Reviews – Islands

Tour the Caribbean’s Newest Resort: Sandals La Source Grenada

Steve Spears — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:11:21 +0000

My assignment: Experience everything the brand-new Sandals La Source Grenada has to offer and see if an all-inclusive resort can deliver a full vacation experience … without ever leaving the resort’s front gates. Four days, nine restaurants and too many plunges into my private infinity pool to count, here’s how it all turned out.

Best All-Inclusive Resorts | Most Romantic Getaways | Best of the Caribbean

After a three-hour flight from Miami, I arrive in Grenada, where a van whisks me to Sandals La Source. The glow from the many public and private swimming pools lights up the resort just after sunset. Select suites at La Source feature swim-up pools, so slipping right into the water off the porch is a no-brainer. Sandals La Source

In the morning, the expanse of the property is visible — now I know where I am. Sandals La Source Grenada features 225 rooms and suites. I’m lucky enough to have a butler suite in the Italian Village section of the resort, which features luxurious “Skypool” suites with infinity pools on the balconies for private plunges. Sandals La Source

As the concierge leads me through my suite, it’s a series of jaw-dropping moments. The wet bar, stocked with top-shelf liquors. A plush living room and dining area with a monster flat-screen TV. But the ultimate jaw-hit-the-floor, call-my-dentist event at Sandals La Source? Seeing my private infinity pool for the first time. The concierge saved it for last, just grinning at my reaction. This particular pool, on the fourth floor of the Italian Village, overlooks the entire resort and could easily fit five people. But it’s designed for two. For the next four nights, it’s just for me. Steve Spears

Transferring from the airport to an island resort can often involve a long, bumpy ride. I’m relieved when I discover that Sandals La Source is just a five-minute drive from Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport. Yet, despite having an airport as a next-door neighbor, I rarely hear the sound of jet engines. Steve Spears

The main gathering spot during evenings at Sandals La Source Grenada is dubbed the “Living Room.” Don’t let the name fool you into thinking it’s for couch potatoes. I wandered through on my first night as a singer belted out a killer version of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” for an appreciative crowd. Later, as I fell asleep above all the action, I heard a larger band kick into Santana’s “Smooth.” In the Living Room, everyone’s on their feet and a full bar slings drinks till 2 a.m. Sandals La Source

Butch’s Chophouse is Sandals’ inaugural steakhouse, but they seemed like old pros. I opted for the filet mignon with peppercorn sauce instead of my usual New York strip, along with a bowl of lobster mac ‘n’ cheese. And I’d do it again. Later that day, I hear stories about a smoked duck salad and grilled Caribbean lobster. The restaurant carries the name of Sandals’ chairman, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, and it does him proud. Eating my way through every restaurant on the property in just four days is not going to be a problem. Sandals La Source

My king-size bed in the Italian Village sits so high off the floor that the butler has left a wooden set of steps to use. Rooms are decked out with mahogany furnishings, travertine floors and wet bars, but it’s that view that makes me never want to leave. Sandals La Source

During turn-down service each night, the housekeeper set the radio to play a few hours of soothing music, which could’ve easily set the mood for a romantic evening … or just an exceptional night’s sleep immersed in that soft-as-a-cloud bed. Sandals La Source

Grenada is also known as the Spice Island, which I’m reminded of at Spices restaurant, which offers a quick spice tutorial at its front entrance. Grenada is one of the world’s sole producers of nutmeg but also produces ginger, mace and cocoa. At Spices, I discover a local green known as callaloo, which is offered on the buffet, usually alongside some salted fish. I rave about the smoky flavor of the callaloo so much that the housekeeper brings me some to take home. Steve Spears

Sandals La Source Grenada sits on 17 waterfront acres, and it took the all-inc giant 10 months to renovate the former resort and transform it into Sandals La Source. (Watch a time-lapse video.) A grand-opening ceremony attracts not only the Sandals brass, but also the island nation’s prime minister, governor-general (along with plenty of sunglass-wearing security staff) and tourism dignitaries from around the Caribbean. “Grenada, we will not let you down,” Sandals CEO Adam Stewart tells the assembled crowd. Sandals La Source

