We’re pleased as punch to be a member of the Essential Hotel Collection, and even more over the moon to display the plaque at the hotel’s entrance.
You may or may not have heard of the Essential Hotel Collection, and if you haven’t you soon will. The collection is made up of a few hand-picked, luxury hotels and resorts throughout the Caribbean. Each of them are privately owned, places of personality who offer exquisite service and luxury.
The Calabash Hotel is the only hotel in Grenada to be part of the collection and it is a true honour!
To peruse the other gorgeous resorts in the collection, and to receive some great deals and rewards, have a look at www.essentialhotelcollection.co.uk.
What would you rather be doing over the Christmas holidays….
OR
It’s all down to a matter of opinion, but here in Grenada we think we’ve managed to get things pretty spot on.
We’ve taken away the hustle and bustle of the high street and shopping malls; abandoned the thought of coats, thermals and layers and got rid of the rain, sleet and cold temperatures.
Instead we’ve surrounded ourselves with with sunshine, rum cocktails and turquoise sea while hanging onto the best bits of the Christmas holidays like gifts, friendly smiles from passers by, carols, decorations and of course – roast turkey!
When you look at it like that it all makes sense doesn’t it?
The Caribbean is set to be this Christmas’s hot spot, so get on a plane and head to Grenada and we’ll welcome you to The Calabash with open arms.
We’re all a big happy family at The Calabash and so like to make Christmas a special day with champagne, canapés, carols and a traditional Christmas dinner courtesy of Gary Rhodes.
For more information get in touch with our lovely reservations ladies by emailing reservations@calabashhhotel.com.
For those who want to get away but still feel like you’re at home, for those who are travelling in a group with friends and family, for those who just want to have a good time away from it all – luxury villa holidays are for you.
Have we conjured up enough lovely images in your mind? No? Well lets see about that…
As part of the Calabash Hotel, we have 5 of THE FINEST, most luxurious villas available to rent on the island.
Each one is individually decorated to the highest standards, with huge spa style bathrooms, infinity edge pools, relaxing open air living areas and between 2 and 5 bedrooms. Perfect for large parties as more than one villa can be booked together.
For more in depth info on each of the villas please check out – www.luxuryvillasgrenada.com or you can always email our lovely reservations team on reservations@calabashhotel.com.
When the world lost a luxury cruise liner, Grenada gained an underwater icon.
Nicknamed the ‘Titanic of the Caribbean’, the Bianca C was an elegant 600ft Italian cruise liner which now lies peacefully on the sea bed just off the south-west coast of Grenada. This year we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of her descent onto the ocean floor.
After an engine room explosion before the anchor was raised to leave Grenada’s harbour, a fire soon engulfed the ship. The passengers and crew were brought to safety by the local yachtsmen who heard the distress calls and leapt into action. For a week the refugees of the Bianca C were guests of the people of Grenada having been offered beds in hotels, guest houses and even private homes until two ships arrived to take them home – a testament to Grenadian hospitality.
In appreciation, the Bianca C’s operators gave the people of Grenada a bronze replica of the ‘Christ of the Deep’ which stands proudly on the waterfront of the Carenage . The original statue was said to have been sunk in the Bay of Naples as a symbol of God’s care for all who sail the high seas. A pretty big honour huh?
The Bianca C is a legend in her own right. The largest wreck in the Caribbean has divers flocking to the island to visit her. Once down to the eerie depth of 50 metres and confronted with the huge frame of the ‘Titanic of the Caribbean’, you immediately are eased by the sight of the coral garden which has bloomed all around the wreck. Thousands of species of creatures weave in and out of the wreck like a giant underwater playground.
Join our friendly onsite dive specialists ScubaTech, who are the best in the business (if we do say so ourselves!). They’ll whisk you down to the wonderful underwater world, showing you why Grenada is the ‘Wreck Diving Capital of the Caribbean’.
