Grenada is small, so where you sleep mostly decides your beach, your atmosphere and your budget. Almost all of the island's resorts sit along the southwest and south coasts, within a short drive of the airport. This guide matches three areas to five hotels.
Grand Anse: the beach strip
Grand Anse is the island's main resort area, with nearly two miles of sand, restaurants, beach bars and shops along the road behind it. Spice Island Beach Resort is the beachfront splurge, with 64 mostly suite-style rooms, pool suites and a spa. The Radisson Grenada Beach Resort is the practical mid-range option, directly on the sand with two pools, free breakfast and a golf course next door. Mount Cinnamon Beach and Wellness Resort sits on the hill above the bay, with a path to the beach, two pools, a spa and free breakfast. Choose Grand Anse if you want to walk to dinner, swim in calm water and be close to the dive and boat operators.
Lance aux Epines: quiet and refined
A few minutes further south, Lance aux Epines is a residential, leafy area on the water. Calabash Hotel is a Relais and Chateaux boutique stay with three restaurants, a spa, a beach club and a free full breakfast, about 1.6 miles from Grand Anse. It suits couples and adults who want calm and polish. Check the family policy before you reserve, because the information varies between sources.
Pink Gin Beach: all-inclusive and close to the airport
On the Point Salines peninsula, Sandals Grenada is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort with five pools, around ten restaurants, six bars and water sports including diving included. Listings put it about seven minutes from the airport, and complimentary transfers are listed. It suits couples and honeymooners who want to stay in one place and enjoy everything on site, with a few excursions to the sculpture park, a waterfall or Belmont Estate.
Choosing between them
Pick Grand Anse for convenience, a beach on your doorstep and plenty of choice. Pick Lance aux Epines for a quieter, boutique feel. Pick Pink Gin Beach if you want everything included and an easy start from the airport. For families, the Radisson and Mount Cinnamon are the most natural fits, and Mount Cinnamon even lists dogs as welcome, which is unusual. For couples, Spice Island, Calabash and Sandals all work, with Spice Island and Calabash leaning intimate and Sandals leaning social.
Getting around from each base
From Grand Anse you can walk to the beach bars, shops and many restaurants, and tours collect from hotels. From Lance aux Epines and Pink Gin Beach you will use taxis or a hired car more often. Airport transfers are available at most hotels, either free or for a surcharge.
When to book
Winter and holiday weeks fill early, particularly the beachfront and all-inclusive resorts, so reserve ahead. If a hotel page does not list a detail such as breakfast, deposits or a shuttle, ask before you book. Whichever area you choose, the island is small enough that tours, beaches and waterfalls are never far away.