Sandals La Source has two main pools: a quiet one near my suite in the Italian Village and the noisy pool on the other side. The big advantage to the noisy one? Getting this Fruitti Del Mar pizza from Dino’s delivered to me poolside while I sip on a Purple Rain cocktail (vodka, pineapple juice, Blue Curaçao) at the swim-up bar. Dino’s is one of the resort’s nine restaurants … soon to become 10 with the addition of a pub. Steve Spears

Private pools converge and form waterfalls between the buildings. On my second-to-last night, I pour a cool rum drink from my in-room bar and just wander the grounds in search of more soothing discoveries. New friends, gathered at the fire-pit lounges that stretch out into the larger pools, wave me over. We spend the next hour sipping mojitos and pointing out which glowing blue lights on the neighboring buildings are our suites’ individual plunge pools. Life is good. Steve Spears

Two things I can never resist in a sushi restaurant: tuna and octopus. At Soy, both items are there for the taking. I savor the cool flesh of each treat with an ice-cold Carib beer, a worthy substitute for the Kirin Ichiban brew that I’d normally order. Rolls featuring seared tuna and spicy shrimp follow. I make a silent toast to the editor who insisted I sample everything that Sandals has to offer. Steve Spears

With frosted-glass doors and impossibly large sink basins, the bathrooms at Sandals La Source are in a class all their own. I haven’t willingly taken a bath since … well, ever. But after a day spent largely enjoying restaurant excesses and massages, a shower seems too harsh. I lay the Sandals terry-cloth robe within grabbing distance, find the right combination of bath gels and fill the tub with hot water. Sandals La Source

My mission to experience all nine restaurants at La Source continues with Le Jardinier, a classic French eatery tucked away next to Spices. Earlier in the day, my Butch’s dining mates from Canada raved about the salmon. I’m skeptical … but, hey, it’s about trying everything. The fish arrives encrusted with horseradish and crab, with a lemon buerre blanc on top of sour-cream mashed potatoes and root vegetables with a sweet mustard drizzle. An appetizer of escargot, swimming in rich butter and garlic, is so superior to anything I’ve tried before that I briefly contemplate bribing my butler to bring me the makings of an “escargot hoagie” around midnight. But an almond-flour chocolate cupcake, with salted caramel sauce, takes up the last remaining corner of my stomach. No snail sub tonight. Steve Spears

“You must try it,” says pretty much everyone I meet at La Source about the nutmeg ice cream. I’m not a sweets kind of guy, but I can’t resist when I find Cafe de Paris, a French pastry shop in the Pink Gin Village. I browse the espresso, gelato and pastries, but I’m not allowed to leave without a spoonful of nutmeg ice cream. The spoonful quickly turns into a full serving, and I briefly contemplate giving up my day job to start my own nutmeg ice-cream distributorship. Steve Spears

Sandals La Source is located on the south end of the island on Pink Gin Beach. I time my sandy strolls for each evening after dinner in a noble attempt to work off my meal. On my last night, I meet other guests with the same idea who tell tales of an underwater sculpture park that you can snorkel through, but sadly I’m out of time. Four days isn’t enough anymore. Sandals La Source

Want more resort tours, amazing photo galleries and exclusive travel deals? Subscribe to the Islands e-newsletter and have it delivered to your inbox weekly. It’s free! Steve Spears

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Editors’ Picks: Top 10 Luxury Cruises

Islands Staff — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 05:02:34 +0000

A round up of the best cruises — from cruising around the world to sailing the Italian coast — all with a focus on unique island itineraries.

Best Island Cruises Guide | The Newest Luxury Cruise Ship | 20 Best Caribbean Cruises

1. Windstar, Italian Coast
No bullet trains to catch. No connecting flights or long layovers. Just lounging on the top deck, cocktail in hand, gliding effortlessly through the open ocean. It’s like the islands come to you — in style.
No ship fits this bill more so than Windstar’s Rome-to-Rome itinerary aboard Wind Surf. The intriguing quiet experienced while visiting the Sistine Chapel and the Pantheon will follow you back to the ship. Only 312 guests board this ship, so by the end of the cruise, you’ll feel like you’ve chartered a private yacht with your friends and family. And with help from engines, you’ll hit many of the less traveled Italian and French islands at a steady, relaxed pace. First island stop: Ischia for secluded beaches. Then the Blue Grotto of Capri and the nature reserve on Corsica. Between ports, indulge in the onboard spa, and gorge on the Le Plateau de Fruits de Mer, a tower of seafood delicacies. Stuffed? Go to sleep. Tomorrow, the Amalfi Coast will magically appear.
Rates from $2,649
windstarcruises.com Jon Whittle