We you’re on a dive with ScubaTech you feel very cared for and looked after, which allows you to relax and enjoy your surroundings. ScubaTech’s good will has been extended by teaming up with us to offer you a special deal to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Bianca C – email them to find out more on info@scubatech-grenada.com or visit www.scubatech-grenada.com
Don’t you just hate it when you get to a hotel and you think ‘urg…this is not like the photos’
Anyway that got me thinking…
We have recently upgraded the photography at the hotel with the kind help of an excellent photographer on the island – Josh Yetman (if you like pretty pictures you should check out his photoblog - www.moderndaygilligan.com. He’s simply an amazing photographer).
The new photos we have of the hotel are stunning. But they’re stunning because the resort IS stunning. But why would you take my word for it? Well you don’t have to. I’ve asked our lovely facebook friends who have been to the Calabash to send me some of their holiday snaps, so that we can see what the hotel actually looks like when you strip away the fancy cameras.
And the results were astounding. A couple of the photos were actually on par, if not better than the professional ones we have. But the best bit is now you’ll know that when we say ‘Come to Grenada, it’s fantastic’, ‘Stay at the Calabash, its beautiful’ – it’s really is the truth.
We’re more like proud parents rather than just proud sponsors. Yes, this year The Calabash Hotel supported the award winning exhibit by Suzanne Gaywood at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
From the instant you set eyes on Castaway – A Grenadian Idyll, you can help but think “WOW”. Even with all the hustle and bustle of the flower show going on around, the exhibit has an amazing ability to transport you to a tranquil beach in the tropics.
Then the steel pans start up and the party began. Passersby, media and celebrities immediately flocked over to the exhibit, drawn in by the bright colours, music and the rum punch. Even other exhibitors abandoned their own stands and made a beeline over to us – Grenada stood out like a shining beacon and we all new we were headed for gold.
Awards are something Suzanne Gaywood is used to. As we speak she is down at Buckingham Palace rubbing elbows with the Royals to collect her well deserved MBE. This is her 9th Chelsea Award, and I imagine they’ll be many more to come.
The Calabash Hotel’s restaurants have been noted for being among the best restaurants in the Caribbean and usually the best restaurants come with a hefty price tag. Well not anymore!
We have just launched our special dinner deal for Grenadians and SGU Students alike – EC$75 for lunch at our beach bar and EC$150 for dinner at the unparalleled Rhodes Restaurant.
Yesterday was a glorious day in the city. And what a great way to spend it; with Gary Rhodes and his wife Jennie at the Galvin Cafe Au Vin soaking up the sunshine and talking about Grenada.
Galvin Café Au Vin, the brainchild of Michelin starred chef brother’s Chris and Jeff Galvin, is a haven in central London. Surrounded by modern, glassy and impossibly corporate buildings is a 18th century girl’s school which has been transformed into a gastronomic retreat – not sure that is really a term but it sounds apt!
Here we indulged. No other word for it. Surrounded by fantastic food and a buzzing atmosphere we discussed a subject which is very dear to us all – The Calabash. Gary’s passion for Grenada started in the 90′s and is still ever present. His ethos ‘excellent ingredients create excellent dishes’ has transformed cuisine on the island.
Rhodes Restaurant is now one of the best restaurants in the Caribbean, but we will not be resting on our laurels. Come October when the hotel reopens after our annual closure, Rhodes Restaurant will be opening with a bang!
We’re not giving away details yet, but there is going to be some very exciting stuff for you foodies out there. And even if you don’t think you’re a foodie, you will be!
As you’ve probably noticed, every now and then we like to bring to your attention something that is close to our hearts – the people of Grenada.
Grenadian’s are some of the most magnificent people, with the most marvellous welcoming attitude. If you have ever visited Grenada I’m sure you’ll agree that the smiling faces are enough to make you instantly feel at home.
On this occasion, we would to highlight a cause that we think are doing a fantastic job caring for 29 children who have had difficult upbringings. The Bel Air home are a true example of the Grenadian spirit.
These beautiful children have experience things most of us would never dream of, so we owe it to them to do what we can to help. Please have a look at http://www.belairchildrenshome.com/donations.html to see if there is anything you can do to help. Every little bit will be appreciated!!
@EssentialHotel Today's forecast is sun, sun & more sun! Yes Gary Rhodes has left but had a great time in Grenada. Fab menus soon to be up 2 months ago
