfast bars and a mad dash to grab loungers, a new breed of all-inclusive resorts is changing old-school stereotypes with all the perks and zero compromises on luxury.

Royalton Grenada, one of Marriott Bonvoy’s all-inclusive properties, is one of the newest hotels on the lush green Caribbean island, boasting some of the finest beaches and a fast-developing culinary scene.

Where?

The journey from the airport to reception takes five minutes, perfect for those itching to hit the beach pronto. You enter the property through perfectly manicured gardens and a private lake before arriving at the open-plan reception area. All rooms have direct access to Tamarind Bay, and Magazine Beach, known for its golden sands and romantic sunsets, is within touching distance. The capital city of St George’s, famed for its spice market and multicoloured picturesque harbour, is a ten-minute drive.

Outdoor patio at Royalton
Royalton

Style

At first glance, the architecture in the main lobby resembles Moorish courtyards decorated with arched walls, marble-textured flooring and red sloping roofs. The modernity and minimalism come from the muted greyish-black rattan garden furniture and beige leather upholstered chairs in the bars and restaurants surrounding it. The rooms carry a similar clean style with a subtle injection of ocean blue.

At Royalton, concrete buildings hide between the diverse flora and fauna associated with the Caribbean: brightly coloured bougainvillaea and rustling palm trees swaying to the sea breeze. If you’re not looking at endless vegetation, you are likely staring out at the Caribbean sea, both a balm to the soul.

The property has three adult pools
Royalton

Facilities

The resort has three large adult pools, two along the coast and one next to the Italian restaurant, plus a separate swimming area for kids. Indoor activities include a gym with access to Bootcamp, yoga and aqua fit classes, and a state-of-the-art spa. Those wanting to rejuvenate without breaking a sweat may choose from a long list of treatments, such as their signature bamboo therapy and chocolate facial.

By day, there is plenty to keep the kids occupied with a roster of events and a dedicated clubhouse where they can mingle with like-minded mini travellers. The evening is when the resort truly comes to life with live bands and a DJ blasting Soca tunes under star-studded skies.

Guests can upgrade to Royalton’s premium service called Diamond Club. The exclusive access gets you two private butlers, a members-only pool area, plus a stretch of the beach to yourself. Other perks include priority reservations in à la carte restaurants and a selection of premium beverages.

Interiors of Ma Maison, one of four restaurants at Royalton
Royalton

Extracurricular

It may be around the same size as the Isle of Wight, but this little island certainly holds its own with world-class dive sites, historic estates and nature trails not to be missed.

Nicknamed the “Spice Island”, Grenada is home to some of the finest nutmeg and cocoa in the world - it is one of few countries to produce ‘fine flavour’ beans. The Chocolate Museum in the heart of St. George’s is a one-stop shop where you can grind beans the old-school way plus sample products from all six plantations. If you want to experience it first-hand, head to the 400-year-old Belmont Estate to learn about its journey from bean to bar. The Tower Estate and De la Grenade spice garden showcase the wealth of herbs grown on the island, thanks to the fertile volcanic soil.

Ring of Children at Underwater Sculpture Park
Orlando K. Romain -Dive Grenada

The island boasts excellent diving sites that rival its neighbouring islands. Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park is a unique aquatic experience and eco-experiment designed to revive sealife after hurricane Ivan hit the country in 2004. There are now 75 works covered in algae and coral polyps dotted about the 8,600sq ft site. Among them are celebrated works which feature a ring of children holding hands, a man sitting on a desk with a typewriter and even Jesus Christ.

There is as much life in its green peaks as under its cobalt waters. The rainforest area is home to several spectacular crashing waterfalls and Grand Etang Lake, a crater lake in an extinct volcano which hasn’t erupted in 12,000 years. You’re also guaranteed to cross paths with the island’s famous mona monkeys, often found foraging for fruits.

Food & Drink

Royalton caters to every taste bud with its four restaurants and six bars.

Add spice to your stay with dinner at Taj, an elegantly decorated restaurant guaranteed to transport you to the streets of India with a single mouthful. Here regular favourites like biryani and butter chicken sit alongside equally delectable vegetarian options.

View from Italian restaurant Grazie
Royalton

Dine to the soothing sound of waves at Grazie, the Italian eatery or opt for something more refined at Ma Maison, showcasing French culinary skills with a modern twist. Some favourites include vegan mushroom bourguignon and the classic lobster thermidor.

Gourmet Marché, a buffet restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, is the largest of them all and has a selection of local dishes like Grenada’s national dish called oil down. The one-pot feast consists of veg, meat and dumplings cooked in coconut milk.

With six bars, you are never too far from your favourite tipple, even when you’re swimming. Relax on the swim-up bar or sit on the one by the poolside. Sports lovers can spend time sipping a chilled Carib at the bar while watching a game of their choice.

Walkout beach balcony overlooking Tamarind Bay
Royalton

Which room?

All 269 rooms and suites have a balcony or terrace facing beautiful gardens or uninterrupted ocean views. Most rooms can accommodate a family of four, but if you’re looking for comfort, splash out on the presidential one-bedroom suite with a separate living room and bar.

For a large family getaway, two-four bedroom suites can fit 12 adults and eight kids and come kitted out with separate guest bedrooms, a dining area, a Jacuzzi soaking tub and a pool table.

Best for

Royalton is perfect for couples, young families and solo travellers looking for a no-fuss break. Tailor your holiday as you want: lie on the beach or plan a full day of adventure, knowing you have a comfortable room waiting for you.

Details

Stay at Royalton Grenada, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort from $449 (approx. £371) per night in a double occupancy Jr. Suite. Book atRoyalton Grenada, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort.

Upgrade to Diamond Club from $603 USD (£496.63) per night on double occupancy basis.

For more information on Grenada, visit puregrenada.com

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in