2. Adventure Associates, Galápagos
One day you crouch on a grassy hillside watching a 100-year-old giant tortoise meander past. The next you walk through a field of daisies — as big as trees. Every day, you come face to face with natural selection in progress. This doesn’t feel like an ordinary cruise. A ship gets you to islands you can’t reach any other way. And the 48-guest La Pinta is one of the best-appointed ships in the Galápagos fleet — great chefs, spacious staterooms and oversize portholes with the same views Darwin saw. Walk among marine iguanas on the lava shore. Snorkel with penguins, turtles and sea lions. The real luxury is witnessing this dynamic ecosystem firsthand and seeing the source for the theory of evolution.
Rates from $4,935
adventure-associates.com Courtesy of Adventure Associates

Yachts of Seabourn, Around the World
In one-third of the year, you could spend about five hours at red lights, make your bed 100 times and grow your hair 1½ inches. Or you could cruise the world. Board the Yachts of Seabourn’s Sojourn maiden world cruise in Los Angeles and say goodbye to the States for the next 111 days. Cross the equator to explore Nuku Hiva, Papeete, Moorea and Bora Bora. And then, while relaxing in one of the 225 suites, let it sink in — you have 45 more ports to explore. On land, Seabourn’s staff will set up everything for you — take three nights from Auckland to Akaroa, New Zealand, to visit the Southern Alps, and four nights from Hong Kong to Cai Lan, Vietnam, to see giant pandas. It will be the most productive year of your life, even if you stay in bed for the remaining 254 days.
From $49,955
seabourn.com Courtesy of Seabourn

4. Oceania, Caribbean
What’s better than taking a relaxing cruise through the Caribbean? Being the first to do so on a brand-new ship. Join the 625-room Oceania Marina during its inaugural season on the Caribbean Pearls itinerary to visit the classic islands (St. Lucia, Dominican Republic, Antigua) and some of our favorites off the beaten path (Dominica, Grand Turk, St. Barts). Between ports, dine at master chef Jacques Pepin’s first restaurant at sea and try your hand in the Culinary Center, where you can prepare your own meal from fresh ingredients bought that day in local markets. Whatever you choose, you’ll be setting the pace for cruisers to come.
Rates from $2,499
oceaniacruises.com Courtesy of Oceania

5. Paul Gauguin, Tahitian Islands
The sun sets between the twin peaks of Otemanu and Pahia on Bora Bora as you sit down at L’Etoile for French cuisine served a la carte (no buffet). And you don’t have to make a reservation or sign a check. It’s included, as is your Irish whiskey nightcap served by Abner, your suite-deck butler. The ship sails as you sleep, and when you open the curtains in the morning, the green hills of Moorea fill the windows. The shallow-draft, 332-guest M/S Paul Gauguin can anchor inside the reefs. And that means, for once, you’re inside those postcard-perfect views — in Raiatea, Taha’a and Tahiti too. That’s right. You have arrived. Champagne?
Rates from $3,145
pgcruises.com Courtesy of Paul Gauguin

6. Seadream, Caribbean
Kayak the bioluminescent bay off the coast of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Sail on a catamaran to the Tobago Cays. Eat brick-oven lobster pizza on Bequia. Meet a local ceramic potter on Nevis. When aboard the SeaDream II, you don’t just pick a few excursions on your nine-day trip. You do them all, because every island on this off-the-beaten-path itinerary is worthy of deeper exploration. Depart Puerto Rico and hopscotch south through the Lesser Antilles, hitting Culebrita, Guadeloupe and even Mayreau, to name a few, with plenty of time on each for exploring. But don’t call it cruising — this is yachting on a 112-passenger ship. You just may be able to check everything off your Caribbean bucket list on this one trip.
Rates from $3,699
seadreamyachtclub.com Courtesy of Seadream

7. Cruceros Australis, Tierra Del Fuego
Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego — your itinerary reads like Admiral Byrd’s wish list. But whereas Byrd had a dogsled and lived on pemmican for six months, you have the brand-new, 210-passenger Stella Australis (launching in December for Cruceros’ 20th anniversary), a luxury expedition ship with picture windows, satellite phones and a pastry chef. Visit one of the most extreme regions on the planet in extreme comfort. Weave through icebergs as you land in a Zodiac on the Magdalena Islands to visit Magellanic penguins and regal cormorants. Zip up your parka as you stroll to the southernmost tip of South America on Cape Horn. Then head back to the lounge and relax with a cup of cocoa.
Rates from $2,520
australis.com Courtesy of Cruceros Australis

8. Regent Seven Seas, New Zealand
Take your time. Do it right — from dry-aged prime beef and fine wines to indulgent spa treatments and 16 days to explore just two countries. Take in five of New Zealand’s cities, from Auckland to Dunedin. Aboard the 350-room Voyager, cruise past the fjords of Milford Sound and across the Tasman Sea to Hobart, Tasmania (Australia’s cute little sister). Some itineraries hurry you from island to island and country to country. Not this one. By the time you dock in Sydney, you’ll be an honorary Kiwi/Aussie. $12,499
rssc.com Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas

9. Silolona Sojourns, Indonesia
A Silolona Sojourns cruise is straight out of the history books — and you get to jump right in. Pretend you’re Columbus, Magellan and Drake sailing in search of cinnamon, ginger and turmeric. It won’t be too far a stretch, since Silolona is an authentic replica of the Indonesian sailing ships that used to troll the Spice Route for flavorful booty. Depending on the time of year, be one of only 10 guests to sail the Banda Islands, Raja Ampat, Sulawesi and Komodo. You might be retracing the past, but gliding past these remote islands, you’ll never want to forget the present moment.
Rates vary.
silolona.com Courtesy of Silolona

10. Silversea, Mediterranean
Cruising and eating are almost synonymous. Luckily, aboard the Silver Spirit, fresh local food is the specialty every day — and on a cruise, local is different every night. Sail through the Italian islands eating air-dried ham from Parma and Ligurian ravioli on board at La Terrazza. Savor a six-course meal (including Perigord truffles) at Le Champagne after exploring Corsica. Then retreat back to your ocean-view suite (one of only 270) to watch as the islands that just fed you so generously begin to fade out of sight.
Rates from $5,308
silversea.com Courtesy of Sliversea

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Listen to Music Underwater

Eddy Patricelli — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 23:13:50 +0000

Fish don’t have ear openings. And that’s a pity. My favorite tunes have never sounded better than while swimming with an iPod Shuffle from Underwater Audio. What makes it unique is the Shuffle itself has been waterproofed. It looks and functions just as a standard iPod Shuffle would, except that it’s rated to depths of 200 feet. I didn’t go that deep. But I do know the Shuffle’s portability makes for a hassle-free swimming experience, in part thanks to the Swimbuds waterproof headphones it can be purchased with. They provided a perfect seal and utilized a drag-free cord that kept my focus on my stroke … and my tunes. underwateraudio.com; $165

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REVIEW: Summer’s Ultimate Savior

Eddy Patricelli — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 03:17:31 +0000

“Let’s go for a walk.” It’s a simple request. It’s a beautiful beach. Why wouldn’t I join my wife for a sunset stroll? The short answer: my wet board shorts. They rub me wrong … down there. I own the latest baggies — super-stretchy, quick-drying, lightweight. Still, my privates suffer. Hēlo compression shorts offer a $29 eco-friendly solution. They’re not constricting, and they dry faster than the board shorts I wear over them. But what I really dig is how they feel … down there. My boys breathe. No rash, nor discomfort, thanks to a unique mesh material in the inseam. A sunset walk on the beach — let’s go! heloclothes.com

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This is Our New Favorite Underwater Camera

Jon Whittle — Sat, 17 May 2014 00:39:13 +0000

Nikon AW 1 Nikon

This underwater camera is different from any other I’ve used. The Nikon AW1is ready to descend to 49 feet without a housing, and it’s mirrorless, which means I can press the button while diving or snorkeling and get an instant shot, leaving no time for fish to flee in fear. It can also be dropped from almost 7 feet without damage, a major plus for a travel photographer. So too are the interchangeable lenses that allow me to adjust the zoom manually without clumsily using a zoom button (like on a point-and-shoot). Geotagging is a cinch with the onboard GPS, but it does run the battery down quickly. I’ve long been a Canon-only guy, but with this camera, I may have to make an exception. From $799.95, nikon.com

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REVIEWS: ExOfficio GeoTrek’r

Jon Whittle — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 00:00:23 +0000

Airline baggage fees seem to go up every day, so I have to choose carefully what items get to travel the world with me. After sweat-testing the ExOfficio GeoTrek’r long-sleeve shirt, I’ve awarded it a season pass to accompany me on all photoassignments. To balance the weight of a tripod (and all of my hair products), I need clothes that weigh very little and are able to take abuse. This shirt answers both calls. Made of lightweight, vented nylon, it kept me rather temperate for an entire day in the Caribbean, and the long sleeves helped keep the sun away from my arms out on the water. It’s also wrinkleproof, but my coworkers who see me in the office between trips understand I’m not too concerned with that. $70, exoffico.com

Click here to get more packing tips and travel essentials with our Ultimate Islands Packing List.

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REVIEWS: Nikon Coolpix AW100 Waterproof Camera

Cami Miller — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 22:23:45 +0000

Nikon CoolPix AW 100 Nikon

I drowned my last two cameras. And I’ve grown tired of waterproof phone cases that make me more nervous than confident when it comes to underwater photos. That’s why the Nikon Coolpix AW100 waterproof camera is my new go-to for summer travel. Waterproof, shockproof and ultra-durable, the slick camera takes killer shots without killing any gear. Plus, the built-in Wi-Fi allows uploads to social networks instantly, and the GPS photo tracking is a welcome feature for avid travelers. This rugged (yet sleek) camera wows with its low-light captures (perfect for diving or snorkeling), and action-packed adventure shots come out blur-free. (Bonus: Cold-weather explorers will love Nikon’s new Action Control, made for fast and easy operation with gloved hands.) And with the full 1080p HD video mode, who knows? Maybe I’ll finally star in my own surf movie too. $241.99, nikon.com

-Cami Miller

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REVIEWS: The Best Boardshorts for Summer

Islands Staff — Sat, 11 May 2013 02:33:31 +0000

My pro surfer friend swears by A+D Diaper Rash Cream. He spends 12 hours a day in wet baggies. Good ones too — quick-drying, light- weight, stretchy. Yet he still gets rashes. I know his pain, though I’ve outgrown diaper cream thanks to my Dry Dudz. They offer a layered solution — the only one of its kind—in an attachable, light- weight, supportive liner. Utilizing a Quick Mount System, the liner doesn’t ride or bunch, and makes for a chafe-free wet-baggie buffer. It also dries as quickly as the swimsuit it’s joined to, and is treated with an antibacterial. Hike, surf, stroll, beach it — these two-in-one shorts delivered in friction-free fashion. $75, drydudz.com

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Pack Easy with the Rise & Hang Suitcase

Islands Staff — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 02:49:43 +0000

I’ve reached my tropical island paradise in the Dominican Republic with the items in my suitcase just as I’d packed them — I never thought it possible. Rise & Hang‘s Carry-On and Weekender bags come with three built-in collapsible shelving units — each a different size for shirts, pants, socks, etc. And I don’t even have to unpack — I just pull out the steel hooks already attached to the bag and let it hang right in the closet. When the shelves fold out, the bottom of the bag conveniently becomes a hamper for my dirty clothes. I’ll have plenty of those by the time I’ve hiked Isabel de Torres National Park and ambled through the Puerto Plata jungle on horseback._ From $84._

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This Bag’s a Valuable Travel Companion

Islands Staff — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 00:43:37 +0000

It’s 5 a.m. and I’m getting ready for my first flight of the day. What do I want to wear? Black. What do I want to be? Comfortable. And what do I need to access during the entire flight? My iPad, since I can’t bring myself to put it down. So for the past two months, my Hex Drake Messenger bag has become almost as important as my passport.

On a recent flight, I used the bag’s PadPort (a transparent slot that allows an iPad to be used without removing it) to reassure a flight attendant that I had indeed turned it off. The bag also offers 15 inches of space for my laptop, an organizer for cards and pens, and an exterior pocket for my iPhone. The bag is padded and water-resistant for those beautiful — and wet — island getaways. $79.95, shophex.com

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